Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 115

As soon as Wu Jing jumped out of the carriage, he hurriedly ran towards the residence, clearly heading towards the bedroom.

He knew that once Ning Qinghong was ill, he didn’t want to go anywhere else.

The attendant, Fu Chen, quickly caught up, saying, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty—” He said anxiously, “Lord Qian Sui is waiting for you in the pavilion!”

Not in the bedroom?

Wu Jing was startled and almost bumped into a turn in the winding corridor. He quickly stopped and asked, “Which pavilion?”

Fu Chen also stopped, replying, “It’s right here by the gate.”

Wu Jing hesitated, instinctively looking back towards the pavilion by the gate, and saw the familiar figure.

Ning Qinghong was reclining on a large armchair, seemingly having removed his ceremonial cloak, which was now held respectfully by a servant waiting outside the pavilion. He was dressed lightly and seemed to be playing absentmindedly with a cup of hot tea, resting with his eyes closed.

The servant was kneeling before him, quietly reporting that the young master had returned.

As Ning Qinghong looked up towards Wu Jing’s direction, Wu Jing ran up to him, looking worried. “Brother?”

Ning Qinghong extended his hand and pulled Wu Jing onto his lap, saying nothing for a long time.

Wu Jing quietly hugged him, burying his face in Ning Qinghong’s neck. He asked, “Are you cold, Brother?”

“A hug will keep me warm.”

“But in the future, it would be better to use a big cloak or a small blanket.”

After half a cup of tea or a full cup, no one spoke.

Wu Jing waited a bit longer and asked, “Brother?”

Ning Qinghong finally spoke softly, “I broke my promise. I will definitely come to pick you up from school tomorrow.”

Wu Jing was momentarily stunned, remembering that they had agreed that Ning Qinghong would come to pick him up every day.

Wu Jing suddenly felt uncomfortable, thinking about how Ning Qinghong must be suffering from illness and still trying to comfort him.

He nuzzled Ning Qinghong’s face and whispered, “It’s alright. Brother is already here to pick me up at the gate.”

Wu Jing tried to cheer him up, “Since Brother is sick, it’s not like you’re breaking your promise.” He had other thoughts and looked up expectantly, “So should I wait for you at the school gate tomorrow?”

“If Brother can’t come, it’s okay.”

“Then I’ll come back to see you.”

Ning Qinghong paused and quietly responded. He rested his forehead against Wu Jing’s, his eyes half-closed, sitting calmly with a hint of laziness.

It seemed that if possible, he would hold the young man in his arms forever.

Wu Jing tentatively touched his lips, “I’m hungry.”

Ning Qinghong sighed slightly, “Brother remembers.”

Wu Jing was surprised to see Ning Qinghong raise his finger and make a gesture. The servant outside the pavilion swiftly left to fetch the meal.

However, in the dining hall, Ning Qinghong still had little appetite.

Wu Jing watched as he only ate a bowl of medicinal soup and a few bites of the light dishes Wu Jing had served him.

He wanted to persuade him to eat more but didn’t want to rush it.

Worried, he lost his appetite.

At night, the medicinal paste still needed to be applied.

Wu Jing, feeling embarrassed, half-knelt and sat up on Ning Qinghong’s shoulder.

Ning Qinghong kept his eyes gently closed, his expression showing no fluctuation.

His calm demeanor made it hard to guess what he was doing, which only made Wu Jing feel more self-conscious about the intimate act.

Being watched in such a detached manner felt different from usual embarrassment—it was even more intense.

Fortunately, the medicinal paste was applied with a small jade piece, carefully and slowly, avoiding contact with other areas.

Wu Jing managed to tolerate it, despite feeling quite embarrassed.

Ning Qinghong adjusted Wu Jing’s clothing and carefully held him in his arms, ensuring his posture wouldn’t cause any discomfort.

Ning Qinghong kissed the young man’s brow and eyes. “Sleep now.”

Wu Jing’s face was still flushed and he could hardly lift it to look at anyone, clinging to Ning Qinghong like an octopus.

After the quilt was placed over them, the cold autumn night breeze could no longer reach them. With the wind-blocking curtains outside and the floor dragon burning due to the colder weather, it was quite warm, though not excessively so.

Only when Wu Jing’s soft, warm body gradually heated up with drowsiness did he finally warm up enough to transfer that warmth to the person holding him.

Even a few murmured dreams seemed extremely cute.

In the past, he might have been ordered to silence.

The innate weariness in Ning Qinghong was lifted somewhat by this warmth. He gently stroked Wu Jing’s neck for a moment before resting.

The next day, Wu Jing didn’t even go to the Guozixue; he sent a notice to take a leave and spent the entire day in the room with Ning Qinghong, who had an unusually strong fragrance of floating gold.

Wu Jing, feeling more drowsy and disoriented, wanted to be as lazy as Ning Qinghong, doing nothing, saying nothing, thinking nothing—just quietly curling up in his embrace and sleeping.

Enjoying the lazy, idle days.

Sometimes, when he was deeply asleep, he could still sense someone quietly caressing his eyebrows and eyes, gently kissing him, occasionally playing with his lips.

The touch was gentle and slow, more affectionate than usual, making him want to stay in this embrace forever.

Wu Jing, drowsy from the kisses, made faint breathing sounds, rubbing against the familiar scent, obediently parting his lips, letting himself be caressed, and indirectly warming Ning Qinghong.

When he occasionally woke, Ning Qinghong would usually have his eyes closed again.

The young man would drowsily play with Ning Qinghong’s long fingers, gaze at his close-up face in a daze. Apart from meals, the day passed in this sleepy, confused state.

On the third day of Ning Qinghong’s illness, he finally felt a bit better, able to focus on other matters, and reviewed the previous day’s court affairs and confidential reports.

In the afternoon, with some regained energy, Wu Jing went to the Guozixue.

He didn’t really want to go, reluctant to leave Ning Qinghong’s side, but remembering their agreement, he still wanted Ning Qinghong to get some fresh air.

Not because of any urgent business that required going out, but simply because he wanted to.

When the bell rang at the evening curfew, Wu Jing almost dashed out of the door.

The three people waiting to chat, including Ma Qingyang, watched in surprise as the young man sprinted away.

Panting heavily, Wu Jing finally arrived at the Guozixue’s entrance, which was already bustling with activity. The young masters who were eager to leave had already gotten into their carriages.

He looked towards a discreet corner, where he saw the familiar “Ning” lantern hanging in front of the carriage.

But he didn’t see the familiar figure.

Wu Jing suddenly felt deflated and walked over dejectedly. Only when he stubbornly glanced again did he see that the carriage curtain had been lifted slightly by someone’s fingers.

The sight of even half of a familiar outfit made his eyes light up.

He hurried onto the carriage, lifting the curtain and leaping into Ning Qinghong’s embrace, his eyes shining with joy. “Brother didn’t break his promise!”

He was thrilled.

Wu Jing realized that even if Ning Qinghong was uncomfortable, he still seemed willing to go through the trouble for him.

And it was only for him, no one else or anything else.