Deng Ying was stripped of his official position, with the Eastern Investigation Bureau temporarily transferred to the control of the Directorate of Ceremonial. His official robes and seal were returned to the Directorate.
He had thought that upon his return, Li Yu and Chen Hua would treat him “differently,” but the quarters by the city moat were livelier than he’d expected. Li Yu, his face smudged with soot, was picking through the charcoal basket by the door. Chen Hua, accompanied by two young eunuchs, was busy preparing meals. Seeing Yang Wan supporting Deng Ying, he quickly abandoned his tasks to welcome them: “Finally back.”
Deng Ying raised his hand in greeting, “Seal-bearer.”
Chen Hua hurriedly steadied him, “No need, no need, you’ll shorten my life doing that!”
Deng Ying straightened up, “It’s according to protocol.”
Chen Hua said, “Haven’t you helped us advance enough before? If I put on airs just because you’re in trouble, wouldn’t that make me heartless?”
Deng Ying nodded with a smile.
As the two stood talking at the door, Yang Wan watched Li Yu diligently tending the fire. She took out a handkerchief to wipe Li Yu’s face, “Thank you for helping me clean up.”
Li Yu brushed away Yang Wan’s hand, “Don’t touch my face, I’m not a child.”
Chen Hua laughed from the side, “Song Sizan scolded him this morning, he’s in a bad mood.”
Yang Wan asked, “Where’s Yun Qing?”
Chen Hua sighed, “You know how strict the rules are at the Clothing Bureau, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to come.”
“True.”
Yang Wan nodded while speaking, “I’ll go see her tomorrow.”
She looked up at Chen Hua and said, “I’ll help him to bed first, then come out to help you all.”
Chen Hua replied, “You take care of Deng Ying. We’re used to this work, we’ll manage efficiently.”
Yang Wan supported Deng Ying into the room.
The indigo bedding was laid out neatly on the wooden bed frame. Yang Wan helped Deng Ying sit on the edge, then turned to get his undergarments from the cabinet.
As the cabinet door opened, a faint soap fragrance wafted out. Deng Ying lifted his head, watching Yang Wan’s back as she crouched before the cabinet. To come to receive him, she hadn’t worn palace clothes, her entire outfit was plain, and her hair was done simply. She went through Deng Ying’s clothes one by one, asking in an even voice, “Shall we use the old ones? They’re softer.”
“Any is fine.”
Yang Wan gave a small laugh, pulling out a silk garment that had been starched until soft, then turned to look at Deng Ying’s feet.
“Take off your shoes.”
“Oh… all right.”
In their private moments, he had grown accustomed to her somewhat forceful manner, how she managed every aspect of his life. Though she wasn’t a particularly meticulous woman, she knew exactly when and how to treat Deng Ying, giving him the courage to follow his heart and move forward fearlessly, while also allowing him to quietly be an obedient man by her side. In other words, she seemed to have known Deng Ying for a very long time, familiar with his unconscious temperament, to the extent that even her tone of voice could timely soothe Deng Ying’s heart.
So, Deng Ying didn’t want to think about anything else. He docilely placed his feet on the ground, waiting for Yang Wan to continue her “nagging.”
Yang Wan looked at Deng Ying’s feet planted on the ground, his big toes shyly pressing against each other, as if wanting to be seen yet ashamed of their ugliness, appearing hesitant.
“All dirty.”
Speaking thus, she smiled and crouched down, brushing the dust off his feet with her hand.
“Wan Wan, don’t touch them, I’ll do it myself.”
Yang Wan pinched his toes and looked up, “Now you won’t let me touch you?”
Deng Ying winced at her pinch, unconsciously gripping his trouser legs. Looking down at Yang Wan, he said softly, “It’s not that I won’t let you, I’ve always been afraid to.”
Yang Wan stood up, crossing her arms, “Get up there.”
“What?”
“Sit on the bed.”
As she spoke, she lifted a corner of the blanket, “Quickly.”
“All right.”
Deng Ying lifted his legs onto the bed, while Yang Wan tucked in the blanket, saying, “Since we haven’t changed the bedding yet, you can lie there all dirty if you want, but after I help you change it, you’ll have to bathe before getting in, and you’re not allowed down without reason.”
She placed his undergarments beside the bed, “Same for these, change after your bath.”
Just then, Chen Hua called from outside, “Miss Wan, could you come here a moment?”
Yang Wan rose and walked to the door. Chen Hua handed her a surcoat, saying, “Song Sizan asked me to bring this to you. I couldn’t say it earlier with Deng Ying present… Sizan says the one you made is fine for wearing at home, but if you’re seeing others, it’s rather… ugly.”
Yang Wan laughed, “That person, making you speak such blunt truths.”
Chen Hua also laughed, “Yes, this is the first one you ruined, she partly took it apart and altered it. The stitching isn’t done yet, she says to take your time with it, the general shape won’t be spoiled.”
Yang Wan shook out the surcoat and said to Chen Hua, “Really thank you both, and Li Yu too. I can’t easily use people from Chengqian Palace, if not for you all, with my clumsy hands, I really couldn’t manage.”
Chen Hua smiled and asked Li Yu, “You’ve been dawdling so long, is the water hot yet?”
Li Yu, squatting by the stove, said, “I’m not dawdling, it’s been ready ages ago, you told Yang Wan to bring the basin to carry it.”
Chen Hua scolded him, “Can’t even call her Miss Wan.”
Li Yu stood up angrily, “I’m leaving.”
“Hey, you…”
Chen Hua couldn’t stop Li Yu, and looked embarrassedly at Yang Wan, “I’m really sorry, even his sister can’t control him sometimes, let alone me.”
Yang Wan lowered her head with a laugh, “It’s fine, his temperament is just right for dealing with the one inside.”