Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 121

In the end, the cabinet ministers didn’t have to wait until nightfall.

 

After Wu Jing finished washing up, changed into new clothes, and had lunch, he ignored his weak legs and sore body, got onto a carriage, and wished he could fly into the palace, never to return.

 

No matter how people tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t listen.

 

When the young emperor arrived, several cabinet ministers were already kneeling in the imperial study, waiting in groups. There were yesterday’s matters of the court to discuss and today’s as well.

 

Wu Jing, resting his chin in his hand, spaced out while waiting for the ministers to finish discussing the day’s court affairs. After the officials had deliberated, the attendant officials of the Central Secretariat and the eunuch on duty from the Internal Security Bureau presented two memorials recording the day’s discussions.

 

Both needed to be reviewed by the Lord.

 

Ning Qinghong usually glanced at both documents to see if there were any discrepancies before reading the memorial from the Internal Security Bureau.

 

Additionally, the officials on duty from the Central Secretariat and the Internal Security Bureau differed daily to prevent subordinates from merely paying lip service and not genuinely complying. This arrangement was designed to counter such behavior.

 

Wu Jing skimmed the documents and understood a little. He didn’t see any issues and set them aside.

 

One of the cabinet ministers stepped forward and asked, “Has His Majesty given further thought to the matter of yesterday’s cold disaster?”

 

Wu Jing snapped back to reality, recalling Ning Qinghong’s words. Although he still felt somewhat frustrated, he knew how to prioritize important matters and replied, “The regions affected by the cold disaster may have three-tenths of their taxes and labor duties reduced. Further edicts will be issued depending on the severity of the disaster.” He paused and asked, “Who is Minister Huang?”

 

He vaguely remembered someone named Huang from the day before, but now he had forgotten.

 

The words Wu Jing had just spoken were ones he had secretly memorized over and over again. Now that he was facing a familiar-looking minister kneeling before him, he became a little nervous.

 

He awkwardly referred to himself, “I… I will issue an edict allowing local county governments to open granaries in times of severe disaster.”

 

“At that time, you will take this edict and serve as the imperial inspector for the affected counties, preventing local officials from falsely reporting the disaster and embezzling the granary supplies.”

 

“If you do well, you can return to the capital to report by next spring.”

 

Wu Jing recited Ning Qinghong’s instructions word for word. Although he stumbled through the first part, the latter part came out much smoother. He deliberately paused and added the last sentence.

 

He had heard that if he didn’t say this, Minister Huang might think he was being demoted out of the capital.

 

Huang Huairen looked embarrassed and cautiously asked, “May I ask if these are His Majesty’s orders or the Lord’s—”

 

Before he could finish his sentence.

 

The chief eunuch(Fuchen) interjected sternly, “It doesn’t matter whose orders they are; the emperor’s command must be obeyed without question!” He paused, “If you don’t comply, the Lord himself will ensure you are punished.”

 

This statement was a veiled reminder.

 

He had followed the emperor into the palace today to support the young emperor, letting everyone know that the emperor had the Lord standing behind him.

 

Huang Huairen quickly knelt and responded, “Yes, yes, this minister will not fail in his duty!”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, the attendant from the Central Secretariat respectfully presented the imperial edict, kneeling as he laid it before the emperor, and reported, “If Your Majesty finds any mistakes, I will draft it again.”

 

Wu Jing, unfamiliar with the process, glanced at the drafted imperial edict, found no problems, and gave his approval.

 

He wasn’t sure what to do next.

 

The chief eunuch stepped forward and whispered, “If Your Majesty finds it satisfactory, you may affix the imperial seal.” His gaze fell on the imperial seal on the desk, and he respectfully added, “It only needs to be stamped at the bottom.”

 

When Wu Jing first saw the imperial seal, he had been too anxious and fearful to touch it. Now, as he struggled to lift the heavy seal with his slender fingers, needing both hands to handle it, he pressed it into the cinnabar ink and then stamped it at the bottom of the edict. As he raised it, he stared at the red imprint at the end of the document, feeling somewhat dazed.

 

He couldn’t quite believe it was real.

 

Had he really just personally handled such a major disaster relief issue and issued an imperial decree?

 

The chief eunuch took the sealed edict and, after it passed through the various layers of approval from the Six Ministries, Huang Huairen could set off with it.

 

Wu Jing remembered something he hadn’t mentioned and hurriedly said, “Huang…?”

 

Huang Huairen knelt, “This minister is Huang Huairen.”

