HomeCrane NotesChapter 134: Evening Light on Cornus (Part 5)

Chapter 134: Evening Light on Cornus (Part 5)

Qi Huaiyang remained outside the ranks, walking to stand before Deng Ying with his back to the Golden Terrace, looking down to say: “Today you’re permitted to defend yourself before the Golden Terrace. Do not speak rashly.”

Deng Ying lowered his head: “Yes, I understand.”

Qi Huaiyang cleared his throat softly and asked in a formal voice: “When was the false edict written?”

Deng Ying raised his head and replied evenly: “The third day of the eleventh month in the fourteenth year of Zhenning. That day, Imperial Physician Zhang Wentong administered acupuncture to His Majesty. His Majesty had spasms in his legs and abdomen, with uneven breathing. The physician then submitted the pulse diagnosis to the inner palace. At the hour of Hai, the physician administered acupuncture again. During this time, His Majesty’s mind was temporarily clear, but he spoke no words and did not personally review the cabinet’s memorials submitted that day. Therefore, the Directorate of Ceremonials wrote the vermillion response for that day’s memorials. The Records of Daily Life are true up to this point.”

“And after that?”

Qi Huaiyang opened the case file: “The Records state that on the fourth day of the eleventh month in the fourteenth year of Zhenning, His Majesty rose and moved freely, standing east of the imperial desk to approve the edict.”

Deng Ying replied: “That section is false, altered at the Directorate of Ceremonial’s instruction.”

“Nonsense!”

“Director He.”

Yang Lun called out firmly: “He hasn’t finished speaking.”

Then to Deng Ying: “Director Deng, please continue.”

Deng Ying responded: “Yes.” He continued: “Since autumn began, His Majesty’s health steadily declined. The Cabinet submitted several memorials requesting the designation of an heir, but His Majesty never approved them. Until His Majesty’s death, he never consulted the Cabinet about establishing an heir. After the Six Palaces were forbidden from attending his illness, and the Crown Prince was also punished and not allowed near the Heart-Nurturing Hall, Cabinet ministers could not enter without an edict. Only the inner palace and Directorate of Ceremonial could attend to His Majesty’s illness. Therefore…”

He looked toward He Yixian, “In the early eleventh month of the fourteenth year of Zhenning, I conspired with Directorate of Ceremonial Chief Eunuch He Yixian to forge a final edict and privately use the imperial seal, naming the second prince Yi Jue as successor to the throne.”

The officials erupted in commotion.

Yang Lun had to raise his voice: “Please, ministers, remain calm.”

The Left Censor-in-Chief faced He Yixian, shouting angrily: “Forging an imperial edict is truly disrupting the foundation of the state and destroying His Late Majesty’s sacred name. What right do such great criminals have to stand beneath today’s hall?”

He finished speaking and stepped forward to prostrate himself, his forehead striking the ground heavily: “I request that Directorate of Ceremonial Chief Eunuch He Yixian and Deng Ying’s eunuch faction all be stripped of office and imprisoned, handed to the Three Judicial Offices for investigation to clarify their heaven-defying crimes and comfort His Late Majesty’s spirit.”

He Yixian said: “Based on one-sided words, you ministers would defy the late emperor’s edict and kill us to vent years of private hatred? Who is truly disrupting the state’s foundation? The Two Empresses will judge clearly.”

He stepped forward, looking at Deng Ying: “This person had frequent contact with Yang Wan, the palace maid in charge of the Chengqian Palace, yet forged an edict supporting the second prince as heir. Ministers, can this person’s actions be reconciled? Why would he confess to a capital crime?”

“Yes.”

Deng Ying responded, raising his hands from the ground. He straightened his back and knelt upright, his restraints clanking with his movements. He didn’t look at He Yixian, but instead gazed up at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and asked evenly: “Why would I confess to a capital crime?”

After these words, the officials’ clamor gradually subsided.

The question seemed self-directed, yet also like a pointed query aimed at no one in particular.

Below the Golden Terrace, the Cabinet ministers led by Yang Lun stood silently on the east side, while the Directorate of Ceremonial members cowered fearfully on the west, their positions clear, with the conflict between them ready to erupt. Between these two sides stood only one person. At this moment, in this place, he could not stand tall and proper, yet from beginning to end, not a trace of sorrow could be seen on his face.

