Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 75

Wu Jing had been attending classes for several days, but he struggled to keep up with his classmates’ pace and was often left behind after classes ended at noon.

 

When everyone else had left, he remained specifically to stay behind, kneeling and sitting on a bamboo mat across from the old teacher.

 

Teaching Wu Jing was different from teaching others. In front of the old teacher, Wu Jing dared not slouch or doze off at the desk.

 

When Ning Qinghong was present, they would share the same chair. When Wu Jing grew tired of writing, he would lean back into Ning Qinghong’s embrace.

 

Ning Qinghong would chuckle and, after Wu Jing had rested, call him up to continue writing.

 

Wu Jing found himself daydreaming.

 

He hadn’t seen Ning Qinghong for four days; today was the fifth. He had been staying at the side courtyard. After classes, Wu Jing would visit the places he used to frequent.

 

They would sit by the lakeside pavilion, where there were birdcages with sparrows and a shallow pond with small fish, various rare flowers in the garden, and even the study, where he would play a game of Five in a Row with Ning Qinghong’s chess pieces…

 

In these few days, Wu Jing had nearly explored the entire Ning residence, but he hadn’t encountered anyone.

 

He began to doubt whether Ning Qinghong was still around.

 

It had been so many days without seeing him.

 

Was Ning Qinghong still ill? How was he…

 

“Ning Jing? Ning Jing!” The old teacher sighed deeply and called twice, “Do you remember?”

 

Wu Jing suddenly snapped back to reality and awkwardly said, “Sorry, Sir, I got distracted for a moment.”

 

The boy had to honestly admit his distraction and apologize awkwardly.

 

His personality was indeed very different from that person’s.

 

The old teacher stroked his beard and said calmly, “It’s no problem. The headmaster told me that Young Master Ning does not know many characters and will need some time to catch up with the others.”

 

“But if you have no intention of becoming an official, then just study at your own pace and don’t force yourself,” the old teacher said in a progressive manner. “The headmaster specifically gave me this poetry collection to study; you’ve made good progress.”

 

The poetry collection had no title on its blue cover. The inner pages contained easy-to-remember and memorable verses.

 

Wu Jing had already learned “Spring Sleep” and “The Crane” and could recognize some characters, but there were still many unfamiliar ones.

 

He nodded, “I understand. Thank you, Sir.”

 

The old teacher smiled and said, “The headmaster and I are entrusted with a task. Young Master Ning, do not feel burdened. Although I am paying special attention to you, you must keep up with the progress of the other students. Otherwise, the headmaster and I might be blamed.”

 

Entrusted with a task, blamed by others.

 

Wu Jing was taken aback and nodded with pursed lips, “I understand.” He quietly added, “I have memorized the poem you taught me today. Please go have lunch.”

 

The old teacher smiled and repeatedly said, “Good,” and with Wu Jing’s assistance, slowly walked away with his cane. Wu Jing stood by the door, maintaining basic courtesy, and waited until the old teacher was out of sight before preparing to sit back down.

 

Turning around, he saw three people squatting outside the window, looking at him.

 

When they saw Wu Jing looking over, they pretended not to notice and began to look around, as if they were merely sitting and chatting outside.

 

Wu Jing took a few steps back, knelt, and then curiously peeked through the door.

 

He happened to meet the three people’s gazes.

 

They were also watching him.

 

Wu Jing blinked and asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”

 

Aside from the first day when someone had asked him how to write his name, no one had spoken to him in the following days. Although the initial laughter had disappeared, no one had specifically engaged with him.

 

Everyone seemed to avoid him as if he were invisible.

 

The three were caught off guard by his question, exchanged glances, and quickly shook their heads, “Nothing, nothing.”

 

Wu Jing blinked in confusion, withdrew a step, and then peered out again, “Then why are you spying on me?”

 

The boy tilted his head, asking with curiosity.

 

The three, caught again, were momentarily speechless. One of them, a fifteen-year-old in a blue embroidered robe, was pushed forward by the others. He glared at his companions before awkwardly asking, “You really don’t know how to read?”

 

Wu Jing was taken aback and awkwardly shook his head.

 

The boy in the blue robe showed interest, “You’re quite amusing. The old teacher seems to like you quite a bit.”

 

Wu Jing explained, “No, the old teacher is just… being… entrusted by someone.”

 

He paused, “…entrusted by someone.”

 

The boy in the blue robe’s companion said, “Not at all. The old teacher usually avoids that person. If it weren’t for that person asking the headmaster to have the old teacher teach you, and when he heard your surname was Ning, the old teacher would have refused outright. He wouldn’t be teaching you so earnestly now.”

 

That person? 

 

Wu Jing didn’t immediately understand and then asked, “That person is… who?”

 

The boy in the blue robe paused, made a face at Wu Jing, and said, “The person who sent you to the Imperial Academy.”

 

His attempt to be vague was unsuccessful. Wu Jing didn’t see what was so difficult to say, “Are you referring to Ning Qing—” He saw the three of them gasp and quickly corrected himself, “Jiu Qian Sui(Ninth Thousand Years – Its Qinghong’s official name)?”