 

Wu Jing’s voice was still soft, carrying a hint of youthful immaturity, “You can take a dozen men from the capital with you, choosing a few soldiers from the Imperial Guard.”

 

Huang Huairen replied, “Yes.”

 

He almost forgot this matter; he was still a bit inexperienced, tending to focus on one thing while neglecting another. Wu Jing deflated a bit but was relieved that the matter was finally settled. Watching the ministers bow and leave in small groups, he drank from a cup of hot tea in relief.

 

But as soon as he took a sip, something felt off.

 

This was the tea that Ning Qinghong would brew when he was around. The tea’s fragrance was faint, with only a slight bitterness that would leave a pleasant aftertaste.

 

But Wu Jing didn’t actually like tea. When he was alone, the palace servants would brew him slightly sweet fruit drinks.

 

These drinks contained some tea leaves but had the refreshing scents of citrus or lemon, or perhaps were floral teas. More often, he just drank plain water.

 

The young emperor’s eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at the chief eunuch nearby.

 

The chief eunuch, suppressing a smile, cheerfully reported, “The Lord is waiting for Your Majesty in the back.”

 

Wu Jing jumped off the dragon throne but then remembered that he was still angry. Originally about to rush over, he stopped, turned around, and muttered, “I have to review these memorials. I’ll go later… later.”

 

The chief eunuch’s smile froze, and he broke into a cold sweat, “Your Majesty… the Lord arrived at the palace shortly after you left and has been waiting for a while.”

 

It truly felt like being caught between two forces.

 

Wu Jing hesitated, still trying to maintain his temper, “Then let him wait a bit longer.”

 

The chief eunuch immediately knelt, “This servant dares not.”

 

Wu Jing was startled, “Then… then… get up first.”

 

Just as he spoke.

 

The curtain leading to the side hall was lifted by a eunuch, and Wu Jing heard a familiar voice, “All of you, leave.”

 

The chief eunuch bowed low in greeting and quickly led the others out.

 

Wu Jing turned his face away, pretending not to look at the person who entered, focusing his gaze on the memorials on the desk, though his ears were pricked up, listening for every movement. He couldn’t focus on reading even a single word.

 

Ning Qinghong paused, “How is Wu Wu’s memorial review going?” He flipped through the documents and remarked, “Hmm, not a single word has been marked.”

 

Wu Jing’s face instantly flushed, and he turned around, “They just left!” He pouted, snatching the memorial from Ning Qinghong’s hands, “I’ll read it now, so don’t bother me.”

 

Ning Qinghong smoothly sat down in the grand chair beside him, leisurely sipping tea while quietly watching Wu Jing review the memorials.

 

Wu Jing, feeling Ning Qinghong’s gaze, couldn’t concentrate on reading even half a word. Instead, he couldn’t help but steal glances at him and wanted to start a conversation.

 

Ning Qinghong casually remarked, “Once the decree is issued, you’ll likely receive reports from the local officials in about half a month.”

 

Wu Jing, following his lead, looked at him eagerly, “There really won’t be any problems?”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “No, the edict will be reviewed by your elder brother before it reaches the Six Ministries.”

 

Wu Jing felt relieved, but he hesitated as he looked at the other person. He couldn’t help but stand up, slowly walking over and stepping into Ning Qinghong’s embrace. The next moment, he felt himself gently hugged and then slightly bent down as Ning Qinghong kissed him lightly on the ear and neck.

 

He just couldn’t resist the urge to be close.

 

Wu Jing took the memorial report and opened it. “Are we going back to the manor tonight?”

 

Ning Qinghong glanced at the report in Wu Jing’s hand and replied, “Wu Wu has to go to school tomorrow. If you don’t want to wake up early, we can leave the palace after reviewing this.”

 

Wu Jing nodded and joined him in reading the report. When he didn’t understand something, he would look up and ask Ning Qinghong what it meant.

 

This significantly slowed down Ning Qinghong’s pace in reviewing the memorials. By the time they finished, the sun had already set, and they finally took the carriage back to the manor.

 

It wasn’t until half a month later that Wu Jing saw the memorial submitted by Huang Huairen and the local officials again. He had taken the day off and, feeling cold, was nestled in bed, not wanting to move.

 

After breakfast, he applied some ointment to the area that had been a bit swollen from the night before, and then, while being held in Ning Qinghong’s arms, sat at the desk in the bedroom to review the state affairs.

