Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 18

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Wu Jing did not walk up the steps himself but was carried on a sedan chair by palace attendants, moving slowly and with great dignity.

Contrary to this grand scene, the emperor sat with his head lowered, clutching his sleeve, and staring blankly.

He couldn’t help but look back but saw no sign of Ning Qinghong, not even a trace of his whisk.

They must have taken another route.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the emperor’s sedan chair finally arrived in front of the Jinluan Hall. A loud proclamation of “His Majesty arrives—” echoed through the hall.

One attendant after another relayed this message until it reached the dragon throne.

Immediately, countless officials discreetly raised their eyes and turned to look. Wu Jing felt he was under numerous discreet but fearful gazes, causing him to lower his head even further.

No one dared to look directly at the emperor’s face, though Wu Jing couldn’t count how many glanced at the hem of his imperial robe.

Everyone bowed low, hands clasped, while only Wu Jing and the attendant supporting him stood. Then, the attendant released his hand and stepped back.

He saw it all clearly.

The officials’ restlessness, their disbelief, their fearful eyes, and the whispers exchanged.

The dragon throne hung high in the hall, far away from him.

“There’s a chair at the top. Wu Wu, once you see it, just keep walking forward. Ignore everyone and just sit down.”

“Soon, brother will come to take you.”

As he boarded the sedan chair, Ning Qinghong’s words echoed softly in his ear, spoken with a smile and gentle tone.

Wu Jing didn’t know how long he stood before he took his first step, then a second, a third… Every step was a struggle to breathe, his mind almost blank, walking by sheer instinct.

Only when he turned and sat on the dragon throne did he feel it was real.

Wu Jing’s fingers gripped the dragon-headed armrest so tightly they turned white. He struggled to control his trembling body, taking a deep breath before looking down, feeling dizzy.

Sitting above all, he felt uneasy and terrified of the immense power that could stir seas with a wave.

The officials stood with bowed heads in complete silence until a sharp “Kneel—” from the attendant beside the throne broke it.

Wu Jing suddenly remembered something and looked at the foremost official holding a white jade tablet, standing tall and elegant.

He subconsciously held his breath.

When he saw Ning Qinghong indeed kneel before him, Wu Jing almost jumped out of the dragon throne, but he forced himself to stay still, only shrinking slightly.

Is he insane?!

Wu Jing’s suppressed rage and frustration were at their peak.

Did this person hit his head and go mad?

After the court session, wouldn’t Ning Qinghong silence him for this?

Wu Jing pressed his lips together in anger, watching Ning Qinghong kneel with perfect composure, as if even the act of kneeling in court had a set protocol, each step exuding an unflappable demeanor.

It sent chills down his spine.

Wu Jing’s eyes widened slightly, feeling a mix of shock and confusion. He felt the man before him, who once seemed so clear and transparent, now shrouded in a mist, making him unfathomable.

You thought you knew what kind of person he was, only to see him do something you believed he never would.

He could have avoided kneeling; he had the power, yet he knelt.

A ringing in his ears—

For a moment, Wu Jing couldn’t hear anything else. His ears were filled with chaotic noise, yet it carried a terrifying emptiness.

After a while, he heard the officials prostrate on the ground shout, “Long live the Emperor, long live, long live—”

A sharp “Rise—” from the attendant followed.

The officials then straightened up again.

Ning Qinghong brushed his sleeve calmly, as usual, and said, “Officials, if you have any matters to present, do so; otherwise, the court is dismissed.”

The others were far from calm.

The Left Prime Minister immediately said, “Why has His Majesty come to court today?”

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Are you implying, Left Prime Minister, that you don’t want to see His Majesty at the morning court?”

The Left Prime Minister almost blurted out, “You’re talking nonsense!” but instead let out a heavy snort and earnestly looked up at the emperor, “Your Majesty! Guangsheng said before his death: Either do not begin, or do not stop once begun.”

Either do not start, or if you do, see it through to the end.

The Left Prime Minister bowed deeply, “Since Your Majesty has come to discuss state affairs today, you must not suddenly withdraw henceforth.” He added solemnly, “Especially, do not listen to the words of treacherous villains.”

“At this time, the Great Zhou is in need of Your Majesty’s decisions!”

The Left Prime Minister’s sincere heart was fully expressed.

Unfortunately, the emperor was a fool.

Wu Jing lowered his head deeply, pretending to be invisible. Just as Ning Qinghong had said, he didn’t need to listen, see, or speak.

