HomeCrane NotesChapter 78: Clear Wind in the Wasteland (Part 6)

Chapter 78: Clear Wind in the Wasteland (Part 6)

This was the first time Yang Wan watched Yi Lang walking alone in front of her.

Once young boys start growing taller, they shoot up like bamboo shoots after rain.

Having been constantly by his side, Yang Wan hadn’t noticed it much, but thinking back to when she first entered the palace when he was still a child clutching her thigh and clamoring to see paper dolls—now his frame had grown lean, his shoulders and back straightened. This sudden growth, manifesting both physically and mentally, was truly astounding.

“Aunt.”

“Yes?”

“Did you hurt yourself when you knelt earlier?”

He looked at Yang Wan’s knees and told the nearby eunuch: “Help her walk.”

Then he stepped back to walk alongside Yang Wan.

Looking at Yi Lang’s rain-soaked shoulders, Yang Wan felt melancholy.

If he weren’t a prince, or rather if he weren’t the future Emperor Jinghe, he would be a likable child.

Precocious, independent, carrying responsibility beyond his years, disdaining to be sheltered under women’s care.

But precisely because of this, he would never have that mercy Yang Wan hoped for.

“Are you going to report to His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

Yi Lang raised his head to look at Yang Wan, “The Northern Command took away my tutor and bullied my aunt. If there’s a proper reason for this, I’ll say nothing, but if the reason isn’t justified, I must petition Father Emperor to punish Deputy Commander Zhang.”

Yang Wan lowered her head, “Why help Aunt? Doesn’t Your Highness think Aunt has done many wrong things?”

Yi Lang paused mid-step, and everyone stopped with him.

Rain pattered loudly on the umbrella, water flowing everywhere like autumn tides.

Yi Lang raised his head to look into Yang Wan’s eyes, “Aunt, you did do wrong things, but I don’t want to see you too sad, so I won’t openly rebuke Deng Ying. But aunt, I can only be this way with you alone.”

“I understand.”

Yang Wan didn’t want him to continue, lowered her head and smiled: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

In front of Yangxin Palace, today’s court memorials had just been delivered.

The rain was heavy, and the eunuchs coming from the Cabinet, trying to protect the memorials and documents, were all thoroughly bedraggled.

Hu Xiang fingered his sandalwood beads, standing beside Deng Ying, coldly said: “They all deserve death today—not only late, but they’ve gotten His Majesty’s documents wet.”

The memorial-delivering eunuchs dared not make a commotion seeking mercy outside Yangxin Palace. Hearing these words, they could only kneel and kowtow to Hu Xiang.

One or two who were particularly frightened, knowing Hu Xiang wasn’t one to show mercy, turned to kneel before Deng Ying instead.

Deng Ying held up a candle, lifted the oilcloth covering the memorials and documents, flipped through several pages, and said: “All of you rise first.”

Then he walked toward the inner palace.

Hu Xiang called out behind him: “Deng Ying, these people must be beaten today, I’ve said so.”

Deng Ying stopped in his tracks, “Does the Ceremonial Office handle the punishment, or does the Eastern Depot?”

The kneeling eunuchs, hearing these words, hurriedly said: “We beg the Director for mercy.”

Deng Ying looked down and said: “Then you may go.”

“Yes…”

None dared look at Hu Xiang as they hastily retreated down the terrace.

Watching their pathetic retreating figures, Hu Xiang suddenly said: “You’re now the second ancestor of the Ceremonial Office.”

Deng Ying paused a step but didn’t respond to this comment.

He rolled up his sleeves to wash his hands at the door, then personally carried the presentation tray into the hall.

Inside, He Yixian was attending to Emperor Zhenning’s writing implements. In late autumn, the ink congealed thickly, making writing difficult. Behind the imperial desk was a small stove warming the inkstone. Deng Ying bowed before the imperial desk, but Emperor Zhenning didn’t look up, “Wait until I finish this character.”

He Yixian said from the side: “Master, you’ve been writing all morning, perhaps you should rest and have some refreshments.”

Emperor Zhenning lifted his brush, “What was that commotion outside just now?”

Deng Ying responded: “Your Majesty, the submitted memorials and documents were caught in the rain. Your servant was discussing punishment with Secretary Hu.”

“Oh.”

Emperor Zhenning looked outside, “Is it raining?”

He Yixian took the memorials from the presentation tray in Deng Ying’s hands and carefully placed them beside the emperor, “Early this morning, the sky was already dark, the wind was cold, and now with the rain, it’s even colder.”

