Raising Wolves CHAPTER 12

 

 Raising wolves  

 Chapter 12

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

   Chapter 12

The next morning, when Lu Qingze woke up, Ning Juan was in the outer chamber speaking softly with Changshun.

He wanted to get up, but his injured shoulder made it difficult to rise without aggravating the wound. His throat was unbearably dry, so he waited patiently for the conversation outside to end before calling out hoarsely, "Could someone bring me some water?"

There was a rustling outside, and then the little emperor came running in. Without letting Changshun lift a finger, he personally brought a cup of water to Lu Qingze’s lips. "How is Teacher feeling today?"

"Much better." Lu Qingze took a few sips, soothing his parched throat. He glanced up and asked, "What were you discussing out there?"

Ning Juan smiled. "Changshun found a few masks. I was choosing which one would suit Teacher best."

Masks? Since when do they need to "suit" someone?

Lu Qingze hummed. "Bring them in so I can see?"

Ning Juan clapped his hands, and Changshun entered, holding several masks. The first was an extravagantly ornate silver mask with delicate, feather-like silver filigree along the edges—exquisite and luxurious.

Ning Juan’s eyes sparkled. "I think this one would suit Teacher perfectly."

Changshun also grinned ingratiatingly. "His Majesty is absolutely right. With Lord Lu’s transcendent grace, nothing could be more fitting."

"..."

Lu Qingze was speechless.

This is way too flashy—how is it suitable for him? He’s not a peacock, flaunting such a flamboyant mask all day.

Ning Guoguo, your aesthetic sense is truly concerning.

With a deadpan expression, Lu Qingze pointed to a plain silver mask nearby: "You chose well, but don’t choose next time. This one will do."

"...Fine, as Teacher wishes."

Ning Juan reluctantly nodded, setting aside the gaudy mask and picking up the one Lu Qingze had indicated. He carefully helped him try it on.

The silver mask was cool to the touch, fitting snugly over the upper half of his face, leaving only his lips and jaw exposed. It didn’t hinder speaking or drinking, nor was it inconvenient in any way.

But precisely because of this, Ning Juan’s gaze involuntarily lingered on Lu Qingze’s lips.

Due to blood loss, they had yet to regain their color—those beautifully shaped lips remained pale, like soft but withered flower petals.

A pang of heartache struck Ning Juan.

Teacher’s body is so frail. I must protect him.

"Wei Helong is coming," Ning Juan said softly as he carefully helped Lu Qingze sit up, standing on tiptoe to drape a lightweight robe over his shoulders. "He mentioned wanting to visit you while he’s here. Should I refuse on your behalf?"

Lu Qingze thought for a moment and shook his head. "No need. Let’s meet him together."

The more wretched he appeared, the more at ease Wei Helong would feel.

Half-paralyzed, Lu Qingze allowed himself to be cleaned up, and before long, Wei Helong arrived.

With two feudal princes in the capital—the Prince of Jing, though weak, was cunning, while the Prince of Shu had strong maternal family backing—Wei Helong’s attention had mostly been on them lately, paying little heed to Lu Qingze and Ning Juan.

The room reeked of medicine. Wei Helong swept a glance over Lu Qingze.

It hadn’t been long since their last meeting, but Lu Qingze seemed to have wasted away to skin and bones, his frail body barely clinging to life. After surviving an assassination attempt, he now wore a mask and lay weakly on his side, looking utterly drained.

The once-celebrated young top scholar… what a pity.

A few cold thoughts flitted through Wei Helong’s mind before he gave Ning Juan a perfunctory bow. "This humble official greets Your Majesty."

His tone carried undisguised arrogance and contempt for the young emperor.

Ning Juan, seated at the head of the bed, appeared oblivious to Wei Helong’s disrespect and smiled. "Grand Tutor Wei has been laboring over state affairs for Us and even took the trouble to come here in person. You’ve worked hard."

"Assisting Your Majesty is this official’s duty." Wei Helong turned to Lu Qingze. "Is Lord Lu’s injury serious?"

Lu Qingze’s voice was weak. "Thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor. This official will recover after some rest."

He then turned his head and coughed heavily, as if his entire body were trembling from the effort, the sound so distressing it made listeners frown with worry.

Wei Helong gave him another glance before looking away. "This official came to report to Your Majesty that apart from the jade pendant found on the assassin by the Imperial Guards, there is no other evidence linking the Prince of Shu to the plot. With the prince imprisoned, unrest has arisen in various regions. To appease the feudal princes, we cannot detain him any longer. What does Your Majesty think about releasing the Prince of Shu in three days?"

"Grand Tutor is right. We shall follow your suggestion."

Ning Juan lowered his eyes obediently, playing the part of Wei Helong’s puppet, but his gaze darkened.

The Minister of Justice was Wei Helong’s man—in other words, the Ministry of Justice was Wei Helong’s territory. Ning Juan couldn’t intervene to ensure Ning Cong suffered enough during his imprisonment.

In three days, Ning Cong wouldn’t just walk out of the Ministry of Justice; he’d also leave the capital.

But letting Ning Cong off without paying a steep price was unbearable.

A few days in prison—that’s all?

Lu Qingze had taken a knife for him. Ning Juan could still remember the scent of plum blossoms tainted with blood.

