After daybreak, news of Consort Ning’s overnight imprisonment in Jiao Garden spread throughout the Six Palaces.
Noble Consort Jiang entered Yangxin Hall at the morning watch but was scolded and dismissed within the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Later, the Empress sent someone to ask Emperor Zhennin if Yi Lang should be temporarily moved to the Central Palace. When this news reached Chengqian Palace, all the palace servants were terrified.
Official histories didn’t record who raised Yi Lang after Consort Ning, though unofficial histories had several versions. Since the exact time when Consort Ning fell from the emperor’s favor was unknown, the duration others spent raising Yi Lang was also unclear. One account claimed that after Yi Lang began his formal studies, the emperor personally raised him. Another version stated that from Zhennin’s thirteenth year onward, the Empress raised him.
Neither account had much historical evidence to support it, nor much research value.
But for Yang Wan, this matter concerned the life and death of both Consort Ning and Yang Lun.
After hearing about the Empress wanting to take him to the Central Palace, though Yi Lang said nothing, he sat on his bed refusing to take medicine or sleep.
Unable to comfort him, Heyu came out to tell Yang Wan: “If the Empress takes His Highness away, our Consort, even if not dead, will surely die.”
Just as she finished speaking, a eunuch suddenly rushed to report: “Record Keeper Yang, His Majesty summons you to Yangxin Hall for questioning.”
Yang Wan leaned against the screen and responded coldly: “Understood.”
Heyu frowned, “Being summoned to Yangxin Hall at this time – is it misfortune… or fortune?”
Yang Wan straightened up, releasing her arms, “Whether fortune or misfortune, it must end in fortune for me. I’ll go change clothes.”
As she walked out, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask: “Was an Imperial Physician also summoned to Yangxin Hall today?”
“It seems so…”
Heyu recalled: “The Imperial Pharmacy was unsettled early this morning – first for His Majesty, then for us here, and later I heard Noble Consort had an incident too…”
“Good. Heyu, go find me a bamboo strip.”
“Bamboo strip… what kind?”
“Just find one. I don’t know if it will work, but let’s try.”
Yang Wan was brought to Yangxin Hall at dusk.
The night rain had just cleared.
Yang Wan knelt before the imperial desk in the side study. Incense smoke drifted silently past her eyes. The Imperial Physician stood beside Yang Wan, softly urging: “Your Majesty, this medicine is already an hour late.”
The emperor waved his hand, “Leave it. Go check on the Crown Prince at Chengqian Palace and report back to Us.”
“Yes.”
The Imperial Physician handed the medicine bowl to an attendant and retreated from Yang Wan’s side with a bow.
Only then did the emperor raise his head to look at Yang Wan, “How is the Crown Prince’s appetite today?”
Yang Wan replied: “He had a bowl of porridge at noon.”
“How did he eat it?”
“He swallowed slowly but finished it all.”
“Good.”
The emperor lifted his hand slightly, “You may rise.”
Yang Wan performed a grateful bow and stood as told.
The medicine’s scent in the room was somewhat pungent. The emperor himself found it unpleasant and called out: “Hu Xiang, come take this medicine away. We won’t drink it now.”
“Wait.”
The emperor glanced at Yang Wan.
“What do you wish to say?”
Yang Wan bent her knee: “If Your Majesty won’t take the medicine, the Crown Prince also won’t dare take his.”
The emperor was startled, his ears gradually flushing red.
“Is this true?”
“Yes… His Highness once admonished your servant – to only pity my elder sister without thinking of Your Majesty’s pain is truly disloyal.”
As she spoke, she extended her palm toward Emperor Zhennin.
Emperor Zhennin looked down at it, “Yi Lang disciplined you?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think yourself?”
Yang Wan withdrew her hand and lowered her head: “Your servant is foolish – once disciplined, I remember the lesson…”
She raised her hand to wipe away tears as she spoke.
The emperor sighed, “Consort Ning taught this child very well.”
He pointed at the medicine in Hu Xiang’s hands and said to Yang Wan: “Bring the medicine to Us.”
“Yes.”
Emperor Zhennin took the medicine, raised his head to drink it all, set down the bowl, and waved away the attendant offering preserved fruits. He said to Yang Wan: “Your sister, when she was well, told Us that you were very good to Yi Lang, and Yi Lang was willing to be close to you. Now that We have suddenly sent Consort Ning away, Yi Lang is likely unsettled. You need not return to the Department of Palace Affairs – stay in Chengqian Palace to serve the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, your servant thanks Your Majesty for this grace.”
Emperor Zhennin lowered his head and added: “But remember, you are not a consort – you can only serve him and be disciplined by him as today, not raise him.”