Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 21

The palace servants carefully wiped the vermillion off Wu Jing’s face with warm water, but the red marks from being pinched remained.

 

When Wu Jing returned, Ning Qinghong no longer teased him and focused on the mountain of memorials. Only after lunch did the marks on his face begin to fade.

 

Following Ning Qinghong for a day, Wu Jing learned his habits. He had already taken a nap in the morning, so he wouldn’t be sleepy now. He quietly followed behind Ning Qinghong like a small, silent tail.

 

After walking for a while, Ning Qinghong found a scenic spot to sit, calmly brewed some tea, and then reclined for a short nap. The palace was very dull, with nothing to entertain him.

 

As for Wu Jing, his mind was elsewhere.

 

Seeing Ning Qinghong seemingly asleep, Wu Jing carefully placed the teacup Ning Qinghong had prepared on the stone table and looked around.

 

Wu Jing was searching for that little stray dog.

 

Though he knew he couldn’t play with the dog anymore and Yan He would help take care of it, he still worried.

 

Whenever Ning Qinghong came, all the palace maids and eunuchs serving before had to be replaced. Wu Jing didn’t recognize them, but seeing how Fuchen was familiar with the servants who could serve closely, he guessed they were Ning Qinghong’s people.

 

These past two days, he hadn’t seen any of the maids from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, let alone Yan He.

 

He didn’t know if the puppy had been let back, or if anyone remembered to feed it in his absence.

 

Until Wu Jing spotted a little yellow dog sniffing around in the bushes, dragging a lame leg. It seemed to remember Wu Jing, lying quietly in place instead of rushing over to lick his clothes like usual.

 

Now, it seemed afraid of something.

 

Wu Jing’s eyes brightened. He glanced at the still-sleeping Ning Qinghong and carefully stood up.

 

Fuchen, failing to keep an eye on him, saw him slipping away and wanted to call out, but remembering his master had just fallen asleep, he forcibly closed his mouth.

 

Ning Qinghong rarely got to sleep; he must not be disturbed. He gestured for the palace servants to follow and watch over the emperor, making sure the little fool didn’t run off and disappear.

 

When Wu Jing approached, the little yellow dog propped itself up and moved closer. Just as Wu Jing was about to pick it up, he recalled something, unwillingly retracting his hand. In a soft voice, he told the little yellow dog, “Stay away from me.”

 

“Otherwise, no food for you.”

 

He waved his hand, pretending to be fierce.

 

Once the puppy obediently lay back down, Wu Jing stretched his hand out from his wide sleeve, placing a hidden pastry on the ground, which he had secretly swiped earlier. “Eat up.”

 

Afraid the palace servants wouldn’t feed the dog, he had secretly hidden it.

 

Crumbs stuck to his hands, but he didn’t mind at all, happily watching the little yellow dog nudge the pastry with its nose and eat it bite by bite, making small “woo-woo” sounds.

 

Wu Jing squatted on the ground, hugging his legs, resting his chin on his knees, and quietly watched the dog eat. After a while, he tentatively reached out to pet the dog’s ear through his sleeve.

 

He petted it lightly once, then a second time, his eyebrows arching with joy. He was so happy, completely unaware that the pavilion behind him had fallen silent.

 

Fuchen kept his head bowed, not daring to make a sound.

 

Only after a long time, when Wu Jing had played enough and stood up to leave, did he turn and meet a pair of smiling eyes, seemingly leisurely and full of interest.

 

Ning Qinghong had woken up at some point. He had taken off his court hat before sleeping, and now his hair was half-down, but his official robe remained immaculate.

 

When the palace servant approached to help him put on his hat, he waved them off, “Step back.”

 

He looked at the stunned Wu Jing, who had been caught red-handed, and slowly stood up, smiling, “Your Majesty, this humble servant has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.”

 

Wu Jing, feeling guilty and confused, called out, “Brother?”

 

Ning Qinghong ordered Fuchen, “Prepare the sedan chair to return to the residence.”

 

His expression was indifferent, as if his interest in staying in the palace had waned.

 

Seeing him about to leave, Wu Jing, as usual, obediently ran over, following Ning Qinghong like a quiet little tail.

