Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 113

Wu Jing’s eyes widened suddenly, “Crown Prince??”

 

At first, his voice was uncontrollable, but then he realized and lowered it.

 

Where did the Crown Prince come from?

 

He was still in a daze for a while.

 

Wu Jing thought he must have misunderstood and looked up at Ning Qinghong, approaching a bit closer, and said cautiously, “It seems like… we… can’t have…”

 

He thought he was reminding Ning Qinghong.

 

His mind was a mess, and he couldn’t figure out why this would need reminding.

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled but didn’t speak.

 

Wu Jing suddenly came to his senses, and his ears turned red, though the imperial crown he wore made it less obvious.

 

He grasped Ning Qinghong’s hand and squeezed his fingers in frustration. Despite his effort, his strength was insignificant.

 

Wu Jing grumbled, feeling somewhat wronged, “You’re not allowed to laugh.”

 

Ning Qinghong laughed softly, “Brother will handle it. Wu Wu just needs to focus on eating at the palace banquet today. If anyone troubles you, just ignore them.”

 

Wu Jing hesitated and nodded, not worried about Ning Qinghong’s handling but rather…

 

He asked, “Will you be tired, brother?”

 

Ning Qinghong answered casually, “It’s just a matter of talking.”

 

Wu Jing seemed to understand, though not completely.

 

Since Ning Qinghong kept speaking softly to him, Wu Jing gradually relaxed, though he didn’t notice that he was tightly holding onto Ning Qinghong’s hand and wouldn’t let go.

 

After the ceremony, they descended from the altar, walked down the white marble steps, exited the palace gate built on the mountaintop, and then took a carriage to the mountain palace.

 

The banquet was a grand affair. In addition to the high-ranking officials, the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Consort, and the two princesses were also present.

 

As the guests rested in the mountain palace, Wu Jing, who had just woken up, was carried and dressed again. By the time the carriage arrived at the hall, he was only half awake.

 

The officials were already waiting.

 

Wu Jing was startled awake by the announcement of “His Majesty is here,” and was guided down by Ning Qinghong. He looked anxiously at Ning Qinghong.

 

Ning Qinghong had changed into his usual attire, a green robe with crane patterns and a crimson fur-lined cloak, looking indifferent.

 

Wu Jing calmed down again.

 

He was led to the Dragon Throne amidst the bowing of courtiers. The Empress Dowager was kneeling beside the throne, though much lower in rank.

 

Ning Qinghong sat in the prominent position among the officials, surrounded by an empty space with only a desk in front, giving an air of authority.

 

He drank tea casually and moved his chopsticks occasionally.

 

As the music began, Wu Jing focused on eating. He noticed that the dancers didn’t seem to be from outside the palace, but were instead introduced by the eunuchs as daughters of certain families.

 

He found it noisy but didn’t pay much attention.

 

Just as he was about to start eating, the music stopped, and an elderly but elegant female voice said, “Recently, I heard that Your Majesty’s health has improved?”

 

Wu Jing, chewing a piece of meat, looked up in surprise and instinctively looked towards Ning Qinghong.

 

The Empress Dowager continued with a smile, “I’m ashamed. While Your Majesty takes care of his own matters, I have not fulfilled my duty as a mother. With the royal bloodline being so scarce, it’s a pity for the late Emperor’s wishes.” She sighed, “Why not let me handle the selection of candidates for the first time after Your Majesty ascends the throne?”

 

Wu Jing choked on his food.

 

The Empress Dowager remained calm, “Wasn’t the girl who danced the ‘Neon Dress Dance’ the daughter of the Left Chancellor? How about—”

 

Ning Qinghong interrupted, “The Empress Dowager may not know that although His Majesty’s health is stable, he is still weak. If he doesn’t rest properly, there could be risks of early aging.”

