Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 72

As soon as Wu Jing’s words fell, the room fell silent.

Though the servants had been quiet, they had become more cautious and subdued in their actions.

Fuchen, observing the situation, saw that Ning Qinghong remained focused on his documents, moving slowly and showing no change in expression.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Fuchen carefully knelt down, leading the other servants to follow suit. In an instant, the room was filled with kneeling servants, all bowing with their heads down and holding their items high.

The room was silent.

Wu Jing, who was still chewing on a snack, froze in place. He was the only one still standing, his eating slowing down. He swallowed with difficulty, feeling a bit uneasy.

He stood his ground, turning his face away, unwilling to give in.

He wanted to eat!

What’s the matter!

Wu Jing quickly swallowed the last piece of cake, but he choked on it, covering his mouth and coughing quietly with embarrassment.

The only sound in the room was his coughing, making the silence even more oppressive and uncomfortable.

The boy looked around for water, picked up the cup of tea that had been handed to him, and as he was about to drink it, he suddenly heard a slow, amused laugh from behind.

His actions stopped abruptly.

Wu Jing’s heart leaped, and he dared not drink the tea, suppressing the discomfort in his throat and holding his breath, trying to listen to what was being said behind him.

Ning Qinghong’s soft voice came, “Why is everyone kneeling?” He continued flipping through his documents, noticing the silent scene.

He smiled and said, “If His Majesty wants to eat, then let him eat.” He set aside the documents and stood up. “It’s just a piece of cake; it’s not a big deal.”

Ning Qinghong’s tone was meaningful, “How about His Majesty just eats this for the next few days?”

Wu Jing’s fingertips trembled as he looked back at him in disbelief.

Ning Qinghong casually said, “I’m just joking.”

He called out, “Wu Wu.”

He smiled, “Come over.”

Previously stubborn Wu Jing, after finishing his tea, slowly walked over with his face turned, clearly irritated.

Ning Qinghong waited for him to approach before calling for the attendants to tidy his clothes and lead him to breakfast. Once they arrived at the dining hall, Wu Jing deliberately sat far from him, eating quietly with his head down, not picking any dishes. He ate whatever the servants served him.

He was being obstinate.

Ning Qinghong did not attend the morning court today. Apart from reviewing documents, he had to receive reports from spies about the matters discussed in the small court meetings.

Thus, only Fuchen stayed in the dining hall to serve them, constantly moving around the large table to serve the dishes.

The breakfast lasted nearly half an hour, with Ning Qinghong sweating slightly.

After listening to the reports and giving detailed instructions, he spent the rest of the meal reviewing documents.

Wu Jing wiped his mouth, still wanting to ignore him, but had no choice but to follow him.

He wasn’t sure where else to go.

Wu Jing sat back at the desk from yesterday, writing on his own.

Ning Qinghong frowned, “Wu Wu, sit up straight.”

Wu Jing turned his chair away, not looking at him, and moved to the corner to write.

Ning Qinghong was about to speak again when a servant came in with more reports. The ministers had come up with new ideas for discussion after learning about Ning Qinghong’s previous instructions.

If the Ning residence weren’t closed to visitors, they would probably all come knocking. Ning Qinghong sighed softly and allowed the boy to act out a little.

Wu Jing copied yesterday’s text, reviewing it to memorize the characters before moving on to the next section.

While writing, he secretly glanced at Ning Qinghong.

Seeing Ning Qinghong giving out orders while reviewing documents, rolling up his sleeves, and writing quietly, Wu Jing initially thought he was too busy to pay attention to him. But after he finished a page, he realized that Ning Qinghong was still thinking about him despite his busyness.

Even though he didn’t want to deal with Ning Qinghong at all.

Wu Jing unconsciously fidgeted, lowering his head in distress, wondering if he was being too unreasonable.

“Has Wu Wu remembered everything?” Ning Qinghong asked after reviewing the text. Seeing Wu Jing nodding quietly without looking at him, he raised his fingers and had the servant bring over a new sheet of paper, saying, “Finish this exercise, and you can go play.”

“After lunch, I’ll teach you new poems and songs.”

The new sheet of paper was a modified version of the text, with lines shuffled and rearranged, requiring Wu Jing to fill in the missing or preceding sentences.

Wu Jing didn’t know when Ning Qinghong prepared this, but he figured it must have been while he was still asleep. When he was awake, Ning Qinghong was usually with him.

The boy nodded and began writing. He had memorized the text, but the scrambled order made it difficult to recognize the characters. Additionally, he found himself distracted often.

He couldn’t help but sneak glances at Ning Qinghong while writing and then refocused.

After he finished, Ning Qinghong had reviewed and annotated a significant portion of the documents. He received the new sheet of paper and began carefully correcting it with vermilion ink.

Wu Jing couldn’t resist looking at him. He quietly moved his chair back to see the corrections.

