“Fuling…”
“Teacher.”
Deng Ying interrupted again, “Your student has truly tried his best, and cannot turn back now. I only ask that Teacher and Zixi stay safe and implement the new policies in Hangzhou.”
After speaking, he looked at Yang Wan, “And you, Wan-wan, don’t force anything. You must stay safe.”
Yang Wan responded with a “Mm.” “Don’t worry.”
Just as she finished speaking, Qin Wende said outside the cell: “Superintendent, Yang Lun, Lord Yang has arrived. He’s outside the factory prison and says he wants to see you.”
Yang Wan said: “What’s wrong?”
Qin Wende said: “Seems something happened in the Grand Secretariat.”
Deng Ying was silent for a moment before standing to walk out.
Yang Wan also stood up, bending to collect Deng Ying’s manuscripts.
Bai Huan called to her: “Miss Yang.”
“Yes, Teacher?”
Bai Huan said: “We are all people who must abandon him. I hope you…”
“I understand.”
Yang Wan gathered Deng Ying’s writings and placed them in her bosom, “You haven’t abandoned him either. He’s much happier lately than before. Don’t worry – no matter what happens, I’ll look after this foolish student of yours for life.”
After speaking, she turned to smile at Bai Huan: “I’m going to look after him now. Teacher Bai, please rest well.”
In the main hall of the factory prison, Yang Lun’s expression was grave.
Deng Ying said: “Sit down first and then…”
“You’re about to die, why don’t you just have me kneel and kowtow to you?”
Hearing this, Deng Ying felt both angry and amused, “Yang Zixi, why do you talk nonsense when you’re anxious?”
Yang Lun gave a “hmph.”
He glanced at Yang Wan who had followed behind Deng Ying, and said to Deng Ying: “Ask her if she’s panicking.”
Deng Ying turned back to see Yang Wan walking while saying to Yang Lun: “I am a bit panicked, but not enough to curse him.”
Yang Lun choked, slamming the table: “Since when do you stand against your brother?”
Deng Ying advised: “Alright, speak of the important matters.”
Yang Lun said dejectedly: “What’s happened to Teacher?”
“Nothing.”
“Why are people outside saying he’s being tortured to near death in the Eastern Factory prison?”
“Let them say it.”
“They can’t keep saying it!”
Yang Lun stepped closer to Deng Ying, “Early this morning, those academy students went to kneel and weep at the Bai residence gate. Later, the examination candidates from Changhe Lane on East Public Street all crowded over there too. I was worried something would happen to them, so I went with Qi Huaiyang to check. But these students wouldn’t leave, and they even knelt to petition us. Qi Huaiyang and I couldn’t stay, we had to leave first.”
Deng Ying nodded, “Did people from the Censorate go?”
“They did.”
“Good.”
“Good my ass!”
Yang Lun shouted: “I came specifically to tell you about this. Bai Yuyang is making things convenient for these Censorate people. The Ceremonial Office won’t protect you. The Censorate’s memorial exposing your torture of the Grand Secretary will probably reach His Majesty’s desk tonight. What’s happened to the Teacher? Have you truly taken good care of him or not!”
“How dare I not treat Teacher well!”
Deng Ying also raised his voice, then turned and walked a few steps away, pressing his lips together before saying: “Yang Zixi, can you calm down and discuss this matter rationally with me? The prison is damp, and Teacher was already gravely ill. These past few days his legs can no longer walk. I’m very anxious too, but this is currently a good thing. The students causing trouble is also a good thing – at least it can force His Majesty to release Teacher. Zixi, regarding the Teacher’s case, I’ve made another copy of the report. Since you’ve come today, I’ll give it to you.”
“What for?”
Deng Ying said: “I worry that once His Majesty punishes me, the Ceremonial Office will control the Eastern Factory and falsify the Grand Secretary’s case files. So I’m giving you this copy. Keep it, but don’t act rashly, and especially don’t give it to Minister Bai and others to use. As long as we can save Teacher, that’s enough.”
Yang Lun silently looked at Deng Ying, and after a while finally said: “I understand now, this is your method, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Yang Lun kept nodding, clenching his hands as he paced around the hall once, then confronted Deng Ying: “You’re something.”
Yang Wan pulled Deng Ying back slightly, “Alright, stop scolding him. Right now you’d better go with Qi Huaiyang to the Bai residence again to watch those students. Scolding Deng Ying is fine, but if they drag in the Ceremonial Office and the Emperor, they’re finished!”
“Right…”
Yang Lun turned, “I need to make another trip with Qi Huaiyang.”
“Hurry and go.”
Yang Wan walked a few steps to see Yang Lun off, then returned to stand before Deng Ying.
He had endured Yang Lun’s outburst, yet still stood quietly.
Yang Wan looked at him with a smile, “Where do you want to go now?”
Deng Ying smiled, “I want to go back to my chambers and rest for a while.”
Yang Wan lifted Deng Ying’s hand, gently rolling up his sleeve, and smiled while pressing her lips together, “You must be tired after rushing around with these things for so long?”
Deng Ying nodded, “Yes, finally I won’t have to make a disgraceful spectacle anymore.”
Yang Wan squeezed his hand, “Nonsense.”
She looked up, “Don’t forget the promise you made to me.”
“I know.”
As he spoke, he touched Yang Wan’s cheek, “I will live a long life of a hundred years.”
Yang Wan nodded, looking down to say: “Raise your hand.”
“What?”
“Raise your hand.”
Deng Ying obeyed, and Yang Wan hooked her pinky finger with his.
“Do you remember when we pinky swore by South Lake?”
Deng Ying was startled for a moment.
“I remember.”
“Deng Ying, I will come find you again. When you see me next time, you must be happier. Barring anything unexpected, I will come to get you before the Mid-Autumn Festival. I’ll bring you clean clothes and socks, and lots and lots of good food.”
After speaking, she untied a lotus jade pendant from her waist and handed it to Deng Ying, smiling as she said: “I originally wanted to have some ceremony, but there’s no time now. These jade pendants have always been a pair. I’m giving you this jade bead as a token. Although I have brothers and sisters and parents, I don’t want to care about parental orders or matchmakers’ words. I’m making my own decision to marry myself to you. However, marriage should be free – you should make your own decision too. If you’re not sure and want to ask your teacher’s opinion, that’s fine. I won’t force you. I’ll wait for your return gift.”
After speaking, she placed the jade pendant in Deng Ying’s hand.
“Alright, go back and have a good sleep. I’m leaving.”
“Wan-wan.”
Deng Ying called out to her, “Aren’t you returning to the palace with me?”
Yang Wan turned back and shook her head, “I’m going to the Bai residence. Deng Ying, I don’t like those students at all, but I agree with you and Teacher Bai’s thinking. You want to protect them, you don’t want to see a second Tongjia tragedy, and neither do I.”