Emperor Zhenning gestured for Deng Ying to open the memorial volume, glanced at it, and casually said: “They’re hardly that wet, why discuss punishment?”

Deng Ying bowed deeply, “Your Majesty is merciful, your servant is ashamed.”

Emperor Zhenning pulled out the court documents, “Enough, let them be punished if they must. These days my spirits are low, I can’t attend to such matters.”

He Yixian said from the side: “Master must take care of his health. Whenever the master can attend to even one matter, we servants feel blessed. Master has a Buddha’s heart; we all live by master’s mercy.”

Hearing these words, Emperor Zhenning couldn’t help but laugh.

“Old Companion always flatters me so, this isn’t good.”

Then he paused his brush, “Is today a major or minor lecture at Wenhua Palace?”

Deng Ying replied: “Minor lecture, but the topic was set by the Cabinet, so Vice Minister Zhang is present.”

Emperor Zhenning made a sound of acknowledgment and pointed to the fur-lined robe behind him, “Send this robe to Yi Lang, tell him no need to thank me.”

“Yes.”

He Yixian personally smoothed out the robe and handed it to a eunuch, then walked back to the emperor’s side and said: “Master’s love for the Crown Prince moves us servants’ hearts. As autumn arrived, the weather turned cold so quickly, the young princes might suffer somewhat. I heard from Imperial Physician Peng that the Second Prince…”

“What moves your heart?”

His words weren’t finished before Emperor Zhenning cut him off sharply.

Moreover, after asking, the emperor truly held his brush waiting for an answer.

However, this question touched on palace etiquette, human relations, and emotions, truly difficult to answer. He Yixian was momentarily stunned.

Seeing his expression, Emperor Zhenning laughed once and said lowly, “So many people below counting on your care, they call you ancestor, and you’ve helped plenty of them ascend.”

Hearing these words, He Yixian hurriedly prostrated himself, not daring to make a sound.

The emperor looked down at him once, “What I say here stays in the hall. Your life hasn’t been easy; in your old age, having some unofficial descendants to show filial piety, what can I reproach? I’m getting old too, want to show some love to my sons, want them to remember their sovereign father’s kindness, but there are always some people who don’t like to see father and sons being loving.”

At these words, everyone in the hall, including Deng Ying, knelt.

Emperor Zhenning tapped the imperial desk and said evenly: “Rise. I need to use the seal.”

Deng Ying saw He Yixian still didn’t dare rise, so he rolled up his sleeves to assist Emperor Zhenning with the imperial seal.

The conversation in the hall seemed casual, but the last few sentences alluded to “The Five Virtuous Ones” matter. However, He Yixian didn’t know this yet, still thinking he had misspoken earlier by mentioning the Second Prince, displeasing Emperor Zhenning. He remained prostrate, his body gradually beginning to tremble.

“Master, your servant has something to report.”

Hu Xiang stood before the ground screen, seeing He Yixian hadn’t risen, and hadn’t dared enter for a long while.

Emperor Zhenning said: “Speak, I see you’ve been standing there for some time.”

“Yes.”

Only then did Hu Xiang enter the hall, “Master, the Crown Prince requests an audience.”

Emperor Zhenning looked outside, “Didn’t I say no need to thank me?”

“How could it be that quick? The person delivering the clothes hadn’t even passed Taihe Palace when they met His Highness. His Highness has been standing outside for a while now. Your servant saw Your Majesty using the seal…”

“He can enter even when I’m using the seal, summon him.”

Then looking down at He Yixian said: “Rise.”

Yi Lang entered the inner hall with Yang Wan.

The hall was brilliantly lit with lamps and candles, making every shadow appear frayed at the edges.

Yi Lang knelt before the imperial desk, performing the kowtow to Emperor Zhenning.

Emperor Zhenning seemed in good spirits today, gesturing for both to rise, casually asking Yi Lang: “What did you study at Wenhua Palace today?”

Yi Lang stood up and said: “Master Zhang is still lecturing on ‘Zhenguan Zhengyao.'”

“Oh, come here.”

Emperor Zhenning extended his arm, gesturing to Yi Lang to his side. “Do you understand what you hear?”

“Father Emperor, your son understands everything.”

“Good.”

Emperor Zhenning raised his sleeve to personally wipe the rain from Yi Lang’s forehead.

“You got wet.”

