This was her boundary with Deng Ying, and also her boundary with this dynasty.
As deep autumn reached its end, the capital’s autumn examinations were approaching their conclusion.
On the last day of the autumn examinations, fine rain fell over the capital, the ground alternating between wet and dry.
Yang Wan personally held an umbrella to escort Yi Lang to study at Wenhua Palace.
After Yi Lang entered the palace, Yang Wan didn’t leave, standing in the corridor quietly watching the rain curtain outside.
Before long, Yang Jing walked out of the palace and bowed to Yang Wan.
Yang Wan turned around, “Not attending to His Highness today?”
“No, why hasn’t sister left?”
Yang Wan turned to look into the palace, “There’s nothing urgent in the palace, so I might as well wait for His Highness to finish his studies.”
Yang Jing said: “Is sister cold? I’ll go get you some clothes.”
“No need, I’m not cold.”
As she spoke, she raised her head to look at Yang Jing.
Yang Jing didn’t look like Yang Lun—Yang Lun was tall and strong, while Yang Jing was thin and fair, his overall temperament somewhat resembling Deng Ying.
“I heard you were scolded by Vice Minister Zhang for several days in a row recently,” she started this topic in a casual tone.
“Yes.”
Yang Jing lowered his head, “I was inappropriate in my conduct, displeasing Vice Minister Zhang. Fortunately, His Highness spoke up for me.”
Yang Wan said: “Can you tell me why?”
Yang Jing nodded, “Sister must have already seen the palace edition of ‘The Five Virtuous Ones.'”
The palace edition he mentioned was the royal engraved edition, printed from blocks carved by the Imperial Workshop, considered an official book.
Yang Wan didn’t interrupt him, leaning against a tall pillar, listening attentively as he continued.
Yang Jing sighed and continued:
“Not long after Princess Ning fell ill, I didn’t want to write this book, so I requested several times to decline the task from Vice Minister Zhang, hoping to let the Imperial Academy or Hanlin Academy take over, but was ultimately rebuked by the Vice Minister. I had no choice but to write, but the text wasn’t from my heart—the words were forced, the writing stiff. Although it’s been sent to the workshop for printing, it still displeased the Vice Minister.”
Yang Wan patted his shoulder.
“Do you care very much?”
“Yes.”
Yang Jing sighed again, “This is an officially printed book, and Vice Minister Zhang asking me to write it was truly an honor. But in my heart, I’m not at peace…”
He pressed his lips together as he spoke, and after a while released them, “I’ve let down both sister and the literary arts.”
After hearing him speak, Yang Wan smiled faintly, “So young, yet thinking of so much.”
Yang Jing said: “Sister, I’m not young anymore.”
“Alright, not young. Then if… you were to suffer some hardship because of this book…”
Yang Jing started, “What does sister mean?”
Just as he finished speaking, a eunuch came running up from below the steps saying: “Reader Yang, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wants to question you.”
Yang Jing and Yang Wan both looked down at the terrace below.
Zhang Luo wore plain dark clothes and stood with several dozen guards at a place ten steps away from the imperial road.
Wenhua Palace was where the prince studied, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn’t enter the forbidden areas without explicit imperial orders.
“These ghosts again.”
Yang Jing said this and bowed to Yang Wan: “Sister, wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”
As he spoke, he lifted his robes to walk down the steps. Yang Wan hurriedly opened her umbrella and followed, “Take the umbrella, don’t get wet.”
Zhang Luo didn’t look at Yang Wan, directly telling the captains behind him: “Take Yang Jing away.”
“Wait.”
Zhang Luo turned to face Yang Wan, “If you say one more word, I’ll take you too.”
Yang Wan walked a few steps closer to Zhang Luo, “You’re taking my brother away, and I can’t even ask why?”
Zhang Luo raised his hand, and two captains immediately grabbed Yang Jing from both sides.
“Take him back, don’t interrogate him yet, wait for my return.”
“Yes.”
“Wait.”
Yang Jing broke free from the guards’ hands, “I’ll leave the umbrella with sister, I can walk myself.”
As he spoke, he handed the umbrella to Yang Wan.
Yang Wan took the handle, saying softly to Yang Jing: “Just tell the truth, don’t be afraid.”
After Yang Jing left, Zhang Luo motioned for everyone to step back, and then looked down at Yang Wan.