 

Wu Jing quietly read aloud, “After the tax reduction, although the disaster in several counties is severe, the people have not been significantly affected… Currently, there is still heavy snowfall in some areas, and the disaster may worsen, but the grain warehouses in the counties have been inspected, and there is enough to provide relief for the winter disaster.”

 

He looked back at Ning Qinghong and tentatively asked, “So, has it been resolved?”

 

Ning Qinghong responded with a sound of affirmation.

 

Wu Jing’s eyes curved into a smile.

 

Ning Qinghong added, “It’s all thanks to you, Wu Wu.”

 

Wu Jing felt a bit embarrassed. “It’s because you taught me.” He happily kissed Ning Qinghong’s thin lips with a loud smack, then gleefully wrapped his arms around him. “You deserve credit too.”

 

He felt like he had done something really big, and his heart was floating with happiness.

 

Just as he was reveling in his joy, a eunuch knocked on the door and reported. It was Fuchen’s voice, obviously afraid to enter without permission. He bowed and said, “Master, it’s snowing in the capital.”

 

Wu Jing turned his head, “Is it snowing?”

 

He was still a bit dazed.

 

Fuchen responded from outside the door, “Yes. Today is the ninth day of the tenth lunar month, just the time for the first snowfall. There was no snow on the day of the Beginning of Winter, but today it’s finally snowing in the capital. Master, while the auspicious snow predicts a good harvest year, the weather has also gotten much colder.”

 

“If you and the Young Master go out, you should wear more layers.”

 

“Go out?” The young man’s eyes lit up.

 

Wu Jing looked at Ning Qinghong expectantly. “I want to go out and see the snow. Will you go with me?”

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled, “Of course, I’ll go with you.” He paused, “There’s no rush. The snow just started, so if you want to see the snow-covered scenery, we should wait until nightfall when the snow accumulates. The city will be bustling tonight; how about I take you to the night market?”

 

Wu Jing nodded slightly and happily hugged him tightly, “Okay.”

 

When they left the house that night, Wu Jing was bundled up heavily. Besides a fox fur cloak, he also wore a warm mink hat on his head and held a hot hand warmer. Beneath his wide and heavy sleeves, he clutched Ning Qinghong’s hand tightly.

 

The young man was dressed very handsomely. The mink hat was shaped like a white tiger, similar to the stuffed tiger Wu Jing slept with every night. But, because he was too shy to carry the stuffed tiger outside, he had a white tiger-shaped hat instead.

 

It was very cute.

 

He wore a smooth hibiscus red outer robe over the fox fur cloak, with a fluffy white mink lining that wrapped around his neck. His waist carried a cloth pouch shaped like a stuffed tiger, and he had so many jade ornaments on that they jingled as he walked.

 

His black hair contrasted with his snow-white skin, and his eyes were smiling.

 

Ning Qinghong was also wearing a hibiscus red robe of the same style. He walked leisurely beside Wu Jing, holding an oiled paper umbrella to shield them from the snow, slightly tilting it towards Wu Jing.

 

Wu Jing let go of Ning Qinghong’s hand and ran over to buy a steaming hot roasted sweet potato. The fire had made it so hot that it was still emitting steam, but fortunately, the thick oiled paper wrapping it kept it from burning his hands. He ran back to Ning Qinghong, lifted the sweet potato up for him to smell, “Brother, it smells so good.”

 

The young man’s black hair was dusted with snow, making it look fluffy. After a moment, the snow melted, leaving his hair slightly damp. He spoke to himself, “The old man selling the roasted sweet potatoes was strange. He wouldn’t take my money and said I looked nice today, so he gave it to me as a gift and wished me good fortune in the coming year.”

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled, “It’s a lucky encounter. Let’s wait a bit before eating; you don’t want to burn yourself.” He added, “Don’t run around too much, or you might catch a cold from the snow.”

 

Wu Jing, feeling a bit guilty, responded quietly, “Okay.”

 

In no time, he spotted another place selling fireworks and got curious again, pulling Ning Qinghong over to buy a string of firecrackers.

 

It was a long red string with two red firecrackers tied at the bottom.

 

The shopkeeper, standing a bit farther away, lit three or four of them together, and they exploded with a loud crackling sound, making quite a lively scene.

 

The whole street was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and there were so many things Wu Jing wanted to buy and eat that he was almost overwhelmed.