 

The Empress Dowager’s expression changed suddenly, and she realized the seriousness of the situation, asking with concern, “Is this true?”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Indeed, this is according to the personal diagnosis of the court physician, and the records are with the Imperial Medical Bureau.” He sighed, “The Empress Dowager surely wouldn’t want to endanger His Majesty’s health?”

 

Such a tactless remark about the Emperor’s health left the Empress Dowager at a loss, unable to counter it.

 

The Empress Dowager smiled, “Of course not. However, the issue of heirs is a difficult one. Perhaps His Majesty could select a few candidates first—”

 

Ning Qinghong ignored her and addressed the Imperial Consort, “I heard that the eldest princess has already married? And the second princess is still unmarried.”

 

Before anyone could react, he continued, “The eldest princess has been without a suitor for years. I wonder if she has any thoughts of taking on a prominent position?”

 

The Empress Dowager nearly stood up in anger, but Ning Qinghong said, “The second princess is also of marriageable age. If she finds someone she likes at tonight’s banquet, she could request a marriage edict from His Majesty.”

 

The Imperial Consort’s face also changed suddenly.

 

Ning Qinghong decisively declared, “In the future, the Crown Prince will be chosen from the children of the two princesses.”

 

The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort were stunned, and the officials were in an uproar, but no one dared to speak up. The matter was too sensitive, involving the safety of the Emperor.

 

Ning Qinghong made a gesture, and the music resumed.

 

The matter was thus settled.

 

What began with the daughters of officials performing songs and dances turned into the young nobles coming forward with swords, ostensibly to dispel ill fortune but actually to observe the two princesses.

 

The Prince Consort next to the eldest princess looked grim, and the second princess blushed but eagerly watched the scene.

 

In just a few words, the atmosphere was completely reversed.

 

Ning Qinghong calmly smiled at the Left Chancellor and the Empress Dowager, and continued with the banquet.

 

Wu Jing, realizing that he seemed to be out of the main discussion, happily ate his fill.

 

Afterward, under the pretense of being drunk, he was helped down and took the carriage back to the sleeping quarters with Ning Qinghong in the night.

 

Wu Jing, feeling a bit stuffed and not too tired, asked, “Will we… adopt the Crown Prince in the future?”

 

Ning Qinghong paused, a half-smile on his face, “It’s just an excuse. Brother didn’t say that the two princesses’ children would immediately be brought into the palace.” He added, “Let’s talk about it later.”

 

Wu Jing relaxed again, letting out a sigh of relief.

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled, “Wu Wu is still not very sensible. How could Brother really bring a child back?”

 

Wu Jing was taken aback, his ears turning red in embarrassment, and he said angrily, “I, you—”

 

Just then, the carriage stopped.

 

Before he could finish his sentence, he was suddenly lifted and carried down. Ning Qinghong walked slowly, gently coaxing him, “Brother won’t mention Wu Wu anymore, alright?”

 

The voice next to his ear was very soft and somewhat soothing.

 

Wu Jing was embarrassed and unable to look away. He stared up at Ning Qinghong for a while, mustering the courage to give him a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

 

Ning Qinghong slightly lowered his head, returning the kiss on Wu Jing’s eyebrows.

 

Wu Jing felt a bit dazed.

 

The mountain palace, though not large, had all the necessary amenities, including a hot spring pool.

 

Due to the presence of many people and the difficulty of hiding the commotion made by the youth, Ning Qinghong didn’t take him there but instead had him bathe and change in a side hall’s hot spring pool.

 

He also applied some new medicinal ointment.

 

Wu Jing knelt on Ning Qinghong’s shoulder, his whole body flushed, holding his breath and turning his face away, stifling his whimpers.

 

Ning Qinghong, with an impassive expression, gently coaxed him while applying the ointment, wiping it clean before loosening his grip on Wu Jing’s leg.

 

Wu Jing immediately sat down, unable to stand up properly.

 

Ning Qinghong softly said, “Wu Wu, turn over so Brother can take a look.”

