Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 91

Wu Jing still remembered what Ning Qinghong had said to him last time.

 

When someone is sick, their mood worsens. Does that mean if the mood improves, the illness will improve as well?

 

It wasn’t that the youth was thinking things too simply. It was just that when Fu Chen spoke to him, he had tried to summarize things in a more palatable way.

 

Ning Qinghong had explained it in simple terms to make it easier to understand, and Wu Jing had not been aware of it before.

 

He just thought that regardless of whether it would help Ning Qinghong recover, he wanted to make the person feel a little better, to ease their discomfort, even if just a little bit better than the worst of times.

 

Wu Jing thought this way and said as much.

 

“You could just tell me.”

 

“As long as you feel a bit better, even just a little.”

 

It was as if he was willing to do anything.

 

With his heart and eyes full of devotion, Wu Jing looked up at the other person. Even he himself didn’t realize how he seemed to be offering himself completely.

 

Ning Qinghong only needed to glance down to see this expression completely.

 

The youth’s profile, including the neck and ear area, was touched by the other person. Ning Qinghong looked into his eyes and asked slowly, “Why aren’t you asking anymore?”

 

Wu Jing looked at him in confusion, not understanding what was being said. He didn’t ask anything.

 

Ning Qinghong spoke with a certain casualness, almost self-indulgently. Even though the youth had been close to him and said a lot, Ning Qinghong ignored it and simply said, “Didn’t I say that I don’t have anything to say to you?”

 

The servants dared not keep secrets from him. Everything the emperor did or said had to be reported to him in detail.

 

If the youth hadn’t run away quickly, it would have been known today that he had threatened someone in the pavilion.

 

Wu Jing didn’t realize that his brief comments had been thoroughly relayed, but he no longer felt any resentment. It seemed there were habits and situations that Ning Qinghong might not be aware of.

 

Instead, he felt that the mention of the matter by the other party had finally given him an opening.

 

“You didn’t tell me last time.” When this was brought up, the previous grievance surged again, and Wu Jing’s tone grew subdued. His face was buried in the other’s shoulder and neck, and he didn’t tiptoe anymore, only saying, “At that time, you said there was nothing to say and changed the subject.”

 

“Didn’t you want to tell me?”

 

“Or was it hard to speak out?”

 

After complaining, he worried that it might seem like he was exposing a wound and carefully added, “If it would make you uncomfortable, it’s fine if you don’t tell me.”

 

He looked up again, showing concern.

 

Ning Qinghong was different from him. This body was born a prince, without fighting for the throne. The throne came to him naturally, and now, he was secure in his position, without worrying about food or clothing.

 

Aside from basic needs, he hadn’t experienced much hardship or done any difficult work.

 

But for the other person to reach this position, they must have put in a lot of effort… Wu Jing almost imagined the other’s past in a tragic manner, feeling as if he was sharing the suffering.

 

Ning Qinghong carefully observed him and then asked softly, “Are you pitying me, Wu Wu?”

 

Wu Jing was taken aback, unsure whether to nod or shake his head, and was so frightened by the other’s tone that he froze.

 

He truly understood today what Fu Chen’s words about “daring not to offend the emperor’s taboos” meant.

 

He had to keep his promises,

 

and strive to overcome it.

 

Wu Jing trembled as he closed his eyes, and shakily tightened his arms. This time, he tentatively lifted his foot to touch the other’s nose with his warm breath, cautiously shaking his head.

 

The delicate and small nose tip rubbed against the person, and he opened his lips, wanting to say something.

 

He was abruptly interrupted by a soft laugh.

 

It was a faint, almost breathy laugh, lacking real amusement, only seeming to find the situation somewhat absurd and slightly bewildering.

 

It made Wu Jing freeze, looking up with his face tilted, not daring to move.

 

“Why does Wu Wu think so much?” Ning Qinghong spoke slowly, his tone slightly weighted, “Indeed, there isn’t much to say.”

 

“If Wu Wu wants to know, just ask.”

 

“What grievances do you have with others?”

 

He gently stroked the youth’s brows, his fingertips idly kneading the corners of Wu Jing’s eyes, as if playing with something. He half-closed his eyes, quietly saying, “My maternal family was a scholarly family, and my father’s family was engaged in business for decades.”

 

“When the two families were united, the court was undergoing reforms, reducing trade and revising laws, aiming for national prosperity. As a result, even descendants of merchants could enter government service.”

 

Ning Qinghong spoke slowly to ensure understanding.

 

“I am the eldest legitimate son, and the hopes of both families rested on me. From a young age, I studied literature and reading. By six, I had read the Four Books and Five Classics. But then the Emperor Taishang passed away, Emperor Ai ascended the throne, and the new policies faced obstruction. My maternal family was caught up in the new and old party struggles, and my father’s family was also retaliated against. The former was executed on the execution ground, and the latter died in business difficulties.”

 

“Only some scattered individuals remained, not fit for significant use.”

 

Wu Jing took a long time to react, finally understanding from the difficult words and finding it hard to breathe.

 

“After the defeat of the new laws, the laws were revised.”

 

“In just three years, all the remaining members of the two families were gone.”

 

“When I entered the palace, I was about nine years old. Using the family’s savings to bribe my way into the Imperial Guard, relying on the classics I had studied, from delivering memorials to the Imperial Guard to representing the late Emperor in handling previous court matters, took seven years.”

 

“At sixteen, during the tenth year of Ta Ning, Emperor Ai’s empress fed poison to the late Emperor, causing Emperor Ai to develop hysteria and neglect state affairs.”