 

He bought two or three strings, holding them in his hand while tightly gripping Ning Qinghong’s hand with the other, raising his arm high to keep the firecrackers away from himself. Both scared and excited, he watched as the shopkeeper crouched down to light the firecrackers in his hand. When they started exploding with a crackling sound, Wu Jing immediately raised his arm higher and, with a small cry, buried himself in Ning Qinghong’s chest, who covered his ears with his hands.

 

The oiled paper umbrella Ning Qinghong was holding dropped to the ground. When the noise finally subsided, Wu Jing dared to open his eyes, unable to hold back his laughter as he happily reached into his pouch for some money.

 

The shopkeeper, an old man dressed in thick winter clothes, cheerfully said, “Since today is a festival, I won’t take any money. I wish the young master a year of good fortune.”

 

Wu Jing was pleasantly surprised, thanked him, and after walking a bit farther, muttered to Ning Qinghong, “Is it because today is Xiaoxue (Minor Snow)? Everything is so lively.”

 

Ning Qinghong had already bent down to pick up the oiled paper umbrella and just smiled without saying anything.

 

Wu Jing soon spotted something else that caught his interest. Before long, he was holding some fragrant roast chicken, meat pies, and a bowl of hot sweet rice wine, which he shared with Ning Qinghong, taking turns eating and drinking.

 

And all of it was free.

 

He even received many blessings for good fortune.

 

The servants followed not too far behind, helping to carry the things he bought.

 

Wu Jing was having a great time. When the sweet potato had cooled down a bit, he broke off a piece, tasted it himself, and then tiptoed to feed it to Ning Qinghong, eagerly watching for his reaction. But before Ning Qinghong could respond, Wu Jing was already talking, “This is really delicious. You should try it too, brother.”

 

Ning Qinghong acknowledged him with a sound, took a bite, and then said, “Wu Wu, turn around.”

 

Wu Jing turned around and realized that at some point, they had walked to the edge of an old locust tree. Its leaves had all fallen, and it was covered in snow. Although there was no one under the tree, the bright red octagonal lanterns hanging everywhere made it look anything but lonely.

 

He hadn’t noticed before, but now he saw that many people, just like them, were standing nearby, watching as if they were waiting for something.

 

The next moment, from eight different directions around the locust tree, an enormous burst of fiery silver flowers erupted into the sky, dazzling and almost lighting up the entire night.

 

Wu Jing watched, too amazed to blink, his breath held.

 

Earlier, he had only seen one person working on the iron flowers, but now there were eight people surrounding the locust tree, setting off these spectacular fireworks.

 

Wu Jing dumbly asked, “Brother, can we come out and play every year on Xiaoxue? We don’t have to spend any money, and it’s so lively.”

 

Ning Qinghong laughed, “Today isn’t about celebrating Xiaoxue.”

 

Wu Jing, confused, followed up with, “Then what is it?”

 

Ning Qinghong softly said, “It’s the Emperor’s birthday, so naturally, it should be celebrated with the people.”

 

Wu Jing was suddenly stunned. It took him a moment to react, and then he stammered, “M-my birthday?”

 

Ning Qinghong replied, “I don’t know when Wu Wu originally celebrated your birthday, but since you’ve come to be by your brother’s side, we’ll celebrate it according to the original birth date of the Fifth Prince. If you prefer another day, we can change it.”

 

“Shall your brother give you another gift?”

 

Wu Jing hastily shook his head, stammering, “I-I do want this day.” He was a bit dazed. “This was always the day I celebrated… I just… I just didn’t remember.”

 

He had always celebrated his birthday according to the solar calendar.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “That’s good then.”

 

He leaned down, the umbrella in his hand tilting slightly to shield them from the view of others.

 

Wu Jing was gently kissed. In his ear, he heard that familiar voice softly say, “Then your brother wishes you a happy birthday, Wu Wu.”

 

A moment later, Ning Qinghong chuckled, “Why are you crying again, Wu Wu?”

 

Wu Jing, now crying uncontrollably, sniffled and said, “I-I… I forgot.”

 

Ning Qinghong comforted him, kissing the boy’s eyebrows, “It’s enough that your brother remembers.”

 

“Will Wu Wu stop crying now, hmm?”

 

Xiaoxue = The term “小雪” (Xiǎoxuě) refers to a specific time in the Chinese lunar calendar known as “Minor Snow,” which is one of the 24 solar terms in traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars. It marks the time when the first snow of the season typically occurs, usually around November 22-23. 

 

“小雪” (Xiǎoxuě) is being referenced as the day when it first snowed in the capital, coinciding with the Minor Snow solar term.