Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 87

There was an unsightly object in the bedroom.

 

Wu Jing didn’t even want to stay in the room.

 

In the middle of the night, he woke up groggily again because Ning Qinghong was trying to wake the boy clinging to him like an octopus. Though he spoke softly, Wu Jing, who was deep in sleep, murmured a few words and opened his eyes briefly.

 

He was even more clingy than before.

 

Even as he partially woke up, he tightened his grip, burying his face again and muttering a few more indistinct words before falling back asleep.

 

Ning Qinghong sighed softly, “If Wu Wu doesn’t let go, should I take you with me?”

 

Wu Jing vaguely heard this and, with great effort, opened his eyes, nodding vaguely in agreement.

 

Ning Qinghong had no choice but to lift him from the bed. Recently, he had been getting less sleep and waking up frequently at night. He didn’t want to disturb Wu Jing but found it impossible to avoid.

 

The Double Ninth Festival was approaching, and it was getting colder at night.

 

Even though Ning Qinghong had wrapped himself in a crane cloak and covered the boy with a fox fur, protecting them from the wind, the cold seeping through the gaps made Wu Jing cling even tighter.

 

He was even clingier than a koala.

 

Wu Jing woke up a bit and muttered, “…Cold.”

 

He burrowed further in, rubbing his hot, soft face against Ning Qinghong’s, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

 

Ning Qinghong chuckled softly, “Why did Wu Wu have to cling to me?”

 

Wu Jing turned his face away, changed position, and after a while, quietly said, “I don’t want to stay there.”

 

Ning Qinghong asked, “How about staying with me?”

 

Wu Jing remained silent.

 

After entering the study, the cold wind had fully woken Wu Jing up. Fortunately, there was a brazier burning and warm incense in the room.

 

Knowing the young master’s habits, there were always servants ready in the residence. Now, under Ning Qinghong’s intentional dismissal of others, they brought some hot tea and snacks, carefully asking, “Does Your Majesty and Master want to eat anything? The servants can fetch something from the kitchen.”

 

Ning Qinghong asked, “What does Wu Wu want to eat?”

 

Wu Jing, feeling embarrassed, was glad for the fox fur covering him, so no one could see how he was clinging to Ning Qinghong. He swallowed and shook his head.

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “I heard you.” He said slowly, “Does Wu Wu want to eat anything?”

 

Wu Jing didn’t understand how his swallowing could be heard and remained silent, shaking his head, his ears turning red.

 

Ning Qinghong laughed softly and shook his head, “Then let’s have a bowl of hot sweet custard.” He then instructed, “Bring a few miscellaneous books.”

 

When the sweet custard arrived, the servants were all dismissed, and the wine that had been kept warm was brought back.

 

Ning Qinghong sipped slowly while reading the miscellaneous books in his hand.

 

The aroma of the sweet custard tempted Wu Jing. Stubbornly, he managed to get out of Ning Qinghong’s arms, put on the fox fur, and tried to sit aside to eat.

 

But as soon as he touched the cold floor, he was chilled. He was picked up from the bed again, his socks and shoes not worn, but the autumn chill was bearable. He only had to endure the cold and walked to the side to sit down.

 

However, the chair was also cold, and he was dressed lightly, so it was not as comfortable as sitting in Ning Qinghong’s arms.

 

His feet were warmed by the crane cloak wrapped around him.

 

After finishing the hot sweet custard, Wu Jing finally felt a bit warm. He knew Ning Qinghong didn’t like sweet things, so he didn’t offer any, setting the bowl down and hesitatingly looking at the person holding the green porcelain wine cup.

 

The boy hesitated, stood up, and, after some thought, walked barefoot to Ning Qinghong, bent down, and nestled into the space behind the arm holding the book, kneeling and sitting on his lap, wrapping his legs around Ning Qinghong’s waist.

 

Finding a comfortable position, he buried his face in Ning Qinghong’s shoulder and neck, preparing to close his eyes and continue sleeping.

 

Feeling a bit cold again, he pulled the crane cloak over his feet and tightened his fox fur, adjusting his position to sit closer to Ning Qinghong.

 

Now he was comfortable all over and began to fall asleep.

 

While Wu Jing fidgeted in Ning Qinghong’s arms, Ning Qinghong set down his wine and looked at him with a helpless expression.

 

Once the boy settled down, Ning Qinghong went back to reading his miscellaneous books, occasionally picking up the chess pieces on the tea table to play a game by himself.

 

Wu Jing intended to sleep, but the sweet custard had left him feeling too full. After half an hour of trying to fall asleep with his eyes closed, he still couldn’t drift off and, grumpily, opened his eyes again.

 

He blamed being woken up for his inability to sleep.