 

“The power of the court ultimately fell into my hands.”

 

Ning Qinghong paused, “But…” He slightly bowed his head and whispered, “To prevent anyone from discovering what Wu Wu has found, I had to continually take secret medicines for years, and the poison has turned me into this.”

 

“Now, it has been nine years since I took power, and this is the tenth year, not yet complete.” He said slowly, “I have told you everything, one by one. Are you satisfied?”

 

“Does Wu Wu have any more questions?”

 

The other person spoke in such a general and official manner, as if reading from a historical record, without any personal emotions or uncontrolled feelings.

 

As a result, Wu Jing felt as though he was listening to someone else’s story.

 

He was somewhat saddened.

 

Not because of the past events he couldn’t relate to, but because of the cold demeanor of the person before him.

 

Wu Jing stammered, “Don’t be sad.”

 

Ning Qinghong smiled lightly, “I’m not sad.” He said, “Though I have walked alone for many years, seen many dismal events, and acted both as a person and a subordinate, I have no regrets.”

 

Wu Jing faltered, awkwardly cursing, “It’s all because of that new, new law, new policy?”

 

Ning Qinghong replied, “The new policy was beneficial to the people and the country, so implementing the new laws was a good thing.” He paused, “But in every era, new laws will inevitably face obstruction, and there will always be conflicts between the old and new factions.”

 

Wu Jing was overwhelmed by all this information, stumbling for a while before finding something to blame, “Then blame, blame those who retaliated against your family? They should—”

 

He couldn’t bring himself to say the word “die” and instead changed his wording, “They should spend their whole lives in prison!”

 

Ning Qinghong laughed, “I don’t blame them.” He explained softly, “They were executed along with their nine clans, subjected to the punishment of being torn apart by horses, and their remains had no place for burial.”

 

His tone carried a sense of calm and open-mindedness.

 

Wu Jing was stunned, his breath catching, and he couldn’t continue cursing, stuttering, “Then why didn’t the late emperor push through the new laws?”

 

Ning Qinghong looked at him and said, “The late emperor?”

 

Logically, it was inappropriate for Wu Jing, as a prince, to refer to Emperor Ai in such a manner.

 

But Wu Jing didn’t realize this. Ning Qinghong laughed again and slowly said, “I don’t blame the late emperor either.”

 

“Although Emperor Ai was incompetent and foolish, he hanged himself when he died. His empress also committed suicide, and even the three capable sons of the dragon fought and died in chaos.”

 

“They died in such a pitiful manner; I don’t blame them.”

 

When Ning Qinghong said this, his voice was almost breathy. Despite the warm breath against Wu Jing’s face, it made him turn pale.

 

Ning Qinghong asked with a faint smile, “Wu Wu feeling cold?”

 

Wu Jing couldn’t even shake his head, “I, I…”

 

Ning Qinghong squinted slightly, “Are you afraid then?”

 

Wu Jing stammered, “You, you’re not afraid?”

 

Ning Qinghong asked in return, “Afraid?” He said, “If the situation led to punishment, I would always find a way to make those people accompany me.”

 

He smiled, “Death is nothing to be afraid of.”

 

Wu Jing couldn’t utter a single word.

 

He finally understood what was different about Ning Qinghong when he wasn’t sick. These two statements clearly indicated a willingness to face death together.

 

Wasn’t that frightening?

 

Wu Jing had lost all sense of comfort and only wanted to escape, wherever it might be, never imagining he would betray his words so quickly.

 

He had just promised to overcome it.

 

How could he overcome it?

 

He couldn’t.

 

Wu Jing’s feet, which had been lifted, were now flat on the ground, and his hands around the person’s neck relaxed. He trembled, looking up at Ning Qinghong. When Ning Qinghong touched his hair with his fingers, Wu Jing instinctively turned away, but his legs had gone numb, and he stumbled as he moved.

 

He was barely caught by Ning Qinghong.

 

Ning Qinghong bent down, close to the youth’s ear, “Are you trying to run again?” He lowered his voice, “Why not learn from the good, and not change the bad.”

 

“Didn’t brother say that you must keep your word?”

 

“Wu Wu doesn’t want to cheer me up?”

 

“Something has to be done. Just a kiss or a hug is too easy; nothing in the world is that simple.”

 

Ning Qinghong closed his eyes lightly, half-tilting his head, and softly said in Wu Jing’s ear, “Hmm?” with a hint of casualness, almost smiling.

 

Wu Jing, held by Ning Qinghong’s forearm, felt the grip was secure but not tight. Still, he couldn’t break free. Tears were about to fall as he regretted his earlier naive and unrealistic promises.

 

He could only shake his head, on the verge of crying, “I, I changed my mind.”

 

Ning Qinghong sighed in feigned surprise, “Lying deserves punishment.” He said, “Should I look for that wooden ruler?”

 

Wu Jing almost curled up on the ground, only one hand being pulled. He shook his head, “No, no need to look. I, I won’t go back on my word.” He was truly frightened, his voice cracking with tears, “Sorry, sorry.”

 

“Ning Qinghong asked gently, “Isn’t Wu Wu the one who wanted to ask and know, so why are you the one crying first?” He said softly, “Be good, get up from the ground.”

 

Wu Jing breathed lightly, his legs weak.

 

Hearing Ning Qinghong’s faint smile, “Brother will wait for Wu Wu—”

 

“Continue.”