Yang Wan wrung out a cloth to wash her face, casually asking, “What’s wrong with the Second Prince?”
“He’s weak.”
Song Yunqing took a sip of tea. “Almost a year old now, but I hear he’s slow. Last month he caught a cold and had a fever for many days. They say after the fever broke, he neither smiled nor cried at people like his soul was taken by the spirits of death. The Imperial Pharmacy dared not speak of it, just placating the Noble Consort and the Empress, saying when the child is older, he’ll naturally become more alert. But Imperial Physician Peng couldn’t hold back and mentioned something to our Lady of Ceremonies.”
“What?”
Song Yunqing leaned close to Yang Wan’s ear and whispered: “They say he’s impaired.”
After hearing this, Yang Wan only responded with a soft “Mm.”
The sound of water nearly drowned out her voice.
Seeing her lack of reaction, Song Yunqing raised her voice slightly, “Yang Wan, you can remain so detached?”
“Detached about what?”
“Stop pretending to be confused. The Second Prince is impaired, while the Crown Prince is now praised throughout the palace and court. When he grows older and is established as heir apparent, you, who raised him, will be more honored than the Lady of Ceremonies.”
Yang Wan gathered her hair. “What’s wrong with you? You’re usually so careful, how can you speak of ‘raising’ him so openly today?”
Song Yunqing said: “Though you have no official position, you’re the Crown Prince’s maternal aunt. All children are the same. Look at His Majesty – Master He raised him from childhood, and though he’s a servant like us, His Majesty treats him completely differently from how he treats us.”
Yang Wan dried her hands, walking and smiling. “How should I respond to that?”
Song Yunqing said: “Who’s asking you to respond? I’m telling you to be careful. Being a target without support is the most dangerous. With Lady Ning gone… ah…”
She suddenly sighed deeply, then brought up Deng Ying: “I used to think that though Supervisor Deng is a good person, he ultimately wasn’t good support for you. Now it seems fortunate you have this connection. Though it’s just a food-sharing arrangement, still…”
Yang Wan turned back, “Yunqing, I’m together with him.”
“Together?”
Song Yunqing didn’t react immediately: “What do you mean ‘together’?”
Yang Wan lowered her head, “Just together.”
“Yang Wan!”
Song Yunqing shot to her feet, her hairpins jingling. “Have you gone mad? How can you let him torment you?”
She used the word “torment.”
Yang Wan’s scalp twitched slightly.
If Song Yunqing was taken as a reliable sample, then in the general context of the Great Ming, last night Yang Wan should have endured complete humiliation, and been utterly defiled.
Yang Wan’s first reaction was to explain to Song Yunqing that it wasn’t what she thought. But to explain would require description.
Yet how to describe it? If she portrayed Deng Ying as pure, then she would be a wanton, lustful woman. If she described herself as pure, then Deng Ying would be a filthy, shameless eunuch.
Without the blessing of a “natural union between man and woman,” someone always had to be the deviant.
Yang Wan glanced at the table that had supported her body last night. Song Yunqing’s hand was now pressed upon it, and she instinctively said: “Yunqing, come over here a bit, don’t stand there.”
Song Yunqing thought she was avoiding the main issue and grew anxious, “The Lady of Ceremonies taught you for over a year, saying that while the inner palace is lonely and one can seek some comfort, one must never defile oneself. It’s precisely because we’ve studied and learned propriety that we know to maintain our virtue and can serve as palace officials respected by all. These words were so sincere, each sentence for our good, how could you…”
“I’m sorry.”
Yang Wan interrupted her, “I know I’ve disappointed you and the Lady of Ceremonies.”
When she said these words, there was sorrow in her heart and pain in her eyes.
Seeing her expression, Song Yunqing couldn’t continue her reproach. She relaxed her shoulders and adjusted her tone, “Actually… the Lady of Ceremonies and I understand your difficulties.”
Yang Wan smiled slightly, “You think I’m together with Deng Ying for the sake of the Palace of Diligent Government and the young prince?”
Song Yunqing gently embraced Yang Wan, “I didn’t say that, don’t think that way.”
Yang Wan pressed her lips together. “Yunqing, don’t think of me that way.”
“Alright… I won’t say such things anymore.”
Not wanting her to feel distressed, Song Yunqing changed her approach: “Take care of yourself. When you’re unhappy, come find us at the Fifth Office. We’ll be like before.”
Yang Wan leaned on Song Yunqing’s shoulder, “Do you think I’m unclean?”
Song Yunqing shook her head, “No, truly no. Yang Wan, I was only anxious because I feared you’d be hurt. Those words weren’t pleasant to hear, please don’t take them to heart.”
She looked down at Yang Wan as she spoke, her fingers hesitantly squeezing Yang Wan’s back, “The Supervisor… is he good to you?”
“You’ve always said he’s good.”
“I’m asking… is he good to you? When you’re… with him… does it hurt?”
“No.”
“That’s good then.”
Song Yunqing patted Yang Wan’s back, letting out a long sigh.
Their clothes rustled, and Yang Wan noticed Song Yunqing’s body trembling when she asked that question.
The compassion in her words seemed both to comfort Yang Wan and pity herself.
“I can’t delay any longer, I must go back.”
“Won’t you stay for tea?”