Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 123

On the eighth day of the second lunar month, the winter snow began to thaw.

At the Ning Residence, in the master’s bedroom.

Physician Zhang exited the room carrying his medical kit. After walking a distance away, he finally dared to speak, bowing his hands in salute. “Chief Steward An, I have modified the prescription repeatedly, but it’s almost February now, and there’s still no effect. I truly don’t dare to increase the dosage any further, for fear of harming His Highness…”

“There’s really nothing more I can do.”

He bowed deeply again, “You must have already consulted with the famed folk doctors of the Ning Residence. The prescription I provided should be effective, but the reason it’s not working… that’s due to His Highness’s heartache!” Physician Zhang sighed deeply, bowing once more, “Even if you took my life, I would still be powerless.”

Fuchen also showed a worried expression, cautiously glancing around before lowering his voice to ask, “How is that person in the palace doing?”

Physician Zhang also lowered his voice, “The one in the palace has been like a lost soul these past two months, even worse than before they recovered. They can’t even understand human speech now. Every day, they just eat, drink, and sleep, and when they wake up, they are dull and silent.”

Fuchen sighed, “Previously, we sought help from Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries. They said it was a case of soul loss, so we performed the rituals, recited the scriptures, consulted feng shui experts, and even His Highness personally requested a consecrated jade talisman. Yet, none of it had the slightest effect.”

Physician Zhang could only express his ignorance, shaking his head, “The gods and Buddhas are unreliable.”

Fuchen seemed to want to say something but ultimately held his tongue, changing the subject instead, “And the medicinal diet…”

Physician Zhang hesitated, “It’s not sustainable for His Highness to rely on this medicinal diet all day… You should try to persuade him more, or else it will harm his health.”

How could he dare to persuade him?

Fuchen felt bitter and helpless.

For the past two months, he had been walking on eggshells, fearing that he might inadvertently irritate His Highness and lose his head, just like the other servants. He didn’t dare to mention that person unless the master asked about it.

Fuchen said, “Then I won’t keep you, Physician Zhang. You can go to the Inner Guard Office to collect your reward after you return to the palace.”

Physician Zhang bowed and quickly took his leave.

Fuchen turned around, holding a tray with hot food and the medicinal diet prepared by the servants, and pushed open the door to enter. As soon as he stepped inside, he was met with the overpowering scent of gold-infused fragrance, mixed with the bitter aroma of medicine that filled the room. There was even a faint smell of blood from the medicinal diet.

The two servants in the bedroom were kneeling on the ground, not daring to rise unless needed by their master, and they didn’t dare to glance around.

Although there were several people in the room, it was utterly silent, creating an eerie and chilling atmosphere.

Fuchen, who had weathered many storms, carried the tray steadily, not daring to let his hands tremble. He kept his eyes downcast and walked to the side of the grand chair, saying, “Lord, it’s time to eat.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the hem of a scarlet robe draped on the floor, with a hand extending from the wide sleeve, resting lightly on the armrest of the chair. The hand was somewhat pale, rhythmically tapping with the fingers, and there was a thin blanket of golden silk covering the knees.

For a long time, there was only silence.

Since the master hadn’t spoken, Fuchen didn’t dare to set down the tray on his own, maintaining his bowing posture, his hands and waist aligned as he held the tray without moving.

A full quarter of an hour passed before he finally heard a few faint words.

“Set it down.”

The tone was indifferent, the voice very soft.

Only then did Fuchen set the tray down. Despite the pain in his hands, he continued to maintain his bowing posture, waiting for His Highness to speak.

After waiting for a moment, he finally heard a question, as if the thought had just occurred to him, “How is it?”

It wasn’t that His Highness didn’t care, but that he was powerless to do anything.

He was in a constant state of drowsiness, his days and nights reversed, unaware of the passage of time. Remembering anything at all was already an achievement.

Fuchen replied, “The secret guards who went to the Miao villages outside the southern borders to inquire about the Gu poison have ridden back at full speed. Today, we received a pigeon message, saying they’ve already offered a large sum to invite a priest from there to come.”

