Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 60

The palace banquet was held in the Yueji Hall behind the Golden Throne Hall.

 

Today, the entire court was busy preparing for the banquet, and even the harem was no exception. The palace staff worked tirelessly until nightfall to get everything ready.

 

Ning Qinghong, however, was not busy. After the previous emperor passed away, he had supported the new emperor’s ascension, holding great power, so he rarely participated in these dull banquets.

 

In honor of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the court had the day off today. The Cabinet held a small meeting as usual, and after listening to the spies’ secret reports, there was nothing urgent.

 

Ning Qinghong spent a leisurely day brewing wine and making tea in the imperial garden.

 

It wasn’t until dusk, when Wu Jing, who had been taken away by palace staff for a bath, returned to his side.

 

The young emperor had been meticulously groomed by the palace staff. His black hair was crowned, and he wore new clothes. From a distance, he looked like a beautiful young nobleman, raised with the utmost care.

 

Dressed in luxurious attire from head to toe, he exuded the noble air of an emperor without seeming overly opulent.

 

Ning Qinghong raised his fingers slightly, signaling for Wu Jing to wait by the palanquin. He then set down the chess piece in his hand, placing it in a jade box. The chess pieces in that translucent green jade box were mixed with several beautiful little stones.

 

Yesterday, when the palace staff were tidying up, they noticed these small stones scattered haphazardly on the tea table in the sleeping quarters. Unsure of how to organize them, they sought the master’s opinion, only to be told to place them together with the chess pieces.

 

The palace staff carefully placed each stone inside. Unlike the smooth chess pieces, the stones still had some rough edges, and despite their caution, the stones managed to scratch the chess pieces.

 

Yet, within the jade box, the remaining black and white chess pieces were oddly complemented by the added colors.

 

Ning Qinghong glanced at it indifferently, not particularly concerned.

 

They were merely external possessions, after all. The palace storerooms were full of such items, which could easily be given to Wu Jing to play with.

 

By now, dusk was turning into night, and the autumn air was growing colder.

 

Ning Qinghong, draped in a snow-blue silk crane cloak, emerged from a lakeside pavilion and stopped beside the palanquin. He sat down first, then extended a hand to indicate for Wu Jing to sit as well.

 

Though he said nothing, his actions clearly showed that he intended to accompany Wu Jing.

 

Wu Jing didn’t sense anything unusual. He was accustomed to accompanying Ning Qinghong everywhere, so he didn’t find it strange that Ning Qinghong would join him in attending the Mid-Autumn family banquet in the harem.

 

Once he happily took his seat, the palace staff lifted the palanquin and headed toward the main hall of the inner court.

 

The Mid-Autumn family banquet in the harem was held in the main hall of the inner court,

 

Separated from the Hall of Mental Cultivation by only two palace walls.

 

The journey took about two quarters of an hour. Dusting led the eunuchs of the Imperial Guard, carrying items, and attending on both sides. The palace staff held lanterns, and by the time they reached the main hall of the inner court, the sky had completely darkened.

 

As the palanquin touched down, Wu Jing finally began to feel a bit nervous. He was not very good at handling such grand occasions, and today he was only attending the Mid-Autumn banquet to meet the original family of this body.

 

When Ning Qinghong stepped down, Wu Jing spent a long time mustering his courage before finally daring to jump down as well. Still timid, he followed closely behind Ning Qinghong, instinctively seeking comfort by tightly grasping Ning Qinghong’s hand.

 

A palace servant carrying a lantern led the way ahead, followed by a steady stream of eunuchs carrying items. In contrast to Wu Jing’s nervousness, Ning Qinghong’s expression remained calm as he casually instructed, “Later, present these Mid-Autumn gifts in His Majesty’s name.”

 

Dusting responded, “Yes, sir.”

 

Wu Jing followed him, passing through one hall door after another, under the soft yellow light of hexagonal lamps. At last, he saw the yellow glazed tiles of the double-eaved roof in the distance, and the brightly lit hall inside.

