For a historical observer to shed their scholarly garments, don the robes of the Great Ming, and write of the Zhenning era was no simple task—especially for a woman whose name would remain obscure in history. Yet in any era, progressive ideas always precede the times, and everyone struggles mightily for them—Deng Ying, Yang Lun, and even Yi Lang did as well.
Since Consort Ning’s imprisonment in the Banana Garden, Yi Lang had grown increasingly quiet, but he became even more diligent in his studies. Every day before dawn, he would leave his chambers to read, never missing a lesson even when feverish or ill.
Even after returning to Chengqian Palace, he would study until late into the night. When Yang Wan urged him to rest more, he would sometimes even scold her.
Yang Wan felt helpless.
Since the Emperor forbade the Empress and other consorts from raising Yi Lang, she began learning to care for his daily needs as Consort Ning once did, albeit clumsily at first. Initially, she thought it would be simple enough just to keep the child fed and warm.
However, when she started doing it, she realized it wasn’t so simple at all.
Previously, Consort Ning had been the principal mistress of Chengqian Palace, managing all its affairs. Now that she was gone, Yang Wan had to shoulder both Yi Lang’s care and the palace’s management.
Palace affairs were quite different from those of the Ladies-in-Waiting Bureau. Yang Wan wasn’t a consort and didn’t understand palace management. Besides Yi Lang, Chengqian Palace housed two unremarkable beauties who, though not favored, were still people who needed attention—calling for imperial physicians when ill, requiring food and drink during festivals, and making various demands. Yang Wan’s position was awkward when dealing with these two, and initially, she was completely overwhelmed trying to handle everything.
Deng Ying would often visit, though he wouldn’t do much—just sit for a while, check on Yang Wan, and leave.
However, his attitude toward Chengqian Palace became the standard for how the twenty-four departments of the inner court treated it. Knowing Yang Wan’s struggles, the chief eunuchs of various departments began taking extra care in handling Chengqian Palace’s affairs.
Yang Wan wasn’t foolish, and after half a month, she gradually got the various matters under control, allowing Heyu and others to rest easier.
But they had their private thoughts. Heyu had told Yang Wan more than once, “With the Superintendent protecting our Chengqian Palace, even Yanxi Palace doesn’t dare say anything anymore. I’ve noticed the twenty-four departments are more courteous to us now, unlike when our mistress first fell ill when they were so arrogant.”
Yang Wan didn’t like hearing such talk from Heyu and the others.
She understood that Deng Ying’s actions were directly challenging the Ceremonial Department.
Unlike He Yixian, who had abandoned Yi Lang—a prince “ruined” by the Hall of Literary Splendor’s education—and turned instead toward Yanxi Palace, Deng Ying showed kindness to a prince who most despised eunuchs, seeking neither this prince’s protection in the next reign nor any other advantage.
In fact, in a few years, this child he protected would personally write the “Record of Hundred Crimes” for him, sending him to the prison of the Imperial Clan Court and then to the execution ground.
When Yang Wan watched Deng Ying and Yi Lang together, she often thought of the fable of “The Farmer and the Snake,” but then felt it was too crude and simplistic a comparison. The complexity of human and political relationships between Yi Lang and Deng Ying, between the sovereign and the eunuch, was far too intricate to be captured by such a straightforward moral tale.
Even now, this complexity is evident.
Yi Lang had begun to tolerate Deng Ying’s presence, but his attitude remained unchanged.
He would make Deng Ying bow to him, only allowing him to rise after accepting the courtesy.
Sometimes when he studied in his library with Yang Wan sitting nearby, he would permit Deng Ying to enter, but wouldn’t allow him to sit—only to stand by the screen like other servants. Whenever Yang Wan saw Deng Ying standing, she would also rise and stand beside him. Seeing this, Deng Ying couldn’t say anything in front of Yi Lang and could only wave her off.
Occasionally, Yi Lang would even ask Deng Ying about unclear points in his studies.
Yang Wan remembered one time when he questioned Deng Ying about historical records concerning “the three generations and four rulers of the Liu family of Southern Han.”
Yang Wan vaguely recalled that this referred to the famous eunuch catastrophe in Southern Han history, which led to Southern Han’s decline from prosperity to complete ruin.
Deng Ying knelt to answer, speaking words before Yi Lang that made Yang Wan’s soul tremble.
He told Yi Lang to learn from the founding emperor, follow the “Founding Emperor’s Internal Instructions,” and establish iron plaques. If any eunuch interfered in politics, they should face the severest punishment to intimidate the inner court.
Yi Lang asked him, “As a ruler, is it possible to show mercy?”
Deng Ying answered: “No.”
Yi Lang glanced at Yang Wan with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
But instead of questioning Yang Wan, he directly asked Deng Ying: “You are a eunuch, yet your words match those of my lecturers. However, your actions contradict your words, and in my eyes, you remain an unforgivable person according to the ‘Founding Emperor’s Internal Instructions.'”
After speaking, he descended from his high chair, put down his brush, and went to the main hall.
Yang Wan bent down to help Deng Ying up.
Having knelt for so long, Deng Ying struggled to stand.
“When did His Highness read the Southern Han history?”
Yang Wan ignored his question and looked at his ankles, saying: “Have you been neglecting to soak your feet in medicinal water these past few days?”
“Yes.”
He answered Yang Wan honestly.
Yang Wan said: “Once I move out of the Fifth Office, I’ll be able to keep an eye on you.”
Deng Ying asked Yang Wan, “You’re moving out of the Fifth Office?”
“Yes.”
Yang Wan nodded, “It’s good actually. Before, in the Fifth Office, I was far from your place, but now I’ll be closer.”
“Whose idea was this?”
Yang Wan replied: “His Majesty’s.”
Deng Ying nodded upon hearing this, “Wanwan, once you’re settled, I’ll take you to see the house I bought.”
At the mention of Deng Ying’s house, Yang Wan immediately smiled, “Is that allowed? But now that Consort Ning isn’t here anymore, how can I leave the palace?”
Deng Ying smiled, “With me, you can.”
Yang Wan’s departure from the Fifth Office also meant officially relinquishing her position as a lady-in-waiting.
On the day the Ladies-in-Waiting Bureau removed her name, Song Yunqing felt sorry for her.
“Now you really won’t be able to leave.”
Yang Wan was packing her clothes in the Fifth Office while Qin Wende led the Eastern Depot guards at the door, ready to serve as porters. Hearing Song Yunqing’s words, he couldn’t help but retort, “With our Depot Superintendent here, you think Young Miss Yang won’t be able to go out? The Superintendent has already bought a house, and after winter, we’ll be going to buy furniture for his residence.”