 

Even though there was no real injury, just some redness and swelling that would disappear by the next day, Ning Qinghong applied the ointment every morning and evening, both to reduce the swelling and for its nourishing effect, ensuring Wu Jing suffered no pain.

 

The ointment was applied gently and soothingly.

 

Wu Jing, somewhat dazed, got off Ning Qinghong and knelt on the bed, feeling embarrassed to be in this position while fully awake. He struggled to hold back tears, emitting tiny, labored breaths without realizing he was involuntarily contracting.

 

He buried his face in his own arm, breathing in the hot and humid air of the small, stuffy space.

 

Though the previous ointment had been wiped off, and no new ointment had been applied, there was still a sticky, moist sensation.

 

Ning Qinghong lifted him up, “The swelling has gone down and it’s no longer red.” He noticed the tears in Wu Jing’s eyes and gently kissed him, “Why does Wu Wu always get so emotional?”

 

Wu Jing was seated on Ning Qinghong’s lap.

 

It was unclear if it was intentional or not, but Ning Qinghong had Wu Jing sit on one leg, his layers of clothing pressing down on the soft flesh, the rough embroidered crane patterns on the robe making contact exactly where the ointment had been applied.

 

Wu Jing was unaware of this, clinging to Ning Qinghong, feeling dizzy from the kisses, and instinctively rubbing against the area on Ning Qinghong’s leg.

 

Ning Qinghong remained calm, softly embracing Wu Jing’s waist and kissing him quietly.

 

Until Wu Jing, overwhelmed, let out a “whimper,” and realized what he had done, he awkwardly tried to sit up, smoothing out the creased clothing with trembling fingers, hurriedly apologizing with tears.

 

His slender fingers got smudged with the damp clothing.

 

Ning Qinghong’s gaze shifted downward, originally to see the soiled clothing, but then stopped at Wu Jing’s soft belly. His long fingers lightly touched and caressed it, abruptly pausing in one spot.

 

Wu Jing stared down, confused as to why Ning Qinghong was touching his belly and stopping there.

 

In the next moment, Wu Jing suddenly cried out, fully understanding.

 

Ning Qinghong’s fingers had been pressing on the slightly bulging area of his belly, and now he was persistently pressing and rubbing with his palm.

 

Wu Jing was turned over and began crying intensely.

 

The youth cried and gulped, trembling all over.

 

Ning Qinghong softly coaxed him, “Wu Wu, why don’t you look at your belly?”

 

Look… at what?

 

The youth was unable to move.

 

Wu Jing remained tensed in a semi-fetal position until he nearly fainted, then suddenly relaxed.

 

But he stopped, while Ning Qinghong did not.

 

The sensation spread more intensely, Wu Jing’s lips parted wider, his eyes glazed over, and he leaned back against Ning Qinghong, tears streaming incessantly.

 

Ning Qinghong continued to gently coax, with a half-smile, “Why is Wu Wu’s belly so swollen?”

 

At this point, Wu Jing had completely forgotten his own name. He was forced to tense up, sobbing and crying as he looked down at his belly as instructed.

 

He was gasping for breath through his blocked nose and breathing through his mouth. In his daze, he heard Ning Qinghong’s soft voice, “Brother studied medicine before. I heard from a folk doctor that there’s a special secret medicine mentioned in an ancient book, which, when applied day and night, is highly beneficial for inducing labor.”

 

“It’s very effective for promoting childbirth.”

 

Ning Qinghong spoke each word clearly.

 

Wu Jing was suddenly terrified and tensed up, helplessly shaking his head and trying to push away Ning Qinghong’s hand from his belly, while continuing to sob uncontrollably.

 

But the more he was afraid, the tighter he tensed up, which only made him more exposed.

 

He couldn’t even speak, just tears pouring out.

 

Ning Qinghong, with a calm demeanor, chuckled softly, “Brother is just teasing Wu Wu. Why are you so scared?”