Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 56

Could this really be the case?

 

Wu Jing couldn’t help but tremble as he looked at Ning Qinghong, feeling confused. He thought that, according to what Ning Qinghong said, it seemed there was no fault in what he did.

 

In this era.

 

From Ning Qinghong’s perspective.

 

What Ning Qinghong said was not untrue, but without discussing the terms, it seemed a bit deceitful. After all, the Imperial Guard, which controlled the palace guards, was under his command, and the Inner Guard was also no pushover. Every year, the palace maids and eunuchs had to go through rigorous selection by the Inner Guard.

 

Ning Qinghong usually did not allow untrusted servants to attend to him. The likelihood of an assassination attempt on him within the palace was so close to zero because he had personally eliminated such possibilities.

 

What he said earlier would never happen.

 

If Ning Qinghong had heard this, his first reaction would have been a wry smile, pondering whether the ruling authority was too incompetent or about to fall.

 

But the young emperor truly believed it, his expression so innocent that it evoked sympathy.

 

Outside the palace, such matters would have had no chance. Lighter issues could be rumors spread outside, and heavier ones could involve life-threatening risks.

 

But did that official really deserve to die?

 

There was room for leniency, but the real fault lay in the threatening tone of the person, which constituted a capital offense.

 

Ning Qinghong said with a smile, “Still not speaking.” His tone carried a hint of reprimand. He only said half of what he intended and did not press further, speaking bit by bit, “And that maidservant who served Wu Wu.”

 

Which maidservant?

 

Wu Jing thought in confusion.

 

Was it Yan He?

 

“What was her name again? Brother forgot.”

 

Ning Qinghong seemed to smile. He wasn’t forgetful, just that unimportant matters and people were not worth remembering.

 

“Does Wu Wu blame her for passing on the message to brother?”

 

“It’s just that all the palace servants listen to their masters. Regardless of who it is, no one dares to deceive me.”

 

Ning Qinghong’s fingers moved from the boy’s neck to the side of his face, gently stroking it, soothing him, “After all, it’s my token. Anywhere, anytime, it can access the palace gates and mobilize the palace guards. It’s a serious matter.”

 

“If Wu Wu wants to blame someone, blame brother.”

 

He said softly.

 

Wu Jing’s breath hitched, feeling something was amiss.

 

But, but how could it be Ning Qinghong’s fault? He had taken things without permission, and Yan He had not followed their agreement.

 

He thought that if Ning Qinghong did not punish him, it would be good enough.

 

But how, how could…

 

The boy blinked in helpless confusion, listening dazedly as Ning Qinghong said, “It was brother who didn’t place the token properly, leaving it where Wu Wu could see it. It’s natural for Wu Wu to be curious.” He gently coaxed, “Isn’t it?”

 

“The palace servants didn’t intentionally betray Wu Wu. They just followed my orders and didn’t dare to disrespect. It was brother who intentionally let Wu Wu hear it.”

 

“If Wu Wu wants, we can replace her with a new person, alright?”

 

Wu Jing shook his head with difficulty, unable to utter a word.

 

Is this the case?

 

His head felt fuzzy, as if everything was turning into a muddled mess.

 

“As for the items under Wu Wu’s bed, they were reported to me earlier when the Inner Guard was reorganizing the Heart-nourishing Palace.”

 

“If Wu Wu wants to keep them hidden, continue keeping them. If you want to take them out openly, it’s no big deal.”

 

Did he think that no one knew about them?

 

Wu Jing thought blankly.

 

Really, can he have them back?

 

Then… did Ning Qinghong know?

 

…About the Nine-linked Chain,

 

Did he know?

 

Wu Jing did not dare to ask, gasping for breath and vaguely sensing that Ning Qinghong’s detailed explanation meant he was already aware.

 

He couldn’t help but lower his head, his fingertips trembling.

 

“And the Nine-linked Chain—”

 

Wu Jing almost stopped breathing, quietly listening as Ning Qinghong said, “It was found by a palace servant while cleaning Wu Wu’s bed, and brother saw it by chance in the box.”

 

“It was brother’s mistake to take Wu Wu’s things.”

