Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 59

That night.

 

During the day, Ning Qinghong had reapplied the ointment on Wu Jing, finished reviewing the memorials, and then summoned the cabinet ministers to the palace, effectively wrapping up the earlier absurd incident.

 

Wu Jing ate his dinner alone and, after washing up, curled up in bed early, preparing to sleep. He didn’t know if Ning Qinghong would sleep with him again that night, so he tried hard to lull himself to sleep quickly, hoping that he wouldn’t think too much about it.

 

However, the medicinal meal’s effects were still lingering, and the more he tried to sleep, the more awake he felt.

 

He finally realized why on previous nights, whenever he secretly ate meat behind others’ backs, he would toss and turn, finding it hard to sleep, and even if he did, he would inexplicably wake up in the middle of the night.

 

Aside from this annoying restlessness, everything else was fine.

 

As long as…

 

As long as no one touched him, he wouldn’t feel that way.

 

Wu Jing huddled in the corner of the bed, and after what seemed like a long time, he began to feel drowsy. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard footsteps behind him.

 

The familiar scent of calming incense wafted over.

 

Wu Jing’s sleepiness instantly vanished. He had no idea how Ning Qinghong could act as if nothing had happened and lie down beside him as naturally as before.

 

He curled up tightly, nearly pressing himself against the wall to sleep.

 

It wasn’t long before he sensed that the person beside him seemed to have moved slightly. The moment Ning Qinghong leaned over, Wu Jing held his breath and quickly shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

 

He seemed to hear a soft chuckle next to his ear, and then Ning Qinghong gently pulled the blanket from the bundle Wu Jing had made of himself, sighing lightly as he covered him up properly.

 

The ear pressed against Ning Qinghong’s side tingled, and Wu Jing, confused, thought about the question that had been troubling him for a long time, a question he had been agonizing over.

 

Did Ning Qinghong…

 

Did he like him?

 

Because the idea seemed so impossible, not because it was too far-fetched, but because Ning Qinghong inexplicably gave him the impression that this was something he could never be involved in.

 

Wu Jing struggled with the thought, and after much difficulty,

 

He finally asked himself the question in his heart.

 

Did he…

 

Like me?

 

 

The next day was no different from any other, but Wu Jing found himself, as he had the day before, involuntarily observing Ning Qinghong.

 

It suddenly seemed as though everything Ning Qinghong did was different, and Wu Jing couldn’t help but connect it all to himself.

 

“Wu Wu, Wu Wu?”

 

“Sit up straight.”

 

Ning Qinghong sighed softly, looking at him with a hint of a smile.

 

He didn’t know what Wu Jing was thinking about all day, but he seemed even more absent-minded than before.

 

“Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival.” Ning Qinghong walked over to the imperial desk, casually picking up a memorial, and said nonchalantly, “Finish your calligraphy practice today, and you can go out to play early tomorrow.”

 

Wu Jing snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.

 

He didn’t seem very interested in Ning Qinghong’s suggestion of going out, but after sitting down, he stared at the blank paper on the desk, deep in thought. After a while, he would sneak a glance at Ning Qinghong.

 

He thought he was hiding it well,

 

That no one would notice.

 

But after the second time, Ning Qinghong simply smiled back at him. He gave a soft “Hmm?” and didn’t continue to ask, waiting for Wu Jing to speak up on his own.

 

Wu Jing hesitated, unsure of himself.

 

Ning Qinghong spoke gently, “Don’t be afraid, Brother is listening.”

 

He was clearly very attuned to Wu Jing’s emotions, whether it was fear or something else, he understood them perfectly.

 

Wu Jing handed him the brush and said slowly, “I want to write Brother’s name.” Ning Qinghong had taught him once before but hadn’t repeated the lesson.

 

He had been practicing his own name all this time,

 

How could he remember it?

 

Nearby, Fu Chen couldn’t help but be taken aback, not knowing how close His Highness and the Emperor had become for the young master to dare to call him by his name.

 

Whether it was due to Fu Chen’s overly shocked expression or something else, Ning Qinghong gave him a look that was neither too light nor too heavy.

 

Fu Chen quickly caught on and said with an awkward smile, “This old servant will fetch a fresh cup of tea for Your Highness.” With that, he signaled the other palace attendants to follow him out.

 

Ning Qinghong, seeing that Fu Chen had misunderstood his intention, didn’t bother to correct him and let the attendants leave.

 

Wu Jing, unaware of what had just transpired, looked eagerly at Ning Qinghong, his intentions plain to see.

 

Ning Qinghong smoothly took the brush from him, half-extended his fingers, and smiled faintly, “Wu Wu, have you forgotten?”

 

Wu Jing had feared this, so he nodded sheepishly and then looked at Ning Qinghong’s outstretched hand. Obediently, he gathered up the long piece of paper on the desk, carefully cradled it, and carried it over to Ning Qinghong before spreading it out.

 

Because it was so long, it became increasingly messy as he spread it out, and it took quite a while for him to finally lay it flat on the desk, albeit clumsily.

 

Ning Qinghong didn’t lift a hand to help, merely watching quietly.

 

Wu Jing finally got it sorted, unable to help but curve his eyes slightly, instinctively looking to Ning Qinghong, his eyes bright as if expecting praise.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Come.”

 

He raised his hand, half-embracing Wu Jing as he took the brush and first wrote the three characters of his name on the paper. Then he handed the brush to Wu Jing, correcting his grip.

 

Wu Jing had always held the brush like he was gripping a fist.

 

This was the first time Ning Qinghong, in his free time, taught him the proper way to hold a brush.

