Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 28

Wu Jing didn’t feel satisfied with just one piece; he stacked two together and, after taking a few bites, looked up to see Ning Qinghong watching him with a slight smile.

 

He realized too late that he had been too quiet.

 

Silence enveloped the hall.

 

Wu Jing’s pace of nibbling slowed down, and eventually, he stopped altogether, cautiously glancing at Ning Qinghong.

 

Is he angry? But he only ate two pieces of pastry.

 

Wu Jing felt that something was off with the man today. If it were a couple of days ago, he would have boldly taken some pastries while pretending not to understand, and Ning Qinghong probably wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.

 

Why was he acting so strange today?

 

Wu Jing silently set down the two pastries in his hand and whispered, “Wu Wu won’t eat anymore.”

 

Could it be because he was eating alone?

 

He hesitantly looked at Ning Qinghong again, then hesitated for a moment before placing the two pastries he had eaten in front of Ning Qinghong, asking softly, “Would Brother like some?”

 

Want to share a bite?

 

Wu Jing looked up at the man, his eyes showing some reluctance but also earnestness.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled faintly.

 

“Uh, the papers on the imperial desk haven’t been reviewed yet,” Fuchen interjected nervously, wiping the sweat from his brow. “And it’s getting late. Should we invite the teachers from the Imperial Academy to come and educate His Majesty?”

 

After speaking, he tactfully asked, “Does Master want to summon the ministers from the cabinet today?”

 

Ning Qinghong didn’t say anything.

 

Fuchen bowed and left.

 

Is he really angry?

 

Wu Jing felt uneasy and instinctively tugged at Ning Qinghong’s clothes. Seeing him still ignoring him, he became anxious. “Brother, eat.”

 

Ning Qinghong slowly pressed down on the hand grasping his clothes, smiling gently. “Okay, Brother will eat.” With his other hand, he also grasped Wu Jing’s wrist, which was holding the pastries, and without applying much force, guided the pastry into his own mouth.

 

Wu Jing stared blankly as Ning Qinghong ate from his hand. Then, lowering his eyes to avoid the bite marks, he took a small bite himself.

 

He breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Perhaps he wasn’t angry after all?

 

Next moment, Fuchen hurried back, and as he moved, the palace attendants followed like flowing water, picking up the papers from the imperial desk one by one.

 

Wu Jing’s face was filled with anxiety.

 

Ning Qinghong noticed his expression and smiled. “Wu Wu, get up from Brother’s lap.”

 

Wu Jing stood up dazedly.

 

Ning Qinghong stood up gracefully and looked at Wu Jing meaningfully. He had no interest in playing with a monarch who was not truly mentally challenged; he just found this game interesting.

 

Since he couldn’t figure it out, there was no point in pursuing it further.

 

There’s always another day.

 

Why would he still be angry?

 

Wu Jing instinctively tightened his grip on Ning Qinghong’s clothes. “Where is Brother going?” He felt a bit guilty, thinking he had upset him, and clumsily apologized, “Brother, don’t go.”

 

Ning Qinghong’s tone brooked no refusal. “Wu Wu, let go.” As he walked away, Wu Jing stumbled a few steps, only to be caught by someone.

 

Ning Qinghong made a questioning sound, seeming somewhat troubled, as if looking at an ignorant child.

 

Wu Jing opened his hand, showing the pastries he was holding. “Wu Wu will give all to Brother.” He looked up. “Brother, don’t leave.”

 

He tugged at the man’s clothes. “Not angry.”

 

Ning Qinghong looked at Wu Jing’s outstretched hand, the broken crumbs of osmanthus cake falling down, staining the young boy’s hand.

 

He seemed somewhat helpless, gesturing for a servant to bring a handkerchief and then gently wiping the crumbs off Wu Jing’s dirty hand. “Brother is not angry.”

 

Ning Qinghong looked at Wu Jing with a smile that was not quite a smile. “Does Wu Wu really want to stay with Brother?”

 

Wu Jing had a faint sense of unease and nodded cautiously.

 

Ning Qinghong asked in return, “Really?”

 

The question felt like there was a fire pit in front of Wu Jing, and nodding would mean stepping into it.

 

Wu Jing swallowed nervously and mumbled, “Together with Brother.”

 

Ning Qinghong murmured softly, “Okay.” He smiled. “Then how about this humble subject takes Your Majesty out of the palace and visit the Ning Residence?” His tone was peculiar.

 

Wu Jing instinctively wanted to retract his hand, but the next moment, Ning Qinghong twisted his wrist, holding the thin and fragile bones effortlessly in his palm. “Why are you hiding?”

 

“Not yet cleaned.” Ning Qinghong wiped Wu Jing’s fingertips carefully with a handkerchief. “Dirty.”

 

He smiled. “Every time you trouble Brother, Wu Wu is really disobedient.”

 

Wu Jing suddenly found himself unable to say a word. He watched as Ning Qinghong wiped and wiped his hand, feeling it took a long time before he finally said, “It’s done.”

