Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 108

Wu Jing rested for two days in the manor. His legs, which had been weak, were finally able to walk normally. Even though Ning Qinghong held him in his arms, Wu Jing couldn’t hold onto him and had to let his legs dangle limply.

 

He had to apply the medicinal ointment every day and used medicinal jade to aid recovery.

 

He didn’t want to get out of bed.

 

Today was the day he had to go to the palace for court. He was woken at dawn, and the servants called him from behind a screen before retreating.

 

Wu Jing knelt on Ning Qinghong’s lap, holding back tears as Ning Qinghong gently wiped off the excess ointment from the night before with a cloth, and then comforted him with kisses for a while.

 

By the time this was done, there wasn’t much time left. After washing up and skipping breakfast, he took a carriage to the palace.

 

With the recent cold weather, they opted for a spacious sedan chair instead of a palanquin, and it carried them to the Golden Luan Hall.

 

Wu Jing leaned against Ning Qinghong and dozed off again, drowsily asking, “Did you prepare some food for me again?”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Wu Wu has avoided rich foods for two or three days; it’s time to eat something good.”

 

Wu Jing’s ears turned red, and he murmured, “I’ll try to eat less now, and we can have breakfast together after court.” He hesitantly asked, “Will you still be discussing state affairs with the ministers later?”

 

Ning Qinghong confirmed.

 

“Where will you be discussing them? Should I review the memorial?” He complained, “This time, don’t leave me alone. You need to go with me.”

 

The sedan chair stopped.

 

Ning Qinghong helped Wu Jing down gently and said softly, “We’ll be in the Yuji Hall. You should review the memorial. Alright, I’ll follow your wishes.”

 

He responded to every request.

 

Wu Jing glanced down and exited the sedan chair, preparing to enter the Golden Luan Hall through the side door.

 

The sedan chair had to be carried to the jade steps where the ministers were waiting. Soon, court began, and many officials and ministers were inside the hall, with quite a few waiting outside.

 

The grand court assembly lasted only about an hour.

 

Wu Jing nibbled on a few pastries, and after court, had lunch in the side hall with others. However, before long, an elderly voice suddenly rang out at the side hall’s door, “Your Majesty—”

 

The Left Prime Minister was kneeling at the door, performing his respects.

 

Wu Jing was about to enjoy a piece of crispy and tender golden silk duck when he was startled and nearly choked.

 

Ning Qinghong sighed softly and patted his back, offering him a glass of fruit drink. “Wu Wu, eat slowly.”

 

Wu Jing took a few sips from the glass, glanced at the door, and then looked confusedly at Ning Qinghong. After a moment, he cautiously whispered, “Why is he here?”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled and replied softly, “Since Wu Wu didn’t refuse last time, the matter was brought up. Today, since we are attending court, we’ll see how the Left Prime Minister would handle the position of the Imperial Tutor.”

 

His last comment wasn’t whispered, implying something, and he glanced towards the door. “Why is the Left Prime Minister being so formal? Please, rise.”

 

Although Ning Qinghong spoke, the young emperor said nothing, and despite his feelings, the Left Prime Minister had to follow the order and was helped up by the palace servants.

 

Ning Qinghong continued with a faint smile, “I wonder if the Left Prime Minister has had breakfast. Why don’t we sit together with the ministers and the emperor?”

 

The palace eunuchs forced the Left Prime Minister to sit at the table beside Wu Jing and Ning Qinghong, across a distance of two arms’ length.

 

Despite the distance, Wu Jing felt somewhat uneasy. He forced a smile at the Left Prime Minister, shifted his chair slightly closer to Ning Qinghong, and sat down.

 

Seeing the emperor’s expression, the Left Prime Minister thought it was an imperial signal, so he restrained his stubborn nature and took a few bites.

 

The table was silent for a moment.

 

Wu Jing gradually relaxed. He ate a bit himself and kept an eye on Ning Qinghong, making sure he was enjoying the food. Whenever he found something tasty, he would tell him.

 

Due to the presence of others, even though he spoke softly, the affection between them was apparent.

 

Wu Jing was still somewhat shy and didn’t want to be too obvious.

 

He lowered his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then used his chopsticks to put some food into Ning Qinghong’s bowl.

 

It wasn’t using serving chopsticks.

 

It wasn’t a big deal, just an indication of the emperor’s favor. The Left Prime Minister, seeing this, was somewhat uncomfortable, thinking that the emperor was swayed by flattery and sighed in frustration.

 

Until the young emperor brought a bowl of warm almond sweet custard, tasted a spoonful, and then offered it to Ning Qinghong, saying softly, “It’s not hot, it’s very delicious.”

 

They were together now,

 

Wu Jing didn’t want to hide anything anymore.

 

He was shy but, after confirming with Ning Qinghong, didn’t want to conceal things as long as it wasn’t private. He just didn’t want to hide anything from Ning Qinghong.

 

He was not happy and also worried about Ning Qinghong’s feelings.

 

Wu Jing gathered his courage, looked up at Ning Qinghong with bright eyes, his ears flushed, and his fingers trembling slightly while holding the porcelain spoon. He didn’t avoid or withdraw.

 

Holding his breath, he gazed at Ning Qinghong.

 

Ning Qinghong paused, smiled, and tasted the sweet custard, responding gently, “The one Wu Wu gave me is indeed delicious.” He then asked in a tone meant only for them, “Why is Wu Wu so well-behaved today?”

 

Wu Jing’s face was flushed and he stammered, unable to say a word. Finally, he whispered, “I’m not that shy. I want to be open with you, without worrying about others’ speculations.”

 

Ning Qinghong looked at him quietly, his fingers slightly lifting as if to stroke his brows, but with others present, he withdrew them.