 

“I had intended to give it to Wu Wu to play with, but brother put it aside.”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “It’s returned to Wu Wu now.”

 

His tone was nonchalant, as if he had no intention of making a fuss about it.

 

“Alright, the other eye still needs the ointment.”

 

“Be good, close your eyes.”

 

Wu Jing followed his instructions and closed his eyes obediently, feeling Ning Qinghong’s fingertips gently applying the ointment to his brow and eyes, carefully avoiding his eyelashes.

 

The touch was gentle and soothing.

 

It felt as if Ning Qinghong’s warm voice and slow actions were resolving all the things that made him anxious and fearful, gradually dissipating them from Wu Jing’s heart.

 

Every word was spoken softly to reassure him not to be afraid.

 

But…

 

Wu Jing thought dazedly that something still seemed off, but he couldn’t figure out what…

 

Ning Qinghong had not hidden anything from him. Every word was clear and straightforward, even explaining what he had done.

 

Yet Wu Jing found himself less afraid than before.

 

He had been afraid of being punished by Ning Qinghong. How he would be punished, Wu Jing didn’t dare to think, naturally wanting to avoid harm.

 

But now it felt as if someone was holding a delightful treat, bending down at the entrance of his hiding place, one hand holding it, the other gently coaxing him out.

 

He couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong or right.

 

So Wu Jing could only foolishly, without remembering past punishments, tentatively stick his head out, leaning in bit by bit, with a hint of disbelief and confusion, asking if this treat really, truly was for him.

 

Could such good things really exist in the world?

 

He was told it was, yet he still didn’t believe it until someone fed the treat into his mouth, and after eating it, he felt at ease, showing his belly for a rub.

 

Wu Jing couldn’t believe that it was all so lightly brushed over. He didn’t know if Ning Qinghong knew or what he was thinking.

 

He wanted to ask but didn’t dare to.

 

He could only muster the courage to probe little by little.

 

“The ointment is applied. It will reduce the swelling by tomorrow,” Ning Qinghong said, setting down the ointment. His other hand still cradled Wu Jing’s face, watching the young emperor, who kept his eyes closed, trembling and not opening them. Suddenly, he leaned in closer.

 

Wu Jing stood, while Ning Qinghong sat.

 

As soon as Wu Jing opened his eyes carefully, Ning Qinghong was almost face-to-face with him, smiling gently, and asked softly, “Does Wu Wu blame me? Are you afraid of me?”

 

Because they were so close,

 

Their breaths mingled.

 

Wu Jing instinctively shook his head, still dazed.

 

Ning Qinghong seemed to feel it wasn’t enough and murmured softly, “Hmm?”

 

Wu Jing couldn’t help but blink and slightly turn his face, avoiding a direct gaze. Carefully, he raised his hand as before, trying to embrace Ning Qinghong, wrapping his arms around his neck and burying his face in his shoulder.

 

He shook his head slightly, as if rubbing his soft face against Ning Qinghong’s shoulder bone, and tentatively said, “I…”

 

“I’m not blaming Brother.”

 

“Also… I’m not afraid of you.”

 

Hearing this, Ning Qinghong seemed to be amused by Wu Jing’s actions and smiled softly, appearing quite pleased. After a moment, he tilted his head slightly and sighed softly, “Wu Wu is always so…” He paused, choosing a different word, “adorable.”

 

Before Wu Jing could react, Ning Qinghong said softly, “Wu Wu, lift your head.”

 

Wu Jing blankly lifted his head, and in the blink of an eye, Ning Qinghong’s lips were just in front of his, but separated by a thin layer of air, not fully kissing him.

 

Without avoiding or hesitating, Ning Qinghong seemed to be waiting for something.

 

Until Wu Jing, trembling and closing his eyes, carefully moved in to genuinely press his lips against Ning Qinghong’s. Only then did Ning Qinghong smile gently and start the kiss.

 

It was a slow and exceptionally tender kiss.

 

There was no strange taste as before,

 

Just a simple kiss.

 

Ning Qinghong held him, stroking his back, pulling the young man into his lap, with each motion of their lips and tongues seemingly conveying that he was being well-behaved.