 

He held Wu Jing’s hand. “Let’s go.”

 

Wu Jing hadn’t reacted yet and was pulled stumblingly, only to be caught by Ning Qinghong, falling into his embrace. He heard Ning Qinghong’s voice in his ear, “Why is Wu Wu so careless?”

 

“Does that mean you don’t want to?” 

 

“But wasn’t it Wu Wu who held onto me and wouldn’t let go?”

 

Ning Qinghong comforted him, “Don’t be afraid.” Then softly, “I will make sure Your Majesty returns to the palace in one piece.”

 

Wu Jing’s scalp tingled, not sure what the other was implying. He truly regretted now; he shouldn’t have softened just because this person was nice to him!

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled softly, “Let’s go.”

 

Wu Jing swallowed nervously, pretending to be puzzled and blinked his eyes. He was actually quite confused.

 

He couldn’t move a step on his own; he was led forward by Ning Qinghong the entire way. He was even helped into the sedan chair. Ning Qinghong didn’t speak again but seemed to be resting, only holding his hand, tapping lightly on the back of his hand from time to time.

 

Wu Jing gradually relaxed with the swaying of the sedan chair, forcing himself to shift his attention.

 

What was it like outside the palace?

 

He had never left the palace before and had only seen the bustling market in the commoner’s area. The more he thought about it, the more curious he became.

 

But the sedan chair leaving the palace had only him on board, and it couldn’t accommodate another person. It was replaced by a carriage with closed windows on both sides.

 

The Ning Residence wasn’t far from the palace, only about a quarter of an hour’s journey by carriage. Passing through the main road, they only went past the residences of royal relatives, nobles, and officials.

 

Naturally, no commoners dared to set up stalls nearby.

 

Wu Jing listened carefully for a while, but apart from the sound of the carriage wheels rolling and the horses’ hooves, he couldn’t hear anything else.

 

But he was still curious, couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Ning Qinghong, who had closed his eyes. He glanced around at the closed carriage windows and the swaying curtains.

 

He just wanted to take a quick look.

 

Wu Jing lifted the curtain, but he couldn’t help but pause. There was no scenery outside the carriage; only thin gauze covered the windows.

 

He could vaguely see some colors outside, but he couldn’t see anything clearly. He couldn’t help but pout, but he didn’t move away. He leaned against the window, quietly looking out, slowly closing his eyes in the swaying motion.

 

When the carriage finally stopped, Ning Qinghong opened his eyes and saw the young emperor leaning against the carriage wall, his head sandwiched between the curtain and the window of the carriage, his face covered by the veil.

 

It was a very awkward posture.

 

Ning Qinghong raised his finger and gently lifted it, seeing Wu Jing sound asleep with his mouth slightly open, breathing evenly, not pretending.

 

Ning Qinghong paused for a moment, then half-smiled as he woke him up. His gesture to wake him was also gentle, cupping the young emperor’s face in his palm. His fingertips seemed to be playing with something, gently rubbing and swaying, while murmuring softly, “Your Majesty?”

 

Wu Jing’s face was lifted by someone and then lowered back down as he slept deeply.

 

“Master, we’ve arrived,” Fuchen reminded respectfully from outside the carriage.

 

Ning Qinghong ignored him and called out again, “Wu Wu?”

 

He called many times patiently before Wu Jing opened his eyes drowsily, subconsciously looking at the person calling him, “Brother?”

 

When a person just wakes up, their consciousness is the most blurry.

 

With his face tilted up, Wu Jing instinctively rubbed his cheek against Ning Qinghong’s palm without any defense.

 

Ning Qinghong leaned closer, lowering his eyes as if to examine more carefully, looking more carefully, a pair of smiling eyes seemed to almost enter Wu Jing’s eyes.

 

His fingertips still against the side of the boy’s face, he slowly rubbed, seeming reluctant, using his fingertips to pinch Wu Jing’s earlobe, feeling the soft touch in his hand, kneading it back and forth.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled. “Your Majesty?”

 

Wu Jing parted his lips, about to respond, but Ning Qinghong’s breath, at such a close distance, almost brushing against his ear, blew onto his face, making him instantly alert.

 

He almost… he almost agreed.

 

A chill ran down Wu Jing’s spine as he shrank back, grabbing Ning Qinghong’s hand on his face. “It tickles,” he wrinkled his small face, “Brother, don’t pinch Wu Wu’s ear.”

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled softly and smoothly withdrew his hand. “Since Wu Wu is awake, let’s get off.”

 

Wu Jing watched as Ning Qinghong got off the carriage. He barely managed to calm his racing heart when he saw Ning Qinghong turning back and reaching out to him.

 

Wu Jing was led off the carriage, and as soon as he landed on the ground, he suddenly heard a shout, “Lord Ning!” He was so startled that his whole body bristled, and he saw someone rushing towards them.

 

Still not fully awake, Wu Jing instinctively reached out and hugged Ning Qinghong in front of him, like a fledgling seeking refuge, “Brother!”

