Deng Ying gazed at Yang Wan standing before him, his heart gripped by an indescribable cold ache.
Just at the Huiji Gate, she had hidden behind him to avoid Zheng Yuejia’s formal greeting.
Now he wanted to pull her back, back behind him.
But he also realized that all along, Yang Wan’s courage and fears seemed to run counter to everyone else’s.
“Heh.”
Zhang Luo’s low laugh sent chills through many of the officials present.
He walked down the stone steps, rainwater splashing loudly beneath his feet.
Step by step, he approached Yang Wan. “Accept punishment, you say? What kind of punishment?”
Without any hesitation, he reversed his sword handle and struck sharply at the back of Yang Wan’s knees.
Yang Wan wasn’t prepared and immediately fell to the rainy ground.
A pain that robbed her of speech shot through her knees, but she also realized that Zhang Luo probably hadn’t used his full strength – otherwise, that single strike would likely have shattered her bones.
“Yang Wan!”
Hearing Deng Ying’s voice, Zhang Luo didn’t even look up as he called out to the nearby Imperial Guards: “Hold down that servant.”
Then he turned to Yang Lun and said: “This is her lesson for offending a superior.”
With that, he ordered his horse brought over, mounted it, and looking down at Deng Ying, spat out: “You two are utterly despicable.”
“Zhang Luo, stop right there!”
Seeing him ride off, Yang Lun immediately moved to chase after him, but Yang Wan quickly called out: “Don’t chase him!”
She struggled to stand but sucked in a sharp breath of pain. Deng Ying hurriedly supported her arm.
Yang Lun anxiously snapped from the side: “Who gave you permission to touch her!”
Deng Ying froze, but Yang Wan grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t be foolish and let go – if you do, I’ll fall.”
Deng Ying quickly said, “All right, I won’t let go. Can you stand steady?”
Yang Wan tried to straighten her legs, saying through the pain, “It’s fine, I can walk. He didn’t use much force, I just fell.”
Seeing Yang Wan holding onto Deng Ying, Yang Lun couldn’t say anything more to him, instead turning to curse aloud: “This Northern Depot has nearly abandoned all law!”
Yang Wan gave a bitter smile. “Isn’t he the law? Executing the Emperor’s will.”
Yang Lun said: “That’s the principle, but taken to extremes he’s just a madman – who can restrain him?”
Hearing these words, Yang Wan couldn’t help but look at Deng Ying beside her.
During the reigns of both Zhenning and Jinghe, it had been Deng Ying as Director of the Eastern Depot, checked and balanced the Imperial Guard.
Yang Lun didn’t know that the “who” he spoke of was standing right in front of him.
“Someone will be able to keep him in check. Right?”
Deng Ying realized she was saying this to him.
He didn’t know how to answer, but he didn’t want to disappoint her.
“Right.”
He instinctively gave this one-word response.
Yang Lun hadn’t paid attention to their exchange, bending down to examine Yang Wan’s injury, but unable to have her exposed skin in public, he could only gently squeeze her leg. “Are you all right?”
Yang Wan gritted her teeth and shook her head, “I’m fine, it might just be a bit swollen.”
Deng Ying said to Yang Lun: “I’m sorry, Lord Yang. I submit to whatever punishment you deem fit.”
Yang Lun scolded: “Do you take me for a fool? Zhang Luo was the one who hurt her.”
Yang Wan let go of Deng Ying. “It’s fine, I’m all right. You should go in now. Don’t delay the proper time.”
Deng Ying stood motionless.
Yang Wan pressed her lips together, forcing a smile for him. “Go on, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Deng Ying freed one hand to hold the umbrella over her. “Let me help you inside to sit.”
Yang Wan shook her head. “No need. I can’t kneel at the memorial hall like this, and… my heart isn’t sincere. I fear I would offend the deceased inside.”
Yang Lun pulled Yang Wan to his side and looked up at Deng Ying: “All right, you go now. Don’t let her down. I’ll take care of my sister.”
Yang Wan nodded at Deng Ying, following Yang Lun’s words.
“Go on, I’ll wait to return to the palace with you.”
Only then did Deng Ying step back, bowing deeply to Yang Lun before heading toward the memorial hall.
The people at the gate dispersed, each with their thoughts.
Yang Lun asked Yang Wan: “Can you walk?”
“Yes, thank you, Lord Yang.”
For some reason, Yang Wan usually addressed him formally, rarely calling him brother.