Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 131

…

The heavy, luxurious robe was picked up, soaking up the water stains on the ground until it was completely dry. However, even after wiping them away, new droplets continued to fall from the imperial table.

He was neatly dressed, his attire perfectly arranged, except for the places where he had been tightly grabbed earlier—otherwise, he appeared immaculate.

The young man sitting on the imperial table let his legs dangle weakly, occasionally trembling, his gaze unfocused as he stared ahead.

All he could hear was the constant dripping of water.

Ning Qinghong continued cleaning up the traces. Only when he was finished did he finally lift the boy, who had yet to regain his senses. He had left him in such a dirty state for so long, without even draping a piece of clothing over him.

When they were about to leave, he found a long, wide-sleeved outer robe and changed the boy into the clean garment, wrapping him up in a crane-feathered cloak. Every action from start to finish was exceedingly gentle.

Holding him tenderly in his arms, Ning Qinghong silently placed a handkerchief inside, soothing him softly, “Brother will take Wu Wu to soak in a hot bath. It wouldn’t be good if someone noticed, right?”

Wu Jing didn’t say a word, not even crying, only trembling from time to time.

When Ning Qinghong carried him out, the boy’s grip around him suddenly tightened. This time was different; a single handkerchief wasn’t enough. The liquid had soaked through it and began to seep out of his clothes.

Even through the layer of the crane-feathered cloak, Ning Qinghong could still feel the faint dampness in his palm.

Wu Jing buried his face tightly against Ning Qinghong’s shoulder and neck, trembling non-stop.

Ning Qinghong carried him all the way to the bathing pool in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. After dismissing the servants, he gently undressed the boy and lowered him into the water, pulling out the soaked handkerchief.

Wu Jing let out a few whimpers but seemed to be in a daze, staring blankly as Ning Qinghong cleaned him, his eyes not really focusing.

After a long, long time,

he suddenly burst into tears.

It was as if he finally came to terms with what had happened earlier, and then he couldn’t stop breaking down.

Even after being held in Ning Qinghong’s arms, he didn’t calm down for a moment, crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath, his sobs uncontrollable, but he still didn’t speak, only continued to cry like this.

Ning Qinghong softly kissed his ears and neck, silently soothing him. His expression remained calm, but his gaze was tender and affectionate.

Wu Jing’s nose became blocked from all the crying, and he started to hiccup, “I—I told you, I didn’t want to go back, I—” He had to pause to catch his breath because he couldn’t breathe through his nose, his small face flushed and wet with tears, his lips quivering, still crying out, “I only asked them because I wanted to treat you.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt anymore.”

“I’m really worried too.”

Ning Qinghong gently responded, “Brother knows.”

Wu Jing wiped his tears messily with the back of his hand, then covered his eyes in defeat, “If you knew, how could you still do this, how could you…”

“So embarrassing.”

“…Sob.”

Ning Qinghong continued to comfort him, washing him clean while kissing the boy’s lips, “Brother will help Wu Wu get clean, no more crying.”

Wu Jing turned his face away, refusing the kiss, still unable to accept it, crying so hard he could barely breathe.

Ning Qinghong whispered softly, “Wu Wu always makes sure Brother’s clothes are…” but his thin lips were clumsily covered by the boy’s hand.

Wu Jing had never felt so embarrassed before. “You’re not allowed to say that.”

Ning Qinghong remained unmoved. “Just yesterday, you were still calling yourself Brother’s little…” He left the last word unsaid.

Wu Jing shifted to cover his own ears instead.

Ning Qinghong’s voice was very soft, but it still reached Wu Jing’s ears, almost like a sigh. “What’s the next step?” he asked. “Will it be your turn to become Brother’s—”

Wu Jing suddenly lunged forward to cover Ning Qinghong’s mouth, but the memory of the scalding sensation from the water rushed back into his mind. Just the thought of it made his limbs go weak, and in the next moment, he cried out in shame over his reaction.

He knew that if Ning Qinghong wanted, it wouldn’t be long before he would be crying and begging for the same excessive treatment again.

It was precisely because he knew this that he couldn’t stop feeling scared.

Wu Jing buried his face in Ning Qinghong’s shoulder and neck for a long time, crying so hard. Even while Ning Qinghong washed him, he obediently let him do as he wished, but he held his breath and wiped his own tears, refusing to acknowledge him.

It wasn’t until much later that Wu Jing lifted his head, noticing a small, needlepoint-sized scarlet wound on Ning Qinghong’s chest.

His eyes were still swollen, but he eagerly leaned forward, carefully touching the wound with his slender fingers.

As Wu Jing did this, his lips remained tightly pressed together, not saying a word, but he stole glances at Ning Qinghong’s expression. Slowly, he began to notice something was off.

He observed for a long while before awkwardly tilting his face up, “Brother?”

Ning Qinghong’s voice was gentle as he responded, “Yes?”

Wu Jing cautiously asked, “Are you in a bad mood again?”

He realized that Ning Qinghong’s expression seemed a bit distant, and while he was cleaning Wu Jing, he mostly just listened to him cry, only occasionally murmuring comforting words when Wu Jing leaned into him.

It took Wu Jing this long to notice because Ning Qinghong’s change in mood was subtler this time. Whether sick or not, his attitude toward Wu Jing remained gentle, never uttering a harsh word.

Even when he was being excessive with Wu Jing earlier, Ning Qinghong still spoke softly to him.

Just like when he was sick and spoke less.

Yet there was something different this time.

Something different just toward him.

Ning Qinghong seemed to smile slightly. “Yes, I’m a bit displeased.”

Wu Jing felt a bit flustered. “Did my questions to them really upset Brother?”

He knew that Ning Qinghong could have moods, but he hadn’t expected it to be this bad.

Ning Qinghong didn’t respond, only guiding Wu Jing’s wet hair to the back of his head. “Turn around. Brother will help Wu Wu tie up your hair.”

Wu Jing hurriedly turned around, thinking about the wound, and after a long pause, he awkwardly mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

He didn’t even know how, but somehow, in just a few words,

he had ended up being the one apologizing.

“Wu Wu doesn’t need to apologize to Brother. But if you must ask again next time, use some tact. Don’t let Brother find out.” Ning Qinghong gently stroked Wu Jing’s hair, speaking softly.

“Otherwise, each time Brother hears it, he’ll punish you.”