Yang Wan showed a bright smile, “After learning to read and write, we don’t have to listen to others tell us what principles to follow; we can choose for ourselves. Even if it’s somewhat tiring this way, we will never demean ourselves in the world. You are such a person, and you hope we become women like you, don’t you?”
She said they would never demean themselves in the world.
This sentence somehow touched Jiang Min’s heart.
She had lived for over forty years, never depending on any man, nor willing to share meals with any powerful eunuch. She had carefully built up the Bureau of Ceremonies, teaching female officials documents and poetry, letting them straighten their backs and not degrade themselves for money and rice. She had always felt that though she didn’t live in luxury, she wasn’t more lowly than the palace consorts. Before, she had never thought about what gave her inner confidence, but now, before Yang Wan, she suddenly understood.
After learning to read and write, choosing one’s path to walk.
Though life may be like a temporary inn, as travelers, how could we not feel free?
“Yes.”
Jiang Min responded solemnly, nodding with a smile to Yang Wan, then asked in a clear voice, “From where comes the verse ‘Old grass spreads across the abandoned pass, parting itself is enough for sorrow’?”
“Tang Dynasty’s Lu Lun, ‘Sending Off Li Duan.'”
“What’s the next line?”
“The path leads beyond cold clouds, people return in evening snow.”
Jiang Min nodded approvingly, “Most wise.”
“It’s because you were willing to teach me.”
Jiang Min shook her head, “Known each other for years, I have nothing to give, only poetry to send you off. I wish the young lady may return in evening snow, with quiet snow on the return path, and smooth journey throughout.”
In the first month of the first year of Jinghe, the new Emperor returned from the funeral procession. The Ministry of Rites proposed changing the reign name, and Yi Lang chose “Jinghe” from among three options: “Changwan,” “Jingyi,” and “Jinghe.” At the same time, he postponed the enthronement ceremony, residing in the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, continuing to wear plain clothes and mourning the Late Emperor.
In the early spring after the reign name change, the snowstorm that had persisted throughout winter in the north finally began to subside.
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yang Wan crouched before the mirror helping Yi Lang change clothes. Yi Lang accidentally touched Yang Wan’s hand; although the charcoal fire in the hall burned warmly, Yang Wan’s hands were cold.
“Aunt.”
“Yes?”
“Go rest.”
Yang Wan looked up, “Let me dress His Majesty one more time.”
Yi Lang didn’t agree, reaching down to help her up from the ground, “Mother Consort refuses to see me, and now you’ve also started speaking less to me.”
As he spoke, he took her hand and walked toward the screen.
“His Majesty’s clothes are only half done…”
“I’m not cold at all.”
As he spoke, he led Yang Wan into the inner chamber. The serving palace maids standing by the screen didn’t dare follow, hesitating at the doorway.
“All of you withdraw.”
“Yes.”
As the footsteps behind the screen faded away, Yi Lang released Yang Wan’s hand and walked to sit behind the writing desk. The leather belt that hadn’t been properly fastened fell to the ground, having been dragged all the way.
Yang Wan was about to crouch down to pick it up when Yi Lang said, “Don’t pick it up. I’ll call someone in to attend to it later.”
Yang Wan stood up and said helplessly to him, “Your Majesty has become increasingly stern with me.”
“Why do you say I’m stern?”
“I…”
“Aunt, you refuse the medicine I bestow, you won’t live in the halls I give you, yet you say I’m stern with you.”
“I…”
“Why do you want to leave the palace!”
He suddenly interrupted Yang Wan, his voice losing control, carrying an obvious sob.
Yang Wan bent her knees to kneel.
“Don’t kneel to me.”
Yang Wan froze, “I thought Your Majesty was going to rebuke me.”
Yi Lang’s eyes were red, and though he was trying hard to control his voice, he couldn’t help but choke up.
“Won’t you stay?”
As he spoke, he reached out to Yang Wan.
Yang Wan hurriedly embraced him, “I had originally planned to tell Your Majesty later.”
Yi Lang buried his head, “Your palace registry has been canceled, I saw it…”
He finished speaking and held Yang Wan’s waist, “Mother Consort won’t see me, and now you’re leaving too. Why are you all leaving me alone?”
Yang Wan held Yi Lang’s head, saying softly, “Because Your Majesty has grown up and no longer needs your aunt and the Consort’s protection. Your aunt has worried too much these past years, and my health isn’t so good anymore, so I just want to go outside the palace to rest quietly.”
Yi Lang sobbed, “What about Mother Consort?”
Yang Wan lowered her head, “Your Majesty, if you were to see the Consort, how would you arrange for her?”
Yi Lang froze, released Yang Wan, and after a while said, “I won’t give her a title.”
“Mm.”
“But I… I will provide for her, and when the Inner Cabinet returns power to me, I will reestablish Mother’s position.”
Yang Wan turned to look out the window.
“A former dynasty’s consort without rank can only live in the Longevity Peace Palace. The Late Emperor imprisoned her for three years; will you continue to imprison her?”
“I won’t imprison Mother, I…”
He couldn’t continue speaking and buried his head on the desk, silent.
Yang Wan knelt and looked up at Yi Lang, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
Yi Lang still didn’t speak.
Yang Wan simply sat down on her knees beside him, watching as the fabric of his pants was wet drop by drop by tears.
The silent crying held back to the extreme, and broke Yang Wan’s heart.
After a long while, he finally raised his head, wiping his tears hard, and looked down at Yang Wan, “Once you leave, I won’t protect you anymore.”
“Alright.”
“Mother Consort too.”
He paused, “Tell her that I won’t imprison her, but in this life, I will never acknowledge her again.”
Yang Wan nodded, sighing as she responded, “Alright…”
Yi Lang pressed his lips together, covering his continuously tearing eyes, and asked, “I want to be a good emperor.”
Yang Wan nodded through her tears.
“Yes. Your Majesty will certainly be a good emperor.”