 

The faint sound of music could be heard from afar, and they could see zither players behind the screens beside the golden pillars on both sides of the hall. After crossing the final two steps of the white marble staircase, they finally reached the entrance to the main hall.

 

Wu Jing barely peeked his head out from behind Ning Qinghong, but when he saw the ladies in their palace attire inside, he immediately shrank back in stage fright.

 

“Are you scared now?” came a voice, half mocking, from above.

 

Wu Jing looked up at Ning Qinghong, still not fully comprehending, when suddenly, the two eunuchs guarding the door raised their sharp voices and announced, “His Majesty has arrived—”

 

The shout was deafening.

 

The sudden sound frightened the young emperor so much that he wished he could bury himself in Ning Qinghong’s arms. He immediately regretted it as he noticed the zither music in the hall pause for a moment, then resume, with all eyes seemingly turning toward them.

 

Ning Qinghong spoke calmly, “Present the gifts first.”

 

Dusting acknowledged the order and quickly motioned for the palace staff to present the gifts one by one. The lead eunuch stepped into the hall, bowing respectfully as he announced, “His Majesty bestows a jade flower basket with the wish that the Empress Dowager may enjoy endless blessings, as enduring as the evergreen basket.”

 

“A carved ivory narcissus flower deity and a boxwood carving of the Seven Fairies, with the hope that the two princesses may maintain their youthful beauty, like the eternal blossoms in their hair.”

 

“And also—”

 

The eunuch continued to announce in a loud voice, but it did not draw any attention from those in the hall, who all seemed to be glancing subtly toward the entrance.

 

Ning Qinghong stood conspicuously outside the hall. Although he wasn’t in the center, he occupied a corner, offering only a side view. Yet, simply by the presence of Dusting at his side, one could easily deduce his identity.

 

He stood there leisurely,

 

Casually adjusting something for the person in his arms.

 

With his crane cloak partially shielding the view, the figure of the young emperor was mostly obscured, only faintly visible. It was rare to see the Duke, who never allowed others close, now bending slightly, carefully untying the neck sash of the person half a head shorter than him.

 

Removing the white fox fur cloak that had kept the young emperor warm outside, but was now too hot inside the hall with the brazier burning.

 

Dusting bowed and received the emperor’s fox fur cloak.

 

As the fox fur that had covered half of Wu Jing’s face was removed, it revealed his snow-white skin and delicate, youthful features that had not yet fully matured but were already very refined.

 

He was dressed in a sea-coral-red brocade robe embroidered with floral patterns in gold and silver thread, layered over a long white robe.

 

From the wide sleeves, his slender wrist adorned with several auspicious gold bracelets, and a round white jade pendant hanging from his waist.

 

Ning Qinghong was fastening the moon-shaped white jade pendant at Wu Jing’s waist. The young emperor obediently held out his hands, and when Ning Qinghong reached up to smooth the hair by his ear that had been blown askew, he obediently closed his eyes.

 

“Alright, go on in.” Ning Qinghong placed a small hand warmer in Wu Jing’s palm, smiling softly, “Remember, don’t let anyone bully you.”

 

Wu Jing clutched the hollowed-out golden round hand warmer in confusion. With a palace attendant guiding him by the arm, he was led inside. He hadn’t taken more than a few steps before he couldn’t resist turning back to look for Ning Qinghong.

 

Even the people he had been eager to meet in the hall were momentarily forgotten.

 

But when he turned around, Ning Qinghong’s figure was already out of sight. Disheartened, Wu Jing turned back around and was led toward the dragon-patterned cushion at the head of the hall.

 

The hall was large, but with only a few people inside, the banquet tables were placed beside the dragon throne at the head. There was a desk on each side of the throne; the one on the right was slightly higher than the one on the left, as the right side was more esteemed.

 

But both were positioned beneath the central desk.