 

No one tried to chase the emperor away. Fuchen hesitated a bit before deciding to have the palace servants pull the emperor back. Wu Jing, using his crumb-covered dirty hands, grabbed Ning Qinghong’s robe.

 

The movement was very practiced.

 

Ning Qinghong, being tugged, patiently stopped, “Why is Wu Wu pulling on Brother?”

 

Wu Jing tugged on his sleeve, hesitantly extending his dirty hands in front of him, showing Ning Qinghong, “I didn’t touch the dog.”

 

Racking his brains for something to say coquettishly, he thought:

 

He had figured it out. This person responded better to softness than to hardness.

 

It would be wrong to throw a tantrum and let this pillar of support slip away.

 

Ning Qinghong’s expression didn’t change at all, still wearing that inscrutable smile. “If you didn’t touch it, you didn’t touch it. Wu Wu’s hands are so dirty, they need to be washed clean.”

 

Wu Jing nodded blankly.

 

In the next moment, he was taken away to wash his hands by the perceptive palace attendants.

 

Wu Jing took three steps and stopped for one, noticing that Ning Qinghong was still standing there, with Fuchen speaking to him as if waiting for him. Only then did he obediently follow the attendants.

 

Fuchen asked, “Lord, should we still prepare the sedan chair?”

 

Ning Qinghong replied, “Why not prepare it?” His eyebrows moved slightly, and he smiled lightly. “One must be taught a lesson, or else one day, claws might stretch out to my face.”

 

Fuchen, understanding the hint, said, “Yes, Lord. You haven’t returned to the manor for two days. The palace is indeed a bit dull, not as interesting as outside. I’ll have the rest of the memorials sent to the manor.” He knew how to please the Lord, arranging everything meticulously. “After His Majesty has finished washing his hands, shall we send him back to Yangxin Hall?”

 

Ning Qinghong, admiring the scenery as he walked unhurriedly, said, “Remember to take those toys over.”

 

Fuchen, seeking favor, suggested, “It’s been a while since you watched shadow puppetry, how about I summon a troupe to the manor for some entertainment?” He quickly changed his tone, realizing his mistake. “Look at me, the manor is always lively.”

 

The Lord merely smiled at him, making Fuchen feel a chill down his spine.

 

During the ten days Ning Qinghong stayed inside the manor, those serving within were on edge. It wasn’t lively, it lacked even a trace of human presence. Fuchen didn’t speak wrongly, though he knew better than to mention it.

 

Especially in front of the Lord.

 

Fuchen cautiously added, “The scholars for this year’s imperial exams have arrived in the capital. They’re hosting literary gatherings at various teahouses and gardens. If you have the interest, why not see if there are any promising talents?”

 

As he spoke, they exited the Imperial Garden. The sedan chair was waiting outside, and the palanquin was ready at the eastern gate.

 

Ning Qinghong got onto the sedan chair, closed his eyes to rest, and said indifferently, “They’re just pedantic scholars. If any come to seek my favor, only then will I give them a second look.”

 

Those who seek every possible way, willing to risk everything and spend their family’s fortune just to see him and make a name for themselves, those with such audacity understand the art of maneuvering. They have confidence born of true talent and are the easiest to control.

 

After this year’s imperial exams, the court will be thoroughly cleansed.

 

 

When Wu Jing finished washing his hands, he found Yanhua leading him back, indicating Ning Qinghong had already left.

 

Was that necessary? He didn’t even touch it.

 

Wu Jing was very upset.

 

Back at Yangxin Hall, he hugged the cloth tiger tightly, squeezing it left and right as if venting his frustration. He then took a nap, and upon waking, it was time for dinner.

 

It was Yanhua who came to call him before dinner.

 

However, Yanhua’s expression was strange as she looked at the emperor, who was only in his inner garments. “Your Majesty, don’t move.”

 

Wu Jing watched in confusion as Yanhua rolled up his sleeves, inspected his forearms, then squatted down to lift his pant legs and check his calves, seemingly looking for any marks.

 

Seeing Wu Jing’s snow-white skin, she sighed in relief but still looked worried. In a hushed tone, she said, “Silly child.” Yanhua hadn’t called him that for a long time, and now her expression was rather serious. “If you feel pain anywhere, tell me.”

