This was the first time Yang Wan watched Yi Lang walking alone in front of her.
Once young boys start growing taller, they shoot up like bamboo shoots after rain.
Having been constantly by his side, Yang Wan hadn’t noticed it much, but thinking back to when she first entered the palace when he was still a child clutching her thigh and clamoring to see paper dolls—now his frame had grown lean, his shoulders and back straightened. This sudden growth, manifesting both physically and mentally, was truly astounding.
“Aunt.”
“Yes?”
“Did you hurt yourself when you knelt earlier?”
He looked at Yang Wan’s knees and told the nearby eunuch: “Help her walk.”
Then he stepped back to walk alongside Yang Wan.
Looking at Yi Lang’s rain-soaked shoulders, Yang Wan felt melancholy.
If he weren’t a prince, or rather if he weren’t the future Emperor Jinghe, he would be a likable child.
Precocious, independent, carrying responsibility beyond his years, disdaining to be sheltered under women’s care.
But precisely because of this, he would never have that mercy Yang Wan hoped for.
“Are you going to report to His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
Yi Lang raised his head to look at Yang Wan, “The Northern Command took away my tutor and bullied my aunt. If there’s a proper reason for this, I’ll say nothing, but if the reason isn’t justified, I must petition Father Emperor to punish Deputy Commander Zhang.”
Yang Wan lowered her head, “Why help Aunt? Doesn’t Your Highness think Aunt has done many wrong things?”
Yi Lang paused mid-step, and everyone stopped with him.
Rain pattered loudly on the umbrella, water flowing everywhere like autumn tides.
Yi Lang raised his head to look into Yang Wan’s eyes, “Aunt, you did do wrong things, but I don’t want to see you too sad, so I won’t openly rebuke Deng Ying. But aunt, I can only be this way with you alone.”
“I understand.”
Yang Wan didn’t want him to continue, lowered her head and smiled: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
In front of Yangxin Palace, today’s court memorials had just been delivered.
The rain was heavy, and the eunuchs coming from the Cabinet, trying to protect the memorials and documents, were all thoroughly bedraggled.
Hu Xiang fingered his sandalwood beads, standing beside Deng Ying, coldly said: “They all deserve death today—not only late, but they’ve gotten His Majesty’s documents wet.”
The memorial-delivering eunuchs dared not make a commotion seeking mercy outside Yangxin Palace. Hearing these words, they could only kneel and kowtow to Hu Xiang.
One or two who were particularly frightened, knowing Hu Xiang wasn’t one to show mercy, turned to kneel before Deng Ying instead.
Deng Ying held up a candle, lifted the oilcloth covering the memorials and documents, flipped through several pages, and said: “All of you rise first.”
Then he walked toward the inner palace.
Hu Xiang called out behind him: “Deng Ying, these people must be beaten today, I’ve said so.”
Deng Ying stopped in his tracks, “Does the Ceremonial Office handle the punishment, or does the Eastern Depot?”
The kneeling eunuchs, hearing these words, hurriedly said: “We beg the Director for mercy.”
Deng Ying looked down and said: “Then you may go.”
“Yes…”
None dared look at Hu Xiang as they hastily retreated down the terrace.
Watching their pathetic retreating figures, Hu Xiang suddenly said: “You’re now the second ancestor of the Ceremonial Office.”
Deng Ying paused a step but didn’t respond to this comment.
He rolled up his sleeves to wash his hands at the door, then personally carried the presentation tray into the hall.
Inside, He Yixian was attending to Emperor Zhenning’s writing implements. In late autumn, the ink congealed thickly, making writing difficult. Behind the imperial desk was a small stove warming the inkstone. Deng Ying bowed before the imperial desk, but Emperor Zhenning didn’t look up, “Wait until I finish this character.”
He Yixian said from the side: “Master, you’ve been writing all morning, perhaps you should rest and have some refreshments.”
Emperor Zhenning lifted his brush, “What was that commotion outside just now?”
Deng Ying responded: “Your Majesty, the submitted memorials and documents were caught in the rain. Your servant was discussing punishment with Secretary Hu.”
“Oh.”
Emperor Zhenning looked outside, “Is it raining?”
He Yixian took the memorials from the presentation tray in Deng Ying’s hands and carefully placed them beside the emperor, “Early this morning, the sky was already dark, the wind was cold, and now with the rain, it’s even colder.”
Emperor Zhenning gestured for Deng Ying to open the memorial volume, glanced at it, and casually said: “They’re hardly that wet, why discuss punishment?”
Deng Ying bowed deeply, “Your Majesty is merciful, your servant is ashamed.”
Emperor Zhenning pulled out the court documents, “Enough, let them be punished if they must. These days my spirits are low, I can’t attend to such matters.”
He Yixian said from the side: “Master must take care of his health. Whenever the master can attend to even one matter, we servants feel blessed. Master has a Buddha’s heart; we all live by master’s mercy.”
Hearing these words, Emperor Zhenning couldn’t help but laugh.
“Old Companion always flatters me so, this isn’t good.”