Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 76

Wu Jing cautiously peeked out, glancing around. It was eerily quiet, with no servants or guards in sight.

 

He was led by the sweeping brush to the courtyard where he had previously stayed with Ning Qinghong, stopping at the intricately carved moon gate.

 

Once there, the servants who had accompanied him silently withdrew, and the sweeping brush stayed behind, “Your Highness prefers peace at the moment, so this old servant will not accompany you inside.”

 

Wu Jing nodded, watching them leave, and once he was truly alone, he felt a pang of fear.

 

It was too quiet.

 

Wu Jing lifted his garment and stepped through the moon gate, then let his hand fall. He was unsure of the way, looking around in confusion before tentatively walking toward what seemed to be a familiar direction.

 

He walked slowly along the long red corridor, passing pavilions and buildings.

 

The path was long, and Wu Jing grew increasingly anxious, fearing he might get lost. He clutched his sleeve, walking slower and slower, his heart pounding faster.

 

His mind was in chaos, unsure of what he was thinking.

 

He felt that actively seeking out Ning Qinghong might be in vain, as the cold war they had before seemed pointless. Ning Qinghong likely didn’t care, but Wu Jing had gone cold because he felt Ning Qinghong didn’t consider his feelings.

 

Without asking what he wanted, Ning Qinghong had acted, and despite Wu Jing’s tears, he had continued without showing any preference or disinterest. It was as if everything after the intimacy was forgotten, as though nothing had happened.

 

He thought Ning Qinghong didn’t care about him.

 

So, he felt wronged, sad, and angry, not wanting to be just a large pillow anymore.

 

But, but…

 

It seemed he was wrong.

 

Ning Qinghong did care about him.

 

He was so good to him.

 

What was he really thinking?

 

And how did he view himself?

 

Wu Jing couldn’t figure it out. He felt that, despite Ning Qinghong being ill for so long, it would be rude not to visit him. To be less harsh, he really wanted to see Ning Qinghong, even if he was scared.

 

Wu Jing slowly turned a corner and saw the bedroom where he had previously slept with Ning Qinghong. He stood there for a while, then dazedly walked over.

 

He didn’t dare push the door open, only daring to peer through the carved wooden door.

 

When he got close, he was immediately overwhelmed by a strong scent of incense , with a mix of bitter medicine and pungent medicinal food, making him feel drowsy.

 

Wu Jing blinked, adjusted, and then saw inside clearly.

 

The room was dimly lit.

 

A figure was leaning on a spring chair, seemingly resting with closed eyes, while another figure knelt beside him, reporting matters requiring the prince’s approval. After a long while, Ning Qinghong responded faintly, indicating he agreed with the cabinet’s measures in his absence.

 

When the dark guard finished, he suddenly cupped his fists in salute, “This subordinate takes leave.” As he finished speaking, he stood up and walked towards the door.

 

Wu Jing snapped back to reality, hurriedly glanced around, and then, in a panic, squatted down as the door was pushed open.

 

He tried to shrink into a small ball, hiding behind the door.

 

The young man kept his head down, not noticing the dark guard pause, bowing slightly and cupping his fists towards the door before silently leaving.

 

Wu Jing heard the footsteps fade away and cautiously stayed hidden for a while before cautiously raising his head to check the situation.

 

Just as he lifted his face, he encountered the corner of a familiar garment.

 

A dark blue cloak with gold threads and intricate green embroidery. The clothing dragged on the floor, and Ning Qinghong looked down at the corner where the crouching boy was.

 

Wu Jing’s ears instinctively turned red, his mind still blank as he stared up at Ning Qinghong.

 

Ning Qinghong waited for a moment, then slightly bent down as if reaching out to the boy, but before he could fully extend his hand, someone unexpectedly threw themselves into his embrace.

 

Wu Jing was confused, clinging tighter and burying his face into Ning Qinghong’s shoulder, feeling utterly embarrassed.

 

How could he be caught while trying to spy?

 

His hiding method was so childish.

 

Wu Jing nuzzled against Ning Qinghong, trying to squeeze himself into his embrace, feeling very aggrieved. The familiar scent made him feel even more depressed.

 

He said, “You can’t do this.”

 

“You can’t ignore me, and I ignore you.”

 

“And I’ve been here only one day, and you’ve been sick for five days. You can’t ignore someone when you’re ill.”

 

Ning Qinghong lowered his eyes slightly, his voice very calm, seeming to question, “I’m ignoring you?”

 

Wu Jing nodded. He opened his mouth to say something but thought for a long time, then gave up and closed it.

 

After waiting for a long time without a response, he instinctively looked up at Ning Qinghong, only to hear him sigh softly, his expression still showing some fatigue. Ning Qinghong gently said, “Last time I gave you a chance, but you scared yourself into hiding in a cupboard and crying for an hour. You didn’t even know how to hide from me.”

 

“This time, I arranged everything myself and found you. You blame me for ignoring you.”

 

“How could… it come to this?”

 

He left out one word.

 

Wu Jing was confused, his mind spinning, and instinctively retorted, “You’re the one who scared me into hiding in the cupboard.”

 

Ning Qinghong responded with a faint “Hmm?”

