He stumbled to stand behind Bai Huan, supporting himself on the cell door.
“He is my only student in construction. His hands are still needed to build the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Since you’re so determined, believing you can bring down the eunuch faction this time, then try it with my life.”
“Zhang Zhanchun…”
“Lord Bai, hear me out. I’m seventy-two this year, not long for this world anyway. These past two years living in hiding haven’t meant much – might as well give my life for your attempt. I have only one condition…”
He looked at Deng Ying, “Let him return.”
“Teacher, you cannot!”
Deng Ying turned to Bai Huan and fell to his knees, “Lord Bai, you cannot!”
Zhang Zhanchun commanded, “Yang Lun, help him up!”
“Yes…”
Yang Lun hurried to grab Deng Ying’s arm, “Stand up first.”
Ignoring Yang Lun, Deng Ying seized Bai Huan’s sleeve, “Lord Bai, it won’t work! If the Directorate of Ceremonial wants to cover this up, they’ll surely plot Teacher’s death. I left home young, raised, and educated by you and your Teacher. I view you both as fathers, even more than my birth father. Since you won’t acknowledge me as your wayward student, I only have a Teacher left. My lord, please don’t listen to Teacher… please don’t…”
“Fu Lin, stand up and stop begging him. Let him try!”
He fixed his gaze on Bai Huan, “Bai Zhongzhi, if you don’t try this once, you’ll never know what kind of heart your discarded student has offered you.”
“No, Teacher, you cannot…”
“Enough, say no more.”
Zhang Zhanchun lowered his hand from the wall and slowly approached Deng Ying, taking his arm.
“Stand up.”
Not daring to let him exert himself, Deng Ying quickly stood and supported Zhang Zhanchun.
Zhang Zhanchun smiled at him kindly, his voice gentler now.
“Fu Lin, at this point, let it be. With Zhang Luo in court today, His Majesty and the Directorate of Ceremonial likely already know. Return with peace of mind and complete the Hall of Supreme Harmony.”
“No, I want to stay with Teacher.”
“Don’t say such things.”
“Teacher, I beg you not to send me away…”
“Fu Lin.”
Zhang Zhanchun called to him, his voice slightly hoarse.
“I’ve spent my life building palaces, yet never saw them completed. For me, this regret outweighs all others. If you truly respect me, then go back and properly finish what needs to be done.”
Deng Ying’s throat burned.
“Even Teacher… doesn’t want me anymore…”
“Nonsense. You are my best student. Remember, don’t forget who you are. Even in your current situation, you can still do what you’ve always wanted to do. Deng Ying, respect yourself and live well. In this world, besides your teacher, there are others worth protecting.”
Deng Ying didn’t know how to respond to these words and could only nod desperately through his tears.
Zhang Zhanchun smiled slightly, “I know I’ve said too much, but you’ve always understood. Just consider it your teacher’s rambling in his old age. Let it pass after hearing it.”
Deng Ying didn’t respond, only shook his head.
Bai Huan turned to Yang Lun, “Take Deng Ying out. I have some words to say in private.”
“Yes.”
Though Deng Ying was unwilling, Yang Lun gave him no choice. He directly ordered the jailer to come in and escort Deng Ying out, following them himself to wait outside the cell.
After they left, Bai Huan removed his crimson silk robe, folded it on the ground, and sat cross-legged against the wall.
“Do you think I wronged Deng Ying?”
The cell walls, having held many people recently, were covered in condensation.
Zhang Zhanchun wiped away a patch and shook his head, “No. You’re in the Cabinet – you also have circumstances beyond your control. Not like me, old and mad. It’s good that I abandoned my position in the Ministry of Works back then and became this old wanderer. Otherwise, today I would be one of those forcing him, rather than saving him.”
Bai Huan found these words quite profound and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Zhongzhi.”
“Speak.”
Zhang Zhanchun showed a gentle smile.
“I hear Yang Lun’s sister is quite fond of Deng Ying.”
“Heh… why are you asking about this now?”
Zhang Zhanchun sat down beside Bai Huan, supporting himself against the wall, “I know you wouldn’t ask about it. Here.”
He took out a jade pendant carved with lotus flowers from his robes and placed it in Bai Huan’s hand.
“The Yang family values jade. The Deng family used to have many fine pieces, but after Deng Yi’s death, all their possessions were confiscated. This is from my private collection. I hear the young lady’s name is Wan, with the pet name ‘Jade Lotus’ – I think this suits her well. Find someone to give this to Deng Ying for me. It’s up to him then. That child is secretly stubborn – even if the young lady is willing, he might not dare accept her heart.”