 

“Stop him.”

 

A flat voice came from above.

 

Ning Qinghong skillfully patted Wu Jing’s back, soothingly comforting him, “It’s okay.”

 

Wu Jing breathed a sigh of relief before daring to look up.

 

At the gate of the Ning Residence, two gatekeepers stopped a young man with a handsome face, his expression showing both surprise and joy, dressed like a scholar. Although he looked modest, the fabric of his clothes was as smooth as silk, just dressed in a low-key manner.

 

Fuchen looked at the two gatekeepers. “Why did you let this person shout at the gate? If he disturbs His Excellency, you two will be held responsible.” His tone was harsh. “Drag him away.”

 

Ning Qinghong raised his hand, gesturing for Fuchen to step back. He smiled slightly, “Who are you?”

 

Wu Jing wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt Ning Qinghong had glanced at him just now. His instinctive feeling made him feel a little uneasy.

 

In front of them were layers of imperial guards, and behind them were palace attendants holding documents. The young man was stopped at the outermost layer, looking somewhat anxious. He remembered something and took something out of his sleeve, raising it high.

 

“Lord Ning, this is my visiting card,” he spoke rapidly, clearly not wanting to miss the opportunity. “I am a scholar rushing to the capital for the imperial examination. After receiving the visiting card, I come to visit the Ning Residence every day, but I have been rejected every time, and I am at my wit’s end. I did not mean to offend His Excellency.”

 

Ning Qinghong seemed interested. “Is that so?” He smiled. “Whose visiting card did you receive?”

 

“What is your surname? Your given name?”

 

“Where are you from?”

 

The young man became more excited, speaking fluently, “I am from the Cui family in Qinghe, Cui Ren. The visiting card I hold was given to me by Minister Huang from the Cabinet.”

 

“Cui family?” Ning Qinghong asked. “Show me the visiting card.”

 

The eunuch from the imperial guards stepped forward, making way for the young man. As he approached, Ning Qinghong added, “Wait, as a citizen of Da Zhou, why didn’t you show respect when you saw the Emperor?”

 

The young man was taken aback, looking up at the bewildered youth beside Ning Qinghong. Apparently thinking of the rumors in the palace, his expression was complex as he still performed a bow. In the next moment, he respectfully handed the visiting card to Ning Qinghong.

 

When the fact that the Emperor of Da Zhou was essentially a puppet was laid bare, it was enough to be sarcastic. His flattery was on the surface, but Cui Ren was uneasy.

 

Before waiting for a response, Cui Ren couldn’t help but look around, only to see Lord Ning looking down at the Emperor with interest, while the Emperor was curiously looking at the visiting card in his hand.

 

There was no sign of embarrassment on his face. Truly, as the rumors said, he was a natural fool.

 

Ning Qinghong withdrew his gaze and casually threw Cui Ren’s visiting card onto Fuchen, seemingly indifferent. “I remember.”

 

In other words, it was a dismissal.

 

Ning Qinghong took Wu Jing’s hand and smiled faintly, ready to step away, but he was called back by Cui Ren, who held out a wooden box. “I still have a gift to present.”

 

Fuchen glanced at the Lord Ning, received a nod, and stepped forward to open it. Wu Jing curiously looked inside, only to see a string of Buddhist beads.

 

However, these Buddhist beads, although simple and ancient-looking, were not round like typical beads. Instead, they were elongated like miniature wide rings, with both ends missing, leaving a gap in the middle. They looked as smooth as jade, strung together with a rope woven from flax, tied with a red rope knot at the bottom.

 

Ning Qinghong was interested and picked them up. “How did you come by such a precious item?” He played with them in his hand, while Wu Jing still leaned against him, and the Buddhist beads brushed against his hair a few times.

 

He looked at them carefully but couldn’t see what was precious about them.

 

“Cui family often donates incense to the temples. In return, the temple presented the remains of the deceased high monks who had achieved perfect enlightenment after their passing. The Cui family invited the master of the temple to use their skull bones to make this.”

 

“It’s rare in the world, and I hope Lord Ning will accept it.”

 

Wu Jing’s whole body stiffened, his face turning pale. His expression was too obvious, so he quickly lowered his head and pretended to lean into Ning Qinghong’s embrace.

 

At this moment, Ning Qinghong was holding the string of human bone Buddhist beads, and he looked down at Wu Jing, seemingly thoughtful.

 

“Is Your Majesty afraid of this?”

 

There seemed to be meaning in his words.

 

“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not made from Your Majesty’s bones.” Ning Qinghong smiled again. “Look at me, I forgot again.”

 

“Wu Wu doesn’t understand.”

 

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The author has something to say: ps: The Cui family in the text has no relation to historical figures. The Buddhist beads mentioned in the text—Gaba La—are made from human bones and are typically crafted into special ritual objects from the skull, leg, and finger bones of highly accomplished lamas after their passing. It’s a reminder that possessing such items nowadays could lead to legal consequences, so beware!