The next day, before the hour of Mao, Deng Ying had already risen.
Yang Wan came out of Yi Lang’s chamber carrying a lamp, “Are you leaving?”
Deng Ying nodded.
Yang Wan pulled her robe tighter around her shoulders, “It’s still early, won’t you sleep a bit longer?”
“I need to go to the Ministry of Justice first.”
He lifted his arms slightly, “These need to be temporarily removed. I haven’t been able to groom myself for days, and I can’t appear unkempt before the Emperor.”
Yang Wan nodded without asking further questions, stepping aside and waving to Deng Ying, “Then go slowly.”
“I will.”
Yang Wan watched Deng Ying leave Chengqian Palace before returning to her chambers with the lamp.
The calming incense she had burned for Deng Ying was finished, though its fragrance lingered. The water he had used to wash still sat quietly by the door. The bedding was neat as if no one had lain there. Yang Wan set down the lamp and sat on the bed for a while, remembering how last night, Deng Ying had still been too afraid to eat noodles in front of Yi Lang, hiding in her room with his bowl.
He had sat right here on her bed, carefully leaning forward, holding the bowl very low, afraid his unsteady hands might spill the soup.
Yang Wan thought of this as she propped up her face with her hand, curling up against the bed.
Everyone’s hearts were changing, except Deng Ying’s.
He lived his life with such clean cautiousness.
How to make him relax a little? Yang Wan closed her eyes and suddenly remembered that night with Deng Ying.
She quickly patted her cheeks, suddenly wishing this era had some psychology books that matched its cultural background. After all, interdisciplinary research was popular in the 21st century—if such books existed, she would be willing to spend some time studying them.
Only Qi Huaiyang was at the Ministry of Justice, sitting at his desk writing official documents. The day hadn’t fully brightened, and lamplight shadows danced gently on the walls. Qi Huaiyang had placed a brazier of charcoal by his feet, its sparks crackling. He vaguely heard the sound of iron chains scraping against the ground and looked up from his writing.
“Supervisor Deng.”
Deng Ying cupped his hands in greeting, “Minister Qi.”
Qi Huaiyang rose and came out from behind his desk. Seeing two Eastern Depot guards carrying Deng Ying’s official robes behind him, his tone became polite.
He asked Deng Ying, “There’s no court session or interrogation for you today, Supervisor. What brings you here?”
Deng Ying said, “I must go before the Emperor today. I hope the Minister will accommodate me and allow me to change clothes.”
After hearing this, Qi Huaiyang called for bailiffs, “Help Supervisor Deng remove these.”
The bailiffs came forward to unlock the restraints, and Deng Ying cooperated quietly.
Qi Huaiyang couldn’t help but ask, “Is His Majesty still holding the Bureau of Revenue’s memorial impeaching Minister Bai?”
Deng Ying replied, “It will be discussed today.”
“Has His Majesty summoned the Directorate of Ceremonial?”
“Yes.”
As Deng Ying spoke, he frowned. The two Eastern Depot guards behind him immediately barked fiercely at the bailiffs, “What are you doing?”
The bailiffs immediately turned pale with fright.
Deng Ying turned back, “You wait outside. Leave the clothes here.”
Watching the two guards being driven out, Qi Huaiyang said softly, “Yang Lun told me to accommodate you when possible. Though I don’t have much say in the Ministry of Justice, I can manage these small matters.”
Deng Ying didn’t respond to Qi Huaiyang’s words, instead lowering his hands and looking up to ask, “Minister Qi, how is Minister Bai’s health lately?”
“He improved somewhat last month.” He sighed and continued, “These days, not all illnesses can be cured with medicine.”
Hearing this, Deng Ying couldn’t help but smile, “I understand.”
Qi Huaiyang changed the subject, “What I worry about now is what outcome will come from joint deliberation with the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
Just as he finished speaking, the restraints had been removed from Deng Ying’s body.
“Minister, it’s done.”
Qi Huaiyang nodded in acknowledgment, “Ah, you may go first.”
Seeing Deng Ying bend down alone to pick up his official robes, he added, “Supervisor Deng, you can have your men come in to assist you.”
Deng Ying glanced back at the door, “Never mind, they’re not servants.”
Qi Huaiyang watched Deng Ying carry his clothes into the inner hall and told the bailiffs, “Be gentle later when you put them back on.”
A bailiff hurriedly replied, “Honestly, Minister, if we hadn’t dealt with this Eastern Depot Supervisor ourselves, we wouldn’t believe he was such a person.”
Hearing this, Qi Huaiyang waved his hand without saying anything and returned to his desk to continue writing his earlier document.
Deng Ying took only the time it took to drink a cup of tea before coming out. The bailiffs who had to put his restraints back on felt reluctant. Deng Ying turned his head aside and casually asked Qi Huaiyang, “Is Minister Bai still writing my crime report?”
Qi Huaiyang replied, “No, the Minister is holding it back.”
“Mm.”
Deng Ying nodded, and after the bailiffs withdrew, he bowed again to Qi Huaiyang.
“Thank you, Minister, and please convey my thanks to Minister Bai as well.”
Qi Huaiyang rose to return the bow, “Safe journey, Supervisor.”