Yang Wan prostrated herself, “This servant thanks Your Majesty.”
After speaking these words, her mind could no longer continue, and her elbows supporting her on the ground suddenly couldn’t lift her body.
The Emperor looked at her injuries and casually asked, “Has the Imperial Physician seen you?”
Yang Wan replied hoarsely, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Yes, they have.”
Emperor Zhening nodded, “You understand well, knowing what should and shouldn’t be said, and your heart is loyal to the palace. I’ll decide to pardon you today. You’ve suffered wrongly, and I will have the Empress issue an edict to personally comfort you. If there are any other rewards you desire, you may tell Me now while I’m here.”
Though this sounded gentle, it was a trap, testing Yang Wan’s thoughts. If she answered even slightly wrong, all her previous efforts would be wasted.
Deng Ying watched Yang Wan anxiously, seeing her seemingly exhale before responding softly, “This servant dares not ask for rewards, only begs Your Majesty to allow this servant a few days’ rest.”
Hearing these words, the Emperor finally smiled, “I just said you were sensible, yet now you’re being so foolish. It seems the beating has hurt you badly. Looking at you makes Me quite sympathetic.”
Yang Wan, already struggling to support herself, simply raised her head slightly and kowtowed again.
“Your Majesty’s mercy overwhelms this servant.”
Emperor Zhening waved his hand, “Enough. Deng Ying.”
“This servant is here.”
“Go personally to the Department of Ceremonial Affairs and tell Director Jiang, it’s My wish that she recover in Chengrong Palace for half a month.”
“Yes.”
Emperor Zhening looked at the sky through the window, “What time is it?”
“Almost Chen hour (7-9 AM).”
“Have the Grand Secretariat’s memorials been submitted?”
Deng Ying said, “This servant will inquire at the Directorate of Ceremonial for Your Majesty.”
Emperor Zhening stood up and shook his sleeves, “No need. I’ll wait in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As for this place of yours…”
He looked around, “It’s too cramped. Since those duty rooms on the west side are empty, incorporate them all into the Inner Eastern Depot. Deng Ying, from now on when the Inner Eastern Depot conducts inspections, if you encounter important cases, you may report directly to Me in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. No need to go through the Northern Command – you can arrest suspects and conduct interrogations yourselves. I will issue an edict about this through the Grand Secretariat, so both the Directorate and Depot will know.”
Deng Ying knelt and responded “Yes,” then raised his head and asked: “Your Majesty, may Zheng Yuejia be transferred to the Eastern Depot for internal investigation?”
Emperor Zhening looked out the window, rubbing his thumb in silence for a while, “Bring him back. He served Me once, and I don’t want him out there.”
After speaking, he seemed to sigh, “Go get him yourself. When he’s back, no need to see Me. As for how to handle him… I’ll think about it. You don’t need to say anything to him, just let him wait.”
“Bring him back.”
To Yang Wan’s ears, these words sounded like a master deciding to take back an abandoned dog – condescending and chilling.
She couldn’t help but turn to look at Deng Ying kneeling beside her. He kept his eyes lowered, prostrating himself before Emperor Zhening, “This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace toward Zheng Yuejia.”
Grace?
What kind of grace was this?
Yang Wan looked at Deng Ying’s hands pressed against the ground, and his forehead touching the back of his hands. Dust from the ground had stained his robe sleeves, yet this man was far cleaner and gentler than the man standing before him. As Yang Wan watched, her eyes gradually reddened.
“Is Hu Xiang outside?”
Emperor Zhening lowered his head to arrange his sleeves and called out.
Hu Xiang quickly opened the door and responded.
“Return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”
Everyone inside and out knelt to see off the imperial presence.
After the imperial procession had gone far, Qin Wende stood and closed the main door.
The daylight dimmed again, and Yang Wan could no longer support herself. Her body swayed and collapsed.
Deng Ying quickly moved on his knees to catch her, supporting her back to let her lean against his chest.
Two days of recovery were completely undone in this one fall. Yang Wan lowered her head to see blood seeping from the wounds on her legs, instantly staining her trouser legs red.
“I tried my best today…”
She looked up at Deng Ying, who silently nodded at her.
“Deng Ying… if you’re ever in difficulty in the future, I will help you desperately, just like today.”
“I don’t need that. I just don’t want you to become like me.”
As he spoke, he bent down trying to roll up her trouser leg. Yang Wan gave a coughing laugh, “Don’t bother rolling it up, the wound has just reopened. You won’t be able to see it from the bottom.”
Deng Ying lowered his hands, “I’ll take you back to Chengrong Palace soon. Once there, we can call female physicians to properly treat your wounds. I haven’t taken good care of you these past few days.”
Yang Wan shook her head, “His Majesty has now given the Eastern Depot the western duty rooms and the power to detain and interrogate. You’ll be very busy in the coming days… Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine after resting for a few days.”
Deng Ying reached out to smooth her hair, damp with cold sweat, “I was already unforgivable before you, and now, I owe you a debt of gratitude as well.”
Yang Wan laughed softly, raising her hand to touch Deng Ying’s neck, her palm half on his collar and half on his exposed skin.
Deng Ying’s back stiffened, his fingers slowly squeezing his knees.
“I didn’t lie to you, did I? When I said I would help you, I definitely could.”
“Mm.”