Yang Wan often thought about Yang Xing’s words about “carrying regrets.”
In these four years of the Ming Dynasty, did she have regrets?
If it were in the 21st century, she would have quite a few regrets.
For instance, she hadn’t seen “The Biography of Deng Ying” published and didn’t know if the final cover design would look good, how the sales would be, and whether it could become her representative work. Would her mother cry after reading it? Would her father fall silent? Would her brother realize that being an IT elite wasn’t suitable for her?
These regrets were left in modern times but seemed to have followed her back to the Ming Dynasty.
Because of her research subject’s sacrifice for her, the researcher, heaven seemed to permit Yang Wan to complete that “old dream” again.
She was the author of “The Biography of Deng Ying,” and also the publisher of this present notebook.
In the Ming Dynasty, during China’s ancient printing golden age, in the capital where official, regional, and private printing houses all flourished, she once again personally compiled the account of Deng Ying’s life.
Mid-autumn of the first year of Jinghe, Yang Wan handed the completed transcribed notebook to Song Yunqing.
Song Yunqing took it, helping Yang Wan lean back on the bed, “You should rest for a few days, you’re sick beyond recognition.”
Yang Wan coughed several times, raising her hand to point at her manuscript, “Take it, have the craftsmen engrave the printing blocks.”
Song Yunqing asked: “What should we name it?”
Hearing this question, Yang Wan closed her eyes and leaned against the headboard, recalling the titles of Ming Dynasty books she had seen.
“Complete Record of State Ministers,” “Great Tales of Military Officials,” “Record of Officials’ Warnings,” “Collection of Great Ritual Discussions,” “Record of Examination Success,” “Record of Metropolitan Examinations” … Like “The Biography of Deng Ying,” she wrote years ago, clear and straightforward like reference books. However, this notebook didn’t deserve the words “biography” or “record.”
It had no layered logical structure, instead recording bits and pieces of a person’s daily life and medical treatment.
In this era, what could it be called?
Yang Wan opened her eyes, looked at the manuscript, and suddenly said softly: “Observational Notes from the Eastern Depot.”
“Observational Notes from the Eastern Depot.”
When Yang Lun saw this book at his residence, it was his birthday.
He wasn’t in the mood originally, but this was his first birthday after becoming Deputy Chief Grand Secretary. Even though he hadn’t arranged a feast at home and had declined congratulatory gifts from various places, several officials from the Ministry of Revenue’s departments and Censors from the Bureau of Revenue still came to his door.
Being an official at court meant maintaining face, so Yang Lun had no choice but to return from his ministry, have Xiao Wen set up two tables in the flower hall, and invite Qi Huaiyang to keep them company as he entertained them with wine.
The wind outside the hall was somewhat cold.
Xiao Wen had warmed the wine, making it quick to spread warmth once drunk.
Yang Lun sullenly drank several cups but felt no trace of intoxication.
He had no heart to deal with these people and hoped Qi Huaiyang would come quickly, yet Qi Huaiyang wouldn’t arrive. Yang Lun sent people to invite him repeatedly, finally managing to wait for him after three rounds of drinks.
A servant held an umbrella escorting Qi Huaiyang into the flower hall. Seeing him enter, everyone hurriedly put down their wine cups to greet him. Qi Huaiyang raised his hand indicating them to be at ease, then turned to pull Yang Lun aside: “I must leave immediately.”
Yang Lun said: “I called you here to drink and keep you company. I have no mood to entertain today, what reason do you have to leave?”
Qi Huaiyang turned and had someone present an oilcloth package, “Look at this first.”
Yang Lun opened the oilcloth, glanced once, and froze.
Qi Huaiyang said: “I originally couldn’t come, but I thought since she’s your sister, I had to inform you first no matter what.”
Yang Lun became agitated, picking up the papers and rapidly flipping through several pages, almost tearing the corners.
“What exactly did she write!”
Qi Huaiyang pressed down Yang Lun’s hand, “Can’t you guess?”
Yang Lun paused.
Indeed, how could he not guess?
Qi Huaiyang said: “The Five Cities Military Command has already been mobilized. At the Censorate, we don’t know if the Chief Censor will enter the palace. You’re not on duty today, I must return to the Grand Secretariat duty room, otherwise, the Censorate will surely make this into a big issue.”
Yang Lun asked: “Have the Military Command’s men gone to Qingbo Pavilion?”
“Yes.”
Qi Huaiyang nodded, trying to keep his voice level, “Lord Yang, stay calm first. Today is your birthday, people from the Bureaus and Ministries are all here. The wine here can’t stop, you can’t leave, and you especially can’t go help her. I’ll try to mediate first…”
Yang Lun interrupted: “Once the Military Command takes her away, what room will you and I have to mediate!”
Silenced by his shout, Qi Huaiyang fell quiet.
Xiao Wen walked out from the flower hall and said to Yang Lun: “How did you end up arguing with the Minister?”
Qi Huaiyang hurriedly said: “Don’t blame him, Madam, we just got heated in conversation.”
Xiao Wen said: “The guests inside are all asking, don’t stay outside…”
“Women should not speak of such matters.”
Startled by his rebuke, Xiao Wen fell silent.
“Have them disperse!”
Yang Lun shouted, then moved to leave. Qi Huaiyang hurriedly followed, saying: “I said I would mediate, just wait for my news first. Going there rashly like this will only give those people at the Censorate something to use against you…”
Yang Lun turned back and shouted: “Qi Huaiyang, that’s my sister!”
Just as he finished speaking, he collided with a servant rushing in.