Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 61

Even though it was something of little value, Wu Jing spent a long time feeding Ning Qinghong.

They were so close that Wu Jing could even catch the scent of tobacco on Ning Qinghong’s clothes. The material was top-quality, and the tobacco was processed using an ancient southern method. The aroma wasn’t harsh or pungent; instead, it was a blend of light fruit and tea fragrances. If you sniffed carefully, you could also detect a faint, bitter medicinal scent, which mingled with the lingering fragrance of gold-infused incense, creating a pleasant aroma.

Wu Jing couldn’t help but twitch his nose. As soon as he looked up, he found Ning Qinghong staring at him with a half-smile as he sniffed around.

The young man froze for a moment, and when he realized what he was doing, his ears flushed red.

After finishing the sweet and sticky lotus-paste mooncake that Wu Jing had fed him, Ning Qinghong took the cup of tea that a palace attendant, perceptive to the emperor’s intentions, had already brought from the warm side hall. The tea was meant to cleanse his palate.

While Wu Jing’s hands were being wiped with a warm, damp cloth by Fu Chen, Ning Qinghong slowly sipped half a cup of tea. The remaining tea and the thin, dark green pipe were then taken away by the palace attendants.

The attendants stood at a corner near the palace door, inconspicuously. Though they were only partially visible, the people inside the hall could clearly see them.

The Empress Dowager and the others kept glancing over, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. When they finally saw the figure in the snow-blue crane cloak step onto the palanquin, they could finally relax.

To them, this person was like a plague god—someone they could neither provoke nor avoid.

The palanquin was carried to the east gate, where Wu Jing followed Ning Qinghong to switch to a modest carriage. They climbed aboard together, with Wu Jing walking carefully, afraid of tripping. In the end, he had to be half-carried into the carriage, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he buried his face in the white fox fur cloak he had just put on again.

The carriage made its way toward the night market. Unlike the last time Wu Jing left the palace, the carriage was forced to stop shortly after setting out.

Fu Chen, who was following beside the carriage, reported, “Your Highness, because it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets are bustling with people. The Imperial City Guards are enforcing the law, which was recently amended by the Hanlin Academy as per your orders, prohibiting carriages from entering the busy streets to avoid accidents.”

“Would Your Highness like to share a soft sedan with His Majesty?” Fu Chen asked routinely, even though he knew the Prince would decline.

“It’s rare for the streets to be so lively. Walking is no trouble.” Ning Qinghong smiled softly and said, “Today, we’re here to let Wu Wu enjoy the excitement.”

Wu Jing, holding a hand warmer, was already peeking out of the carriage curtains, trying to see outside. Hearing Ning Qinghong mention him, he quickly pretended to let go of the curtains and sat back down obediently.

The carriage stopped in a quiet, deserted area, and Wu Jing was once again half-carried out. His face was filled with unconcealed anticipation as he looked toward the brightly lit street.

Before he could react, Ning Qinghong seemed to take something from a disguised palace attendant and unexpectedly held it out in front of Wu Jing.

In the dim alleyway, Wu Jing’s eyes were momentarily dazzled by the bright light. He blinked and, after a moment, realized that it was a Mid-Autumn Festival lantern shaped like a pink and delicate jade rabbit. 

The rabbit’s two long ears were crafted with lifelike detail, and its eyes, painted like lacquer, made the lantern exceptionally beautiful.

Wu Jing, seeing such a novel item for the first time, had his eyes light up along with it. Ning Qinghong swung the lantern in front of him, and Wu Jing couldn’t help but follow it with his eyes, visibly delighted.

“Thank you, Brother!” Wu Jing reached out to take it.

But Ning Qinghong pulled it back. “Wait.” He smiled as he looked at Wu Jing’s confused expression. “This is for Wu Wu.”

Wu Jing’s eyes brightened again.

Ning Qinghong continued, “But there’s a condition.”

“Although Wu Wu has been practicing his calligraphy daily…” But… Ning Qinghong trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid. Wu Jing looked away guiltily, knowing exactly what was left unsaid. He often dozed off or got distracted by tea and snacks during his practice sessions.

Before Ning Qinghong could say more, Wu Jing nervously averted his gaze.

“If Wu Wu takes this, he must diligently practice his calligraphy. If not, Brother will use this lantern stick to smack Wu Wu’s palm.” Ning Qinghong said with a half-smile, his tone gentle and not the least bit threatening.

Wu Jing froze for a moment but didn’t dare doubt him. He shivered and grabbed Ning Qinghong’s hand, forcing himself to look away from the little rabbit lantern.

Ning Qinghong asked him, “Wu Wu, don’t you want it anymore?”

Wu Jing hesitated, but shook his head firmly.

He absolutely didn’t want to get his palm smacked. He was already so grown up!

Wu Jing urged, “Brother, let’s go.”

