Raising Wolves CHAPTER 08

 

 Raising wolves  

 Chapter 08

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

The wisp of doubt in Lu Qingze’s heart dissipated. He didn’t dwell on it further.

Indeed, Ning Juan had never even met Chen Xiaodao. Why would he hold a grudge?

As Changshun sent someone to summon the imperial physician, lunch was served.

In the early days of the Great Qi Dynasty, the emperor’s meals were prepared by the Court of Imperial Entertainments. However, the food was so unpalatable that only the frugal founding emperor could tolerate it.

Later emperors, unable to endure it, established their own kitchens in the Qianqing Palace. Most eunuchs, having no other aspirations, devoted themselves to culinary excellence, resulting in exceptionally good food.

Lu Qingze’s poor health meant his appetite was often lacking. Normally, he’d set down his chopsticks after a few bites. But today, a pickled eggplant dish piqued his interest, and he ate a bit more than usual.

Ning Juan glanced at him silently before lowering his eyes to his own meal.

Setting down his chopsticks, Lu Qingze studied the little boy with interest.

Wei Herong wouldn’t dare skimp on the imperial meals. After eating well these past weeks, the little emperor’s once-thin face had gained a soft, milky plumpness. His long lashes cast shadows over his bright, dark eyes, making him even more doll-like in his delicate beauty.

Lu Qingze couldn’t help but imagine that once the internal and external troubles were resolved, he might find a woman he liked, marry, and perhaps even have such a beautiful child.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice Ning Juan’s growing discomfort under his gaze until the latter finally snapped: "What are you staring at?"

Lu Qingze’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Admiring Your Majesty’s adorable appearance."

Having endured the cold mockery and abuse of palace servants since childhood, no one had ever spoken to Ning Juan like this. His eyes widened, his ears heating up. After a long pause, he could only muster a stiff: "How dare you!"

Children were so amusing.

Suppressing a laugh at the flustered reaction, Lu Qingze replied, "This subject deserves death."

Ning Juan glared at him, torn between embarrassment and irritation.

From their first meeting, he’d realized that despite Lu Qingze’s constant "Your Majesty" and "this subject deserves death," there wasn’t an ounce of genuine deference in his attitude.

But unlike the ministers and servants who looked down on him, Lu Qingze simply treated him as… an ordinary child.

Increasingly audacious.

It was infuriating.

Yet not entirely unpleasant.

After lunch, the imperial physician arrived to examine Lu Qingze and prescribed a new formula.

Lu Qingze’s courageous remonstrance and persecution by the eunuch faction had earned him admiration from some court officials, including this physician. Seeing his frail state, the physician couldn’t help but add a few extra reminders: "Grand Tutor Lu, your foundation has been damaged. Avoid overthinking and focus on recuperation."

Changshun, ever perceptive, personally escorted the physician out and went to prepare the new prescription.

Under the little emperor’s watchful eye, Lu Qingze drank the new medicine without batting an eye—though inwardly, he gagged.

Even more bitter than Chen Xiaodao’s concoctions.

At dinner, Lu Qingze noticed the pickled eggplant dish had reappeared.

He couldn’t help but glance at Ning Juan.

The little emperor ate as if nothing was amiss, only to look up and glare when he noticed the gaze: "What?"

Lu Qingze said mildly, "Nothing. I just suddenly crave some sweet steamed milk custard."

Ning Juan instinctively looked at Changshun.

A soft chuckle came from across the table.

Ning Juan clenched his jade chopsticks: "…"

Lu Qingze blinked innocently. "Why the pause, Your Majesty? Eat up—grow tall and strong."

Changshun swallowed hard, shrinking further into the corner, profoundly grateful the little emperor didn’t require servants to serve his meals.

His Majesty was no soft, malleable character. He would undoubtedly wield great power in the future, leaving a formidable legacy.

Grand Tutor Lu was truly… audacious.

The Qianqing Palace had many warm chambers. The one Lu Qingze temporarily occupied wasn’t far from the little emperor’s.

Night had fully fallen, the scant warmth of day chased away. Though spring had arrived, the underfloor heating had long been turned off, and the braziers removed. The chamber was icy.

Lu Qingze’s constitution was extremely cold-sensitive. Once the warming pan cooled, it seemed to leach all heat from the bedding. His hands and feet remained like ice, impossible to warm.

With the entire palace silent, Lu Qingze tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually, he got up, clutching the warming pan, intending to find a night-duty eunuch to refill it with hot water.

As soon as he stepped out, he nearly collided with a eunuch who looked somewhat familiar—one assigned to the Qianqing Palace.

Thanks to his past life’s experiences, Lu Qingze had developed an unflappable demeanor. Even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, his expression wouldn’t change. A eunuch—or even a ghost—wouldn’t startle him.

He regarded the man coolly: "What brings you to my door in the middle of the night?"

The eunuch, not expecting to run into him directly, was startled. He frantically gestured for silence: "Grand Tutor Lu—please, keep your voice down! Don’t let anyone hear!"

Seeing he bore no resemblance to an assassin or thief, Lu Qingze raised a brow.

The eunuch smiled obsequiously: "This servant was entrusted by a noble to deliver something to you."

Lu Qingze had an inkling.

Sure enough, the eunuch produced a white jade pendant from his robes, along with a silk strip bearing several lines of text—too dark to read clearly.

"The noble said this is but a small gift. If you’re willing to accept it, rare treasures beyond your wildest dreams await."

Lu Qingze tightened his cloak, leaning lazily against a pillar as he casually took the pendant.

Exquisite craftsmanship, smooth texture—clearly priceless.

He then picked up the silk strip, squinting as he chuckled: "Very well. I accept."