 

“Wu Wu can’t sleep?”

 

Ning Qinghong asked.

 

Wu Jing didn’t know how Ning Qinghong noticed; he hadn’t moved much and was trying to control his disheveled breathing.

 

Ning Qinghong, however, smiled, “If Wu Wu can’t sleep, why don’t you read to me?”

 

Wu Jing, no longer pretending, turned his face slightly and asked quietly, “How do I read?”

 

Ning Qinghong casually picked a book from the table and handed it to Wu Jing, then closed his eyes in front of him.

 

Wu Jing was stunned, feeling a bit at a loss. He looked at Ning Qinghong and then at the book in his hands.

 

He hadn’t learned all the characters yet. Alone and without help, how could he understand it?

 

Wu Jing braced himself and opened the book. At first glance, he was stunned but then widened his eyes in disbelief.

 

It seemed he could understand it.

 

Ning Qinghong was reading casual miscellaneous writings rather than classic texts, so they were written in simpler language.

 

Wu Jing had been learning for nearly half a month and had seen enough to understand some, although he still struggled with some parts, momentarily lost in thought.

 

After he stumbled through reading half a page, more than fifteen minutes had passed. Wu Jing carefully watched Ning Qinghong’s expression, and seeing no sign of mockery, he continued reading with renewed curiosity.

 

He read while pondering the meaning of the text.

 

Gradually, he immersed himself in it.

 

The more he read, the quieter he became, forgetting about Ning Qinghong, softly mumbling to himself. After finishing the first story and seeing the heading for the “Second Chapter…” on the next page, he came back to his senses.

 

Wu Jing couldn’t quite believe that he had really read through two or three pages.

 

It didn’t seem too difficult.

 

Once he got started, the rest naturally became easier. It was not as complex as the Four Books and Five Classics studied in the academy. Wu Jing eventually stopped reading aloud and began to read by himself.

 

After a while, he yawned sleepily.

 

When he came to his senses, he noticed that Ning Qinghong, who had his eyes closed earlier, had opened them again and was leisurely savoring the warm wine.

 

It was obvious now that Ning Qinghong had intentionally made him read.

 

Ning Qinghong looked over and then said gently, “Wu Wu, have you finished reading?”

 

Wu Jing shook his head, honestly replying, “Not yet, there’s still a lot left.”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled, “Does Wu Wu find it difficult?”

 

Wu Jing shook his head again after a while.

 

He understood most of it. Although he still read slowly, it was much better than not recognizing any characters at all.

 

Ning Qinghong said, “Wu Wu can now read a book.”

 

Wu Jing replied honestly but with bright eyes, “There are still some characters I don’t understand.” He was very pleased.

 

Ning Qinghong thought about it for a moment and then began to coax him again. Soon, the sleepy boy was back in his arms, falling asleep once more.

 

Wu Jing didn’t sleep long and was woken up an hour later.

 

“Send someone to the Guozijian to report that His Majesty is taking a day off today.”

 

“Yes, Master. Should His Majesty change into court robes?”

 

“Forget it. Just take him to the Jinluan Hall to rest after.”

 

He vaguely heard someone speaking in a calm manner.

 

Wu Jing, who had slept late the previous night, was now awoken and could barely keep his eyes open. Groggily, he washed, changed, and then traveled by carriage to the palace, changing to a palanquin.

 

Upon arriving at the palanquin, he was taken to a warm chamber by palace attendants.

 

“Your Majesty, the lord is in the hall discussing state matters with the officials. Master said you can rest here until you wake up. When you do, you need to go to him and recognize the officials.”

 

Recognize the officials? Recognize whom?

 

Wu Jing fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

 

When he woke up for breakfast, it was already the third watch of the day. Having forgotten the palace attendants’ instructions, he was brought to the higher-level hall. Unexpectedly, he faced a group of cabinet ministers standing in the hall.

 

The ministers had been waiting in silence for a long time. The hall was eerily quiet, with only the flickering shadows of candles. Despite the many people, it was unnervingly still.

 

Wu Jing immediately wanted to turn around and discuss with the palace attendants beside him, “I can come back later.” He whispered as softly as possible, “I… I won’t disturb you.”

 

The attendant holding him was a eunuch from the Inner Guard, bowing respectfully and saying, “Your Majesty, the lord is waiting.”

 

Wu Jing could only remain where he was.

 

The young emperor, supported to the main hall, sat on the dragon throne. Though it was said that the lord was waiting, Ning Qinghong was clearly not present. If he were, Wu Jing would have long hidden in his embrace.

 

It seemed he had lost all imperial dignity.

 

Now he could only sit stiffly on the chair, nervously observing the few ministers below.

 

A palace attendant handed him a booklet and then stepped back to the steps.

