“What are you planning to do?”

Yang Wan coughed once and replied: “While the Six Palaces cannot attend to His Majesty, there is still one palace outside of the six.”

Deng Ying heard these words and lowered his head in silence for a moment, then suddenly said, “You mean the Empress Dowager?”

Yang Wan nodded, “Whether the Empress is personally attending to His Majesty, or using attendance as a pretext to conspire with the Imperial Household Department to privately confine His Majesty – these are two entirely different matters. The Empress Dowager may not see this now, but as long as we can make her suspicious, we can help the Eastern Depot and the Cabinet create an opening in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Deng Ying asked: “You’re going to see the Empress Dowager?”

Yang Wan shook her head, “Not me. Someone else is in a better position.”

“Yang Wan.”

Deng Ying suddenly lowered his voice, calling Yang Wan by her full name.

Yang Wan didn’t continue, lowering her gaze and gripping her arm.

Dark clouds pressed down from above, and the wind carried the scent of earth. The fragrance of the Christmas cactus grew stronger.

An attendant behind Deng Ying stepped forward, “Director, it’s going to rain.”

Deng Ying turned back and said: “You all take shelter first.”

He then turned back to look at Yang Wan, opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

Yang Wan waited a while, and hearing no response from Deng Ying, simply smiled and said, “I know what you want to tell me, but it’s too late.”

She looked down at the silent Yi Lang beside her, “I once advised you to be more open-minded, to avoid doing things that would harm yourself, but now… I’m the one who can’t let go.”

Her throat tightened, her voice carrying a slight tremor, “I want to be like you, to live up to the meaning of my life. Deng Ying, and Your Highness, neither of you should be afraid.”

Black clouds pressed down, and dead leaves swirled past the palace walls.

When Yang Wan returned to the entrance of Chengqian Palace, Heyu and others immediately came out to meet her.

Yang Wan endured her knee pain as she crossed the threshold, telling Heyu: “Help me prepare some cold water, nothing else is needed.”

Heyu anxiously asked Qingmeng, “How did Aunt Wan get hurt? What exactly did the Empress decree?”

Qingmeng glanced at the threshold below.

Heyu paused briefly, then understood.

“The stone threshold punishment?”

“Yes.”

Though Heyu felt distressed hearing this, she still let out a long sigh of relief, “At least… at least it was just that method…”

“But it still harms the body.”

Yang Wan looked up to see Noble Lady Chen stepping out from the side hall, walking towards her with concern.

“These seemingly minor punishments are often the hardest to recover from. What did you do to deserve such punishment?”

Qingmeng said tearfully: “Aunt took the punishment in place of the Prince.”

“In place of the Prince…”

Yang Wan raised her hand to stop Qingmeng from continuing, and said to Noble Lady Chen: “It’s fortunate that it was the Prince attending in the Hall of Mental Cultivation today, not you, Noble Lady Chen.”

Noble Lady Chen started, then said: “I just received the imperial decree that attendance from all Six Palaces has been suspended. They say anyone who disturbs His Majesty’s recovery will be severely punished. What logic is this? We barely see His Majesty a few times a year as it is, and now that His Majesty is gravely ill, how can they block our sincere concerns outside?”

Yang Wan coughed once, straightening up despite the pain, “Don’t worry, the Empress Dowager will understand the feelings of all the consorts.”

“The Empress Dowager… yes, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of it – we can still seek the Old Master’s help in this matter.”

Yang Wan swallowed and said, “Noble Lady Chen, please listen to this servant’s advice.”

“Speak.”

Yang Wan struggled to release herself from Heyu’s support and bowed to Lady Chen.

“His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Old Master’s mood must be unsettled. Speaking too much before her would not benefit you.”

Noble Lady Chen lowered her gaze, “I understand that, but…”

“Please tell the Old Master that with the Empress alone bearing all the worry and labor, oversights are inevitable. The entire palace and court know nothing of His Majesty’s condition – how can we not be anxious in our concern?”

Noble Lady Chen asked: “Speaking this way, will the Empress Dowager grant us permission to see His Majesty?”

Yang Wan neither confirmed nor denied, only saying hoarsely: “Your Ladyship should try.”

After Lady Chen left, Yang Wan slowly moved to sit in the side hall. Heyu brought cold water and knelt to roll up Yang Wan’s trouser legs.

Yang Wan pressed her hand down saying: “It’s fine, I’m alright. To accompany the Prince to rest, I’ll handle this myself.”

Heyu stood and answered “Yes.”

But Yi Lang refused to leave. He stood before Yang Wan, and though he didn’t speak, his presence made Heyu and the others dare not approach.

Yang Wan looked up and said softly: “What is it, Your Highness?”

Yi Lang said: “I have something to ask Aunt. Aunt Heyu, you may withdraw.”

“Your Highness…”

Heyu felt uncertain and instinctively looked to Yang Wan.

Yang Wan nodded to Heyu, “Go on.”

Heyu acknowledged and closed the door. Yi Lang waited until the footsteps outside had faded before walking a few steps toward Yang Wan.

“Palace servants who privately involve themselves in political factions commit a capital offense.”

Yang Wan felt as if a thin, soft thorn had pierced her throat, but she showed no outward emotion.

“Yes, it is a capital offense. Aunt accepts this.”

As she started to stand, Yi Lang suddenly threw himself into Yang Wan’s arms, grabbing her arm. Yang Wan was pushed back several steps by Yi Lang’s impact and, unable to keep her balance, fell sitting onto the couch.

“Don’t accept it…”

Yi Lang’s voice trembled, “I don’t want Aunt to die.”