A flash of disdain crossed the eunuch’s eyes.

Putting on such a lofty act earlier, yet he’s just like the rest.

Then came a cool question from above: "What else did the noble say?"

Something in the tone made the eunuch glance up uneasily, meeting a gaze as frosty as snow.

Though he knew the man before him was a sickly weakling who’d gasp after three steps, his lips trembled inexplicably: "The noble said… Grand Tutor Lu, by staying with His… with Your Majesty…"

His voice dwindled, the words sticking in his throat.

A voice suddenly spoke from ahead: "By staying with me… what?"

Ning Juan emerged from the shadows, half his face obscured in darkness.

It was impossible to tell how much he’d heard.

The eunuch’s face drained of color. He dropped to his knees with a thud: "Your Majesty, spare me! Spare me!"

The little emperor stepped forward expressionlessly, repeating: "Ning Cong said, by staying with me… what?"

His demeanor was so terrifying, his oppressive gaze so unlike a child’s, the eunuch felt his organs shrivel. He kowtowed frantically, not daring to speak.

Ning Juan nodded calmly: "It seems you wish to die."

Hearing the murderous intent in those words, the eunuch blurted out in sheer terror: "Prince Shu said… that by staying with Your Majesty… Your Majesty could never satisfy Grand Tutor Lu!"

Lu Qingze: "…"

Ning Juan: "…"

Realizing what he’d said, the eunuch kowtowed even more violently, his forehead bleeding as he wept and begged for mercy.

Lu Qingze choked back a laugh.

This Prince Shu was truly obsessed with the gutter. What kind of nonsense was this? To actually associate him with Ning Juan, of all people!

Ning Juan glared murderously at the eunuch. Hearing Lu Qingze’s stifled laughter, he turned his fury on him: "You’re laughing?!"

Lu Qingze quickly coughed into his fist. "Ahem. Your Majesty, how do you intend to handle this?"

The commotion had drawn the night-duty servants.

Ning Juan’s eyes gleamed with killing intent: "Drag this disloyal servant away. Fifty strikes of the rod. If he survives, throw him into the Laundry Bureau."

In dramas, fifty or a hundred strikes were commonplace, with the victim recovering after some ointment. But in reality, surviving fifty strikes was a matter of luck.

If he died, it’d be from sheer agony.

The eunuch went limp, strength leaving his body.

Changshun signaled for the man to be dragged away, then cleared his throat, his sharp voice laced with warning: "See this? This is the fate of anyone disloyal to His Majesty!"

After the previous theft incident, the Qianqing Palace had replaced its staff with people carefully selected by Changshun. This was their first glimpse of the little emperor’s ruthlessness, and they trembled, murmuring assent.

Ning Juan spared them no further glance, waving them away before frowning at the pendant in Lu Qingze’s hand: "Why are you still holding that? Don’t tell me you actually intend to accept it."

Lu Qingze tilted his head, a sly smile playing on his lips: "Why not?"

Ning Juan’s barely suppressed rage flared anew: "You lack for nothing! Do you truly wish to become Ning Cong’s plaything?!"

Lu Qingze pinched his cheek in exasperation: "Nonsense. This pendant bears the Shu residence’s insignia. It might prove useful."

Ning Juan grew even angrier: "Useful how? By gifting you this marked pendant, he’s declaring you as his. If others see it, how will you explain?"

Lu Qingze couldn’t articulate how it might be useful, but his instincts told him to keep it. Noticing the little emperor had rushed out in thin sleepwear, he felt his icy hands and pulled him toward the warm chamber, his tone still light: "Why so furious?"

Ning Juan didn’t know why he was so angry either.

But the thought of Ning Cong coveting Lu Qingze, wanting to take him away—undoubtedly filling his mind with filthy fantasies—made his blood boil uncontrollably.

The chamber was now lit, much brighter. Lu Qingze tucked Ning Juan into the bed, only for the latter to shudder: "Why is your bedding so cold?"

Lu Qingze inwardly sighed. He climbed in as well: "Bear with it. Poor constitution—can’t be helped."

The cool scent of plum blossoms and a faint medicinal bitterness enveloped them. Ning Juan shifted uncomfortably, edging away.

Lu Qingze paid no mind, unfurling the silk strip to see what nonsense Ning Cong had written.

As expected, it was nonsense.

"Upon seeing your jade-like skin today, I gift you this mutton-fat jade, a perfect match. If granted the chance to admire and play with it, I’d die without regret."

Lu Qingze’s brows rose at the greasiness. He remarked dryly, "It seems he’ll take that regret to his grave."

Hearing this, Ning Juan’s simmering rage eased slightly.

Perhaps influenced, he found himself staring at Lu Qingze’s hands.

They were indeed beautiful.

Each finger was like bamboo shoots—slender, pale as jade, with faint blue veins visible beneath the skin, rivaling the mutton-fat jade in elegance.

Mesmerized, he watched as those slender fingers held the silk strip to the candle flame. The fire licked up, the motion unhurried and graceful.

Realizing what he was doing, Ning Juan’s expression darkened abruptly.

How come he's also paying attention to Lu Qingze like Ning Cong? Was he infected or something?

The little emperor suddenly struggled a bit, hastily jumping out of the barely warmed-up bedding and silently leaving the warm pavilion without a word.

Lu Qingze raised his eyes in confusion, reluctant to leave the warmth of the blankets, and didn’t follow. He flicked his fingers, puzzled, and lay back down.

What’s up with this little ancestor now?

Author’s Note:

Lu Qingze: So cute, I want one of my own.

The grown-up little emperor (glancing at Teacher Lu’s belly): Sure.

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CONTINUE