Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 55

Ning Qinghong pushed open the door to the inner chamber.

The palace servants who had been waiting outside for a while immediately knelt and saluted, carefully observing the emperor’s expression and the young emperor following behind him.

The young emperor’s eyes were swollen from crying. Though he had managed to stop, the tip of his nose and the corners of his eyes were still red, clearly indicating he had cried heavily.

The attendants, noting the scene, wondered what had happened inside but thought that the emperor’s crying was a minor punishment compared to his previous illness.

Ning Qinghong calmly instructed, “Clean up the inner chamber, prepare lunch, and have the kitchen prepare some regular food.” He glanced back at Wu Jing and added, “And prepare a hot medicinal bath.”

He smiled, “Crying has made you all sweaty.”

Wu Jing seemed a bit embarrassed, lowering his head, biting his lip, and staying silent.

Fuchen, observing Ning Qinghong’s demeanor, noticed that he seemed to be smiling and took the chance to ask, “Master, do you need any medicine today?”

Ning Qinghong replied calmly, “No need.”

Is it… over?

Fuchen’s expression showed surprise. How had Ning Qinghong, who had just shown signs of distress this morning, returned to normal so soon after only half a day and a visit to the inner chamber?

Previously, it would take at least two or three days for such a significant change. Wasn’t this just worsening the condition?

Fuchen anxiously asked, “Should we call the court doctor to examine the emperor again?”

Ning Qinghong walked slowly toward the bathhouse, saying, “No need for examination; there’s no reason.”

Fuchen wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying to persuade him, “It’s best to check, just in case.”

Ning Qinghong sighed slightly, “Fine.”

He had tacitly agreed.

Fuchen turned around, quietly instructing the servants to summon the doctor after the meal, and then looked back to see Ning Qinghong making a gesture with his fingers.

Wu Jing walked with his head down, unaware that the attendants following him had silently retreated to a distance of over ten meters, leaving only him and Ning Qinghong at the front.

It was getting late for lunch. The afternoon sun streamed through the corridor, and Wu Jing, feeling bored, played with Ning Qinghong’s long shadow. Occasionally, he would sniffle, a lingering effect from crying too much, making it difficult to breathe.

After some time, Ning Qinghong suddenly spoke, “Wu Wu?”

He smiled faintly, turning to look.

Wu Jing, who had been lost in thought, looked up and was caught off guard when Ning Qinghong suddenly stopped. Wu Jing instinctively closed his eyes and bumped into him.

Ning Qinghong sighed softly, watching as Wu Jing, still holding his head, looked up again. He crouched slightly to check if Wu Jing had hurt himself.

After a careful examination, Ning Qinghong said, “We’ve arrived.”

Wu Jing looked blankly in the direction Ning Qinghong was indicating—a tightly closed door, which was slowly pushed open.

In the next moment, a wave of warm, humid air greeted him as they passed through several large doors and jade screens, surrounded by hanging silk curtains.

Previously, Wu Jing had bathed in a wooden tub filled with hot water carried to the inner chamber by servants. Now, no one dared treat him so poorly, and he was brought to a designated bathing area, where the tub had been replaced by a larger small pool.

This was his first time here.

The floor was covered with warm jade, and the bath was a man-made hot spring pool, decorated with layers of silk curtains. Only after passing the last jade screen did Wu Jing see the “hot soup(medicinal) bath” Ning Qinghong had described.

Nearby, clothes for the young emperor were prepared.

No inappropriate palace servants were present.

Wu Jing stared blankly as Ning Qinghong released his hand and moved to a copper basin filled with warm water to carefully wash his hands. He lowered his eyes, wiping each slender finger with a cloth until even the spaces between his fingers were filled with rounded water droplets.

As Wu Jing watched, his thoughts raced, and he couldn’t help but feel his breath become heated.

He knew exactly why Ning Qinghong was so meticulous about washing his hands.

Ning Qinghong then used a fresh copper basin and a warm cloth to slowly wipe his face. After two or three thorough wipes, he finally stopped.

In reality, it was already quite clean. No one could tell from outside, and Wu Jing bit his lip, his eyelids trembling.

He had tried his best to clean up.

Wu Jing thought about how his saliva might also be unclean and understood why Ning Qinghong needed to wipe it away.

The young man turned his face away, not daring to look further.

He then heard Ning Qinghong call him, “Come here.”

Wu Jing walked over dizzily and stopped in front of him. Before he could react, Ning Qinghong’s hand was already on the blood-red jade ornament tied with coarse hemp rope around his waist.

Wu Jing looked down in a daze, watching as Ning Qinghong untied the red hemp rope, removing each piece of blood-red jade and finally untying the waist rope.

Ning Qinghong placed the items on a nearby wooden tray and then looked at Wu Jing, saying, “Look up.”

Wu Jing raised his face in confusion.

Ning Qinghong began to untie the strings of Wu Jing’s collar.

The white outer robe worn by the young emperor slipped off, and Wu Jing, flustered, raised his arms to catch it, but the end of the robe still touched the ground.

Wu Jing couldn’t help but ask softly, “Brother?”

Ning Qinghong smiled, “What’s wrong?”

Wu Jing tried to express, “Wu Wu can, can do it himself…” but couldn’t finish his sentence.