 

On the right was an elegant older woman, and at her lower right was a lady in a yellow palace gown with her hair fully styled.

 

On the left was a middle-aged woman dressed in a stately manner, and at her lower left was a young woman with a lively appearance, her long hair half-up.

 

Wu Jing had been reminded that the right side belonged to the Empress Dowager, his nominal adoptive mother, and the Grand Princess, his eldest sister.

 

The left side was where the cat-loving Consort Dowager and his second sister were seated.

 

The Second Princess appeared younger,

 

While the Grand Princess was already married.

 

Before Wu Jing could sit down, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, “Aren’t you going to greet your brother Jing? I hardly recognized you all dressed up so nicely.”

 

The Grand Princess smiled slightly, “Hello, Brother Jing.”

 

Wu Jing awkwardly replied, “Hello, Sister.”

 

He was guided to kneel and sit down, but he couldn’t help glancing toward the palace door.

 

This time, it wasn’t as rushed as before, and Wu Jing clearly saw a snow-blue crane cloak standing out in the night, visible in the corner of the palace door.

 

Although Ning Qinghong did not reveal himself, the servants beside him were not the least bit discreet.

 

Wu Jing watched as Fuchen picked up a long, dark green pipe from a wooden tray held by a palace servant. He meticulously filled it with tobacco, lit it, and then carefully presented it to the person in the corner of the palace door, whose figure remained obscured.

 

Though everything was silent,

 

An invisible pressure inexplicably weighed down on everyone in the hall.

 

The smile on the lips of the eldest princess became increasingly forced. Hearing a word from the young emperor, she was momentarily stunned before her smile became more genuine. “To think that your elder sister didn’t even know you were coming. Look at me, I didn’t prepare any gifts. It’s truly improper of me.”

 

“Hope Brother Jing won’t hold it against me.”

 

The imperial consort added, “Indeed, neither your second sister nor I knew. And you, receiving a gift from your brother without a word of thanks.”

 

The second princess giggled, “Well, thank you, Brother Jing, but I didn’t prepare a gift either. My apologies.”

 

They spoke one after another, leaving Wu Jing slightly bewildered and puzzled. He clearly remembered overhearing that the original owner of his body had spent a long time in the cold palace because he was considered a fool.

 

Even after ascending the throne, apart from paying respects to the Empress Dowager, he had been repeatedly turned away from the door and hadn’t seen anyone else.

 

It seemed he wasn’t very close to any of the four of them.

 

They hardly saw each other more than once or twice a year,

 

So, why… why did it seem like they were close now?

 

Wu Jing felt dizzy with confusion.

 

The Empress Dowager said, “Alright, let’s eat. The court officials will enter the palace for the banquet soon.” She sneered, “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

 

It seemed there was a palace banquet later,

 

So indeed, it was better to eat quickly.

 

Wu Jing picked up his bowl and began eating seriously.

 

He was not good with words, so he ate in silence for a while, listening to the four people around him chatting and laughing, but he couldn’t find an opportunity to join the conversation.

 

Only after some time did he realize that apart from the initial polite greetings,

 

No one had spoken to him again.

 

Wu Jing ate for a while, unable to stop himself from frequently glancing toward the palace door, then lowered his head to look at the feast in his bowl.

 

Was he waiting for me?

 

But Ning Qinghong himself hadn’t eaten yet.

 

“Brother Jing?” The eldest princess handed a porcelain plate to a palace maid, smiling gently, “Come, have a piece of mooncake. Your sister is giving you one.”

 

Wu Jing’s eyes lit up instinctively, “Thank you, Sister.”

 

The palace maid took the plate and passed it to the eunuch from the Imperial Guard who was serving Wu Jing. The eunuch carefully tested it with a silver needle before handing it to Wu Jing.

 

The atmosphere in the hall fell silent for a moment when the eunuch took out the silver needle, but Wu Jing didn’t notice. He was used to Ning Qinghong having every dish tested with a silver needle.