Ning Qinghong, still holding the rabbit lantern in one hand and Wu Jing’s hand in the other, finally stepped out of the alley.

When Wu Jing walked into the brightly lit, bustling street market, he belatedly noticed that everyone on the street was carrying a lantern. There were all kinds of designs, mostly lotus or water lily shapes, but none were as beautiful as the rabbit lantern in Ning Qinghong’s hand.

Wu Jing’s eyes drifted back to the rabbit lantern, even forgetting about the street food.

He tugged on Ning Qinghong’s sleeve.

Ning Qinghong glanced at him and sighed softly, “Alright, Brother will let Wu Wu play with it.” Just as Wu Jing was about to reach for it, Ning Qinghong added, “But remember, Brother always keeps his promises.”

**Wu Jing’s hand froze as he pretended not to understand what Ning Qinghong meant and reached for the lantern. After all, Ning Qinghong hadn’t directly accused him of playing dumb… at least not yet. Wu Jing repeated this silently in his mind.**

Ning Qinghong handed him the lantern, and Wu Jing, holding the jade rabbit lantern as if he couldn’t wait to show it off, walked leisurely through the crowd with Ning Qinghong.

The last time they had come out, they had seen an old locust tree draped in red silk ribbons. Now, many of the leaves had fallen, leaving only the bare branches. The Imperial City Guards were helping to tie the red silk ribbons to wooden frames in the distance, leaving a large open space by the tree. Just as the last ribbon was taken down, Wu Jing happened to turn his head.

In that moment, amidst the noisy crowd, an elderly man struck a bundle of glowing molten iron into the air with a wooden stick.

Under the full moon, sparks flew like a blossoming firework.

Officials and commoners alike reveled together.

Wu Jing couldn’t help but tilt his head back to watch, almost letting out an exclamation. All around him, he could hear the laughter of the people. Every face seemed to be lit up with the joy of peace and prosperity, and even beggars were scarce along the streets.

Instinctively, he turned to look at Ning Qinghong, the man responsible for all of this. Ning Qinghong stood on the outskirts of the crowd, watching the scene with an air of detachment. He appeared to be somewhat removed, yet at the same time, deeply interested in the lively scene before him.

Noticing Wu Jing’s gaze, Ning Qinghong looked back at him with a smile, as if to say “Hmm?”—as if asking what was on his mind.

Wu Jing hugged his rabbit lantern, shook his head, and then tiptoed to whisper into Ning Qinghong’s ear, “Brother, shall we go release floating lanterns?”

The surrounding noise was so loud that they had to lean in close, closer still, just to hear each other.

Ning Qinghong bent down and leaned closer as well, replying with a soft laugh.

Since most people had crowded around to watch the fireworks, the riverside was much quieter.

Ning Qinghong handed Wu Jing a few copper coins, letting him buy two lanterns from a vendor by the riverbank.

Wu Jing carefully selected two of the most beautiful designs. His eyes curved with a shallow smile as he curiously asked the vendor how many copper coins they cost. He then cautiously pulled out five copper coins and handed them over, before hugging the lantern he wanted close to his chest.

Just the simple act of buying something with his own hands made the young man immensely happy.

Beside them, the vendor had set up a small wooden table covered in red silk, with ink, paper, and brushes laid out for people to write their wishes on, which they could then place inside their lanterns. The vendor also provided a few fire starters to light the lanterns.

Wu Jing, now confident enough to pull Ning Qinghong along, would glance back at him every so often. Only after receiving permission would he proceed to the next step.

Ning Qinghong watched as Wu Jing, just like when he practiced his calligraphy, dipped the brush into the ink and seriously wrote large characters on the paper strips.

When he finished, Wu Jing had scribbled his and Ning Qinghong’s names crookedly in the corners of the two paper strips. Only then did he realize that these were the only five characters he knew how to write.

The two wishes he had thought of—there was no way he could write them by himself.

Wu Jing, who was just about to write again, suddenly froze. He bit his lip in hesitation and glanced at Ning Qinghong, feeling embarrassed.

Ning Qinghong made a soft “Hmm?” sound.

Wu Jing hesitated for a moment, feeling utterly embarrassed, before lowering his head and shyly handing the brush to Ning Qinghong. “Brother, you write.”

Ning Qinghong chuckled.

“What wish does Wu Wu want to make?” he asked with a smile.

Wu Jing pointed to his paper strip, “Brother, write: Eat well, drink well, sleep well.”

That would be enough.

That would already make him very happy.

Wu Jing then pointed to Ning Qinghong’s paper strip. “And for this one, write: I hope Brother’s illness gets better soon.”

The young man spoke softly, his eyes filled with sincerity.

There was not a trace of pretense.

Ning Qinghong’s brush paused abruptly.

**Author’s Note:**

Wuwu: Nervous, serious.jpg