“I’ve never heard of the Northern Command using light torture.”
Deng Ying said, “Zhang Luo told me that a few days ago, a secret imperial order came from the palace forbidding torture. So only the first day or two were truly difficult. These past few days, they’ve been letting me recover. Most wounds have mostly healed.”
Only then did Yang Lun withdraw his gaze, “I’m surprised Zhang Luo would tell you such things.”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “Indeed, it’s rare.”
Yang Lun sneered, “Must have taken the wrong medicine.”
Deng Ying asked, “By the way, today is the first day of the spring examinations, isn’t it?”
Yang Lun nodded, “Yes. Those people you and Wan’er protected all entered yesterday. Wan’er was worried and made me go check on them.”
Deng Ying stared at the water bowl on the table, “How did she manage to save them?”
“She took them to Qingbo House and had your Eastern Depot people seal it off. She forcefully bought an extra day that way.”
“And then?”
“Then she had the Crown Prince take responsibility for those people.”
Deng Ying paused briefly, then nodded.
Yang Lun said, “Honestly, I can’t help but admire her.”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “Apart from my status, I’m not worthy of her in any way. Zixi…”
He looked up, “That oath I made to you before in the Ministry of Justice – I still remember it. If I’m sentenced to death this time, consider it my fulfillment of that oath. Don’t help me.”
Yang Lun grabbed Deng Ying’s hand, “You think my sister could ever smile again if you died? Deng Fuling, when you get out, I need to find a day with Yang Wan to properly scold you.”
“Let go…”
Only then did Yang Lun realize he had grabbed a wounded area, and quickly released his grip.
Deng Ying pressed his wrist, lowering his head to say, “This time I cannot save myself. I can only wait for imperial clemency. Though His Majesty has no desire to execute me, he also has no reason to pardon me.”
Yang Lun looked at him and said, “Wan’er asks you to wait. If you trust her, just stay alive and wait.”
“Until autumn?”
Yang Lun started, “How do you know about that too?”
Before Deng Ying could answer, the guard outside called, “Assistant Minister, the officials are taking their seats in front. We need to escort the prisoner to the hall.”
Deng Ying stood up, “You go first. Don’t show grief in the hall. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Yang Lun responded with “I know” and swept out of the side room.
The main hall doors were closed.
Besides Bai Yuyang, Zhang Luo, and the other investigating officials, only one clerk from the Ministry of Revenue remained in the hall to keep records.
As the light was poor after closing the doors, Zhang Luo ordered four candles to be lit.
Bai Yuyang said, “Before bringing in Deng Ying, I have something to say to you, gentlemen. Regardless of what we discover today, we cannot submit private memorials about it. After the interrogation of Deng Ying is complete, I will write the memorial, and after your review, we will jointly sign it.”
Zhang Luo remained silent, and Yang Lun refused to speak. Only Qi Huaiyang, seeing his minister’s awkward position, clasped his hands and responded “Yes.”
Seeing this, Bai Yuyang said no more, turning to Zhang Luo to say, “Bring him in.”
Zhang Luo raised his hand slightly, and the guards brought Deng Ying from the rear hall, forcing him to kneel in the center. The candlelight flickered gently across his downturned face. Though bound, he still maintained proper etiquette.
Bai Yuyang looked at the interrogation outline, then raised his head to ask directly, “How were the two school fields at Chu Mountain and Lake Dan privately occupied under a public name?”
Deng Ying straightened his back, “I did not alter the land deeds. I only privately diverted the grain produced from the fields and sold it privately in Hangzhou.”
“Privately selling official grain?”
“Yes.”
Bai Yuyang set down the outline and continued questioning, “When did this begin?”
Deng Ying raised his head and replied, “From the beginning of the thirteenth year of Zhenning.”
Bai Yuyang said, “Over a year then. How much silver was taken?”
Deng Ying replied, “I didn’t keep count. Most was squandered.”
“Squandered? I hear you’ve always lived frugally. The private sale of official grain is punishable by death. Was it truly you who squandered it, or are you covering for someone? Think carefully before answering.”
Deng Ying said, “Minister Bai, please conclude this case quickly. No matter how many times you question me, my answer will remain the same.”
Bai Yuyang picked up the confession on the desk and asked Zhang Luo, “When you obtained this confession, did you torture him?”
Zhang Luo glanced up and said coldly, “Initially yes, but after the prisoner confessed his crimes, there was no reason to continue the torture. Minister Bai, today you are borrowing the Imperial Guards’ premises to question the prisoner. I won’t comment on other matters, but His Majesty said to treat him as a criminal slave. Since he has confessed, judge him according to the law. After you finish questioning him, my office has other cases to investigate. The Ministry of Justice cannot occupy the Imperial Guards’ main hall indefinitely.”
Bai Yuyang’s ears reddened.
“What do you mean by that, Commander Zhang?”
Zhang Luo said, “My meaning is simple. His Majesty hopes to conclude this case quickly. You’ve asked what needed to be asked, now the Ministry of Justice should determine the sentence. During deliberations, Deng Ying will remain in the imperial prison. Once the sentence is decided, you can come collect him.”
“You…”
Bai Yuyang’s hands trembled slightly. Qi Huaiyang quickly said, “Minister, let’s question the details.”
Yang Lun said, “I don’t think there’s anything more to ask.”
He shook open the confession in his hand, “I’ve read the confession Deputy Commander Zhang obtained from Deng Ying. It doesn’t differ much from our interrogation outline. He’s answered what needed answering. At least the Ministry of Revenue now understands the irregularities with the two fields at Chu and Lake. We can immediately remeasure and register them, returning them to the academies to support education.”
He finished speaking and looked at Deng Ying.
“Deng Ying.”
Deng Ying raised his head at the call.
“Present.”
“Do you feel remorse?”
Deng Ying gave him a faint smile, then bowed and replied, “I do.”
“That’s sufficient.”