A sudden ache shot through Deng Ying’s teeth. He instinctively raised his hand to press his cheek, but the Ministry of Justice officer helping remove his shackles, thinking he was struggling, struck his hand down. “Don’t move.”
Deng Ying quickly complied, extending his hand flat, and said softly, “I’m sorry.”
Qi Huaiyang, who had been signing transfer documents outside the cell, hurried in, “What’s wrong?”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “Nothing.”
He tilted his head, “My teeth are aching as if someone’s cursing me behind my back.”
Qi Huaiyang walked up to him with hands behind his back, watching the guard’s movements.
“You’ve worn these for over a month now, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
Qi Huaiyang said, “Once these restraints are off, you’ll be out of our jurisdiction.”
“I know.”
Just as he finished speaking, the shackles made a sharp clicking sound as the lock was released. The guard removed the wrist irons, revealing badly bruised wrists. Deng Ying gently pressed the injured areas and said to Qi Huaiyang, “Thank you for your care these past days, sparing me from too much suffering.”
Qi Huaiyang shook his head, “I vowed to be an upright official, but in truth, I’m quite conservative in officialdom and never act against the law. Your words of ‘care’ make me ashamed.”
Deng Ying clasped his hands and bowed, “In matters of justice, this is as it should be.”
Qi Huaiyang fell silent for a moment, then returned the bow.
The guards outside the cell suddenly fell silent. Qi Huaiyang looked up to see Zhang Luo standing behind him.
Qi Huaiyang straightened and handed the documents to Zhang Luo, “Although this is a joint investigation between our offices, the prisoner is held in the Command, and I shouldn’t say too much. However, since the prisoner is the Eastern Depot’s Superintendent, I hope Deputy Commander Zhang won’t be too harsh.”
Zhang Luo glanced at the signatures on the documents and said to Qi Huaiyang, “What do you mean by ‘not harsh’? The rules for managing prisoners in the imperial jail are the same for everyone.”
Qi Huaiyang responded, “Yes, I spoke out of turn.”
Zhang Luo stepped forward, “Before the hour of xu today, I’ll send someone to the Ministry of Justice to retrieve the previous interrogation records for the academy lands case.”
“They’re ready.”
“In that case, I’ll send someone with the Vice Minister to collect them now.”
“Very well.”
Qi Huaiyang agreed, glancing back at Deng Ying before adding, “The Ministry of Revenue needs to submit a memorial tomorrow. Could the academy lands case wait a day or two?”
Zhang Luo nodded, “Then we’ll wait for Yang Lun. The Command will first investigate his persecution of the Prime Minister.”
Qi Huaiyang looked away and said, “Good.”
Then he added, “I’ll take my leave then.”
As Qi Huaiyang left the cell, a guard held up a lantern to light his way. A warm glow passed briefly across Deng Ying’s face before quickly receding outside.
Zhang Luo turned to the guard, “Give him the prison clothes.” Then he added, “Change by yourself.”
Deng Ying nodded, “Alright.”
He took the prison clothes, removed his outer robe, and began untying his inner garments.
Zhang Luo motioned for the others to leave, then walked to face Deng Ying, “Deng Ying, in these two years of leading the Eastern Depot against the Command, did you ever think you’d end up here?”
Deng Ying’s hands paused, and he lowered his head, “To be honest with you, sir, I did think about it.”
Zhang Luo had someone bring a chair, sat down in front of Deng Ying, and raised his hand, “Don’t change yet.”
Deng Ying lowered his hands, “Will you question me now, sir?”
Zhang Luo looked up, “Before I interrogate you, I want to ask you one thing. You can answer if you wish, or not—I won’t torture you for it.”
“Please ask, sir.”
“Is Yang Wan the person behind the Clear Wave Inn?”
Deng Ying remained silent.
Zhang Luo laughed softly, “Fine, never mind.”
Deng Ying said, “May I ask you something, sir?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you like Yang Wan, sir?”
Zhang Luo raised an eyebrow, “No.”
“Then why haven’t you married yet?”
Zhang Luo gritted his teeth, “Want to lose a layer of skin tonight?”
Deng Ying nodded and fell silent.
Zhang Luo sat in his chair, facing Deng Ying in silence. Their shadows trembled slightly on the ground, and the rush mat lay silently at Deng Ying’s feet. Having stood for some time, he shifted his legs unconsciously.
Zhang Luo watched him, “You’re now an imperial prisoner. Besides the case, I won’t discuss anything else with you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“However.”