Yi Lang held Yang Wan’s hand the entire way.
Walking beside Yang Wan, Yang Lun noticed she kept staring at Yi Lang’s back without speaking, and quietly cautioned, “Don’t be like this when we go in, Her Highness will worry if she sees.”
Yang Wan suddenly stopped in her tracks, nearly causing Yi Lang to trip. Yang Jing and the other eunuchs following behind Yang Lun quickly moved forward to help steady him.
Seeing her pursed lips and reddening eyes, Yang Lun couldn’t help but scold in a low voice: “What are you trying to do? You should already be grateful he wasn’t punished!”
“You maintain propriety, yet won’t allow me to have feelings.”
Yang Lun was startled, “What did you say?”
Yang Wan tilted her head up without responding.
Yang Lun noticed she seemed on the verge of tears. Though she was trying hard to hold them back, her shoulders and arms had begun to tremble.
His heart ached for her, but he didn’t know how to comfort her.
Fortunately, seeing her like this, Yi Lang came back to tug at her sleeve.
“Aunt… Yi Lang hasn’t punished him anymore.”
Yang Wan looked down at Yi Lang.
Though still young, he already showed the contours of adolescence, dressed in clean and exquisite brocaded garments, carrying the air of imperial nobility. While he might not wound Deng Ying directly, he could wound Yang Wan in front of Deng Ying. She knew she had already lost composure, but still kept her lips pressed together without speaking.
Yi Lang looked at Yang Lun and Yang Jing, then stood silently with his head down for a moment before suddenly looking up and saying very quietly: “Aunt, I’m sorry…”
Yang Lun and Yang Jing couldn’t hear this clearly, only seeing Yi Lang’s face scrunch up after speaking as he released Yang Wan’s clothes and walked ahead alone. Yang Jing and the attendants hurried after him.
Yang Lun walked up behind Yang Wan, “Her Highness has been in the palace for so many years, this is the first time our family – you, me, and Yang Jing – have gathered together in the palace. Are you going to make our whole family unhappy for Deng Ying’s sake?”
Yang Wan exhaled heavily, raising her hand to rub her eyes forcefully, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”
After speaking, she hurried forward a few steps and crouched down, “Yi Lang, come, let Aunt carry you back.”
Yang Wan was very grateful that Yi Lang was still young and didn’t think too deeply. Being held by a loved one, he gradually forgot what had just happened.
The four of them entered Chengqian Palace together. As Zheng Yuejia guided Yang Lun and Yang Jing to perform the grand ceremony of paying respects to Consort Ning in the main hall, Yang Wan set Yi Lang down and took advantage of the formal greetings outside to wash her face in the inner chamber. Heyu brought in her cosmetics, placing them beside Yang Wan while saying softly: “When you came in, Her Highness noticed you didn’t look well, so she asked this servant to come check on you. What’s wrong?”
Yang Wan turned away to hide her face, “Tell Her Highness I’m fine, I’ll be out shortly.”
After speaking, she patted her face in front of the mirror, trying to make her expression appear as natural as possible.
Actually, after calming down, Yang Wan knew Yang Lun’s words were right. This was a rare gathering between sisters, and she truly shouldn’t make Consort Ning worry because of her own emotions.
Thinking this, she quickly composed herself and walked into the main hall.
Consort Ning was sitting in her chair, holding Yang Jing’s hand as they talked.
“In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so tall.”
Yang Jing replied: “I’ve missed Elder Sister greatly these many years.”
Seeing his proper etiquette, no different from Yang Lun, Consort Ning shook her head and smiled at Yang Lun: “You must have disciplined him well.”
Yang Lun bowed in response: “Yes, he’s not young anymore. Now that he’s entering the palace as His Highness’s study companion, he needs to be even more upright in mind and manner, without the slightest error.”
Consort Ning nodded but didn’t pursue this topic, instead asking about Yang Lun’s wife, “Previously I had Wan go check on your wife, who was said to be quite ill. Is she better now?”
“In response to Your Highness, she improved somewhat in early autumn, but after managing several household affairs, she became unwell again. She’s still being treated by outside physicians now. I thank Your Highness for your concern on her behalf.”
Consort Ning sighed, “Your lives outside must be more complicated than mine here, so you needn’t constantly worry about me. The same goes for Ziji – studying quietly outside is good. Suddenly entering the Hall of Literary Splendor, and under Vice Minister Zhang… with so many eyes watching, I worry too.”
Yang Lun said: “How can we as subjects avoid quiet places?”
“Good.”
Consort Ning released Yang Jing’s hand somewhat reluctantly, smiling and nodding: “Brother has always understood better than I.”
Hearing these words, Yang Lun quickly stepped back and bowed: “This subject wouldn’t dare.”
Consort Ning raised her hand gesturing him to rise, “Alright, let’s not speak of these things. It’s rare for you to come in and sit with me for a while, and Wan’er is here too, so let’s not stand on ceremony anymore. All of you sit down. I… made some pastries myself. In a while, I’ll have Heyu wrap them up for you to take out and let the people at home taste them too.”
Although everyone maintained proper boundaries while trying to chat and laugh, this family feast still felt somewhat awkward.
After the meal, Yang Wan personally escorted Yang Lun and Yang Jing out. When they reached Chengqian Gate, Yang Lun turned back, seeming to want to speak but holding back.
Seeing his discomfort, Yang Wan forced a smile, “I’m fine now, brother.”
Yang Lun had Yang Jing go ahead, then turned to look into Yang Wan’s eyes: “Brother didn’t expect you would be so upset.”
Yang Wan looked to the side, “I’m not.”
She paused, then nodded: “It’s as it should be.”
Yang Lun sighed: “Next spring, should brother arrange…”
“No.”
She cut Yang Lun off directly.
Being interrupted, Yang Lun didn’t continue, instead changing the subject: “Then in the future, if you face any grievances, have Deng Ying come to the Extreme Gate to tell brother.”
After speaking, he sighed self-mockingly.
“When you were little, I was helpless whenever you cried. Now you’ve changed so much, but when you cry, brother is still helpless.”
He glanced at the palace gate, “Take care of yourself, and serve Her Highness well.”