He tucked his hands into his wide sleeves and stared intently at the embroidery on his cuffs.

“Your Majesty—!”

The Left Prime Minister sighed deeply again.

Wu Jing nervously fidgeted with his hands.

Can’t see me, can’t see me, can’t see me—

Left Prime Minister: “Your Majesty?”

Can’t hear you, can’t hear you, stop calling me.

Wu Jing didn’t dare to raise his head, like a quail buried in the dirt.

The crowd was subtly restless.

Ning Qinghong spoke slowly, “His Majesty is still not fully recovered.” He seemed to imply something, though it was unclear what illness he referred to. After a pause, he continued, “He caught a cold a few days ago and it’s inconvenient for him to speak.”

The Left Prime Minister understood the implication and, seeing there was no use in pressing someone who didn’t understand, let out a heavy sigh, extremely reluctant, but eventually stepped back.

Wu Jing breathed a sigh of relief.

In the Jinluan Hall, the officials, as usual, held their jade tablets and stepped forward to report matters one by one in an orderly fashion.

Wu Jing listened and realized he had heard some of these issues yesterday afternoon in the imperial study during a smaller court meeting.

The decisions on these matters—whether to punish or reward, which officials to appoint, how much silver to allocate—had already been made. Yet, Ning Qinghong’s faction brought them up in the grand court, feigning sincerity, while the Left Prime Minister’s faction argued earnestly, trying to gain some advantage for themselves.

Ning Qinghong would then slowly open his mouth and declare that the imperial edict had already been issued in the emperor’s name, and it couldn’t be changed.

The court had become his domain.

He had no interest in minor matters.

Thus, Wu Jing listened to a series of accusations: someone accusing another of misconduct, someone killing a servant, someone neglecting duties, someone being extravagant, someone building lavish gardens, someone hitting people in the street… He couldn’t remember the officials’ names or positions, but he was engrossed in the drama.

Gradually, his nervousness eased.

After all, the people below ignored him and wouldn’t suddenly look at him. Wu Jing, emboldened, sneaked a glance around.

This chair is really big.

Is this dragon head really made of gold?

The cushion is so soft; I want to lean back on it,

But no, I have to sit straight.

I wonder how long these people will keep accusing each other, their arguments so detailed and intense, it’s quite interesting.

The grand court session usually lasted nearly an hour, sometimes an hour and a half, or two to three hours.

After court, around seven or eight o’clock, he could have breakfast. Wu Jing thought gloomily, if Ning Qinghong hadn’t pulled this stunt, he could have slept for two more hours.

This was taking too long,

His butt was starting to hurt from sitting.

Feeling relaxed, Wu Jing began to feel sleepy. Without a desk in front of him, the space felt empty. The young emperor’s head began to nod, nearly falling forward.

He suddenly woke up and sat upright.

The twelve-stringed crown on Wu Jing’s head began to slide down slowly, so subtly that he barely noticed. By the time he realized it, the crown had already tilted precariously.

Wu Jing sneaked a glance to his left and right, then looked down. Good, the palace attendants were all behaving themselves, staring at their feet, and the officials below were still arguing.

The young emperor carefully raised his hand and straightened the crooked crown on his head.

Hopefully, no one saw that.

Wu Jing sighed in relief again.

After this incident, although still sleepy, he didn’t dare to close his eyes again. He feared he might accidentally fall off the dragon throne in front of everyone, making a fool of himself.

That would be too embarrassing.

He was really scared.

Bored, Wu Jing looked at Ning Qinghong standing at the front. The man stood with his sleeves rolled up, his features gentle and refined, his expression calm, with a faint smile on his lips, watching this farce.

He looked completely different from Wu Jing.

Wasn’t he sleepy?

Wu Jing thought slowly.

Last night, he heard Fuchen mention “midnight.” At that time, he saw Ning Qinghong still drinking. When he returned to his sleeping quarters, it was probably after one o’clock, and he was woken up again at five.

How does he do it?

After a whole day’s work, he had only slept for a little over four hours, yet he seemed to have endless energy.

It was a long time before Wu Jing heard the sharp voice of a palace attendant, “Court is adjourned—”

Wu Jing immediately raised his head.

Freedom, finally!

His back was sore, and his butt hurt from sitting.

The dragon throne looked impressive, but it was terribly uncomfortable to sit on.

He grumbled internally.

Every inch of Wu Jing’s body screamed “I want to leave,” but he didn’t dare move rashly. He obediently stayed on the dragon throne, anxiously watching Ning Qinghong below.