 

Wu Jing carefully opened it. The familiar characters at the top were instantly recognizable and looked nothing like those he had to decipher in the past.

 

He skimmed through it but didn’t understand the meaning of the booklet.

 

Until the eunuch smiled and said softly, “Gentlemen, have you not yet greeted His Majesty?”

 

The ministers looked at each other, and after a moment of silence, one stepped forward and knelt, “This humble minister is Huang Huai-ren, a cabinet scholar and second-grade official. I greet His Majesty.”

 

Wu Jing subtly moved aside, not wanting anyone to kneel before him. After a while, he matched this person with the booklet and noted the name and official title.

 

But the booklet did not clarify the person’s duties.

 

In the complex world of court politics, every matter involved numerous relationships. It wasn’t as simple as just doing one’s own job.

 

As the first person retreated, another came forward, “This humble minister is Fu Lian, Minister of Rites and cabinet scholar. I greet His Majesty.”

 

Then another, “This humble minister is Zhang Songyun, a fourth-grade official and cabinet scholar. I greet His Majesty.”

 

“This humble minister is Ge Bolai, Minister of Justice and cabinet scholar. I greet His Majesty.”

 

“This humble minister is—”

 

As the last minister finished speaking, the hall was filled with kneeling figures. Wu Jing, frantically matching names and titles with the booklet, finally let out a sigh of relief once he was done.

 

The eunuch at the steps, observing the emperor’s expression, said, “Gentlemen, you may leave.”

 

The ministers bowed and withdrew.

 

Wu Jing was at a loss, not knowing where to place his hands, his mind blank and confused about what had just happened.

 

The eunuch stepped up to him, bowing deeply, “Your Majesty, the lord is waiting for you outside the hall.”

 

Wu Jing quickly rose, accidentally dropping the booklet. He hurriedly picked it up and rushed out.

 

The eunuch, startled, hurried to catch up with him.

 

As Wu Jing exited the hall, he collided with the departing cabinet ministers. The attendants, still smiling, were sending them off one by one.

 

Wu Jing had to slow down again, careful not to be noticed. He anxiously searched for the familiar figure he was looking for.

 

A eunuch called out from behind, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty! the lord is behind the hall, not in front. Please follow me.”

 

Ahead, the attendants were chatting with the ministers.

 

“Master An, I really don’t understand what the lord is planning today. Can you give me a hint?”

 

“Dare not, dare not.”

 

“Then, please tell me, is the emperor’s illness—”

 

“Fully recovered, fully recovered! The ministers may not know, but the emperor was staying at the lord’s residence for a time, healing from an injury. However, he caught a chill after the autumn began, had a fever for several days, but has now recovered completely!” The attendant, Fu Chen, forced a smile, “It’s truly remarkable.”

 

Is that so?

 

Wu Jing stopped in his tracks, dazedly trying to recall if he had been ill in recent days. It seemed he really hadn’t been sick.

 

“Then, what does the lord think about this—”

 

Fu Chen replied, “The emperor’s recovery is naturally a happy event. the lord is also relieved.” He smiled, “Just regard His Majesty as another master of the family, no need to overthink it.”

 

“Another master? What does the lord mean—” The man was taken aback and hadn’t finished speaking before another voice interrupted.

 

“Sir, speaking too much can lead to trouble.” Fu Chen continued, smiling with no trace of real warmth, “Careful with your words, lest you cause trouble.”

 

“The family has pointed out enough.”

 

“Gentlemen, watch your step as you descend the steps…”

 

The voices grew fainter.

 

“Your Majesty? Your Majesty—”

 

“the lord is waiting for you?”

 

Wu Jing snapped back to reality, responding absently, holding the booklet tightly as he followed the attendants. Everything seemed very complicated, and every word seemed to be layered with meaning.

 

He couldn’t quite sort out whether he was more startled or inexplicably happy.

 

He felt somewhat pleased, perhaps.

 

The Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Chongyang Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. It typically falls in October or November.

 

The festival has several customs and traditions, including:

 

1. **Climbing High Places**: People climb mountains or high places to avoid disaster and to promote health and longevity.

 

2. **Chrysanthemum Appreciation**: Chrysanthemums are a symbol of longevity and vitality. People often enjoy chrysanthemum tea and display chrysanthemum flowers.

 

3. **Eating Chongyang Cake**: Special cakes made with layers are eaten, known as “Chongyang cake,” which symbolizes the desire for a long life.

 

4. **Paying Respects to the Elderly**: It is a time to honor and pay respects to the elderly, as the festival is associated with longevity and the well-being of older generations.

 

The festival combines both traditional beliefs and modern practices and is a time for family gatherings and celebrations.