 

Wu Jing didn’t dare say more, just looked at him in confusion.

 

Ning Qinghong sighed lightly, “Even with such a clear explanation, you still don’t understand.” He reached out to touch Wu Jing’s face, slowly rubbing the boy’s warm ears, and with a half-smile, murmured, “Aren’t you afraid?”

 

Wu Jing understood this.

 

He knew Ning Qinghong was asking why he had been so scared before but still dared to come after understanding the reason.

 

The boy hesitated, shaking his head awkwardly, “No.” Seeing Ning Qinghong’s indifferent expression, as if seeing through everything, Wu Jing lowered his head again, honestly saying, “I was a little afraid before.”

 

He awkwardly explained, “But not now, because, because—”

 

Wu Jing, at a loss for words, couldn’t figure out why he felt this way.

 

Ning Qinghong gave a soft “Hmm?” again.

 

After a moment, Wu Jing, in despair, buried his face against Ning Qinghong, mumbling, “Brother has always been good to me.”

 

“Except… except for those things.”

 

“But you haven’t hurt me.”

 

“I know, I’ve thought it through. I’m not so afraid of you anymore, and—” Wu Jing’s voice grew even softer, his breathing becoming a bit labored, “I’m worried about you.”

 

His heart was racing.

 

“I’m not afraid of you.”

 

“But I’m afraid you’re sick and uncomfortable.”

 

“I want to see you.”

 

Wu Jing babbled, “I want to know if your illness is serious, if you’re feeling better, why you suddenly ignored me, why you’re so good to me.” He instinctively asked, “Why… I want to see you.”

 

A long, slender finger gently lifted his face. In his confusion, Wu Jing found that Ning Qinghong wasn’t giving him the usual space to think, to guide him, or to answer his questions.

 

Instead, without warning, Ning Qinghong kissed him.

 

As if by whim.

 

Ning Qinghong, with lowered brows, kissed him softly, as though he wasn’t trying to relieve desire, but simply, as before, holding the boy close and sleeping with him for a day.

 

He sighed, “Wu Wu is so good.”

 

But Wu Jing couldn’t hold back at all. He was used to it; even without anything else, Ning Qinghong’s kiss made him unable to resist.

 

The more he kissed, the more chaotic his breath became, his head felt foggy, and he felt uncomfortable everywhere. Still, he struggled to express himself clearly, finally letting out a few sobs.

 

But suddenly, it stopped.

 

Ning Qinghong halted, bent down, and slowly picked him up. He stopped kissing, and Wu Jing, still dazed, licked the seam of Ning Qinghong’s lips, crying softly.

 

Ning Qinghong turned his face away, coldly ordering, “Don’t move.”

 

Wu Jing felt extremely wronged, almost about to cry, accusing, “It’s clearly… clearly you who kissed me.” Tears welled in his eyes, ready to fall, “…How can you do this?”

 

“It’s you who started it—”

 

His breathing was still uneven as he spoke.

 

The boy had grown accustomed to the emotional turmoil during kisses, and the tears that followed. Each sentence made him tear up more, his eyes becoming increasingly misty.

 

Wu Jing didn’t even notice.

 

Ning Qinghong remained unmoved, even harsh, “Don’t cry. It’s always like this. What will we do in the future?”

 

Wu Jing didn’t understand what he was saying, just slightly parting his lips, breathing through his mouth, burying his head, not kissing or rubbing, feeling wronged and wanting to cry.

 

He had never seen someone so unreasonable.

 

Ning Qinghong stopped in front of a small room door and said calmly, “Wu Wu knows why the first time wasn’t as good as the second and third times, but why was the first time different from the other two… coming out.”

 

“Why did the third time come out so easily?”

 

He spoke without any pretense.

 

It was broad daylight, and the door behind them was wide open.

 

Wu Jing flustered, trying to cover Ning Qinghong’s mouth, “Don’t say it, it’s all because of you.” His face turned red from embarrassment, “It’s all your fault.”

 

Ning Qinghong just looked at him, “Wu Wu, let go.”

 

Wu Jing froze for a moment, then reluctantly released his grip, red-eyed and no longer wanting to talk to him, still angry and wanting to be embraced and kissed. 

 

Ning Qinghong opened the door to the small room Wu Jing mentioned, explaining, “Because Wu Wu is used to it. If we don’t correct it now, it will be like this every time in the future.” He spoke softly, “What will we do then?”

 

“Wu Wu can’t even—”

 

Wu Jing tried to cover his mouth again, shaking his head repeatedly, “No!” Then he heard Ning Qinghong pause and continue softly, “…can’t control it.”

 

Wu Jing held back his tears, “You’re lying. I won’t.” He was frightened, “Don’t say it.”

 

Ning Qinghong, “Is that so?” He pretended to turn away, coldly saying, “Then let’s try.”

 

Wu Jing shook his head, holding onto him, “Don’t try, don’t try.” His tears finally fell, “…Brother, don’t try.”

 

“Don’t do that, don’t become like that.”

 

Ning Qinghong silently agreed, “Alright.” He stopped because they had reached their destination, then spoke softly, “First, let’s sort this out, and then it will be fine.”

 

“Wu Wu, would you like to come by yourself, or should I carry you?”