There were a number of red circles indicating errors, with Ning Qinghong’s annotations and translations written out. Ning Qinghong worked methodically, unhurriedly.

Wu Jing looked up at him, somewhat entranced.

Ning Qinghong glanced over at him.

Wu Jing quickly snapped back to reality, turning his face away.

“Alright, Wu Wu made 13 mistakes today, which is much better than yesterday,” Ning Qinghong said. “This afternoon, we’ll review again, and I’ll teach you new poems and songs.”

He beckoned, “Come over, correct your mistakes, and then you can have lunch.”

Wu Jing tried to snatch the paper from him, saying, “I can do it myself. You don’t need to help me.”

Ning Qinghong lightly held onto the paper, letting him pull it away, and sighed. “Alright.” He shook his head and smiled, “Wu Wu can do it himself.”

Wu Jing’s hand hesitated, and his stubborn expression softened.

He didn’t know how to throw a tantrum with Ning Qinghong. When he did, it seemed like it didn’t affect him at all, as if it was hitting cotton—neither painful nor bothersome.

When he acted out too much, he was afraid to continue.

Wu Jing felt like he was suffocating in frustration, feeling like he was being unfair and that all the fault was his.

He pursed his lips, quietly correcting his mistakes and reviewing the characters again.

After he finished, he looked up to find Ning Qinghong standing next to him, waiting patiently. Seeing him finished, Ning Qinghong smiled, “Wu Wu finished? It’s alright to make mistakes. I won’t punish you. Go have lunch, okay?”

Wu Jing was momentarily stunned, muttering an “oh” and still holding onto his stubbornness, following behind Ning Qinghong.

During lunch, he finally sat a bit closer but still kept some distance.

Fuchen sighed with relief and cheerfully set the table for the two masters, but seeing Wu Jing focused on his food and Ning Qinghong eating little, Fuchen grew worried and sighed again.

“Everything is made with Wu Wu’s favorite dishes. Why are you burying your face in the bowl?” Ning Qinghong put down his chopsticks, picked up the serving chopsticks, and pointed to a dish of golden thread duck, asking Fuchen to serve it.

Wu Jing looked up, realizing the dishes on the table were indeed his favorites, including some savory dishes and snacks, with a few simple but well-steamed shrimp and vegetables.

“Wu Wu, eat quickly.”

The person beside him said.

Wu Jing almost guessed what the next line would be: Ning Qinghong would say he was daydreaming again, how he was being dazed, and tease him with a gentle smile.

He pressed his lips together, his gaze uncertain.

Would it seem like he was making a fuss if he gave in so quickly?

He was indeed a bit angry.

But should he keep sulking?

That definitely wouldn’t do.

Should he…

Should he—

Wu Jing subconsciously turned his face towards him, opening his lips, his whole face a mix of conflict and an involuntary longing as he looked at him. He wanted to say something, but Ning Qinghong was quietly observing the array of dishes on the Eight Immortals’ table.

He heard Fu Chen cautiously ask, “Does His Majesty find the food unappetizing? Would you like the chef to prepare a lighter meal?”

Ning Qinghong put down his chopsticks, “No need.”

“What does the chef’s cooking have to do with this?” He closed his eyes faintly, speaking slowly, “Clear the table.”

It was done in an instant.

Fu Chen, trembling, went to clear the dishes, while secretly signaling the two servants beside him and glanced at Wu Jing.

Before Wu Jing could react, he was helped up and pushed out of the dining hall. He turned back in a daze.

Ning Qinghong remained seated, but was slowly pressing his forehead, looking tired after a busy morning.

The next moment, as if sensing Wu Jing’s gaze, Ning Qinghong turned his face slowly and looked back.

He watched the departing youth steadily for a long time.

Moments later, still not full, Wu Jing stood outside holding his rice bowl, staring blankly at the white rice in his bowl, then at the now-invisible table of fine dishes.

How could someone be kicked out halfway through a meal?

It was too much!

He had wanted to make up!

It felt strange.

Wu Jing decided to continue the cold war for a while longer. Uncertain, he heard Fu Chen say, “Quickly take His Majesty to another dining hall. We’ll ask the kitchen to prepare more food. His Majesty can eat at leisure.”

He wanted to ask Ning Qinghong what was wrong but hesitated, still biting his lip and stubbornly nodding.

He would eat by himself.

For lunch, Wu Jing ate in a small annex of the study. After eating, he took a short nap. For some reason, there were fewer servants around him, and Fu Chen was nowhere to be seen.

The entire Ning residence suddenly seemed quiet.

After waking, he was taken back to the study. The servants stopped outside the courtyard. Wu Jing peeked inside and saw it was empty. He looked around curiously.

Confirming that Ning Qinghong was indeed absent, the urge to challenge or outwit disappeared, but he was still annoyed and not planning to acknowledge him.

