Then he paused his brush, “Is today a major or minor lecture at Wenhua Palace?”
Deng Ying replied: “Minor lecture, but the topic was set by the Cabinet, so Vice Minister Zhang is present.”
Emperor Zhenning made a sound of acknowledgment and pointed to the fur-lined robe behind him, “Send this robe to Yi Lang, tell him no need to thank me.”
“Yes.”
He Yixian personally smoothed out the robe and handed it to a eunuch, then walked back to the emperor’s side and said: “Master’s love for the Crown Prince moves us servants’ hearts. As autumn arrived, the weather turned cold so quickly, the young princes might suffer somewhat. I heard from Imperial Physician Peng that the Second Prince…”
“What moves your heart?”
His words weren’t finished before Emperor Zhenning cut him off sharply.
Moreover, after asking, the emperor truly held his brush waiting for an answer.
However, this question touched on palace etiquette, human relations, and emotions, truly difficult to answer. He Yixian was momentarily stunned.
Seeing his expression, Emperor Zhenning laughed once and said lowly, “So many people below counting on your care, they call you ancestor, and you’ve helped plenty of them ascend.”
Hearing these words, He Yixian hurriedly prostrated himself, not daring to make a sound.
The emperor looked down at him once, “What I say here stays in the hall. Your life hasn’t been easy; in your old age, having some unofficial descendants to show filial piety, what can I reproach? I’m getting old too, want to show some love to my sons, want them to remember their sovereign father’s kindness, but there are always some people who don’t like to see father and sons being loving.”
At these words, everyone in the hall, including Deng Ying, knelt.
Emperor Zhenning tapped the imperial desk and said evenly: “Rise. I need to use the seal.”
Deng Ying saw He Yixian still didn’t dare rise, so he rolled up his sleeves to assist Emperor Zhenning with the imperial seal.
The conversation in the hall seemed casual, but the last few sentences alluded to “The Five Virtuous Ones” matter. However, He Yixian didn’t know this yet, still thinking he had misspoken earlier by mentioning the Second Prince, displeasing Emperor Zhenning. He remained prostrate, his body gradually beginning to tremble.
“Master, your servant has something to report.”
Hu Xiang stood before the ground screen, seeing He Yixian hadn’t risen, and hadn’t dared enter for a long while.
Emperor Zhenning said: “Speak, I see you’ve been standing there for some time.”
“Yes.”
Only then did Hu Xiang enter the hall, “Master, the Crown Prince requests an audience.”
Emperor Zhenning looked outside, “Didn’t I say no need to thank me?”
“How could it be that quick? The person delivering the clothes hadn’t even passed Taihe Palace when they met His Highness. His Highness has been standing outside for a while now. Your servant saw Your Majesty using the seal…”
“He can enter even when I’m using the seal, summon him.”
Then looking down at He Yixian said: “Rise.”
Yi Lang entered the inner hall with Yang Wan.
The hall was brilliantly lit with lamps and candles, making every shadow appear frayed at the edges.
Yi Lang knelt before the imperial desk, performing the kowtow to Emperor Zhenning.
Emperor Zhenning seemed in good spirits today, gesturing for both to rise, casually asking Yi Lang: “What did you study at Wenhua Palace today?”
Yi Lang stood up and said: “Master Zhang is still lecturing on ‘Zhenguan Zhengyao.'”
“Oh, come here.”
Emperor Zhenning extended his arm, gesturing to Yi Lang to his side. “Do you understand what you hear?”
“Father Emperor, your son understands everything.”
“Good.”
Emperor Zhenning raised his sleeve to personally wipe the rain from Yi Lang’s forehead.
“You got wet.”
Yang Wan felt Emperor Zhenning’s gaze fall on her and hurriedly apologized: “Your servant failed to attend to His Highness properly.”
Before Emperor Zhenning could speak, Yi Lang had already spoken: “Father Emperor, aunt got herself wet protecting me.”
Deng Ying looked at Yang Wan—she appeared neat enough, but her shoulders were almost completely soaked. Yang Wan knew Deng Ying was looking at her and unconsciously adjusted her wet hair.
Emperor Zhenning released Yi Lang’s shoulders, “It seems you are indeed devoted to the Crown Prince.”
Yang Wan lowered her eyes and responded: “Your servant is ashamed.”
The emperor didn’t say more to Yang Wan, lowering his head to ask Yi Lang, “In such heavy rain, what made you come?”
Yi Lang stepped away from the imperial desk, walked before Emperor Zhenning, and bowed, “Your son has something to ask Father Emperor.”
“Speak.”
Yi Lang straightened up, “Today, Northern Command Commander Zhang Luo took away your son’s tutor Yang Jing at Wenhua Palace. Your son doesn’t understand why, so I’ve come to ask Father Emperor.”
The incense on the imperial desk had burned down a section, its ash falling onto Emperor Zhenning’s hand.
“Ai-yo…”
He Yixian hurriedly bent to blow it away for Emperor Zhenning.
Emperor Zhenning withdrew his hand, turned his head to look at Yi Lang, and said neither heavily nor lightly: “Impudent.”
In the hall, only He Yixian dared speak up at this moment to meditate.