Bai Huan’s residence was behind the street inside Fucheng Gate.
When the Eastern Depot came to make the arrest, guards remained at the entrance of the alley.
They had piled wooden barriers at the alley entrance, blocking curious citizens from the street inside Fucheng Gate. Deng Ying had been standing with his back to the alley entrance for nearly two hours.
A child slipped through the barrier while the guards weren’t looking, crawling on the ground to curiously tug at the shackles on Deng Ying’s feet. Deng Ying looked down, initially intending to move away, but due to the pain from his old injuries, he stumbled and nearly tripped over the child. He hurriedly braced himself against the wall trying to step back, but still couldn’t avoid stepping on the child’s hand.
The child burst into tears with a “Waa!”
Qin Wende strode over in two steps and lifted the child by the collar.
“Where are this child’s parents!”
His voice was loud, but no one in the crowd responded immediately. After a while, someone whispered, “Now the Eastern Depot won’t even spare children.”
“Children? Do you know who this Superintendent is arresting today?”
“Who?”
“Tsk, the master of this residence. Minister Bai, an elder statesman of two reigns, now to be locked up and suffer in the Eastern Depot prison.”
“Ah? What crime has the Minister committed?”
“What crime? Whatever crime that man says the Minister committed becomes his crime.”
“Aiy… what a sin!”
“Isn’t it? I heard that this Superintendent was once the Minister’s student when he was studying. Changed his skin and became like a vicious dog.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a woman behind him began trembling and crying out.
The people in front quickly turned around, “Madam, what’s wrong?”
The woman looked at the child in Qin Wende’s hands and sobbed: “I took my eyes off him for just a moment… my son…”
Public opinion was fearsome.
Fortunately, Deng Ying hadn’t heard clearly. He walked to Qin Wende’s side and raised his hand.
“Put him down gently.”
Qin Wende looked indignant, “Superintendent, it’s bad enough that Minister Bai humiliates you, but even a child acts this way.”
Deng Ying raised his hand higher, “Let go quickly.”
Only then did Qin Wende reluctantly release his grip.
The child was trembling with fear, clinging to Deng Ying and not daring to move. Deng Ying tugged at his sleeve to cover his wrist, avoiding chafing the child’s back, and turned to carry him to the barrier.
Seeing this, the child’s mother quickly pushed through the crowd, fearfully taking her child, not daring to speak, using her sleeve to shield the child’s face as she turned and pushed back into the crowd. At this moment, the Bai residence opened its side door, and the household manager came out, bowing to Deng Ying.
“Superintendent Deng, our master has difficulty rising. Knowing you come with imperial orders, he dares not be negligent and has sent this humble servant to welcome you inside. Additionally, there are women in the residence, all modest ladies who don’t cross the threshold. We hope the Superintendent will be understanding and allow them to withdraw to the rear hall.”
Deng Ying said: “His Majesty gave no orders to search the house. Please inform the master’s family members so they may rest assured.”
Then he turned to Qin Wende, “Follow me in, do not disturb the inner residence.”
“Yes.”
The manager led Deng Ying and his men through the entrance. As soon as Deng Ying entered the main courtyard, he smelled a strong medicinal scent.
Bai Huan’s main courtyard had almost no decorative features, only a blue stone placed in the center, inscribed with the “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra” that Deng Ying had written and carved himself as a young student. In front of the stone was an oilcloth tent, where books that had been temporarily gathered due to the rain were spread out to dry.
The manager ordered a maid to lift the heavy quilted curtain, stepping aside.
“The master’s legs are not good anymore, every few days he needs herb-steeped water, steaming for a while before he can feel any relief. The master feared that when he goes out later, he wouldn’t be able to bear the restraints and would cause trouble for you, Superintendent, so he ordered this preparation this morning, which caused the delay. Please don’t blame him.”
Deng Ying lowered his head and entered past the curtain.
The maids let down the curtain, blocking the daylight outside. By the flickering light of several oil lamps, Deng Ying saw Bai Huan sitting beneath a hanging scroll. He wore a bear fur cape, with a wooden tub placed beneath him, and a servant adding rolling water to the tub. The room was humid, with large water droplets condensed on the floor.
Deng Ying knelt and bowed to Bai Huan.
But Bai Huan waved his hand and laughed with a cough, “What logic is there in kneeling to a criminal during an investigation? Please rise, Superintendent Deng.”
Deng Ying raised his head, “I never intended to be disrespectful to you, Minister.”
Bai Huan shook his head, “I’ve always known your character. When told to wait outside, you stand and wait; when invited in, you maintain such humble courtesy. However, you still must account to the Ceremonial Office and His Majesty, no?”
He extended his hand from beneath the cape and said to the servant: “Help me up, help me put on my shoes, so the depot guards can come in and do their duty.”
Seeing only one servant attending, Deng Ying rolled up his sleeves and rose, walking to Bai Huan’s footstool, telling the servant: “Hold the master steady.”
Then he bent down to take Bai Huan’s shoes, saying softly: “Minister, these shoes won’t be suitable in the depot prison. Perhaps you should change to a softer, older pair?”
Bai Huan said: “They’re all the same.”
Deng Ying said no more, supporting Bai Huan’s leg to rest on his knee as he helped him with shoes and socks.
Bai Huan’s legs were swollen from illness, leaving depression at the slightest touch. Deng Ying shifted his knee to make Bai Huan more comfortable.
“Minister, I never intended to account to the Ceremonial Office and His Majesty.”
As he spoke, he took the silk socks handed by the servant, placing one on his leg and lifting Bai Huan’s foot as he continued: “Liang Weiben’s case involves the Japanese threat in Jiangzhe, which concerns His Majesty most. However, fortunately, the Liang case is being handled by the Ministry of Justice, involving at most two other ministries. They will do their best to modify Liang Weiben’s confession to avoid implicating you, Minister. As for my part…”
He paused, “I may have to move against some of your clansmen. Though you’ve never been corrupt, Minister, with such a large family and many clan members, there are bound to be places where supervision has failed. I promise you, I will try my best to preserve their lives but to ensure your safety, their properties, and assets, I will…”
“Take them in the Eastern Depot’s name, right?”