 

The three nodded vigorously.

 

Wu Jing stared in astonishment, “How do you know?”

 

The boy in the blue robe said, “It’s simple; you have the surname Ning.”

 

Wu Jing grew even more confused.

 

“We initially thought you were the child of some official who entered the Imperial Academy through family connections. But since you’re an unfamiliar face, you didn’t match with anyone we know in the capital.”

 

“Everyone guessed you might be the young son of some prince or marquis. But in this world, who pays attention to royal relatives anymore?”

 

He laughed and said, “We didn’t mean to ignore you at first, so don’t hold it against us! Later, when the old teacher said you were sent by the headmaster and also had the surname Ning…”

 

Another person chuckled and whispered, “The old headmaster is notorious for his bad temper in the academy. The only person who could make him lower his face and do a favor is that person.”

 

The boy in the blue robe said, “Didn’t you notice? Everyone is avoiding you, afraid of getting involved.” He shrugged, “They’re worried that if you’re mistreated, the great one(Qinghong) will come looking for trouble with us.”

 

He then changed the subject, “But you’re quite amusing and don’t seem to have much of a temper. I’m happy to be friends with you.”

 

“We also don’t dare ask about your relationship with that person. As long as you don’t report us to the great one, it’s fine, right?” The boy in the blue robe introduced himself, “I’m Meng Chao, the third son of the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War. Am I good enough to be friends with you?”

 

His companions exchanged glances and introduced themselves, “My father is the governor of four counties in Bianzhou. He sent me to the capital to study. I’m the fourth son in the family, the legitimate one. My name is Liu Cheng.”

 

Another person said, “I’m Ma Qingyang, the second son of the Chamberlain of the Central Secretariat. My elder brother is a few years older than me. He studies in the Xinxi Study Hall. If anyone bullies you and the others don’t know your background, you can use my name to find my brother.”

 

Wu Jing took a while to react before awkwardly saying, “I’m Wu… Ning, Ning Wu Jing. Nice to meet you.”

 

The three laughed, “Got it, got it. We won’t disturb you while you’re learning. We’ll leave now.”

 

Wu Jing nodded, “Okay.”

 

After the three left, he returned to his desk and stared blankly for a while, not knowing what he was thinking. After a long time, he flipped through the poetry collection page by page.

 

He read very carefully, as if searching for some clues.

 

After a while, he found some characters he recognized from when that person had written or taught him. Wu Jing barely managed to recognize them as Ning Qinghong’s handwriting.

 

This poetry collection was written by Ning Qinghong.

 

That’s why there was no title and why every poem was suitable for him to learn.

 

“Little Master? Lunchtime,” a servant said as he brought in a food box. “Look, Steward(Maidservent) An said it’s all your favorites.”

 

The food box was placed on the table, and the aroma wafted up as it was opened layer by layer.

 

Wu Jing looked at the dishes for a while before asking, “Did he also arrange this?”

 

The servant answered carefully, “Little Master, who are you referring to? I only follow orders. This food box has been tested with silver needles to ensure it’s safe.” He explained, “The household feared you might not be used to the academy’s meals, so they had the cooks prepare these daily and send them over at noon.”

 

“Rest assured, I am from the Inner Guard and serve the great one. I wouldn’t tamper with the food.”

 

Wu Jing pursed his lips and replied softly, “It’s okay. Have you eaten? Would you like to join me?”

 

The servant quickly bowed, “I wouldn’t dare.”

 

Wu Jing awkwardly said, “Then you don’t need to stay with me. Go and have your meal.”

 

The servant complied and then left.

 

Wu Jing took a long time to finish his lunch. Afterward, he didn’t rest as he usually did. During the afternoon lessons, he was absent-minded, doodling on the paper.

 

When he came to his senses, he realized he had written the character “Ning” several times.

 

As the evening bell rang and classes ended, Wu Jing left the gates of the Imperial Academy and slowly walked to the carriage. Without saying a word, he climbed into the carriage.

 

Halfway up, he suddenly turned around, opened his mouth to ask something, but then closed it again. The boy hesitated several times, “I… Can I…”

 

He struggled, and after a long time, finally said, “Where is he?” Wu Jing gathered his courage, “I want to see him.”

 

The servant, who had been waiting to help him into the carriage, looked troubled upon hearing this and lowered his voice, “Your Highness, you shouldn’t. The great one is not in his usual mood; he’s not in a good temper right now.”

 

“Your Highness might be wronged if you go now.” He continued, “Didn’t you encounter the great one punishing a cabinet minister the other day?”

 

“That person happened to see the great one having a fit and was in a bad spot. Your Highness, think carefully.”

 

Wu Jing’s mind went blank and he had difficulty breathing. After a long time, he quietly said, “No, it’s fine.”

 

He was a bit scared and confused, not knowing what he was saying. Normally, he would definitely avoid such a situation.

 

But now, Wu Jing heard himself say, “It’s fine. I… I’m not afraid.”

 

“I want to go.”