The charcoal fire crackled and popped as Emperor Zhenning lowered his gaze toward Bai Yuyang.
“What do you think?”
Without waiting for Bai Yuyang’s response, he turned to He Yixian, “What do you think?”
Neither of them responded immediately.
Emperor Zhenning moved his hands closer to the charcoal fire and mused, “I think this is fair enough. Since you have nothing to say, let’s settle it this way.”
He then addressed Deng Ying, “Come here, I have more instructions for you.”
Deng Ying stood up and walked to the charcoal brazier, kneeling once more.
The jade ring on Emperor Zhenning’s hand had grown hot from the charcoal fire. He removed it and casually handed it to He Yixian, though his gaze remained fixed on Deng Ying.
“The Elder was once my regent minister. Before passing judgment, you must not disrespect him. Otherwise, I will execute you.”
Deng Ying bowed his head and replied, “This servant understands.”
Emperor Zhenning brushed some charcoal ash from his knee. Seeing that Deng Ying hadn’t moved, He Yixian crouched down to help brush off the ash.
Emperor Zhenning swept his gaze across everyone in the hall. Each person was in their proper place, showing no signs of overstepping. He felt quite satisfied and rose to walk toward the inner hall, saying, “That’s all for today.”
Yang Wan stood at the base of the moon terrace, watching Wang Xixiang from the Palace Maintenance Office pour water into the vats, occasionally glancing up at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The palace servants working in front of the imperial hall were extremely cautious, not uttering a single word. Yang Wan listened to the flowing water, her mind unsettled.
Soon after, Yang Lun, Bai Yuyang, and others came down from the moon terrace. Yang Wan didn’t look up, turning away to avoid them. Though Yang Lun saw her, he didn’t speak.
Bucket after bucket of water was poured into the vats, inevitably splashing some water that flowed along the ground’s crevices toward the lower ground.
Yi Lang nearly slipped on the water while rushing down the terrace, stumbling into Yang Wan’s arms.
Caught off guard and trying to protect him, Yang Wan couldn’t brace herself and fell solidly to the ground.
“Ouch…”
The palace servants near the hall saw Yi Lang and Yang Wan fall and hurried forward to help.
The water pourers, fearing punishment, had already knelt on the ground.
Yi Lang got up and immediately turned back to check on Yang Wan.
“Aunt, are you hurt?”
“No, first check if His Highness is injured?”
Everyone frantically checked for a while, fortunately finding no external injuries. Yang Wan, however, realized she might have hurt her tailbone, but she couldn’t say it aloud or touch it, so she had to wave away those trying to help her up and sat on the ground trying to recover.
Deng Ying, walking more slowly than Yi Lang, saw Yang Wan just as she was struggling to stand up.
“What happened?”
Yang Wan awkwardly adjusted her hair, “Slipped and fell.”
Deng Ying glanced at the water on the ground and turned to address the kneeling palace servants, “Go receive your punishment.”
Then he bent down to help brush the dirt off Yang Wan’s clothes.
“It’s fine, I’ll just change when I get back.”
“I’m sorry, I was the one who ordered the Palace Maintenance Office to fill the auspicious vats today. The second month is coming, we need to prevent fire incidents before they happen.”
Yang Wan looked at the water in the vats and said softly, “Thunder in the second month does bring more heavenly fires. Things are… truly unsettled.”
She sighed after speaking, “His Majesty’s heart must be unsettled too.”
Yi Lang took Yang Wan’s hand, “But Father praised me today.”
Yang Wan looked down with a smile, “Really? Did His Majesty like the prayer you wrote?”
“Yes, Father especially loved the line you helped refine.”
“That’s good.”
She finished speaking and, enduring the pain in her tailbone, straightened up to adjust Yi Lang’s clothes, “Let Heyu accompany Your Highness to the Hall of Literary Splendor.”
“What about Aunt?”
“Aunt… got hurt, wants to go back and check.”
Yi Lang nodded, “Then when I return, I’ll have the Imperial Physician sent to Aunt.”
He then cheerfully left for the Hall of Literary Splendor with Heyu and others.
Yang Wan and Deng Ying watched Yi Lang until he disappeared. Only then did Yang Wan ask Deng Ying, “Did it go smoothly?”
Deng Ying nodded, “Smoothly.”
Yang Wan let out a sigh of relief and turned to face Deng Ying, “From now on, everyone except you will be fine.”
Deng Ying smiled, “Wanwan, thank you for helping me.”
Yang Wan pressed her lips together, “Actually, I don’t know if I should help you. Do you know your current situation?”
“I know.”
Yang Wan’s face grew pale, “Nothing can happen to Lord Bai in the factory prison, otherwise His Majesty will use you to appease public anger. But if you want to help clear his name, you must accept the charge of embezzling school land that he accused you of. After that, if Bai Yuyang and others still won’t give up using you to deal with the Ceremonial Office, do you know how miserable you’ll be?”