A sudden ache shot through Deng Ying’s teeth. He instinctively raised his hand to press his cheek, but the Ministry of Justice officer helping remove his shackles, thinking he was struggling, struck his hand down. “Don’t move.”
Deng Ying quickly complied, extending his hand flat, and said softly, “I’m sorry.”
Qi Huaiyang, who had been signing transfer documents outside the cell, hurried in, “What’s wrong?”
Deng Ying smiled slightly, “Nothing.”
He tilted his head, “My teeth are aching as if someone’s cursing me behind my back.”
Qi Huaiyang walked up to him with hands behind his back, watching the guard’s movements.
“You’ve worn these for over a month now, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
Qi Huaiyang said, “Once these restraints are off, you’ll be out of our jurisdiction.”
“I know.”
Just as he finished speaking, the shackles made a sharp clicking sound as the lock was released. The guard removed the wrist irons, revealing badly bruised wrists. Deng Ying gently pressed the injured areas and said to Qi Huaiyang, “Thank you for your care these past days, sparing me from too much suffering.”
Qi Huaiyang shook his head, “I vowed to be an upright official, but in truth, I’m quite conservative in officialdom and never act against the law. Your words of ‘care’ make me ashamed.”
Deng Ying clasped his hands and bowed, “In matters of justice, this is as it should be.”
Qi Huaiyang fell silent for a moment, then returned the bow.
The guards outside the cell suddenly fell silent. Qi Huaiyang looked up to see Zhang Luo standing behind him.
Qi Huaiyang straightened and handed the documents to Zhang Luo, “Although this is a joint investigation between our offices, the prisoner is held in the Command, and I shouldn’t say too much. However, since the prisoner is the Eastern Depot’s Superintendent, I hope Deputy Commander Zhang won’t be too harsh.”
Zhang Luo glanced at the signatures on the documents and said to Qi Huaiyang, “What do you mean by ‘not harsh’? The rules for managing prisoners in the imperial jail are the same for everyone.”
Qi Huaiyang responded, “Yes, I spoke out of turn.”
Zhang Luo stepped forward, “Before the hour of xu today, I’ll send someone to the Ministry of Justice to retrieve the previous interrogation records for the academy lands case.”
“They’re ready.”
“In that case, I’ll send someone with the Vice Minister to collect them now.”
“Very well.”
Qi Huaiyang agreed, glancing back at Deng Ying before adding, “The Ministry of Revenue needs to submit a memorial tomorrow. Could the academy lands case wait a day or two?”
Zhang Luo nodded, “Then we’ll wait for Yang Lun. The Command will first investigate his persecution of the Prime Minister.”
Qi Huaiyang looked away and said, “Good.”
Then he added, “I’ll take my leave then.”
As Qi Huaiyang left the cell, a guard held up a lantern to light his way. A warm glow passed briefly across Deng Ying’s face before quickly receding outside.
Zhang Luo turned to the guard, “Give him the prison clothes.” Then he added, “Change by yourself.”
Deng Ying nodded, “Alright.”
He took the prison clothes, removed his outer robe, and began untying his inner garments.
Zhang Luo motioned for the others to leave, then walked to face Deng Ying, “Deng Ying, in these two years of leading the Eastern Depot against the Command, did you ever think you’d end up here?”
Deng Ying’s hands paused, and he lowered his head, “To be honest with you, sir, I did think about it.”
Zhang Luo had someone bring a chair, sat down in front of Deng Ying, and raised his hand, “Don’t change yet.”
Deng Ying lowered his hands, “Will you question me now, sir?”
Zhang Luo looked up, “Before I interrogate you, I want to ask you one thing. You can answer if you wish, or not—I won’t torture you for it.”
“Please ask, sir.”
“Is Yang Wan the person behind the Clear Wave Inn?”
Deng Ying remained silent.
Zhang Luo laughed softly, “Fine, never mind.”
Deng Ying said, “May I ask you something, sir?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you like Yang Wan, sir?”
Zhang Luo raised an eyebrow, “No.”
“Then why haven’t you married yet?”
Zhang Luo gritted his teeth, “Want to lose a layer of skin tonight?”
Deng Ying nodded and fell silent.
Zhang Luo sat in his chair, facing Deng Ying in silence. Their shadows trembled slightly on the ground, and the rush mat lay silently at Deng Ying’s feet. Having stood for some time, he shifted his legs unconsciously.
Zhang Luo watched him, “You’re now an imperial prisoner. Besides the case, I won’t discuss anything else with you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“However.”
He paused, then looked up, “We can discuss Yang Wan. She took away the Hangzhou Academy students. Chief Censor Ji won’t report their actions, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard will. Once His Majesty orders severe punishment for these students, Yang Wan will end up like you are now. I once told her that under my protection in my household, I could shield her from anything, but it’s too late now—you and she must both be punished according to the law.”
Deng Ying remained silent.
Zhang Luo shouted, “Why don’t you answer?”
“You can’t discipline her.”
“What did you say?”
Deng Ying’s voice was calm, “I said you can’t discipline her.”
He looked up, “Deputy Commander Zhang, you once told me it wasn’t you disciplining me, but the Great Ming Code. I accept that, which is why I stand before you now, but Yang Wan won’t accept it.”
Zhang Luo gave a cold laugh, “Can she escape just because she doesn’t accept it?”
Deng Ying shook his head, “If I hadn’t accepted it, I might have escaped too.”