Ning Qinghong asked, “Do you not want me to help?”

Wu Jing hesitantly nodded.

Ning Qinghong, seemingly puzzled, asked softly, “Can Wu Wu bathe on his own?”

Wu Jing felt tears welling up again. Trying to control his flushed cheeks, he nodded timidly, “Yes, I can.”

Ning Qinghong then released his hold, “Alright.” He emphasized, “Then Wu Wu will bathe on his own.”

“But brother is worried that Wu Wu might not clean properly and fall ill, which would mean enduring more unnecessary bitter medicine.”

“Brother will watch.”

The palace servants brought clean clothes for the young emperor, along with warm tea, fruits, and pastries. Ning Qinghong sat on a spring chair beside him, leisurely rolling up his sleeves to pour himself tea.

He didn’t specifically look at Wu Jing, just quietly lowered his gaze.

Wu Jing began crying again, but it was different from before. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what was different; he just “sobbed” and tried to hold back tears, taking deep breaths. He reassured himself that he had been seen and kissed earlier and that Ning Qinghong hadn’t been harsh with him.

It was just taking off clothes and bathing, nothing more.

Ning Qinghong was also worried.

Wu Jing wiped his tears, kicked off his shoes and socks, and stepped on his outer robe that had fallen to the ground. Eventually, he managed to remove the restraints on his body and discarded them.

The boy’s hair was long, reaching almost to his thighs, as it had not been cut.

Wu Jing lowered his head to cover himself.

He got into the bath and, as usual, washed himself with soap and a cloth. His hair fell into the water, sticking to his face and body in a half-wet mess, covering most of him.

Ning Qinghong didn’t allow him to turn his back or submerge completely.

Wu Jing had to get out again. He sat on the ground, carefully washed himself with soap, including his legs, and then rinsed off with water. Only then did Ning Qinghong close his eyes and let him be.

There was no hint of indulgence in Ning Qinghong’s gaze.

It was as if he was simply concerned about Wu Jing’s health.

When Wu Jing changed back into his clothes, Ning Qinghong had him come forward and stood up to help him dry his damp hair. He also had someone bring tooth powder for rinsing.

Ning Qinghong cleaned his own mouth as well.

After everything was tidied up, lunch was reheated.

After wiping away the old tear marks on Wu Jing’s face, new ones appeared. Ning Qinghong, showing no impatience, gently cleaned his face with a cloth and softly said, “Wu Wu’s eyes are swollen from crying. Should we apply some ointment from the court doctor?”

Wu Jing nodded.

The court doctor had been waiting in a side hall. When Ning Qinghong and the young emperor arrived, Fuchen had him come forward to take the emperor’s pulse.

Ning Qinghong sat in the grand master’s chair, placing his hand on the table. The doctor, through a layer of white cloth, quietly examined the pulse and after a moment said, “Master Ning’s pulse is stable. After a round of medicinal diet, his body, which hadn’t eaten much recently, has recovered. There are no major issues.”

Ning Qinghong, upon hearing this, smiled faintly, “Thank you, Doctor.” He added, “The emperor’s eyes are swollen. Is there any swelling ointment in the doctor’s medicine box?”

The doctor hurriedly replied, “Of course, of course.” He took out a small jade box from his medicine kit and respectfully placed it on the table before bowing and being led away by the servants.

Ning Qinghong called, “Come here.”

Wu Jing, standing to the side, timidly walked over. His head was still dizzy, and he didn’t dare look at Ning Qinghong. He did whatever he was told.

He was obedient, almost as if he were being manipulated.

He no longer resisted.

Ning Qinghong dipped his fingertip into the ointment and saw Wu Jing trembling with his eyes closed. He sighed softly and carefully applied the ointment, soothing him gently, “Don’t be afraid.”

He then instructed, “Everyone, leave.”

With his eyes closed, Wu Jing saw only darkness, with his eyelids fluttering. He faintly saw Ning Qinghong’s wide sleeves moving in front of him. Gradually, the surroundings seemed to quiet down.

Ning Qinghong’s actions were particularly gentle.

Ning Qinghong said softly, “Is Wu Wu scared?”

Scared of what?

Wu Jing wondered blankly.

“That cabinet minister was merely a fourth-rank Hanlin Academy scholar. Killing him will have no major impact.”

“He privately investigated my movements, which was a serious offense. The entire residence and the Inner Guard will need to be thoroughly inspected to ensure there are no remaining spies.”

So, they killed that person?

Wu Jing thought in confusion.

But… but…

He closed his eyes again, and the blood splattered on the palace door reappeared in his mind.

Wu Jing’s eyelids grew wet.

Ning Qinghong seemed to notice and gently pinched the back of Wu Jing’s neck, comforting him, “If Wu Wu doesn’t understand, brother will explain more simply.”

“If outsiders knew my whereabouts, anyone who knew I would pass by on the way to the bath would be able to ambush us with assassins.”

“Then…”

Ning Qinghong explained with a smile, “If someone had cut our throats with a sword, it would have been me and Wu Wu.” He spoke lightly, his fingertip resting gently on Wu Jing’s neck, as if soothing him.

He softly asked, “Will Wu Wu be scared of me or the assassin at that time?”