Yi Lang held Yang Wan’s hand the entire way.

Walking beside Yang Wan, Yang Lun noticed she kept staring at Yi Lang’s back without speaking, and quietly cautioned, “Don’t be like this when we go in, Her Highness will worry if she sees.”

Yang Wan suddenly stopped in her tracks, nearly causing Yi Lang to trip. Yang Jing and the other eunuchs following behind Yang Lun quickly moved forward to help steady him.

Seeing her pursed lips and reddening eyes, Yang Lun couldn’t help but scold in a low voice: “What are you trying to do? You should already be grateful he wasn’t punished!”

“You maintain propriety, yet won’t allow me to have feelings.”

Yang Lun was startled, “What did you say?”

Yang Wan tilted her head up without responding.

Yang Lun noticed she seemed on the verge of tears. Though she was trying hard to hold them back, her shoulders and arms had begun to tremble.

His heart ached for her, but he didn’t know how to comfort her.

Fortunately, seeing her like this, Yi Lang came back to tug at her sleeve.

“Aunt… Yi Lang hasn’t punished him anymore.”

Yang Wan looked down at Yi Lang.

Though still young, he already showed the contours of adolescence, dressed in clean and exquisite brocaded garments, carrying the air of imperial nobility. While he might not wound Deng Ying directly, he could wound Yang Wan in front of Deng Ying. She knew she had already lost composure, but still kept her lips pressed together without speaking.

Yi Lang looked at Yang Lun and Yang Jing, then stood silently with his head down for a moment before suddenly looking up and saying very quietly: “Aunt, I’m sorry…”

Yang Lun and Yang Jing couldn’t hear this clearly, only seeing Yi Lang’s face scrunch up after speaking as he released Yang Wan’s clothes and walked ahead alone. Yang Jing and the attendants hurried after him.

Yang Lun walked up behind Yang Wan, “Her Highness has been in the palace for so many years, this is the first time our family – you, me, and Yang Jing – have gathered together in the palace. Are you going to make our whole family unhappy for Deng Ying’s sake?”

Yang Wan exhaled heavily, raising her hand to rub her eyes forcefully, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

After speaking, she hurried forward a few steps and crouched down, “Yi Lang, come, let Aunt carry you back.”

Yang Wan was very grateful that Yi Lang was still young and didn’t think too deeply. Being held by a loved one, he gradually forgot what had just happened.

The four of them entered Chengqian Palace together. As Zheng Yuejia guided Yang Lun and Yang Jing to perform the grand ceremony of paying respects to Consort Ning in the main hall, Yang Wan set Yi Lang down and took advantage of the formal greetings outside to wash her face in the inner chamber. Heyu brought in her cosmetics, placing them beside Yang Wan while saying softly: “When you came in, Her Highness noticed you didn’t look well, so she asked this servant to come check on you. What’s wrong?”

Yang Wan turned away to hide her face, “Tell Her Highness I’m fine, I’ll be out shortly.”

After speaking, she patted her face in front of the mirror, trying to make her expression appear as natural as possible.

Actually, after calming down, Yang Wan knew Yang Lun’s words were right. This was a rare gathering between sisters, and she truly shouldn’t make Consort Ning worry because of her own emotions.

Thinking this, she quickly composed herself and walked into the main hall.

Consort Ning was sitting in her chair, holding Yang Jing’s hand as they talked.

“In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so tall.”

Yang Jing replied: “I’ve missed Elder Sister greatly these many years.”

Seeing his proper etiquette, no different from Yang Lun, Consort Ning shook her head and smiled at Yang Lun: “You must have disciplined him well.”

Yang Lun bowed in response: “Yes, he’s not young anymore. Now that he’s entering the palace as His Highness’s study companion, he needs to be even more upright in mind and manner, without the slightest error.”

Consort Ning nodded but didn’t pursue this topic, instead asking about Yang Lun’s wife, “Previously I had Wan go check on your wife, who was said to be quite ill. Is she better now?”

“In response to Your Highness, she improved somewhat in early autumn, but after managing several household affairs, she became unwell again. She’s still being treated by outside physicians now. I thank Your Highness for your concern on her behalf.”

Consort Ning sighed, “Your lives outside must be more complicated than mine here, so you needn’t constantly worry about me. The same goes for Ziji – studying quietly outside is good. Suddenly entering the Hall of Literary Splendor, and under Vice Minister Zhang… with so many eyes watching, I worry too.”