He paused, seemingly recalling something, before asking softly, “How many days until they arrive?”

Fuchen replied, “In about two days.”

A casual response came from above.

Fuchen listened carefully to the tone, unable to discern any concern. Yet, His Highness was now too lethargic to even care about state affairs, so much so that the ministers had not seen him for two whole months. They were desperate enough to cry and wail outside the Ning Residence gates daily, until His Highness finally punished a few of them, which brought them a momentary reprieve.

At this point, the only thing that could spark the master’s interest,

Was the matter concerning that person, which might be inquired about or arranged from time to time.

**Chapter 123: Spring Snow Begins to Melt**

This was the first time His Highness had been ill for such an extended period. Even though he occasionally felt better for a day or two, he never rested. He hadn’t slept, spending his days seeking remedies, having visited every Taoist temple and Buddhist monastery in the capital.

Fortunately, in these past few days, His Highness had taken decisive action to punish those scheming in the court. For almost half a year now, no one dared to harbor any treacherous thoughts.

With great courage, Fuchen observed His Highness’s condition and said, “Lord, it’s your birthday today. Would you like to go outside for a stroll?”

“In just a couple of days, it will be the spring equinox. The snow in the capital has melted more than half, and you can see some sunlight outside the window; it’s getting warmer.”

“Even if you’re alone, you could enjoy the spring scenery.”

Ning Qinghong tapped the armrest and quietly asked, “Is that so?” He seemed to be recalling something and then asked, “How are the horse farms under my name on the outskirts of the city?”

Fuchen was momentarily unsure but replied, “The snow has just melted, and the roads are still slippery. It might not be suitable for riding just yet; perhaps in another couple of days.”

Ning Qinghong was silent for a moment before saying, “Open the window.”

The servants hurried to comply.

Outside, the sun was indeed warm, and the light streamed through the window, casting bright specks of light, although the candlelight inside remained dim.

The grand chair was almost entirely in shadow, with only a small portion illuminated. Ning Qinghong looked at his fingers exposed to the light for a while and sighed, “It’s getting warmer.”

He instructed softly, “Clean up the horse farm. If any young masters come to enjoy the spring in the next couple of days, do not stop them.”

“Prepare a carriage; I will wait for it.”

He then shook his head slightly, “Forget it, in the past, every time I went out, I was always accompanied closely, either holding hands or pulling on my sleeve.”

“With such a timid disposition, I wonder if they dare to go out on their own.” He spoke to himself and then seemed to change his mind, “Well, it’s fine to wait a bit.”

“Prepare the carriage.”

Fuchen replied, “Yes,” and tentatively asked, “Lord, do you wish to visit the palace to see that person?”

Ning Qinghong’s tone was very indifferent, “Who?”

Fuchen almost broke into a cold sweat, “Naturally, His Majesty.” He intended for His Highness to visit and perhaps feel some solace by seeing the person, which might ease his own feelings.

Ning Qinghong seemed to think for a long while before remembering, “I don’t quite recall. It’s just an empty shell. As long as it’s well-maintained without any mistakes, there’s no need to see it.”

His tone was extremely apathetic.

It even sounded as though the existence was almost forgotten.

Fuchen quickly added, “It’s just… the abbot of the Dazheng Temple visited the palace again today to check on His Majesty.”

Ning Qinghong seemed to show some interest, asking, “How is it?”

Fuchen answered, “The report was that the person is well, free of illness and pain, and is well-fed and warm.”

Ning Qinghong softly said, “That’s good.”

He seemed in no hurry, and with a few more signs of weariness in his eyes, he gently added, “… That’s good.”

“As long as he’s not being mistreated.”

Ning Qinghong drank the medicinal diet with one hand, then slowly rose from his seat, his clothes trailing on the floor. Someone came forward to drape a crabapple-red cape over him, making it look more festive for his birthday.

Seeing that His Highness said nothing, Fuchen knew the old clothes from last year were correct. He reported, “Lord, the carriage to the outskirts of the city is ready.”

Ning Qinghong acknowledged with a nod and left the house alone.