Though Deng Ying showed no emotion, he couldn’t suppress two coughs. The Imperial Guard tightened his restraints, warning him not to move improperly.
Meanwhile, the officials behind Deng Ying relaxed their tension. Several censors raised their arms to mock and curse: “This is the most satisfying thing ever!”
He Yixian lost consciousness amid the mockery, blood flowing freely from his lower body, his legs spasming uncontrollably.
The strongmen stepped back, and the officials’ curses grew louder. Among these people, some had suffered persecution from the Directorate of Ceremonial, while others, though not directly harmed, had their careers stifled for offending Directorate eunuchs. Now they couldn’t wait to vent all their resentment, their words growing increasingly sharp and pointed.
Deng Ying quietly endured the wave of voices behind him, feeling no hatred toward He Yixian.
Thinking back two years, he had been treated the same way, so he understood that this person’s fate would also be his own.
He found it difficult to clarify his emotions at this moment, with only the most genuine fear of punishment suppressed beneath rationality.
He couldn’t help but raise his head, letting out a long breath, trying to calm himself.
He Yixian was lifted by the Imperial Guard and dragged toward the Palace Gate.
The final great court discussion of the late Zhenning era thus concluded. Qi Huaiyang walked back to Deng Ying’s side: “Let’s go.”
Yang Lun said: “I can walk with him a few steps, can’t I?”
Qi Huaiyang nodded, adding: “He can’t exit through the side doors of the Palace Gate.”
“Then which gate will you use?”
“The West Glory Gate is observing mourning, so we’ll use the East Glory Gate.”
Yang Lun followed: “That’s fine.”
Deng Ying was escorted forward. He couldn’t walk quickly, and Yang Lun couldn’t control his pace. After not far, he had to say: “You’re walking too fast.”
“What? Oh…”
Yang Lun deliberately slowed his steps, walking somewhat awkwardly.
Deng Ying said: “Why torture me? You can say whatever you need to during the interrogation.”
“Be quiet.”
Deng Ying smiled slightly: “Yang Zixie, I’m fine. I’ll survive.”
“Mm.”
After this sound of acknowledgment, Yang Lun spoke no more.
At the East Glory Gate, Yang Wan stood leaning against the palace wall with one arm crossed, waiting. She wore mourning clothes, all in plain white, with only a silver hairpin in her hair, no makeup or rouge, yet she didn’t appear haggard. Instead, she possessed a kind of cold, refined grace.
Seeing Deng Ying’s group approach, she walked forward to meet them, showing a smile to both Yang Lun and Deng Ying.
“May I speak with him for a moment?”
“Wanwan…”
“Don’t speak. I’m asking Lord Qi.”
She crouched to bow to Qi Huaiyang: “My lord, don’t worry. With me here, he won’t dare act improperly.”
Yang Lun glared at Yang Wan, turning to Qi Huaiyang: “Give me this favor.”
Qi Huaiyang laughed shortly: “Alright.”
He gestured for the Ministry guards to release their hold and step back to maintain watch.
Yang Wan walked behind Deng Ying with her hands behind her back, looking up: “Squat down.”
Deng Ying lifted his restraints and squatted. Yang Wan stood behind him, and though he didn’t turn around, he asked gently: “Should I squat lower?”
Yang Wan asked: “Do your feet hurt?”
“No.”
“Then you can squat a bit lower.”
“Alright.”
Yang Wan raised her hands, gently gathering Deng Ying’s hair.
“Wanwan, what are you doing?”
“Tying up your hair.”
“No need, I…”
“You won’t be able to wash your hair for a long time after you go. Don’t you think it’ll be dirty if left loose?”
“Yes.”
He instinctively agreed with Yang Wan: “Then Wanwan, tie it tightly.”
Yang Wan smiled slightly: “Stay still, don’t worry about how I tie it.”
“Alright.”
Deng Ying spoke no more.
The wind at the city gate lifted Yang Wan’s sleeves. She freed one hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, looking down at Deng Ying: “Deng Ying, though we never became husband and wife, can we make one promise to each other?”
“What promise?”
Yang Wan gathered Deng Ying’s hair, taking off her own hair ribbon, saying softly: “No matter if I, Yang Wan, have money in the future, no matter what illnesses Deng Ying may suffer, I will take care of Deng Ying, for a lifetime.”
“I… what should I say?”
Yang Wan smiled: “I’ll teach you what to say.”
“Mm.”
“I’ll say one line, you repeat one line, okay?”
“Alright.”
“No matter how much I, Deng Ying…”
“No matter how much I, Deng Ying…”
“Dislike myself…”
“Dislike… myself…”
“As long as Yang Wan likes me…”
“As long as Wanwan… likes me…”
“I will live on well.”
“I will live on well.”