“No more arguments.”
These three words silenced all of Yang Lun’s protests.
If serving in the Cabinet was shameful to him, then standing before Deng Ying filled Yang Lun with emotions so complex he couldn’t even explain them to himself. The only thing he refused was to feel pity for this man.
Deng Ying wasn’t without the means to preserve his life.
Having risen to Imperial Ceremonial Supervisor and Director of the Eastern Depot, just as Bai Yuyang had worried about. He could have done as He Yixian did, covering the young emperor’s eyes and ears.
But he lowered his hand, saying he would argue no more.
“Why won’t you argue?” Yang Lun blurted out.
Deng Ying looked toward the crowds on the main street and said evenly, “It’s hard to say if I would have been among them, had I not been castrated.”
These words seemed to confirm Yang Wan’s statement about ‘forging a knife to kill oneself.’
When Deng Ying thought of Yang Wan, he felt a trace of warmth.
He looked up at Yang Lun, “Zizi, my life has been in decline, but I’ve done what needed to be done. If not for Wan-wan, I would have long wished to bury this broken body. But she hasn’t left me to this day, so… even though I’ve despised myself for years, I still want to live longer for her. But regardless, I cannot betray my original intention in taking this path—to not let those who serve the country die from false charges. The cases they want to reopen should be reopened, so let them do it. I…”
He paused, a slight smile appearing on his face, “I’m going back to eat beef.”
Yang Lun watched him silently as he walked past, then turned and called out:
“Fu Ling.”
Deng Ying turned back and said, “Come have some too.”
Yang Lun stood there for a long while without speaking, finally forcing out, “Then wait a bit, I’ll go buy some oranges for Wan’er.”
Deng Ying started, then nodded with a smile: “Alright.”
In the inner courtyard of the Eastern Depot, Yang Wan sat alone in front of the crossing gate.
She was truly tired, the wind at the entrance made her drowsy, so she simply leaned against the doorframe and closed her eyes to rest, unexpectedly falling asleep.
Who knows how long she slept, when suddenly someone roughly picked her up, immediately followed by a barrage of scolding.
“I told you to go home but you wouldn’t, instead you’re here sleeping at his doorway.”
Then turning to scold the person behind him, “Did you know she’s been sick recently?!”
Yang Wan dazedly opened her eyes, only then seeing that the person pulling her was Yang Lun, and seeing Deng Ying standing behind him not daring to say a word, she couldn’t help but smile.
Yang Lun raged, “What are you smiling about?”
Yang Wan, allowing herself to be held up by him, said: “Haven’t seen brother in a long time, seeing you now makes me happy.”
Hearing these words, Yang Lun immediately lowered his flags and drums, “So you still remember you have a brother.”
“Are you upset I haven’t come home to see you?”
Yang Lun said: “Whether you come home or not, your brother will still look after you.”
As he spoke, he pointed back at Deng Ying, “Tell me everything he’s done wrong lately, I’ll settle accounts with him today.”
Yang Wan turned to look at Deng Ying, smiling, “Did you hear that? Time to settle accounts.”
Deng Ying responded: “I heard, I accept my punishment.”
Only then did Yang Wan say to Yang Lun: “Stop pulling me up, let’s go in and eat beef. Yunqing and my sister helped me cook, my culinary skills have improved a lot.”
Yang Lun said sternly: “Fine, I’ll try it today.”
After speaking, he released Yang Wan and strode straight through the door.
Only then did Yang Wan pull Deng Ying over and ask, “How did it go with Qianhu Qin?”
Deng Ying said: “So you knew about that too.”
“Mm, and I guessed you’d go save him, then get cursed out thoroughly.”
Deng Ying burst out laughing at this, “You’re not angry?”
“What would I be angry about?”
As she spoke, she straightened her clothes that Yang Lun had wrinkled, “I’m used to it by now.”
She led him toward the inner courtyard as she walked, “Are you drinking today?”
Deng Ying followed her saying: “I can’t drink much, but if Zizi wants to drink, I can keep him company.”
Yang Wan turned back saying: “He’ll definitely want to drink with you. You two sit first, I’ll go buy wine.”
“No need Wan-wan, there’s wine in the office, I’ll go get it.”
An early summer gathering.
With a pot of stewed beef and two jars of Huadiao wine, Deng Ying had a limited intake, only drinking a few cups.
Yang Lun was initially restrained, but after getting into the spirit, lost all control. After emptying one jar, Yang Wan took away his cup. But surprisingly he wasn’t annoyed, sitting red-faced in the circular chair for a while before suddenly standing up saying he wanted to go out for some air.
Yang Wan got up and adjusted her clothes, following him out.
The April wind blew gently on the two of them. Sweating from the alcohol, the wind’s chill reached their sides. Yang Lun hiccupped and patted his face.
“Why did you come out?”