Zhang Luo said, “What do you mean? Did you walk into the imperial prison yourself?”
“Yes. I came of my own accord.” He picked up the prison clothes beside him.
“These prison clothes too—I choose to wear them. As someone marked by punishment, in this dynasty, this is as far as I can go, but…”
As he spoke, Yang Wan’s face came to mind, and he smiled gently.
“But I admire that woman. She did what I couldn’t do, and said what I couldn’t say. I’m willing to accept the Great Ming Code’s punishment in prison, but I believe in her. She won’t end up like me—she still has paths to walk, she will live well.”
Zhang Luo’s hands clenched into fists on his knees, remembering when Yang Wan was interrogated for the Crane Residence case.
Under the whip, she had writhed in extreme pain, her whole body twisted, every limb trembling.
On the surface, she was like any other female prisoner—frail, afraid of pain, crying out and begging for mercy after just two or three lashes.
Yet even so, she never let her spirit break, desperately maintaining her rationality to parry with him between bouts of torture, even occasionally seizing opportunities to turn the questioner into question.
Thinking back now, Zhang Luo realized she probably hadn’t begged out of fear at all—she was merely creating openings to speak.
That interrogation, which should have been under Zhang Luo’s control, somehow became Yang Wan’s statement.
In all his years managing the imperial prison, that was the only time it had happened.
She had never truly submitted to the law’s punishment, but instead constantly used the law, used Zhang Luo’s principles, to force him to abandon her interrogation, then force him to interrogate his father, force him to look inward, force him to question himself, and finally, even force him to doubt the beliefs he’d held for nearly ten years.
Deng Ying said he admired that woman.
The word “admire”—Zhang Luo now found some meaning in it too.
“Deputy Commander.”
“Speak.”
“His Majesty summons you to the palace.”
Zhang Luo stood up and asked in front of Deng Ying, “Is the Clear Wave Inn surrounded?”
The guard answered, “It’s surrounded, but Eastern Depot people are guarding both front and back doors, not letting our men in. However, we’ve confirmed that the Hangzhou academy students and that woman Yang Wan are inside.”
“Understood. Keep watch—I’ll handle it myself after I return from the palace.”
He glanced at Deng Ying, “Change your clothes.”
As he walked away, he added, “Give him medicine.”
The guard asked, “Should we chain him up?”
“Yes. Give him food, and let him rest after he’s eaten.”
“Sir…”
The guard’s voice was hesitant.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Yes, sir. Why are you treating this prisoner this way?”
Zhang Luo paused, then after a long moment said, “Wait until I’ve seen His Majesty—I’ll explain when I return.”
Moonlight shone on the imperial city.
All the stone lamps before the Hall of Mental Cultivation burned brightly. The meeting gate displayed the Ceremonial Office’s placard, keeping the door open for the Imperial Pharmacy. The duty physicians from the Imperial Pharmacy had all straightened their official robes and were following the Ceremonial Office eunuchs toward the hall, trembling.
“Master Hu.”
“Yes?”
“His Majesty’s throat condition had been better for years—why has it flared up so severely these past days?”
Hu Xiang said, “What else could it be? He’s worried about state affairs—it’s exhaustion.”
“What does Master Peng say?”
Hu Xiang sighed, “Isn’t that why he’s calling you all to consult?”
“Oh my.”
Several physicians wrung their hands nervously, whispering, “Does this mean… the previous prescription isn’t working anymore?”
Hu Xiang turned and snapped, “What are you muttering about?”
The physicians quickly replied, “We wouldn’t dare.”
They fell silent as frightened cicadas and stood waiting at the bottom of the moon terrace.
The Emperor reclined on his couch while the Empress sat beside him attending his illness, holding a bowl of porridge. The Emperor pushed away the bowl and said to the Empress, “Enough, I have no appetite.”
The Empress urged, “You haven’t eaten anything since the Chief Censor came. I’m truly worried.”
Emperor Zhenning didn’t respond to the Empress, instead asking his attendant, “What incense are you burning?”
“Your Majesty, it’s still sandalwood.”
“Put it out, put it out.”
Emperor Zhenning’s voice showed irritation, “My throat is uncomfortable.”
The Empress said, “The Imperial Physicians are already discussing a prescription. Please rest a while and calm your mind. This Deng Ying is just a servant—you can leave him to Deputy Commander Zhang for questioning. Why trouble yourself so?”
The Emperor said irritably, “What do you know? Withdraw.”
Just then, Hu Xiang entered and announced, “Your Majesty, Deputy Commander Zhang, Minister Bai, and Vice Minister Yang have arrived.”
The Empress couldn’t help adding, “Your Majesty, perhaps not today—for the sovereign to receive officials while ill in bed would make them anxious too.”
Emperor Zhenning coughed several times and raised his voice, “When I tell you to withdraw, withdraw!” In his agitation, his sweeping hand accidentally knocked a golden hairpin from the Empress’s temple.
The Empress, feeling the shame, quickly put down the porridge bowl and withdrew with a bow.
Hu Xiang led the three men into the inner chamber, where they performed full prostrations before the imperial bed.
The Emperor had Hu Xiang help him sit up, managing to cross his legs.
“You may all rise.”
Yang Lun stood up, glanced at the Emperor’s complexion, and said softly, “Your Majesty, we are overwhelmed with trepidation.”
The Emperor exhaled a heated breath and said to Yang Lun, “Is the court quieter now?”
“Yes.”