Yang Wan felt Emperor Zhenning’s gaze fall on her and hurriedly apologized: “Your servant failed to attend to His Highness properly.”

Before Emperor Zhenning could speak, Yi Lang had already spoken: “Father Emperor, aunt got herself wet protecting me.”

Deng Ying looked at Yang Wan—she appeared neat enough, but her shoulders were almost completely soaked. Yang Wan knew Deng Ying was looking at her and unconsciously adjusted her wet hair.

Emperor Zhenning released Yi Lang’s shoulders, “It seems you are indeed devoted to the Crown Prince.”

Yang Wan lowered her eyes and responded: “Your servant is ashamed.”

The emperor didn’t say more to Yang Wan, lowering his head to ask Yi Lang, “In such heavy rain, what made you come?”

Yi Lang stepped away from the imperial desk, walked before Emperor Zhenning, and bowed, “Your son has something to ask Father Emperor.”

“Speak.”

Yi Lang straightened up, “Today, Northern Command Commander Zhang Luo took away your son’s tutor Yang Jing at Wenhua Palace. Your son doesn’t understand why, so I’ve come to ask Father Emperor.”

The incense on the imperial desk had burned down a section, its ash falling onto Emperor Zhenning’s hand.

“Ai-yo…”

He Yixian hurriedly bent to blow it away for Emperor Zhenning.

Emperor Zhenning withdrew his hand, turned his head to look at Yi Lang, and said neither heavily nor lightly: “Impudent.”

In the hall, only He Yixian dared speak up at this moment to meditate.

“Master, His Highness is young…”

“Impudent.”

But these words came from Yi Lang’s mouth, his tone almost identical to Emperor Zhenning’s.

“When the sovereign father reproaches, as officials and sons, we should accept what we deserve, no need for a servant to speak up.”

After speaking, he lifted his robes to kneel, “Father Emperor, Yang Jing of Wenhua Palace is your son’s tutor and also your son’s uncle. If he truly has committed crimes, then your son has been bewitched by him for many days. Your son is deeply afraid and begs Father Emperor for guidance.”

Emperor Zhenning was silent for a while, then said softly: “You came today to plead for your maternal uncle?”

Yi Lang straightened up, “No, since childhood I’ve been taught that the nation’s justice system should make merits and crimes clear to all under heaven, but the Northern Command acts without explanation, not making merits and crimes clear. Your son believes this is wrong.”

Yang Wan stood behind Yi Lang, hearing every word without missing one.

She raised her head to meet Deng Ying’s gaze.

Deng Ying didn’t speak, but his face held a slight smile.

At this moment, Yang Wan truly began to understand why Deng Ying so treasured this child.

Military commanders yearn for world peace, while scholars hope for nothing more than “political clarity.”

World peace can rely on famous generals, but “political clarity” must have an enlightened ruler.

He doesn’t need to be too merciful, he just needs to kill appropriately—not cruel, but also not soft on anyone.

“Yi Lang.”

“Your son is here.”

The emperor’s voice was hoarse.

“Do you know what you’ve said to me?”

“Your son understands. Your son has offended Father Emperor and asks for punishment, but also asks Father Emperor for guidance. Your son has grown up and wants to live with clear understanding.”

Emperor Zhenning lowered his head, silently looking at the prostrate Yi Lang, and after a moment finally said: “Since that’s the case, I permit you to question the Northern Command.”

“Your son thanks, Father Emperor.”

“You may withdraw.”

Yang Wan followed Yi Lang out of Yangxin Palace. Just as they descended the terrace, Yi Lang took Yang Wan’s hand.

“Aunt, I will never let anyone bully you again.”

Yang Wan held his hand as they walked toward Chengqian Palace, saying as they walked: “You’re still young, aunt must protect you well.”

Yi Lang looked up and said: “Doesn’t Aunt trust Yi Lang?”

Yang Wan stopped walking, “Aunt fears you won’t be happy.”

Yi Lang said: “When you returned from the prison, Mother Consort told me you saved both our lives, and I’ve always remembered how during the time I was confined in Wuying Palace, it was always aunt taking care of me. Aunt, I couldn’t protect Mother Consort, but I will protect you. Aunt, when I grow up, I’ll never let you be a servant again.”

Yang Wan smiled, reaching out to adjust Yi Lang’s collar.

Her heart was deeply conflicted. On one hand, she hoped he would grow up quickly, fulfilling Deng Ying and Yang Lun’s wishes.

On the other hand, she hoped he wouldn’t grow up.

Let that person live.

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