The mere thought made him wish he could skin Ning Cong alive.

The duo of Lu Qingze (frail and injured) and Ning Juan (young and powerless) was utterly convincing, leaving Wei Helong with little to probe.

Once Wei Helong left, the young emperor’s submissive expression vanished entirely, replaced by a cold glare as he plotted to make Ning Cong’s life miserable.

"Guoguo?" Lu Qingze poked the little emperor’s puffed-up cheek, assuming he was upset about playing the meekling in front of Wei Helong. "What’s on your mind?"

Being called by his childhood name suddenly, Ning Juan felt a bit embarrassed—but he also loved it when Lu Qingze addressed him this way. The shadows in his eyes dispersed, replaced by a sweet, childlike smile. "I was wondering if Teacher would like some steamed milk pudding."

Lu Qingze’s heart softened.

The little emperor was usually so stern, but when he smiled, it was utterly endearing, like a fluffy cotton candy.

Before, he’d been all thorns, secretly watching over Lu Qingze but hiding any kindness behind indifference. Now, he openly doted on him, acting spoiled like a puppy begging for affection.

It seems my efforts to guide him are paying off.

After lunch, Ning Juan wanted Lu Qingze to rest, but Lu Qingze waved him off firmly. "I’ve been sleeping for days—I really can’t sleep anymore. Let me check your studies from the past few days."

Ning Juan stood on tiptoe to remove his mask, saw that he indeed seemed energetic enough, and reluctantly agreed.

Aside from the assignments Lu Qingze had given earlier, Ning Juan had also read many extra books.

He read quickly and had a photographic memory, dabbling in all sorts of texts with a somewhat superficial understanding. When he truly couldn’t grasp something, he’d mark it and wait for Lu Qingze to explain. In just a few days, he’d piled up a tall stack of books.

"Teacher, what does this line mean—‘I must not dwell on my own merits but must reflect on my faults; I must not forget others’ kindness but must forget their grievances’?"

Lu Qingze skimmed the passage. "I suppose the part you don’t understand is the last bit. The book is saying that others’ wrongs against you need not be dwelled upon—they must be forgotten."

Ning Juan frowned unhappily. "Exactly."

Instead of explaining directly, Lu Qingze asked, "What do you think, Guoguo?"

Ning Juan pressed his lips together. "I think it’s nonsense. Why should I swallow grievances when others wrong me?"

Anyone who dares offend me will pay—if not today, then someday.

"Guoguo, you are the sovereign," Lu Qingze set the book down. "As the ruler of the realm, you’ll encounter all sorts of people in the future. If you hold onto grudges, harmony between ruler and subject will be difficult. I’m not telling you to endure everything, but there are times when it’s wise to play the fool."

A child’s world is especially black-and-white, with no tolerance for gray.

Ning Juan still wasn’t pleased, but for Lu Qingze’s sake, he mumbled a half-hearted agreement.

Lu Qingze tapped his forehead lightly, and the little emperor nuzzled against his finger like a kitten, bringing a smile to his eyes.

Revenge and rulership are incompatible. Guoguo will understand when he’s older.

After explaining a few more books, Lu Qingze’s fatigue became increasingly hard to conceal. Ning Juan sternly snatched the book away. "Teacher should rest now."

Lu Qingze was indeed exhausted. As he stood, he glanced at Ning Juan and suddenly noticed something surprising. He pulled the boy closer and measured him. "Guoguo, have you grown taller?"

Last month, the child had been a scrawny little thing. Now, not only had he gained some baby fat, but he’d also shot up in height. Being together all the time, Lu Qingze hadn’t noticed.

The little emperor looked up at Lu Qingze’s beautiful face, momentarily dazed, then puffed out his small chest proudly. "One day, I’ll be taller than Teacher and shield you from wind and rain."

Lu Qingze chuckled softly. "Good. Then I’ll await Your Majesty’s benevolence."

After tucking Lu Qingze back into bed, Ning Juan’s expression shifted instantly, his smile fading as he ordered Changshun, "Summon Zheng Yao tonight."

His Majesty’s face-changing skills are truly astonishing…

Changshun marveled inwardly and bowed in acknowledgment.

That evening, Zheng Yao slipped into the Qianqing Palace unnoticed.

Not wanting Lu Qingze to discover his mischievous side, Ning Juan hid in a side chamber and relayed his instructions to Zheng Yao.

After listening, Zheng Yao’s expression turned odd. "Your Majesty, this… might tarnish the imperial family’s dignity."

What dignity does the imperial family have left?

Ning Juan sneered inwardly but kept his face neutral. "We command it. You carry it out. Any other questions?"

The young emperor’s aura was overwhelmingly oppressive—exactly what Zheng Yao admired. Setting aside his doubts, he bowed respectfully. "This official obeys."

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Author’s Note:

Young Ning Guoguo: Teacher’s lips are so pale—it hurts my heart! [distressed.gif]

Grown-up Ning Guoguo: Attempts to physically increase the redness of Teacher’s lips.

Today’s Ning Guoguo is a bad fruit sneaking around behind Teacher’s back.

Note: "I must not dwell on my own merits but must reflect on my faults; I must not forget others’ kindness but must forget their grievances." — Caigentan

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