Who had forced him to this point?

No one below the Golden Terrace could answer.

That question aimed at no one seemed to transform into a cold arrow, chillingly approaching the officials’ spines.

The Left Censor-in-Chief looked at Deng Ying, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked: “How do you defend against the Directorate of Ceremonial’s question?”

Deng Ying nodded with a slight smile, prostrating himself again: “I admit my guilt. I make no other defense.”

“You…”

“His heart deserves ten thousand deaths!”

He Yixian stamped his foot, voice trembling: “Your heart deserves ten thousand deaths! His Majesty left an edict for posterity, yet you dare cover His Majesty’s sacred will, preventing his final wishes from being fulfilled. Deng Ying, oh Deng Ying…”

He Yixian raised his hand to point behind him: “His Majesty’s funeral rites are not complete, his spirit… is still present! Such an evil servant should be torn into ten thousand pieces!”

“He Yixian!”

Yang Lun called him by name, stepping forward: “Whatever you have to say, say it in the Three Judicial Offices’ court. The Cabinet will immediately draft a new edict on behalf of the late emperor according to procedure. Your Directorate’s false edict will be sealed and invalidated according to law.”

He Yixian looked up: “Who dares invalidate the late emperor’s edict!”

He turned to kneel toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, crying out: “This old servant requests that Eastern Depot Director Eunuch Deng Ying be sent to the imperial prison under the Northern Commandery, to be questioned for his crimes of slandering the late emperor, disrupting court order, and endangering the state’s foundation!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Lun also knelt beside Deng Ying, calling out: “Directorate of Ceremonial Chief Eunuch He Yixian refuses to seal the false edict, disregards the officials, and roars before the Golden Terrace. I request he be caned immediately!”

Both requests reached the Hall of Supreme Harmony simultaneously. No one below the Golden Terrace dared speak.

The struggle between civil officials and eunuchs had long existed, but because the late emperor had greatly favored He Yixian during his reign, leading to the Tongjia case where over eighty people died tragically, afterward, though there were occasional conflicts between the Cabinet and Directorate of Ceremonial with tremendous undercurrents, they had never brought their struggle into the open. Today was the first time Yang Lun had publicly requested the caning of the Directorate’s Chief Eunuch. After the requests were transmitted, the Court Lady from the Court of State Ceremonial was long in appearing.

Deng Ying turned to look at Yang Lun beside him, hearing him say softly: “Not too rash, was it?”

Deng Ying didn’t respond immediately, turning back to look at the floor tiles before him.

“No.”

After a long while, Court Lady Zhang Min finally emerged from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and Empress Dowager’s command came down: “Minister Yang’s request is granted. Strip the Directorate of Ceremonial Chief Eunuch of his official robes and administer ten strokes of the cane immediately. Also, remove Eastern Depot Director Eunuch Deng Ying from office and hand him to the Three Judicial Offices for joint investigation. The Cabinet shall immediately draft a new edict to manifest the late emperor’s sacred virtue.”

At these words, He Yixian’s knees weakened and he staggered forward several steps before being forced to kneel by Imperial Guard strongmen. His official robes were immediately stripped away. Two Imperial Guards yanked his arms forward, dragging him to fall beside Deng Ying. Two punishment rods pinned his legs, leaving him unable to move.

Yang Lun stood up, gesturing for the Imperial Guard to lift Deng Ying and take him aside.

He Yixian turned his head to look at Deng Ying, saying hoarsely: “You could have lived together with me…”

Deng Ying lowered his head: “I don’t wish to live alongside the eunuch faction.”

“Fool! Ah…”

The punishment rod fell heavily. He Yixian’s body arched upward before crashing down again.

Though Deng Ying showed no emotion, he couldn’t suppress two coughs. The Imperial Guard tightened his restraints, warning him not to move improperly.

Meanwhile, the officials behind Deng Ying relaxed their tension. Several censors raised their arms to mock and curse: “This is the most satisfying thing ever!”

He Yixian lost consciousness amid the mockery, blood flowing freely from his lower body, his legs spasming uncontrollably.