 

Wu Jing didn’t feign ignorance as he had before but instead earnestly tried to learn, correcting his grip multiple times before he finally got it right.

 

Ning Qinghong patiently guided Wu Jing’s hand as they practiced writing those three characters over and over.

 

After four or five tries, Ning Qinghong finally let go, allowing Wu Jing to write on his own. The young man carefully copied the characters, and despite having practiced the same ones repeatedly, his efforts had borne fruit.

 

On his first attempt, Wu Jing managed to write “Ning Qinghong” in a somewhat proper manner. Although it wasn’t perfect, he lowered his head and continued to diligently copy it over and over.

 

Standing in front of Ning Qinghong, half-embraced, Wu Jing lowered his delicate brows slightly. Occasionally, when his writing turned out crooked, he would frown in frustration. When he wrote well, his eyes would brighten, and when he did exceptionally well, he couldn’t help but slightly turn his head to glance at Ning Qinghong behind him.

 

He wore an expression that clearly sought praise.

 

It seemed that even something as simple as writing had become an enjoyable task, as if Wu Jing could amuse himself with just a piece of clay.

 

Ning Qinghong looked at him from the side, suddenly smiling as he asked softly, “Why does Wu Wu want to learn to write Brother’s name?”

 

Wu Jing’s hand paused, unsure of what to say. He bit his lip and hesitated, “Because…”

 

“You should make a wish to the full moon on Mid-Autumn night,” he said seriously. “Make a wish for yourself, and also make a wish for Brother.”

 

He had changed it slightly from the original intention, which was to eat mooncakes with family under the full moon and then wish for continued family togetherness.

 

But…

 

Wu Jing didn’t think further. He said softly, “I can write my own name and Brother’s name, and then I can release the lanterns.”

 

It seems that in ancient Mid-Autumn festivals, people often released lanterns. Inside the lanterns, they would place small pieces of paper with well-wishing messages, and write their names in the corners.

 

At least that’s how they portray it in dramas.

 

Ning Qinghong fell into a moment of silence, though his expression was hard to read. He asked, “Then what wish does Wu Wu want to make for himself?”

 

Wu Jing thought for a moment, “To eat delicious food and drink good things every day?”

 

Ning Qinghong couldn’t help but laugh, “And what about for Brother?”

 

Wu Jing blinked and shook his head, “I can’t tell Brother.”

 

Ning Qinghong asked softly, “Why not?”

 

Wu Jing clumsily explained, “It won’t come true.”

 

He didn’t know how to explain to Ning Qinghong where he had heard this from. Was it something someone else told him? But it seemed that besides Ning Qinghong, he wasn’t close to anyone.

 

Did he read it in a book? But he couldn’t read yet, so how would he have read a book in the past?

 

Ning Qinghong asked with a smile, “Then why did Wu Wu tell Brother about his own wish?”

 

Wu Jing replied as if it were obvious, “Because Brother has already made it come true.”

 

Even though he was still a little afraid of this person, there was no denying that he now had good food, good clothes, and a good place to sleep, all because of Ning Qinghong.

 

It wasn’t as if he was entitled to these things just because he sat on the throne.

 

Because even the throne,

 

Was something Ning Qinghong had placed the original owner on.

 

“Thank you, Brother.”

 

The young man turned to look at Ning Qinghong, his eyes curving slightly with a genuine smile full of admiration and reliance, the happiness in his voice unmistakably sincere.

 

He was truly, truly expressing his gratitude.

 

Even though he had been bullied to such an extent, he still remembered only the kindness shown to him. So easy to deceive, just a slight beckoning, and he would happily walk toward Ning Qinghong.

 

Innocently and with complete trust, he would nuzzle close,

 

And even whisper his thanks.

 

He always wore his heart on his sleeve, making it clear for all to see, and almost unbearably vulnerable.

 

Ning Qinghong’s eyes darkened slightly. He lifted his hand and gently placed it on the back of the young man’s neck, as if intending to pull Wu Jing closer, half-closing his eyes as he softly sighed, “Wu Wu is so good.”

 

Wu Jing was nearly sitting in Ning Qinghong’s lap. Dazed, he heard these words and didn’t understand what was happening, only feeling that Ning Qinghong might kiss him again.

 

His cheeks were already tinged with pink, and his breathing started to heat up.

 

But Ning Qinghong only stopped just short of touching his lips. After a moment, as if coming back to his senses, he slowly closed his eyes.

 

Wu Jing thought Ning Qinghong wanted him to initiate the kiss, so after hesitating, he obediently closed his eyes and prepared to lean in.

 

But Ning Qinghong suddenly turned his face away and softly said, “Wu Wu.”

 

It sounded like a warning.

 

Wu Jing, stopped in his tracks, was momentarily confused and felt a bit wronged.

 

He really didn’t know what he had done wrong.

 

It had happened like this before.

 

Last time, Ning Qinghong had also wanted to kiss him, almost did but didn’t. And when Wu Jing leaned in, Ning Qinghong turned away and suddenly pushed him back.

 

It was so inexplicable.

 

This time, he even scolded him.

 

Wu Jing wasn’t happy, pursing his lips in silent frustration.

 

Ning Qinghong closed his eyes again, and after a moment, when his emotions had settled, he gently coaxed, “Wu Wu, practice your calligraphy.”

 

But his actions led Wu Jing back to his seat, creating some distance between them.

 

Wu Jing, forced back to his spot and now distanced from Ning Qinghong, silently cursed him in his mind—so inexplicable.

 

He vowed never to try kissing again,

 

Wu Jing thought angrily.

 

**Author’s Note:**

 

Qinghong (Unmoved by many, but can’t resist pure love): Repeatedly hit by Wu Wu’s directness.