Yang Lun said: “How can we as subjects avoid quiet places?”

“Good.”

Consort Ning released Yang Jing’s hand somewhat reluctantly, smiling and nodding: “Brother has always understood better than I.”

Hearing these words, Yang Lun quickly stepped back and bowed: “This subject wouldn’t dare.”

Consort Ning raised her hand gesturing him to rise, “Alright, let’s not speak of these things. It’s rare for you to come in and sit with me for a while, and Wan’er is here too, so let’s not stand on ceremony anymore. All of you sit down. I… made some pastries myself. In a while, I’ll have Heyu wrap them up for you to take out and let the people at home taste them too.”

Although everyone maintained proper boundaries while trying to chat and laugh, this family feast still felt somewhat awkward.

After the meal, Yang Wan personally escorted Yang Lun and Yang Jing out. When they reached Chengqian Gate, Yang Lun turned back, seeming to want to speak but holding back.

Seeing his discomfort, Yang Wan forced a smile, “I’m fine now, brother.”

Yang Lun had Yang Jing go ahead, then turned to look into Yang Wan’s eyes: “Brother didn’t expect you would be so upset.”

Yang Wan looked to the side, “I’m not.”

She paused, then nodded: “It’s as it should be.”

Yang Lun sighed: “Next spring, should brother arrange…”

“No.”

She cut Yang Lun off directly.

Being interrupted, Yang Lun didn’t continue, instead changing the subject: “Then in the future, if you face any grievances, have Deng Ying come to the Extreme Gate to tell brother.”

After speaking, he sighed self-mockingly.

“When you were little, I was helpless whenever you cried. Now you’ve changed so much, but when you cry, brother is still helpless.”

He glanced at the palace gate, “Take care of yourself, and serve Her Highness well.”

Yang Wan curtsied behind him.

Only after they had walked far did she turn back toward the side hall. She had originally planned to just tell Heyu she was leaving, but unexpectedly found Consort Ning sitting quietly under the lamp waiting for her when she reached the side hall.

“Sit with sister for a while.”

Yang Wan looked outside, but before she could speak, Consort Ning had already taken her hand, “Just settled Yi Lang down.”

Yang Wan nodded, sitting down beside Consort Ning.

Consort Ning tidied her wind-blown hair, “That child just told me he made you angry today. I was wondering why he was so unusually quiet during the meal, much more well-behaved than usual.”

Yang Wan shook her head, “It was my fault.”

Consort Ning personally poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Yang Wan, “Wan’er, sister feels it’s my good fortune that you could enter the palace. Sister only has Yi Lang as a child. He’s willing to be close to you and listen to you, I…”

She paused, her voice becoming somewhat thick, “Sister doesn’t know how long she can accompany Yi Lang, but with you here, sister will be more at ease.”

Yang Wan had been somewhat dazed, but the chill in these words seemed to carry the same foresight as her own, sending a shiver through her entire body.

“Why does Your Highness suddenly say such things?”

Consort Ning held her teacup, “Don’t mind it, it’s just that I haven’t been feeling well these past few days and have been thinking too much. But everyone must die eventually. When life isn’t so good, leaving early can also be a release.”

For some reason, though these were Consort Ning’s words, they made Yang Wan think of Deng Ying.

Suddenly, she could no longer hold back. A surge of pain rushed through her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, and her tears immediately broke free of their restraints.

Consort Ning quickly held her in her arms.

“Sister knew you were holding back in front of us all day, even your smiles were uncomfortable.”

Yang Wan sobbed heavily, her voice breaking intermittently.

“Your Highness, if someone… knows their ending won’t be good, can they still live well?”

Consort Ning stroked Yang Wan’s forehead, saying softly: “Of course they can. For example, sister has you, Yi Lang, brother and younger brother, parents, relatives, and…”

She didn’t speak the last person’s name but held the person in her arms tighter.

“Wan’er, as long as you all are here, even if sister knows her life won’t end well, sister will still live well accompanying you all.”

“But I’m afraid…”

“What is Wan’er afraid of?”

“I’m afraid Deng Ying won’t want to see me anymore.”

After saying this, she immediately broke into uncontrollable sobs.

Consort Ning patted Yang Wan’s back, “Is it because of Yi Lang?”

Yang Wan didn’t answer.