 

He didn’t realize that the smile on the eldest princess’s face had stiffened slightly, but there was a hint of suppressed anger.

 

The Empress Dowager gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her.

 

The atmosphere during the post-dinner dessert became even more subdued. Outside the hall, Fuchen refilled Lord Qiansui’s pipe and advised, “My lord, the night wind is strong. Wouldn’t it be better to sit inside the warm pavilion?”

 

Ning Qinghong shook his head with a faint smile.

 

Fuchen really couldn’t figure out what his master intended, but it was clear that the emperor had been looking forward to this banquet.

 

However, if Lord Qiansui wanted to protect the emperor and prevent him from being bullied, what he did at the palace door earlier had already made his stance clear.

 

But after sending the emperor inside,

 

He still stood there without any attempt to hide.

 

Everyone in the hall was likely feeling a constant, nervous need to keep their attention on Lord Qiansui. The Mid-Autumn Festival, which was supposed to be filled with good omens, would now only make them wish for the emperor and Lord Qiansui to leave as soon as possible.

 

Fuchen was perplexed, “My lord, what are you trying to do?”

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled, his words carrying a deeper meaning, “I need to make sure everyone sees clearly, or else they’ll keep wanting to run away.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking,

 

Inside the hall.

 

“I… I’m done eating.”

 

Wu Jing whispered.

 

The Empress Dowager said, “Then this widow won’t see the emperor off.”

 

Wu Jing carefully stood up, holding a porcelain plate. He nodded and, before leaving, looked at the eldest princess, “Goodbye, Sister.”

 

The eldest princess returned his smile.

 

The next moment, Wu Jing couldn’t wait any longer and hurried out of the hall, his eyes brighter than when he had first anticipated the banquet.

 

A palace servant chased after him, calling, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, slow down, be careful not to fall.”

 

Wu Jing didn’t hear a thing.

 

Like a young swallow returning to its nest, he returned to Ning Qinghong’s side. Only when he truly saw him did he finally breathe a sigh of relief, all his tension and unease disappearing without a trace.

 

As if finding his support, Wu Jing relaxed completely, feeling as though he had returned to a familiar place.

 

Wu Jing was still holding something in his arms, carefully protecting it with his hands. He looked at Ning Qinghong with eager eyes and asked, “Brother, are you hungry?”

 

He presented the porcelain plate in his hands to Ning Qinghong like he was offering a precious treasure, “Have some mooncake, Brother. I’ve already eaten it. It’s sweet.”

 

“It doesn’t taste bad.”

 

The quarter-moon-shaped cake had a small bite taken out of it, but most of it remained intact. Wu Jing had held it carefully and carried it all the way over.

 

He offered it to Ning Qinghong.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, leaned down slightly, and gestured for Wu Jing to feed him. Wu Jing hadn’t brought any chopsticks or a spoon, just his hands.

 

Wu Jing lowered his head and, remembering something, his ears suddenly turned red. It was only then that he truly realized that Ning Qinghong probably didn’t have a germaphobia.

 

The young man hesitated for a moment before picking up the mooncake with his hands and bringing it to the other’s thin lips.

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled softly and said, “Last time I took Wu Wu out of the palace, we walked around the night market for nearly half an hour.”

 

“Wu Wu ate until his stomach was round and didn’t even think that I hadn’t had dinner yet. He even forced himself to finish what he couldn’t eat, without sharing any with me.”

 

“So why this time, you’re willing to share with me?”

 

He asked softly, and before Wu Jing could respond, he half-smiled and sighed, “After all this time, you’ve finally grown a bit bolder.”

 

Ning Qinghong slightly tilted his head and took a bite.

 

Wu Jing listened in a daze as the man laughed quietly and said, “Hmm, it’s not bad.”

 

“It’s sweet.”

 

Mimicking his words.

 

Author’s note:

 

Wuwu (Transmigrated into a palace drama): First episode, sudden (just kidding).