Bai Yuyang, being Zhang Zhanchun’s junior, dared not act recklessly. However, as the Minister of Justice, he could not remain idle either. Caught in this dilemma, he unconsciously lifted his teacup.
Seeing this, Qi Huaiyang mediated, “Minister, since we have the actual accounts, we should examine them together before further discussion.”
Bai Yuyang, still holding his teacup, swept the documents on his desk aside and massaged his temples before responding to Qi Huaiyang, “First, detain both of them. We’ll continue the trial later.”
Yang Lun, upon hearing these words, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Zhanchun closed his eyes. Already afflicted with serious illness, he had endured the bumpy journey to the capital purely through willpower. Now, as his strength faded, he felt a crushing tightness in his chest. His vision darkened, and he swayed backward, nearly collapsing.
Deng Ying quickly stood up to support Zhang Zhanchun, addressing Bai Yuyang, “Lord Bai, please allow me to care for my teacher.”
Bai Yuyang rose and waved his hand, “Keep them detained together.”
The Ministry of Justice’s prison was bitterly cold. At the end of the eleventh year of Zhenning, the Emperor had granted a general amnesty in honor of the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. Thus, there weren’t many prisoners, and most of those remaining were already sentenced to autumn execution, living without hope, their spirits subdued.
To allow Deng Ying to care for Zhang Zhanchun, Bai Yuyang didn’t have him shackled. Even so, the damp cold of the prison caused his foot injury to ache severely.
“That was injured here last year, wasn’t it?” Zhang Zhanchun asked softly, seeing him turn away and examining his ankle.
“I’m fine,” Deng Ying denied, and Zhang Zhanchun didn’t pursue the matter further.
He tilted his head back, looking at the moss-spotted beams above, speaking wistfully, “After hearing about Deng Yi’s matter in my hometown, I thought I’d never see you again in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, I can still look upon you while I live.”
Deng Ying turned and knelt before him, “Teacher… you shouldn’t have come back to the capital.”
Zhang Zhanchun gave a coughing laugh, “Why kneel? You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Deng Ying bowed his head, “I’ve caused you to suffer, Teacher. I am truly ashamed.”
As he spoke, he bowed deeply and refused to rise.
Zhang Zhanchun shook his head at him, “Fu Lin, I led you down this path. You and Yang Lun passed the imperial examinations the same year. In your youth, you were brilliant – your talents and understanding of politics and economics were no less than Yang Lun’s. I valued your potential, and though I knew Bai Huan also favored you, I still brought you to work on construction projects. Ten years passed in a flash. I knew there was much corruption and filth involved, yet I forced you to endure it with me. Until now, you’ve done excellently, never disappointing me.”
“Teacher, please don’t speak this way. I am filled with remorse.”
Zhang Zhanchun coughed several times, “You call me a teacher – how could I not protect you? As long as I draw breath, no one can insult my student. Not even Bai Zhongzhi.”
“Teacher, Fu Lin no longer cares about insults.”
“You must not think that way.”
Deng Ying raised his head, “Teacher, I beg you to change your testimony tomorrow. Those actual accounts were written when I was young and foolish – they have nothing to do with you. Though the Cabinet may torture me, as long as I don’t confess, they won’t execute me. After all, the Hall of Supreme Harmony isn’t finished yet, I—”
Zhang Zhanchun straightened his back and raised his voice, “Say no more!”
He broke into a fit of coughing. Deng Ying tried to help ease his breathing but was forcefully pushed away.
“You must understand – your body and skin were given by your parents. No matter your status, you must not disregard your worth. Even if you’re wrongly humiliated, you cannot think it’s deserved because of your humble position. Deng Fu Lin, no matter what lies ahead, that isn’t what’s frightening. What’s truly terrifying is forgetting who you are – that would be truly beyond salvation!”
“Yes…”
Zhang Zhanchun broke into another bout of heart-wrenching coughs.
Hearing this, Deng Ying’s throat tightened with pain. He quickly kowtowed, “I was wrong, I was wrong. Please punish me, Teacher, but I beg you not to be angry.”
Zhang Zhanchun clutched his chest and shook his head, “Stand up, stop kneeling. I’m not angry, I’m heartbroken…”
As he spoke, his eyes grew moist, “The reconstruction of the Three Great Halls – most of it is your life’s work. You are a pure-hearted young man, yet because of these Cabinet officials’ political games, you’ve suffered far too much-undeserved hardship.”
Deng Ying looked up, “Even so, I cannot let you be implicated. Teacher, no matter how you scold me, I cannot let you take responsibility for this matter. Once you admit to it, the Directorate of Ceremonial…”
He dared not continue.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the prison cell.
Yang Lun personally carried a lantern to the cell door.
Deng Ying turned around and saw someone wearing a crimson silk robe standing behind Yang Lun.
Zhang Zhanchun looked up at the cell door and chuckled, “You’ve come?”
“Yes, I’ve come.”
The man stepped into the lamplight, “Open the door. This Minister needs to ask some questions.”
Deng Ying recognized Bai Huan’s features and was about to stand when Zhang Zhanchun said, “Don’t bow. First, ask what he’s here for today.”
Bai Huan entered the cell, “Today I’m here to see an old friend. You juniors need not stand on ceremony.”
He finished speaking and looked down at Zhang Zhanchun, “Throughout history, few palace builders have met good ends. Since you’d retired to your hometown, why did you return?”
“Hmph.”
Zhang Zhanchun raised his head, “If I hadn’t returned, you would have torn him to pieces today. Stripping him for torture? Bai Zhongzhi, have you gone senile? Have you forgotten he’s both your student and mine?”
Bai Huan glanced at Deng Ying, “My students are all young men who govern the nation. You’re also reaching your twilight years – you shouldn’t demean yourself with this person.”
“Pedant!”
Bai Huan wasn’t angered, merely sighed, “This Minister had no intention of using the stripping torture on him. Today’s events resulted from the Northern Magistrate’s involvement. If he had abandoned his obsession earlier, things wouldn’t have come to this.”
Zhang Zhanchun demanded, “Did he choose this path? You forced him to this point, and still blame him? What logic is this?”
Bai Huan turned away, his sleeves swishing, and spoke gravely, “You have your views, this Minister has his position. Since you’ve chosen life outside the court, you shouldn’t meddle in palace affairs – nor can you.”
“Very well.”
Zhang Zhanchun struggled to stand, supporting himself against the wall. When Deng Ying tried to help, he was waved away.