The kneeling crowd steeled themselves, pressing their hands to the ground, lifting their shoulders, and arching their backs to bring their foreheads to the floor.
Some began to bleed from the first kowtow.
Deng Ying finally raised his hand to the table and struck it forcefully, “Enough.”
Only then did everyone stop, each with wounds on their foreheads, but none daring to raise a hand to soothe them.
“Won’t you thank him for his grace?”
“We servants thank the Superintendent.”
“Rise.”
He Yixian said: “If the Superintendent tells you to rise, then rise.”
After speaking, he looked up at Deng Ying, “These people are indeed like dogs and pigs compared to your former teachers and classmates, but they’re willing to obey, to kneel before you and serve well – that makes them far better than those you protect. Look at those things on your hands, then look at these people before you. I heard you asked those students arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard on East Public Street, ‘Do you want to be like me?’ So today, look at these people before you – do you want them to be like you?”
Deng Ying looked at Chen Hua, who was an honest person – when He Yixian told him to kowtow harder, he had truly knocked himself dizzy, and now could barely stand steady even with others’ support.
“All of you go out first.”
Only then did the crowd support each other as they walked out. After everyone had left, Deng Ying stood and walked to He Yixian’s front, “I don’t want anyone to be like me. I used to know nothing of making a living, but in these years in the palace, I’ve come to understand that servants have difficult lives. Men die for wealth as birds die for food – seeking private gain isn’t necessarily wrong, but once it becomes excessive, retribution is inevitable. I’ve told the Old Ancestor before – as long as you no longer obstruct the new policies in Hangzhou, I alone will bear responsibility for the school fields case. But I have only one life – after bearing this case, you must take care of yourself.”
“Deng Ying, no one wants you to die. The master also wants you to live. Why must you seek your death? Bai Huan is still in your factory prison, and the report to the master has been suppressed. You can retry this case – if Bai Huan is found guilty, the school field case cannot be investigated. You and I would both be safe, the master would be pleased, and everyone would be happy. Why won’t you agree?”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “His Majesty can only suppress it for now.”
“What are you saying?”
Deng Ying said coldly: “Official opinion can be suppressed, but what about the voice of the people?”
He Yixian felt an inexplicable chill.
Deng Ying stepped closer to him, “Does the Old Ancestor know why His Majesty unleashed his thunderous might upon the officials at the golden platform today?”
He Yixian remained silent.
Deng Ying lowered his head and said: “In the eyes of those civil officials, respect for one person’s virtue has surpassed the great respect due to hierarchy. Old Ancestor, in this world, right and wrong can be temporarily confused, black and white can be temporarily reversed, and I can bear crimes I haven’t committed, but the direction of people’s hearts cannot be changed.”
“Heh, Deng Ying, can you live long enough to reach what you call the side of people’s hearts?”
Deng Ying shook his head, “Director He, you killed my mentor whom I viewed as a father, yet today I must save you. I am already laden with sin – no death would be too harsh for me. But as Master Zhou of Tongjia Academy said before his death – ‘May my flesh and blood fall to earth to pave a good path for future generations, may my bones become trees to shelter those who follow.’ Even if I become nothing but putrid mud, I will never betray my ancestors.”
He Yixian’s teeth ground together as he slammed the table and stood up, repeatedly asking: “Ancestors? Do you think you can return to being that young graduate scholar of years past? Do you truly believe the master lacks servants like you, truly think the inner court won’t abandon you over this?”
“At this point…”
Deng Ying looked straight at He Yixian, “Whether the inner court abandons me depends on whether I’m willing to abandon myself.”
After speaking, he turned and lifted the warm curtain. The crowd waiting outside all stood up.
“Is the Superintendent leaving?”
“Yes.”
“We respectfully send…”
Deng Ying interrupted them, “Don’t bow to me anymore.”
“Superintendent, we are…”
Deng Ying walked a few steps forward, then turned back to look at everyone: “We all entered the palace as eunuchs, each with our thoughts and difficulties. But whether in poverty or wealth, we must consider ourselves human. During my tenure as Factory Superintendent, I haven’t shown favoritism to anyone, and I dare not ask much now. I only hope everyone will act according to their hearts. Deng Ying bows in thanks.”
As he finished speaking and clasped his hands to bow, he was suddenly grabbed by a force.
“Paving the way for others, are you?”
Deng Ying started, looking up to see Yang Wan holding his arm and smiling at everyone.
“Don’t listen to him. People should live well, eat well, and drink well. If you accept his bow, you’ll have to suffer like him.”
“Miss Wan.”
Everyone smiled as they called to Yang Wan.
Hearing this, Yang Wan released Deng Ying’s arm and her eyes curved in a smile.
“The Ceremonial Office is having a tea ceremony, and our Princess has awarded tea pastries to you all. You should eat and drink as you please. I need to take your Superintendent back for dinner.”
As she spoke, she straightened Deng Ying’s clothes, “You haven’t eaten anything random, have you?”
“No.”
“That’s right. Come on, let’s go back for dinner.”
She led Deng Ying away, saying as they walked: “Deng Ying, from now on, without my permission, you’re not allowed to say foolish things outside, not allowed to randomly thank people, understand?”
Deng Ying followed behind her with a smile, “Wan-wan, how long will you control me like this?”
Yang Wan stopped walking and turned back, standing on tiptoe to look Deng Ying in the eye, “I, Yang Wan, will control you for my entire life. If you die, I am your posthumous reputation; if you live, I am your backup plan. Little Deng Ying, go ahead and court death – I, Yang Wan, at my age, what haven’t I seen?”
“Wan-wan, how old are you this year?”
Yang Wan’s face fell, “Little Deng Ying, don’t be rude.”
“Yes.”