In the Eastern Factory prison at the end of February, Yang Wan saw a genuine smile on Deng Ying’s face.
Although rumors were spreading outside that Bai Huan was being tortured to the brink of death by Deng Ying in the factory prison, and the condemnation of Deng Ying grew louder, their residence outside Guangji Temple had been wrecked by angry academy students. When Qin Wende and other factory guards heard about it, they were furious enough to kill. Yang Wan, fearing they would go fight the students, wanted to find people from Qingbo Inn to clean up, but Deng Ying wouldn’t allow it.
For several days straight, he showed no anger at all.
He still quietly cooked meals for Yang Wan, and when he had free time, he would tinker around in the courtyard.
With his restricted hands and feet, he worked very slowly.
But after finishing, he would wash his hands clean, roll up his sleeves, and sit across from Yang Wan to grind ink and dip his brush.
Yang Wan was organizing the recent “Dialogue Records” between Deng Ying and Bai Huan, trying to document these two traditional scholars’ thoughts in a more modern textual form, while Deng Ying had begun writing articles.
However, compared to Yang Wan’s composure, Deng Ying repeatedly read Yang Lun’s political essays before putting brush to paper.
Yang Wan rested her face in her hands and asked Deng Ying, “You never used to write before, why are you so serious now?”
Deng Ying answered with a smile: “The teacher said he wanted to read it.”
Yang Wan flipped through Yang Lun’s manuscripts, “If the Teacher wants to read your writing, why are you reading my brother’s?”
Deng Ying said: “I haven’t written classical essays for a very long time, my hand has grown rusty, but Zixi’s writing has only improved over these years. I fear if I write rashly, I’ll disappoint Teacher.”
After hearing these words, Yang Wan quietly nodded.
“Good, then read carefully and write well.”
She put away her notes, grabbed a handful of nuts, and sat under the lamp to keep Deng Ying company while shelling them.
In prison, Bai Huan would critique Deng Ying’s articles, with often only Deng Ying and Yang Wan as listeners.
Bai Huan was earnest, while Deng Ying remained humble and gentle. Even though these articles could not be published, the two of them still carefully weighed every word in the prison cell. When Deng Ying gained understanding, he would nod with a smile. The warm candlelight illuminated his face, giving Yang Wan an indescribable sense of relaxation.
If Yang Wan’s inferiority in the Great Ming stemmed from Deng Ying’s inferiority,
Then Deng Ying’s gradual process of inner healing was also a path of redemption for Yang Wan.
Texts cannot lie. When Deng Ying picked up his brush again, Yang Wan’s notes were no longer just for record-keeping. She freely employed various modern writing styles – quoting, excerpting, commenting, and connecting various “isms” to distill her ideas. She no longer feared the “tide of history,” but instead tried to find patterns in these invisible waters through the texts.
These patterns were guided by Deng Ying as a person.
Yang Wan hugged her knees as she watched the two people conversing under the lamp.
Bai Huan looked at Deng Ying with loving kindness.
“Your understanding of the southern new policies is no less than Yang Zixi’s.”
Deng Ying bowed to Bai Huan, “I’m fortunate to receive Teacher’s praise.”
Bai Huan gestured for him to skip the ceremony, then looked up and said: “When my health improves, you can come to my study at home. I’ll make space for you two to debate to your hearts’ content.”
Hearing these words, Deng Ying lowered his head and responded, “Yes.”
“Can I come to listen?”
Yang Wan raised her hand from the side.
Bai Huan smiled without speaking. Yang Wan raised her hand higher, “Teacher Bai, I understand some things too.”
Deng Ying looked back at Yang Wan, then turned to Bai Huan and said softly: “Teacher, this student is under her control for life. Places she cannot go, this student dare not go either.”
Bai Huan laughed, “Alright, Miss Yang can come too when the time comes.”
Yang Wan’s eyes curved in a smile as she stood up and said: “Lord Bai, you’re so kind. Are you tired from sitting? Let little Yang Wan massage you.”
As she spoke, she bounced behind Bai Huan.
Bai Huan looked at Yang Wan somewhat helplessly, “You girl, you don’t understand any lady-like etiquette.”
Yang Wan peeked half her face out, “But you don’t seem angry, do you?”
“Wan-wan.”
Yang Wan gave an “Oh” in response to Deng Ying and tucked her head back.
Bai Huan smiled, then called out formally: “Fuling.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
“Can you let me see Yuyang once?”
Deng Ying said: “The teacher can see him after getting out.”
Bai Huan straightened his back, “Will His Majesty release me from prison?”
Deng Ying nodded, “Just these couple of days, Teacher. The factory prison is damp, and your knees are now too swollen to walk. Please endure these few days – I probably won’t give you medicine for relief, but after you return home, you must take care to recover properly.”
Bai Huan shook his head, “Fuling.”
“Teacher, you’ve already suffered here.”
He interrupted Bai Huan’s words, “After you get out, don’t speak up for me.”
Yang Wan said from behind Bai Huan: “Teacher Bai, please listen to him. If you don’t listen to him, he won’t sleep well at night.”
Bai Huan looked at Deng Ying and said: “What can Teacher do to help you?”
Deng Ying said: “I will try to write some poetry and prose in the future. If I can bring them to the Teacher, I hope the Teacher will continue to guide me.”