Wearing this winter garment, Deng Ying took Yang Wan out of the palace.
It was the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month when common people worshiped the Kitchen God. Every noble household hung red pouches to receive “flying notes” for good fortune.
Outside Guangji Temple, they were setting up mountain lanterns, twelve zhang high, with over a hundred gold and jade-colored lanterns hanging from them. Yang Wan looked up at the half-constructed lantern frame while walking, “I see they’re also setting up ao-mountain lanterns in the palace, the tallest one is even higher than this.”
Deng Ying nodded, “This year the palace has eight lanterns total. The largest one you saw is at Taihe Hall, sent by several Hangzhou officials. This one at Guangji Temple was also made by the inner court. Starting from New Year’s Eve, it will burn for eight days for the common people to enjoy.”
Yang Wan lowered her head: “One ao-mountain lantern costs a thousand gold.”
Just then, they heard Yang Lun’s voice from under the mountain lantern, “‘Xuanhe’s colored mountains bring joy to the people’ – even the Ministry of Rites would draft such things. The officials of the Ministry of Revenue, in years of famine, I’d nearly kneel at the office gate. Who can afford such joy?”
Xiao Wen, standing behind him, quickly grabbed his arm, “These words frighten me just hearing them. His Majesty wishes to share joy with the people, making these ao-mountain lanterns. We should just watch. Today Jing’er is released from prison, and Wan’er is coming home. I know you work at the Ministry of Revenue, and seeing such extravagance displeases you, but no matter how upset you are, at least endure it today. Wan’er suffered such serious injuries in the prison during autumn, while you were in Hangzhou we couldn’t inquire about anything. If you don’t feel guilty, I do. I don’t manage anything, but today’s opera and wine expenses, I must let Wan’er have one happy day at home.”
At the mention of Yang Wan, Yang Lun’s expression changed, “When did she say she’d come?”
Xiao Wen said: “She said before chen time… Eh?”
As she spoke, she had already spotted Yang Wan in the street market. She hurriedly lifted her skirts and went with the maids to meet her. When she reached them and saw Deng Ying standing beside Yang Wan, she quickly began to bow in the manner of a married woman, but Yang Lun caught her arm, “You have a title.”
Xiao Wen felt embarrassed.
Deng Ying stepped back and bowed to Yang Lun, “Lord Yang.” Then he returned Xiao Wen’s greeting, “Deng Ying pays respects to the Lady.”
Seeing him bow, Yang Wan also bowed to Yang Lun and Xiao Wen.
Xiao Wen quickly helped Yang Wan up, “Didn’t you say chen time? Why so early?”
Yang Wan replied: “Today the palace worships the Kitchen God. The young prince has no lessons and was taken by the Empress early to eat kitchen candy. I had nothing to do, so I asked Deng Ying to bring me out early.”
Xiao Wen held Yang Wan’s hand tightly, “I haven’t seen you for almost two years. Since our Lady became unwell, the old madam’s health collapsed from crying. Now she’s not clear-minded, calling your and the Lady’s names every day. We told her the Lady’s name couldn’t be spoken, so she just kept mentioning you. Day after day asking me if you’re married, the Zhang family…”
Yang Lun coughed.
Xiao Wen regretted her words, “Ah, I’m such a muddle-head, I’ll say no more.”
Yang Wan held Xiao Wen’s hand with a smile, “I’m doing very well in the palace.”
“Well is good.”
Xiao Wen pressed her eyes corners, “It’s very cold outside, let’s go in.”
Yang Wan agreed, turned back to look at Deng Ying, “Come on.”
Deng Ying smiled and nodded at Yang Wan, but didn’t stay close to her, walking a few steps behind Yang Lun, following the servants through the gate.
Yang Lun, hands behind his back, asked Deng Ying, “I want to ask you something.”
“Yes.”
Yang Lun coughed, “Yesterday the Ministry of Justice went to the Northern Courier Station to retrieve files, the Cabinet saw them too. Zhang Cong’s crime was listed as private dealings with the inner court. Why was such a charge suddenly brought?”
Deng Ying asked in return, “Why are you asking me?”
Yang Lun stopped walking, “He was the only one in the Cabinet who opposed implementing the new policy, and at this time he suddenly goes to prison. What am I supposed to think? And this charge is truly well chosen – private dealings with the inner court – instantly become a capital case… Heh… Even the Donglin faction has nothing to say about it.”
Deng Ying looked at Yang Wan, who was chattering away with Xiao Wen ahead, “Yang Wan did it.”
Yang Lun raised his eyebrows, “Wan’er?”
He looked at Yang Wan in surprise, “She’s treating the Great Ming’s government like a woman’s game!”
“Yang Zixi.”
Deng Ying suddenly called out Yang Lun’s formal name.
Yang Lun was startled, and before he could speak, Deng Ying continued: “When did you become so arrogant that you can’t even accommodate your sister?”
Yang Lun retorted: “When did I not accommodate her? I just don’t want her playing with fire and getting burned.”
“If she hadn’t done this, Noble Consort Ning’s preface to ‘Five Worthies’ would have been printed at Qingbo House. Then when His Majesty became enraged, the Northern Courier Station would have arrested Yang Jing and you.”
Yang Lun was struck speechless.
Deng Ying continued regardless of the silence, “Yang Zixi, if this is a woman’s game, could you still be implementing new policies in Hangzhou?”
The two men stood in the snow-covered courtyard, their breath turning to white vapor.
Yang Lun brushed the frost from his clothes and snorted, “Deng Fuling, your temper is unusually bold today.”
Deng Ying stepped back and bowed, “Please forgive me, my lord.”
Yang Lun looked down at Deng Ying, “Save those words for a few days later. The people sent by the Ministry of Revenue to audit the school lands in Hangzhou have returned. At most by the new year, the Cabinet’s impeachment against you will be submitted. I have no position to delay further for you. Take care of yourself.”
“Will you join the Cabinet in signing that memorial?”
“I won’t sign!”
His voice suddenly rose: “When you’re convicted, I’ll personally inventory your household, let people see how laughable the penniless Eastern Depot Superintendent is.”
Deng Ying gave a short laugh, stepping closer to Yang Lun, “Zixi, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”
“You just can’t bear to hear me talk about Yang Wan.”
He lowered his head after speaking, unable to help laughing.
“Our family gathering for a meal, and she had to bring you back, making it seem like a bride’s visit home…”
He wanted to slap himself for saying the words “bride’s visit.”
Deng Ying looked at Yang Lun’s embarrassed expression and smiled, looking down, “It’s been three years since I last ate at your home.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Lun turned and walked toward the threshold, calling to the servants as he went: “Bring wine!”