“What are you planning to do?”
Yang Wan coughed once and replied: “While the Six Palaces cannot attend to His Majesty, there is still one palace outside of the six.”
Deng Ying heard these words and lowered his head in silence for a moment, then suddenly said, “You mean the Empress Dowager?”
Yang Wan nodded, “Whether the Empress is personally attending to His Majesty, or using attendance as a pretext to conspire with the Imperial Household Department to privately confine His Majesty – these are two entirely different matters. The Empress Dowager may not see this now, but as long as we can make her suspicious, we can help the Eastern Depot and the Cabinet create an opening in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”
Deng Ying asked: “You’re going to see the Empress Dowager?”
Yang Wan shook her head, “Not me. Someone else is in a better position.”
“Yang Wan.”
Deng Ying suddenly lowered his voice, calling Yang Wan by her full name.
Yang Wan didn’t continue, lowering her gaze and gripping her arm.
Dark clouds pressed down from above, and the wind carried the scent of earth. The fragrance of the Christmas cactus grew stronger.
An attendant behind Deng Ying stepped forward, “Director, it’s going to rain.”
Deng Ying turned back and said: “You all take shelter first.”
He then turned back to look at Yang Wan, opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.
Yang Wan waited a while, and hearing no response from Deng Ying, simply smiled and said, “I know what you want to tell me, but it’s too late.”
She looked down at the silent Yi Lang beside her, “I once advised you to be more open-minded, to avoid doing things that would harm yourself, but now… I’m the one who can’t let go.”
Her throat tightened, her voice carrying a slight tremor, “I want to be like you, to live up to the meaning of my life. Deng Ying, and Your Highness, neither of you should be afraid.”
Black clouds pressed down, and dead leaves swirled past the palace walls.
When Yang Wan returned to the entrance of Chengqian Palace, Heyu and others immediately came out to meet her.
Yang Wan endured her knee pain as she crossed the threshold, telling Heyu: “Help me prepare some cold water, nothing else is needed.”
Heyu anxiously asked Qingmeng, “How did Aunt Wan get hurt? What exactly did the Empress decree?”
Qingmeng glanced at the threshold below.
Heyu paused briefly, then understood.
“The stone threshold punishment?”
“Yes.”
Though Heyu felt distressed hearing this, she still let out a long sigh of relief, “At least… at least it was just that method…”
“But it still harms the body.”
Yang Wan looked up to see Noble Lady Chen stepping out from the side hall, walking towards her with concern.
“These seemingly minor punishments are often the hardest to recover from. What did you do to deserve such punishment?”
Qingmeng said tearfully: “Aunt took the punishment in place of the Prince.”
“In place of the Prince…”
Yang Wan raised her hand to stop Qingmeng from continuing, and said to Noble Lady Chen: “It’s fortunate that it was the Prince attending in the Hall of Mental Cultivation today, not you, Noble Lady Chen.”
Noble Lady Chen started, then said: “I just received the imperial decree that attendance from all Six Palaces has been suspended. They say anyone who disturbs His Majesty’s recovery will be severely punished. What logic is this? We barely see His Majesty a few times a year as it is, and now that His Majesty is gravely ill, how can they block our sincere concerns outside?”
Yang Wan coughed once, straightening up despite the pain, “Don’t worry, the Empress Dowager will understand the feelings of all the consorts.”
“The Empress Dowager… yes, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of it – we can still seek the Old Master’s help in this matter.”
Yang Wan swallowed and said, “Noble Lady Chen, please listen to this servant’s advice.”
“Speak.”
Yang Wan struggled to release herself from Heyu’s support and bowed to Lady Chen.
“His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Old Master’s mood must be unsettled. Speaking too much before her would not benefit you.”
Noble Lady Chen lowered her gaze, “I understand that, but…”
“Please tell the Old Master that with the Empress alone bearing all the worry and labor, oversights are inevitable. The entire palace and court know nothing of His Majesty’s condition – how can we not be anxious in our concern?”
Noble Lady Chen asked: “Speaking this way, will the Empress Dowager grant us permission to see His Majesty?”
Yang Wan neither confirmed nor denied, only saying hoarsely: “Your Ladyship should try.”
After Lady Chen left, Yang Wan slowly moved to sit in the side hall. Heyu brought cold water and knelt to roll up Yang Wan’s trouser legs.
Yang Wan pressed her hand down saying: “It’s fine, I’m alright. To accompany the Prince to rest, I’ll handle this myself.”
Heyu stood and answered “Yes.”
But Yi Lang refused to leave. He stood before Yang Wan, and though he didn’t speak, his presence made Heyu and the others dare not approach.
Yang Wan looked up and said softly: “What is it, Your Highness?”
Yi Lang said: “I have something to ask Aunt. Aunt Heyu, you may withdraw.”
“Your Highness…”
Heyu felt uncertain and instinctively looked to Yang Wan.