This was more than just a courtier’s response before the imperial bed—for Yang Lun, it was a chess match.
He glanced at Zhang Luo, secretly clenching his fist.
The Emperor’s face had reddened from coughing, his throat raw and voice trembling.
“He Yixian.”
“Your servant is here.”
The Emperor straightened himself on the couch, “Put on my shoes.”
He Yixian glanced at Yang Lun and the others, bending down to advise: “Your Majesty should rest.”
Zhang Luo knelt, “Your subject begs Your Majesty to care for your health.”
Emperor Zhenning waved his hand. “You don’t understand me. I heard about the Cabinet Elder’s situation, and my heart aches.”
Bai Yuyang hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, my father has returned home. Before I entered the palace, he repeatedly instructed me to convey his gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace.”
After speaking, he straightened his robes and performed a deep kowtow.
Emperor Zhenning said, “Rise. I’ve already reviewed the Ministry of Justice’s previous memorial. Although Liang Weiben was the Cabinet Elder’s student, collaborating with Japanese pirates at the salt fields has no connection to the Elder. As for Deng Ying’s report, I need not look at it. Consider him a criminal slave and interrogate him properly.”
Bai Yuyang said, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Emperor Zhenning pressed his brow, raising his voice, “How am I wise?”
He pointed toward the desk, “I am alone, unlike you all who have teachers and classmates, writing flowery essays that criticize me openly and secretly until nothing remains of my dignity. These past years my spirit has grown shorter, thinking of the unrest at the borders and the people’s suffering. I cannot rest. Though morning court has been suspended, when have I ever neglected state affairs?”
He stood up, barefoot, walking to Yang Lun, who hurriedly lifted his robe to kneel, “Please, Your Majesty, take care of your health.”
Emperor Zhenning looked down, “Minister Yang, I too am human. I too have blind spots. You may remonstrate as you will—I can endure what I can endure. If the Founding Emperor were still here, these people…”
He pointed again at the pile of memorials on the desk, “Would all have been beheaded!”
Yang Lun bowed his head, “Your subject knows Your Majesty is merciful. I will certainly advise all officials to appreciate Your Majesty’s benevolence.”
Emperor Zhenning looked at Yang Lun’s back, “If that’s the case, shouldn’t I at least deal with the students from Shushan and Hutan Academies?”
“Your Majesty!”
Yang Lun raised his head in alarm, “These students were truly deceived, which led to their careless words. Please consider their youth and ignorance…”
“Heh.”
The Emperor gave a short laugh, “Yang Lun, you still dare to force me to back down?”
“Your subject would not dare!”
“If you wouldn’t dare, then tell me, how much further must I back down? In the future, will anyone with advice for me be allowed to speak carelessly, raising their arms and shouting in the marketplace? Under heaven, on Great Ming’s soil, where do you place me?”
Yang Lun was forced into silence, only able to kowtow and say, “Your subject is deeply ashamed.”
Emperor Zhenning stepped backward, and He Yixian quickly came forward to help him sit on the couch.
As soon as he sat down, the Emperor coughed severely several times, only managing to calm down after drinking some tea.
Except for Zhang Luo, both Yang Lun and Bai Yuyang knelt on the ground, each unable to speak.
Emperor Zhenning looked at Zhang Luo and called hoarsely, “Zhang Luo.”
“Your subject is here.”
“I leave the matter of the academy students to the Imperial Guard.”
“Your subject accepts the decree.”
“Mm…”
Emperor Zhenning lifted his teacup, speaking evenly, “Don’t repeat the mistakes of the Tongjia Bookcase, understand?”
Zhang Luo responded, “Your subject understands. I will leave the palace now to arrest the students from Shushan and Hutan academies.”
“Go then.”
Yang Lun knelt on the ground, unable to help closing his eyes.
He worried for Yang Wan, wishing he could follow Zhang Luo out of the palace, yet he had to force himself to maintain his composure.
As Yang Wan had said, Deng Ying’s actions from beginning to end were to protect the Grand Secretariat, to protect Yang Lun. He absolutely could not at this moment carelessly throw himself away.
Just as Yang Lun was caught in this dilemma, as if immersed in boiling oil, Hu Xiang entered to report: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Emperor Zhenning said, “It’s cold outside. Let him in.”
Hu Xiang hesitated, glanced outside, then carefully replied, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is kneeling outside.”
Hearing this, Emperor Zhenning leaned back on the couch, silent for a moment, then raised his head to address Yang Lun, “Go out and ask him his intention.”
“Yes.”
Yang Lun rose, supporting himself on the ground, and walked to the hall exterior.
Yi Lang, kneeling at the steps, raised his head to look at Yang Lun once, then lowered it again.
Yang Lun bowed to him according to protocol, then asked, “Why is Your Highness here?”
Yi Lang replied, “Please relay to Father Emperor that your son kneels here to beg Father Emperor to pardon the academy students. Your son is willing to take punishment in their stead.”