 

This time, Wu Jing was genuinely perplexed. “Sister Yanhua, Wu Wu doesn’t hurt.”

 

Yanhua replied, “It’s good if it doesn’t hurt. Now, let’s have dinner.”

 

So strange.

 

Wu Jing quietly finished his dinner and was then taken to soak in a hot bath.

 

When he first arrived, he wasn’t used to going to bed early and rising early, but now he had adapted since there was nowhere to go at night and nothing to do.

 

Upon returning to his bed, Wu Jing found that the toys Ning Qinghong had given him were brought over by the palace attendants.

 

Apart from the malt candy, which had been taken away, the rest were piled in a corner, forming a small nest—Wu Jing’s secret base on his bed.

 

He had napped in the afternoon, so he wasn’t sleepy. When Yanhua extinguished the lights, he asked her about Ning Qinghong, “Where did brother go? Isn’t he going to sleep with Wu Wu?”

 

Yanhua froze for a moment, her expression inexplicably awkward. “The Lord isn’t in the palace.” She said quickly and left quickly.

 

She hurried to report to the inner guard, ignoring the confused gaze following her departure.

 

What was so strange?

 

Wu Jing couldn’t figure it out. When he was alone in the sleeping quarters, he flopped onto the bed to play.

 

His eyes fell on a Nine Linked Rings puzzle that he hadn’t played with for a long time. He remembered the solution’s pattern, but each step was quite cumbersome, requiring a lot of time.

 

Wu Jing shifted from lying down to sitting cross-legged and then lay down again. Finally feeling cold, he snuggled into the blanket. As warmth enveloped him, sleepiness crept in. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he completed the last step of the Nine Linked Rings puzzle before his hand slipped, and he fell asleep.

 

…So tired, I’ll put it back together tomorrow…

 

Anyway, he was sleeping alone tonight; no one would notice.

 

But he was a restless sleeper. When he was sick and feverish, his poor sleep habits were evident. Yesterday, with Ning Qinghong, who was a light sleeper, keeping an eye on him, he was relatively well-behaved. This morning, when Wu Jing woke up, the Nine Linked Rings puzzle in his hand was broken into two parts, with only nine rings left. The rod had long been kicked somewhere.

 

Groggy, Wu Jing stared at the pieces in his hand for a while and searched around but couldn’t find the rod.

 

Finally, remembering that it was nearly time for Yanhua to come and wake him, he casually shoved the string of nine rings under the bed. It landed on top of two plates he had brought back, making a “clinking” sound.

 

These plates were the ones Wu Jing had used to bring back some snacks after secretly eating them. They were cleaned thoroughly, and apart from the nine rings, they also held some pretty pebbles he had picked up.

 

By letting the bed curtain fall to the floor, he created his own secret treasure trove.

 

No one would find it.

 

He completely forgot that the Yangxin Hall had been thoroughly cleaned just a few days ago.

 

Author’s note:

 

Jiu Qian: ? (Baffled)

 

The Nine Linked Rings, also known as the Nine Rings Puzzle, is a traditional Chinese mechanical puzzle that has been around for centuries. It consists of a set of metal rings linked together through a series of rods attached to a handle. The goal of the puzzle is to disentangle the rings from the rods and then reassemble them back to their original state.

 

Here are the key points about the Nine Linked Rings puzzle:

 

1. **Components**: The puzzle typically has nine metal rings, each connected to a series of interlocking rods and a handle.

 

2. **Objective**: The aim is to remove all the rings from the rods and then reassemble them back onto the rods. This involves a series of moves that require logical thinking and patience.

 

3. **Difficulty**: The puzzle is known for its complexity and can take a significant amount of time to solve. It requires a combination of strategic planning and step-by-step execution.

 

4. **Historical Significance**: The Nine Linked Rings is one of the oldest known puzzles in the world, with references to it found in Chinese literature and historical texts.

 

5. **Educational Value**: The puzzle helps develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and patience. It is often used as a teaching tool for these reasons.

 

6. **Cultural Context**: In Chinese culture, puzzles like the Nine Linked Rings are not only seen as a form of entertainment but also as a way to cultivate mental discipline and perseverance.

 

This traditional puzzle remains popular today and is available in various materials and designs, from simple metal versions to more elaborate and decorative ones.