 

Suddenly, the sound of a jade chopstick falling to the floor rang out in the hall. The Left Prime Minister slammed his hand on the table and stood up, “Ning thief, how dare you defy the hierarchy and act so outrageously—”

 

Ning Qinghong remained calm and slowly ordered, “The Left Prime Minister must be confused due to illness. Please, help him finish his meal quickly.”

 

The Left Prime Minister was pushed back into his seat by palace attendants, who covered his mouth with a cloth so he couldn’t utter a word.

 

Wu Jing knew the methods of those around him but was still startled. He didn’t understand why his actions had caused such a reaction. He sat there helplessly, looking at Ning Qinghong, then at the Left Prime Minister, and finally, with a stiffened resolve, said, “Forget it, just forget it.”

 

He was frightened and instinctively grabbed Ning Qinghong’s sleeve.

 

The palace attendants looked at each other, unsure whether to comply. The attendant with the whisk spoke sternly, “Dare you disobey the emperor’s orders?”

 

The Left Prime Minister was finally released.

 

Wu Jing gripped Ning Qinghong’s sleeve tightly, his fingers turning white, and looked at Ning Qinghong for help.

 

Ning Qinghong continued to eat slowly.

 

This was what Wu Jing meant when he said he would act as he pleased.

 

Wu Jing looked at the Left Prime Minister and said, “You’re not young anymore, and you’ve been ill recently. It’s better not to get upset. Please, eat.”

 

The Left Prime Minister wanted to say more, but the attendant with the whisk interjected with a smile, “You should thank the emperor now.” He implied, “In the future, listen carefully to the emperor’s commands.”

 

The palace attendants knelt and complied.

 

The Left Prime Minister, scolded indirectly, looked alternately green and pale.

 

Wu Jing didn’t understand the subtext of these words and only relaxed when the Left Prime Minister stopped speaking. He continued to eat quietly, still shaken.

 

He didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

 

Previously, Ning Qinghong had openly embraced him in front of the palace attendants. As an emperor with no significant authority and a harem with no one, there was nothing wrong with serving food to someone.

 

However, while he tried not to disturb others, Ning Qinghong disturbed him. Seeing the food Ning Qinghong had served him, Wu Jing’s eyes curved with a smile, and he felt happy again.

 

During this meal, only the Left Prime Minister couldn’t swallow his food. He stood up and clasped his hands, “When will Your Majesty go to the Imperial Study so that I may assist you with your lessons?”

 

Ning Qinghong replied, “The Left Prime Minister is too hasty.” He instructed the attendant with the whisk, “Take His Majesty for a stroll in the Imperial Garden first to digest, and have the cabinet ministers wait in the Yuji Hall.”

 

The attendant with the whisk immediately complied.

 

Wu Jing released Ning Qinghong’s sleeve. “I’ll come find you later.”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled in response.

 

During the cabinet meeting, the Left Prime Minister followed the young emperor, observing him play with a small dog in the Imperial Garden for half an hour. The Left Prime Minister, with a look of frustration, wanted to persuade the emperor not to waste time, but seeing Wu Jing so happy, he had to suppress his discontent.

 

After the cabinet meeting, the Left Prime Minister followed the emperor back to the Yuji Hall, his position effectively reduced to that of a fifth-rank attendant, merely observing the emperor’s daily meals.

 

A Taishi chair was set beside the dragon throne. The attendant with the whisk held hot tea at the steps, while the emperor reviewed memorials, his head nodding with sleepiness as he read.

 

The Left Prime Minister stood beside him with a cane.

 

The attendant with the whisk said with a forced smile, “Sir, you worried too much recently. Our esteemed emperor has never hidden any court matters from His Majesty. Look, he’s even teaching His Majesty how to handle them.” He advised, “Just let His Majesty teach him in peace.”

 

The Left Prime Minister, irritated, coughed violently, still doubting. He saw the two growing closer, with the emperor almost falling asleep on Ning Qinghong’s shoulder.

 

Unable to bear it any longer, the Left Prime Minister suddenly knelt and said loudly, “Your Majesty—” He forcefully declared, “The imperial bloodline is thinning, and the harem is empty. Why not request the Empress Dowager to issue an edict for a selection of concubines?”

 

“Expand the harem.”

 

At these words, the attendant with the whisk immediately knelt, and all the palace attendants followed suit, trembling.

 

Ning Qinghong paused with his pen and chuckled softly, “Expand the harem?”

 

Wu Jing was startled awake, choking on his saliva. He covered his mouth, coughed several times, and sat up from Ning Qinghong’s embrace, shaking his head repeatedly. “No, no, I don’t want that.”

 

He looked at Ning Qinghong with eyes full of his absolute refusal, almost lifting three fingers.

 

Ning Qinghong looked at the kneeling Left Prime Minister and asked, “The Left Prime Minister is so certain and loyal, and yet the emperor refuses?”

 

Wu Jing hurriedly nodded, “How about we skip the lesson today? I…” He whispered, “I’ll visit the National Academy this afternoon instead?”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Left Prime Minister, please come back tomorrow. I hope you understand?”

 

The left prime minister was preparing to kneel and not get up, but the attendant who was kneeling immediately stood up, made a gesture to the other palace servants, and seemingly helped the left prime minister but actually secretly applied force, quickly taking him away and sending him out of the palace with ill fortune.

 

Wu Jing, hearing the repeated “Your Majesty,” could hardly breathe, wishing he were deaf. Before he could react, he heard someone beside him whispering with a laugh and a gentle tone, “Wu Wu is being so good today.”

 

Wu Jing had not yet relaxed his breath when Ning Qinghong softly asked, “How about trying something new tonight and hanging Wu Wu up?”