The cabinet minister who had just spoken grabbed him, pleading, “Be careful with your words before His Majesty!”
Yang Lun smiled, “I too have copied my sister’s book. If this deserves punishment, I, Yang Lun…”
As he spoke, he knelt, “Admit my guilt.”
“You… you…”
Bai Yuyang stammered, “You disgrace the sacred texts, disgrace your position in the cabinet!”
Yang Lun remained silent, only removing his official hat, placing it before his knees, and bowing down.
Seeing Yang Lun like this, none of the cabinet ministers knew what to do.
From the imperial throne, Yi Lang suddenly said, “Ministers, I have a question.”
The ministers hurriedly responded, “Please speak, Your Majesty.”
Yi Lang stood up, walked down from the throne, and approached Yang Lun, “After executing Deng Ying, should I also execute Yang Lun and Minister Bai?”
“Your Majesty!”
Ignoring the ministers, Yi Lang asked, “What time is it?”
A nearby court eunuch replied, “Your Majesty, it’s almost noon.”
“Good.”
Yi Lang turned to Bai Yuyang, “Can my ministers answer my question?”
“I…”
Bai Yuyang had no choice but to kneel, “I… cannot answer.”
Yi Lang said, “Then let me try to answer myself, and let the ministers judge.”
He looked down at Bai and Yang kneeling on the ground, “I studied Confucianism in my youth, though not deeply, but I know the main principles—one must not defy a father’s will, must not betray worthy ministers, must not abandon the people’s hearts. Ministers, are these statements correct?”
“Your Majesty is wise.”
“What does Prime Minister Bai think?”
Bai Yuyang remained silent, and Yi Lang didn’t continue, only looking down at him, silently waiting for his answer.
Soon, Qing Meng reminded from the side, “Your Majesty, noon… noon has passed…”
“I know.”
After responding, he addressed Bai Yuyang again, “Minister, can we continue our discussion?”
Bai Yuyang exhaled heavily, his shoulders suddenly slumping, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is wise, I… I have nothing more to say.”
At Pichangmiao Temple, the messenger had already reported three times.
Zhou Muyi looked up at the sun and said softly, “The time is almost up.”
Song Yunqing wiped away her tears and straightened up, “If the time passes, they can’t carry out the execution. Until now, they haven’t even stripped the Commander—they won’t have time.”
She became excited and grabbed Chen Hua’s hand, “Do you think there might be an imperial decree?”
Chen Hua quickly replied, “Yes, yes, there will be.”
Just then, the last section of Qi Huaiyang’s timing incense burned out, its ash scattered on the ground. Qi Huaiyang closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.
The crowd of spectators suddenly burst into cheers, with young people rushing forward shouting, “Time’s up! They can’t execute him anymore! They can’t execute him!”
Qi Huaiyang stood up, walked out of the curtained area, stepped onto the execution platform, and raised his hand to calm the crowd, “Everyone please step back, don’t trouble the Military Police. The execution time has passed, there will be no execution today. Please disperse.”
He then gestured to the guards, “Release the prisoner.”
“Why…”
Deng Ying uttered two words, then said no more.
Qi Huaiyang said, “You can speak now. Ask what you want to know.”
“Why did you stop my execution?”
Qi Huaiyang replied, “For that, you’ll have to ask Deputy Yang.”
Just as he finished speaking, he saw that Yang Lun had somehow already appeared before the curtain at the foot of the platform, “Bring him down.”
Qi Huaiyang said, “Do you have an imperial decree? Without one, I must hand him over to the Northern Patrol.”
Yang Lun said, “His Majesty has ordered him to be taken back to the palace.”
Qi Huaiyang asked puzzled, “For another imperial interrogation?”
“No.”
Yang Lun pointed at Deng Ying, “Let me tell you, my sister is gravely ill. His Majesty has graciously allowed her to return to the palace for treatment, and you better take good care of her. Don’t think that because I saved you, I’ve forgiven you. She made herself this sick because of you. If she has any lasting illness, I’ll beat your face black and blue.”
Qi Huaiyang couldn’t help but laugh, “Minister Yang, how old are you to be saying such things here to him?”
“I accept it.”
Deng Ying replied, “I’ll take care of her. If she doesn’t get better, I…”
“Just take the face-beating, don’t make any of those life-and-death oaths!”
His voice lowered, becoming somewhat choked, though he cursed, “Damn it, thinking back on the oaths you made to me back then, I realize what a poisonous mouth you have.”
Deng Ying said, “Then just beat my face black and blue.”
Yang Lun unexpectedly laughed too, turning away and struggling to hold back his tears.
“Let me tell you, she’s been copying texts day after day and has hurt her eyes. Don’t be like a silent gourd in front of her, only knowing how to make her cry instead of making her laugh. She can’t cry anymore.”