He watched as the officials left one by one.

Soon, the vast Jinluan Hall was left with only Ning Qinghong. A palace attendant, head bowed, ran over, respectfully taking the white jade tablet from his hand.

Ning Qinghong said, “Return it to the residence.”

The attendant responded with a “Yes.”

Then he gave some low-voiced instructions. It looked like it would take a while, so Wu Jing lowered his head and started fidgeting with his hands again, occasionally playing with his sleeve.

He didn’t know how long it had been when he noticed the edge of a red robe approaching in his peripheral vision. Startled, he looked up to find Ning Qinghong standing in front of him.

Wu Jing cautiously said, “…Brother?”

His voice was tinged with uncertain hesitation.

Ning Qinghong stood before the dragon throne, looking down at the young emperor with a smile. “Brother didn’t lie to you, Wu Wu.” He raised his hand, gently stroking Wu Jing’s cheek with his fingertips, his touch soft. “Didn’t I say Wu Wu only needed to sit for a while, and soon brother would take you back?”

Wu Jing couldn’t help but press his lips together and replied softly, “Yes.”

Ning Qinghong seemed to sense his emotions and smiled, his cool palm pressed against Wu Jing’s face. “Wu Wu, don’t be uncomfortable.”

Wu Jing pressed his lips tightly together.

If no one comforted him, he could hold back his emotions, but as soon as someone tried to console him, all the suppressed feelings of frustration, panic, terror, and uncontainable fear and grievance came rushing back.

Wu Jing tried hard to hold it in.

Ning Qinghong softly asked, “What’s this now?” He rubbed the corners of Wu Jing’s eyes with his fingertips. “Why does Wu Wu want to cry as soon as I arrive?”

Wu Jing couldn’t hold back any longer. “I’m not crying.” He sniffed. “Wu Wu is being good.”

Ning Qinghong, with a disturbingly gentle smile, said, “Brother knows.” He seemed very satisfied, as his fingers slid further back to press on Wu Jing’s nape, pulling him into an embrace.

It was sudden, yet also seemed slow.

Wu Jing leaned against Ning Qinghong’s waist and abdomen, his cheek pressed against the crimson official robe, his chin digging into the jade belt at Ning Qinghong’s waist, which was somewhat uncomfortable. The faint calming fragrance enveloped him, filling his breaths with warmth.

He embarrassingly started to cry.

Crying disgracefully, sniffling and unable to stop. Wu Jing couldn’t help but lift his arms and cling to Ning Qinghong, hugging him tightly like a desperate chick clinging to its last hope, burying his face in Ning Qinghong’s chest.

His soft cheeks became soaked with tears. He bit his lip, unable to cry out loud, only making “woo woo” sounds as he inhaled and exhaled, his nose almost burning from his own breath.

Ning Qinghong patted his back gently, “It’s alright, it’s alright.” He soothed in a warm voice, “Wu Wu was very good just now, listening to brother and sitting by yourself.”

“You didn’t cry or make a fuss.”

“Wait for brother to take you home.”

Wu Jing’s tears kept flowing, and as Ning Qinghong comforted him, the crown that Wu Jing had just straightened slipped down again.

Ning Qinghong bent down tenderly, catching the fallen crown. Whispering softly in Wu Jing’s ear, he said, “Brother is very happy.”

Wu Jing choked on his tears, almost startled, and hugged Ning Qinghong even tighter, as if hiding from something.

Ning Qinghong chuckled, “Shall we go? Brother will take Wu Wu home.”

Before Wu Jing could react, Ning Qinghong casually tossed the crown to the ground with a “clink clank.” Wu Jing’s breath hitched as he was lifted like a child, his legs straddling Ning Qinghong’s waist.

Ning Qinghong held him up with one hand and patted his back with the other, half-smiling, “Why isn’t Wu Wu crying now?”

Wu Jing curled up in Ning Qinghong’s embrace, trembling, too scared to cry anymore.

Noticing his fear, Ning Qinghong said, “It’s alright.” He smiled, “Brother likes to hear Wu Wu cry.”

“Plop—”

A tear from Wu Jing fell in terror.

It landed on Ning Qinghong’s shoulder.

Author’s Note:

Jiu Qian: Picking up the little one from school (Showing off how well-behaved my little one is; he’s not dazzled by the outside world, I’m satisfied).

Jinluan Hall – Golden Throne Hall (金銮殿)