The strongmen stepped back, and the officials’ curses grew louder. Among these people, some had suffered persecution from the Directorate of Ceremonial, while others, though not directly harmed, had their careers stifled for offending Directorate eunuchs. Now they couldn’t wait to vent all their resentment, their words growing increasingly sharp and pointed.

Deng Ying quietly endured the wave of voices behind him, feeling no hatred toward He Yixian.

Thinking back two years, he had been treated the same way, so he understood that this person’s fate would also be his own.

He found it difficult to clarify his emotions at this moment, with only the most genuine fear of punishment suppressed beneath rationality.

He couldn’t help but raise his head, letting out a long breath, trying to calm himself.

He Yixian was lifted by the Imperial Guard and dragged toward the Palace Gate.

The final great court discussion of the late Zhenning era thus concluded. Qi Huaiyang walked back to Deng Ying’s side: “Let’s go.”

Yang Lun said: “I can walk with him a few steps, can’t I?”

Qi Huaiyang nodded, adding: “He can’t exit through the side doors of the Palace Gate.”

“Then which gate will you use?”

“The West Glory Gate is observing mourning, so we’ll use the East Glory Gate.”

Yang Lun followed: “That’s fine.”

Deng Ying was escorted forward. He couldn’t walk quickly, and Yang Lun couldn’t control his pace. After not far, he had to say: “You’re walking too fast.”

“What? Oh…”

Yang Lun deliberately slowed his steps, walking somewhat awkwardly.

Deng Ying said: “Why torture me? You can say whatever you need to during the interrogation.”

“Be quiet.”

Deng Ying smiled slightly: “Yang Zixie, I’m fine. I’ll survive.”

“Mm.”

After this sound of acknowledgment, Yang Lun spoke no more.

At the East Glory Gate, Yang Wan stood leaning against the palace wall with one arm crossed, waiting. She wore mourning clothes, all in plain white, with only a silver hairpin in her hair, no makeup or rouge, yet she didn’t appear haggard. Instead, she possessed a kind of cold, refined grace.

Seeing Deng Ying’s group approach, she walked forward to meet them, showing a smile to both Yang Lun and Deng Ying.

“May I speak with him for a moment?”

“Wanwan…”

“Don’t speak. I’m asking Lord Qi.”

She crouched to bow to Qi Huaiyang: “My lord, don’t worry. With me here, he won’t dare act improperly.”

Yang Lun glared at Yang Wan, turning to Qi Huaiyang: “Give me this favor.”

Qi Huaiyang laughed shortly: “Alright.”

He gestured for the Ministry guards to release their hold and step back to maintain watch.

Yang Wan walked behind Deng Ying with her hands behind her back, looking up: “Squat down.”

Deng Ying lifted his restraints and squatted. Yang Wan stood behind him, and though he didn’t turn around, he asked gently: “Should I squat lower?”

Yang Wan asked: “Do your feet hurt?”

“No.”

“Then you can squat a bit lower.”

“Alright.”

Yang Wan raised her hands, gently gathering Deng Ying’s hair.

“Wanwan, what are you doing?”

“Tying up your hair.”

“No need, I…”

“You won’t be able to wash your hair for a long time after you go. Don’t you think it’ll be dirty if left loose?”

“Yes.”

He instinctively agreed with Yang Wan: “Then Wanwan, tie it tightly.”

Yang Wan smiled slightly: “Stay still, don’t worry about how I tie it.”

“Alright.”

Deng Ying spoke no more.

The wind at the city gate lifted Yang Wan’s sleeves. She freed one hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, looking down at Deng Ying: “Deng Ying, though we never became husband and wife, can we make one promise to each other?”

“What promise?”

Yang Wan gathered Deng Ying’s hair, taking off her own hair ribbon, saying softly: “No matter if I, Yang Wan, have money in the future, no matter what illnesses Deng Ying may suffer, I will take care of Deng Ying, for a lifetime.”

“I… what should I say?”

Yang Wan smiled: “I’ll teach you what to say.”

“Mm.”

“I’ll say one line, you repeat one line, okay?”

“Alright.”

“No matter how much I, Deng Ying…”

“No matter how much I, Deng Ying…”

“Dislike myself…”

“Dislike… myself…”

“As long as Yang Wan likes me…”

“As long as Wanwan… likes me…”

“I will live on well.”

“I will live on well.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Chapters