After they finished eating noodles together, Deng Ying checked the time and stood at the door putting on his robe.
Yang Wan also stood up, “Are you going back to the factory office now?”
“Yes.”
Deng Ying lowered his head to fasten the side ties, “I need to see Qin Wende again.”
“Oh… is it about Zheng Bingbi and the others?”
“Mm.”
After his brief response, Yang Wan didn’t say anything more.
Deng Ying fastened his belt and opened the door, turning back to Yang Wan: “I’ll rest for a few hours at the factory office tonight, as I have to report for duty at the Ceremonial Office early tomorrow. You should head back early, looking at the sky… it will rain at dusk.”
“Alright, you go ahead, I’ll clean up the bowls and head back.”
Deng Ying glanced at the table, “Leave them, I’ll clean up tomorrow. You shouldn’t get your hands wet again.”
Yang Wan shrugged, “I agreed to let you handle the housework, but didn’t say it had to be now.”
She waved her hand, “Go on.”
After Deng Ying left, Yang Wan put away the bowls and dishes, closed the door, and walked alone along the city moat towards Chengqian Palace.
As predicted, the sky gradually darkened. The willow branches by the river swayed, and the wind from the river carried a chill that crept into one’s sleeves. Yang Wan quickened her pace. When she reached Chengqian Palace, she found the palace gates tightly closed. The eunuch at the door opened a side entrance for her, walking inside with her while explaining: “The Consort was summoned to serve at Yangxin Hall, and Miss Heyu went along to attend her. Seeing the weather about to rain, we closed the doors and windows early.”
Yang Wan stopped in her tracks and asked, “She’s serving today?”
“Oh my, Record Keeper, what do you mean ‘serving today’? Imperial favor doesn’t distinguish between days – it’s all grace.”
“Isn’t the Consort still in her monthly period?”
The eunuch said: “Record Keeper must have been bedridden too long to know – the Consort stopped bleeding yesterday. Today’s summons came directly from His Majesty’s attendants, they wouldn’t even let us prepare things here, just took her straight there.”
Yang Wan remembered Consort Ning’s words, “People aren’t plants and trees – everyone has places they don’t want to go.”
She couldn’t help but pursed her lips.
“Where is the young prince?”
“The young prince is studying.”
Yang Wan nodded, “All of you stay alert to receive the Consort back tonight.”
“Yes, we understand.”
However, that night, Yang Wan waited at Chengqian Gate until the third watch, but Consort Ning still hadn’t returned.
The palace servants at Chengqian Palace, not understanding the situation, were overjoyed.
According to protocol, when Ming dynasty consorts served the emperor, only the Empress could stay overnight in Yangxin Hall. Others could only remain until dawn in the imperial bed chamber with special imperial permission.
Heavy rain poured down that night, the water splashing on the palace walkways like shattered jade.
Yang Wan stood with her arms crossed, staring blankly at the dark, rain-soaked path before her.
Behind her, the eunuchs hunched their necks and whispered among themselves: “His Majesty does care for our Consort, not wanting her to catch a chill from the rain, allowing her to stay…”
“Silence!”
The speaking eunuch was startled by Yang Wan’s voice and dared not speak further, shrinking into a corner.
Yang Wan lifted her head, watching the lanterns swaying in the rain, her fists clenched tight.
In the side chamber of Yangxin Hall, Emperor Zhennin lay face-up on the bed, with Consort Ning lying fully clothed beside him.
“You won’t undress yourself?”
The candle flame crackled, and Consort Ning’s shoulders trembled with the sound.
Emperor Zhennin turned his head to look at her back, suddenly demanding:
“We ask you, are you refusing to undress?!”
Consort Ning still didn’t make a sound, only wrapping her arms tighter around her shoulders.
Emperor Zhennin grabbed her arm and roughly turned her over, “We summoned you for intimacy, yet you come without speaking a word, flinching like you’ve been pricked by a needle at Our touch – what exactly do you mean by this…”
“Your servant dares not.”
Consort Ning responded hoarsely.
A muffled thunderclap struck overhead, and in the instant, the blue flash illuminated the room, Emperor Zhennin suddenly felt that the beautiful face beside his pillow now appeared somewhat fierce. He abruptly sat up and moved the bedside lamp to Consort Ning’s face.
“Yang An.”
He called out Consort Ning’s name in a low voice.
“What have We done to you, that you would so thoroughly dampen Our spirits today?”
Consort Ning opened her eyes, “Your servant has done nothing. Your Majesty has forgotten – this is how your servant has always been when serving. Your Majesty has never let your servant undress herself, and your servant has always been as fearful of Your Majesty’s touch as today. Rather than ask what is wrong with your servant, perhaps Your Majesty should ask yourself what is different today?”
“You’re saying We’re being overly suspicious of you?”
“If not, why would Your Majesty humiliate your servant?”
“We humiliate you?”