Until dinner, Wu Jing was led by the servants to bathe and then to the bedroom he had been staying in these past two days. After walking only a few steps, he was stopped.

In the dark night, the servants bowed their heads, standing still in a blocking manner, and said in the silence, “Your Majesty, your bedroom is not here.”

Wu Jing was stunned for a moment, looked around, and confirmed he wasn’t mistaken. He argued, “I walk this way.”

“Lord Ning retired early today. Chief Steward An instructed us to take Your Majesty to another courtyard for rest.”

“Recently, Your Majesty will not stay in the same place as the Lord.”

“Chief Steward An also said that if Your Majesty wants to return to the palace, we have prepared carriages and horses, ready to take Your Majesty back at any time.”

It was clearly a manner of driving him away.

Wu Jing was silent for a long time, then said softly, “Oh,” feeling down and very light.

After being stubborn all day, he suddenly felt deflated.

Was he being too excessive?

The other party was unhappy.

He didn’t want to play along anymore.

“Does His Majesty wish to return to the palace or stay in the residence?”

He heard someone ask.

He had been the one to decide on the cold war…

Wu Jing opened his lips, his mind blank. He had been the one to decide—

“It’s late…”

He instinctively said those words.

Wu Jing himself was surprised, then continued in a smaller voice, “Returning to the palace might not be, not safe…” He felt uncomfortable, his face burning with even more embarrassment than the night before.

He felt a bit aggrieved.

Wu Jing was about to change his mind, “Forget it, returning to the palace is—”

But the servant promptly replied, “Your Majesty makes a good point. The safety of the emperor cannot be taken lightly. We will take you to another courtyard for rest.”

Wu Jing fell silent, awkwardly responding.

It was as if Ning Qinghong was not there,

He felt much more timid.

Or rather, when the other party was present, he felt braver. He was originally timid and easily frightened, and was afraid of strangers.

Wu Jing’s mind was in disarray.

He was still a bit unhappy, feeling it was unfair how Ning Qinghong had previously taught him to act this way and now, when he was disobedient, had cast him aside.

He wasn’t just some human-shaped pillow.

Wu Jing watched the servants carrying lanterns, leading him down a different path, and even the courtyard was arranged far away.

He walked in the dark for a long, long time,

Until he arrived at the new courtyard.

The separate courtyard was quite large, with intricate carvings and paintings, clearly not a place for casually dispatching someone.

New to the place and still a bit scared, Wu Jing cautiously peered inside, noticing the layout was quite similar. He breathed a small sigh of relief, seeing it was indeed empty, then climbed onto the bed, hugging the bedding.

After tossing and turning several times, he finally fell asleep, though fitfully, still hearing voices outside the door.

“Greetings to Chief Steward An.”

“Has His Majesty settled in?”

“Just settled in.”

Wu Jing, half asleep, heard Fu Chen’s quiet voice outside, “This was also the master’s earlier command. Otherwise… Forget it, since His Majesty has settled in, we won’t disturb him. I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

He was too sleepy to make sense of it all, quickly falling back to sleep, still subconsciously reaching out beside him, finding nothing, and curling up in a ball.

It was the unease of familiar people and their presence being absent.

Author’s Note:

Wuwu: Overthinking.jpg

The **Eight Immortals’ Table** refers to a traditional Chinese square or rectangular table that is large enough to seat eight people, symbolizing the **Eight Immortals** (八仙, *Bāxiān*), a group of legendary Taoist figures known for their wisdom and magical powers.

### **Key Features and Symbolism:**

1. 1. **Design:**

   – The Eight Immortals’ table is typically a large, solid wooden table, often square or rectangular, and designed to seat eight people comfortably—one for each of the Eight Immortals. It is common in traditional Chinese households and restaurants, especially for gatherings and banquets.

2. 2. **Cultural Symbolism:**

   – The number eight is considered auspicious in Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The Eight Immortals themselves are revered figures in Chinese mythology, each representing different aspects of life, such as longevity, wealth, health, and happiness.

   – Having an Eight Immortals’ table is believed to bring luck and blessings, as it evokes the presence of the Eight Immortals, who are thought to protect and bestow good fortune upon those who honor them.

3. 3. **Social and Familial Gatherings:**

   – The table is often used for family meals, social gatherings, and special occasions, symbolizing unity and harmony. The number eight also aligns with the idea of completeness, making it a fitting choice for communal dining, where people come together in a spirit of togetherness.

### **Cultural Context:**

The Eight Immortals are a popular group of deities in Chinese folklore, each of whom has a unique attribute or magical tool. They are often depicted crossing the sea, using their individual powers to aid one another. The Eight Immortals’ table, while practical, carries with it the rich cultural and spiritual symbolism associated with these revered figures.

In essence, the Eight Immortals’ table is not just a piece of furniture but a symbol of auspiciousness, unity, and cultural heritage in Chinese tradition.