Yang Wan steadied herself on the couch, looking down at the half-exposed neck above Yi Lang’s collar, and said softly: “Your Highness wouldn’t have spoken this way before.”

Yi Lang remained silent.

Yang Wan stroked the back of Yi Lang’s head, “Does Your Highness remember? The year Zhou Congshan died, it was here that Your Highness discovered the notes this servant had written. At that time, Your Highness told this servant…”

“It’s different now.”

Yang Wan’s heart trembled, and she tentatively asked: “What… what is different?”

Yi Lang raised his head, his eyes red but tearless, “Aunt, I understand now. You and the Director are the same – you both don’t want to be drawn into the succession struggle. What you’re doing now, it’s all because of me.”

“Not just because of you.”

Yang Wan embraced Yi Lang, “Succession struggles have existed throughout every dynasty. Some indeed fight for personal gain, but others, as Your Highness says, act out of necessity. They don’t seek to place someone in a supreme position; they simply hope for a wise ruler, who wants to see a better world. Does Your Highness remember how the Director explained political factions to you?”

Yi Lang nodded, “I remember. The Director spoke very similarly to Aunt. He said factions are inevitable and told me not to be afraid, just to choose from their political views what would benefit both country and people.”

Yang Wan made a sound of agreement.

“He spoke very correctly. Your Highness need not be afraid. The Director and I are also part of these factions. Your Highness can boldly choose from our viewpoints.”

After saying these words, Yang Wan couldn’t help but startle herself.

In the past, she had always hoped this future emperor would show some benevolence to Deng Ying, but now she felt Deng Ying didn’t need this pity – and neither did she.

The spiritual pride of six hundred years hence wouldn’t allow her to beg for “mercy” as in feudal times. The meaning of her life was to live in Deng Ying’s era, and to bring him along, living together with dignity and pride.

The downpour suddenly began.

Deng Ying stood in the corridor of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where rain fell like pillars from the eaves.

Wang Zhong bowed to Deng Ying and straightened up saying: “Director, His Majesty can no longer review ‘draft memorials.’ Master He of the Imperial Household Department knows this matter. Director Deng, please return.”

Deng Ying turned to look into the hall, where the heavy medicinal scents mixed unpleasantly with the rain.

“The Eastern Depot has the right to submit special matters directly, without requiring the Imperial Household Department’s approval.”

Just as these words fell, Palace Ritual Officials Jiang Min and Song Yunqing came walking through the rain from the moon terrace. Wang Zhong hurried to meet them, “Why has Official Jiang come?”

Official Jiang bowed to Deng Ying, then straightened and said: “By decree of the Empress Dowager, Wang Zhong is to receive forty strokes of the rod.”

“What…”

“Take him away. I will personally report back to the Empress.”

Hearing Jiang Min say this, Wang Zhong knew speaking further would only get him beaten to death. His legs trembling, he was led away by the Imperial Guards.

Jiang Min looked down at the steps and said: “Drag him to the Imperial Household Department for punishment. Do not disturb His Majesty here.”

She flicked the rain from her clothes and turned to look at Deng Ying.

“Director Deng, the Old Master has issued a clear decree restoring the transmission of important draft memorials from the Six Ministries and Cabinet. However, His Majesty’s health remains paramount. If His Majesty cannot bear the strain, then the Cabinet and Imperial Household Department shall meet to discuss matters – there must be no more holding back of documents.”

“Yes, this servant understands.”

Jiang Min watched as Deng Ying bowed deeply before her. After he straightened, she said evenly: “Though this decree wasn’t sought by those in Chengqian Palace, it was prompted by them. What Lady Chen said before the Empress Dowager seemed innocent at first, but upon careful thought was quite clever – not something said without purpose.”

Deng Ying said: “If the Official has something to say, please speak directly to Deng Ying.”

Jiang Min said: “I had always hoped Yang Wan could be like Yunqing, avoiding involvement in matters within my Department of Palace Ritual. But ever since Noble Consort Ning fell ill and moved palaces, she has managed Chengqian Palace as a palace maid, and I haven’t been able to protect her as before. Fortunately, she has always been clever and known where the boundaries lie, so the Imperial Household Department hasn’t targeted her. But this time, she has made her position clear. Though this decree from the Old Master proves she has won against the Empress and the Imperial Household Department, for her it’s no different from a death warrant. You must make her careful.”

Deng Ying bowed again. “On Yang Wan’s behalf, Deng Ying thanks the Official.”

“I have one more thing to say, though it’s quite shameless, I must still say it to the Director.”

Deng Ying straightened up, “Please speak.”

Jiang Min said in a low voice: “If the Director eventually takes control of the Imperial Household Department, I hope the Director will look after my Department of Palace Ritual, for Yang Wan’s sake.”

“Deng Ying also has shameless words to say.”

“If anything happens to me, please find a way to help Yang Wan leave the palace.”

Jiang Min shook her head, “I, Jiang Min, have been in the palace for over a decade and never involved myself in dangerous matters. The Director is asking the wrong person.”

As she turned to leave, Song Yunqing couldn’t help calling out, “Official…”

Jiang Min turned and said: “Yunqing, come here.”

As Song Yunqing walked over, she said: “Haven’t you always been fond of Yang Wan? How could you just…”

Jiang Min stopped walking, “You’ve always agreed with the principles I taught you.”

She looked up at Deng Ying, remained silent for a moment, and then said: “There are already enough people in this palace who don’t value their lives. We don’t need one more. Come, return with me.”

Song Yunqing looked back at Deng Ying. He said nothing, only bowed to her.

Song Yunqing gently squeezed the jade bracelet Yang Wan had given her, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn’t speak.

She released her hand, curtseyed to Deng Ying in return, and turned to follow Jiang Min.