Consort Ning looked up, “When you weren’t here, brother told me what happened before you all came. Wan’er, neither brother nor Yi Lang blames you. They all care for you, don’t be so upset.”

Yang Wan leaned in Consort Ning’s embrace, “I would rather… they treated me the same way they treat Deng Ying. That way… I could accompany him… sister… he is the best person in my heart, the very best. I didn’t know before, I thought being able to watch over him was enough, but now I know I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I am the one who hurts him the most.”

Consort Ning held Yang Wan’s trembling body tightly, “Sister understands, understands it all…”

The dusk deepened.

Consort Ning held Yang Wan until she calmed down, then had the palace maids come in to help settle her.

A snow wind had risen outside, bitingly cold.

As Consort Ning walked toward the main hall’s reception area, Heyu suddenly called to her from below the steps, “Your Highness, this is the lady attendant’s jade ornament.”

Consort Ning stopped, looking down at what Heyu held – it was indeed the lotus jade pendant Yang Wan had worn at her waist.

“When did it fall off?”

“This servant doesn’t know, Secretary Deng brought it.”

Consort Ning looked toward the palace gate, “Is he still there?”

Heyu nodded, “Yes, waiting outside for this servant’s response.”

“Alright, I will speak to him.”

At Chengqian Gate, Deng Ying stood with his back turned at the bottom of the steps. Though the palace gate hadn’t been locked yet, it was closed, and when it suddenly opened, the wind rushed out through the doorway, lifting his robes.

Deng Ying turned around, but saw it was Consort Ning standing at the door, and quickly knelt in greeting.

Consort Ning walked down the steps before the gate, bending slightly to gesture him up, “Secretary Deng, please rise.”

Deng Ying stood but still wouldn’t raise his head, stepping back to say: “This servant will leave now.”

Consort Ning shook her head, “Please stay. I have a few words I wish to say to you.”

With Consort Ning’s request, Deng Ying had to say, “Your Highness, please speak.”

Consort Ning walked forward a few steps, saying as she walked: “I hope you won’t take today’s events outside the hall to heart.”

“Deng Ying wouldn’t dare.”

Consort Ning smiled at his response, “I was afraid you would say that.”

She looked up, “Originally, I wanted to have Wan’er come speak to you herself, but… she just cried and finally fell asleep, so I thought to come see you myself.”

Hearing these words, Deng Ying knelt again.

“Deng Ying understands, that repeatedly damaging the lady’s reputation is unforgivable and should be redeemed with my life. I dare not beg for mercy. But I request Your Highness, considering I still have remaining grace to repay and remaining thoughts unfulfilled, to temporarily spare Deng Ying’s life.”

Consort Ning looked down at him, “You mean your life is to be redeemed for Wan’er?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I have a question I very much want to ask you. I hope you won’t answer too quickly – think it through before speaking.”

“Yes, Your Highness, please ask.”

Consort Ning pressed her wind-scattered hair, speaking evenly: “If you knew you would not meet a good end, how would you live?”

Deng Ying looked up, “Why does Your Highness ask this?”

“You spent ten years building the imperial city, yet the court officials forced you to suffer humiliation in the Ministry of Justice. However, when Zhang Zhanchun, another builder of the imperial city, died, it triggered that court upheaval in the summer of the twelfth year. You are a very intelligent person – you should understand that no matter how well you do, you can no longer leave behind a good name. Perhaps when you die at the Meridian Gate, no one will even remember that you, like Zhang Zhanchun, were once a builder of the imperial city.”

After speaking, seeming to feel she had been too cruel, her voice gradually softened.

“If this is so, how would you live?”

Deng Ying lowered his eyes, “I would only seek to live without shame.”

“I am the same.”

After speaking, she reached out to support Deng Ying’s arm.

Deng Ying started, “Your Highness, you mustn’t…”

Consort Ning didn’t let him continue, firmly helping him up.

“Wan’er doesn’t want to see you like this.”

She straightened up, “Wan’er has been in the palace for almost a year. Today was the first time I saw her cry. Do you know why?”

“Was it because of this servant?”

“Yes.”

Consort Ning sighed, “She is someone who understands things very clearly and doesn’t have many fears, but today she told me she’s afraid you will never see her again because of Yi Lang’s words. She truly is clever, guessing correctly. Secretary Deng, your humility is Wan’er’s humility, so I want to ask you not to distance yourself from Wan’er. Don’t question the outcome, only seek to live without regret.”