 

Compared to the situation, it felt more like soothing.

 

But Wu Jing couldn’t bear even this level. With his eyes half-closed, seeing that Ning Qinghong had completely shut his eyes, there was no space left for him to breathe. Their lips and tongues were entangled, connected by silken threads.

 

Each breath Wu Jing took magnified his sobbing sounds, and tears began to fall. He trembled all over from the kiss, unable to stop whimpering.

 

On the contrary, Ning Qinghong’s breathing remained unchanged. Only when Wu Jing tried to escape, Ning Qinghong pressed on the back of his neck and whispered, “Wu Wu, open your mouth.”

 

Wu Jing could only force his lips open. Even though he was gasping for air and his eyelids were wet with tears, he obediently parted his lips.

 

When Ning Qinghong’s fingertips pressed against him through the fabric, Wu Jing, sitting on his lap, couldn’t help but resist, weakly hitting Ning Qinghong’s hand, trying to push his arm away, tears streaming down, “Brother, Wu Wu… no, loosen… loosen.”

 

Ning Qinghong raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm and indifferent, releasing Wu Jing’s lips and ignoring his struggles, remaining unmoved and unyielding.

 

He spoke soothingly, “Wu Wu’s endurance is too low. You’ve already gone through this twice today. It’s harmful.”

 

Ning Qinghong’s tone turned stern as he said, “No.”

 

Wu Jing’s freshly changed clothes were once again stained with tears and sweat. Clinging to Ning Qinghong’s neck, overwhelmed with the need for relief, he couldn’t help but instinctively lick and kiss the corners of Ning Qinghong’s lips.

 

With little skill, he clumsily licked Ning Qinghong’s lips, seeming to plead for him to let go, while also wanting to progress further.

 

Wu Jing didn’t even know what he wanted.

 

Yet this clumsy attempt seemed to finally bring a hint of restraint to Ning Qinghong’s eyes.

 

“Wu Wu, be good…”

 

“Kiss, kiss, Brother.”

 

Wu Jing spoke in a fragmented and incoherent manner.

 

Ning Qinghong remained unmoved, “Being good doesn’t work either.”

 

Wu Jing cried again.

 

He cried so pitifully that the ointment recently applied was smeared on Ning Qinghong’s clothes with tears. After some time, he finally calmed down a bit, softly sniffling in Ning Qinghong’s embrace.

 

Ning Qinghong comforted him for an unknown amount of time, gently patting his back, “Alright, it’s okay now.”

 

“Brother didn’t mean it.”

 

“Just wanted to kiss Wu Wu.”

 

But the young man was too sensitive,

 

And lacked the self-control that Ning Qinghong had.

 

“Forget it. I’ll reapply the ointment after lunch,” he said with a light laugh, sighing, “Whether you’re afraid or not, it’s fine.”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Next time Brother is ill, just stay away from me, be more clever.” He whispered, “Just don’t let me notice.”

 

He seemed puzzled, sighing, “How can it be…” He left a word unsaid, only saying, “…to this extent.”

 

He wouldn’t even dodge,

 

Unable to grasp the opportunity given.

 

Wu Jing seemed to have only heard part of it and blankly asked, “Ill?”

 

His voice still had a sobbing tone.

 

Ning Qinghong half-smiled, seemingly indifferent, and continued, “As for that medicinal meal, it was supposed to be eaten for three days, then take a day off, and continue for five days to complete a cycle.”

 

“Today is just the last day. The medicine’s effect will slowly start to work. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always ask Brother for help.”

 

“If you do it yourself, after finishing, you need to go to the bathhouse to clean up and change clothes, and carefully apply the soap powder as you did today, without being lazy.”

 

“Don’t make Brother call the Imperial Doctor for diagnosis if something goes wrong.”

 

“Understood?”

 

Wu Jing buried his face deeper, nodding hesitantly, feeling embarrassed to ask further. He had many things he didn’t understand, couldn’t grasp, and didn’t know how to ask.

 

For example…

 

Why did Ning Qinghong want to kiss him?

 

**Author’s Note:**

 

Wuwu: Feeling kissed and thinking—

 

Qinghong: Manual assistance needed to stop.