Bai Huan’s residence was behind the street inside Fucheng Gate.

When the Eastern Depot came to make the arrest, guards remained at the entrance of the alley.

They had piled wooden barriers at the alley entrance, blocking curious citizens from the street inside Fucheng Gate. Deng Ying had been standing with his back to the alley entrance for nearly two hours.

A child slipped through the barrier while the guards weren’t looking, crawling on the ground to curiously tug at the shackles on Deng Ying’s feet. Deng Ying looked down, initially intending to move away, but due to the pain from his old injuries, he stumbled and nearly tripped over the child. He hurriedly braced himself against the wall trying to step back, but still couldn’t avoid stepping on the child’s hand.

The child burst into tears with a “Waa!”

Qin Wende strode over in two steps and lifted the child by the collar.

“Where are this child’s parents!”

His voice was loud, but no one in the crowd responded immediately. After a while, someone whispered, “Now the Eastern Depot won’t even spare children.”

“Children? Do you know who this Superintendent is arresting today?”

“Who?”

“Tsk, the master of this residence. Minister Bai, an elder statesman of two reigns, now to be locked up and suffer in the Eastern Depot prison.”

“Ah? What crime has the Minister committed?”

“What crime? Whatever crime that man says the Minister committed becomes his crime.”

“Aiy… what a sin!”

“Isn’t it? I heard that this Superintendent was once the Minister’s student when he was studying. Changed his skin and became like a vicious dog.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a woman behind him began trembling and crying out.

The people in front quickly turned around, “Madam, what’s wrong?”

The woman looked at the child in Qin Wende’s hands and sobbed: “I took my eyes off him for just a moment… my son…”

Public opinion was fearsome.

Fortunately, Deng Ying hadn’t heard clearly. He walked to Qin Wende’s side and raised his hand.

“Put him down gently.”

Qin Wende looked indignant, “Superintendent, it’s bad enough that Minister Bai humiliates you, but even a child acts this way.”

Deng Ying raised his hand higher, “Let go quickly.”

Only then did Qin Wende reluctantly release his grip.

The child was trembling with fear, clinging to Deng Ying and not daring to move. Deng Ying tugged at his sleeve to cover his wrist, avoiding chafing the child’s back, and turned to carry him to the barrier.

Seeing this, the child’s mother quickly pushed through the crowd, fearfully taking her child, not daring to speak, using her sleeve to shield the child’s face as she turned and pushed back into the crowd. At this moment, the Bai residence opened its side door, and the household manager came out, bowing to Deng Ying.

“Superintendent Deng, our master has difficulty rising. Knowing you come with imperial orders, he dares not be negligent and has sent this humble servant to welcome you inside. Additionally, there are women in the residence, all modest ladies who don’t cross the threshold. We hope the Superintendent will be understanding and allow them to withdraw to the rear hall.”

Deng Ying said: “His Majesty gave no orders to search the house. Please inform the master’s family members so they may rest assured.”

Then he turned to Qin Wende, “Follow me in, do not disturb the inner residence.”

“Yes.”

The manager led Deng Ying and his men through the entrance. As soon as Deng Ying entered the main courtyard, he smelled a strong medicinal scent.

Bai Huan’s main courtyard had almost no decorative features, only a blue stone placed in the center, inscribed with the “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra” that Deng Ying had written and carved himself as a young student. In front of the stone was an oilcloth tent, where books that had been temporarily gathered due to the rain were spread out to dry.

The manager ordered a maid to lift the heavy quilted curtain, stepping aside.

“The master’s legs are not good anymore, every few days he needs herb-steeped water, steaming for a while before he can feel any relief. The master feared that when he goes out later, he wouldn’t be able to bear the restraints and would cause trouble for you, Superintendent, so he ordered this preparation this morning, which caused the delay. Please don’t blame him.”

Deng Ying lowered his head and entered past the curtain.

The maids let down the curtain, blocking the daylight outside. By the flickering light of several oil lamps, Deng Ying saw Bai Huan sitting beneath a hanging scroll. He wore a bear fur cape, with a wooden tub placed beneath him, and a servant adding rolling water to the tub. The room was humid, with large water droplets condensed on the floor.

Deng Ying knelt and bowed to Bai Huan.

But Bai Huan waved his hand and laughed with a cough, “What logic is there in kneeling to a criminal during an investigation? Please rise, Superintendent Deng.”

Deng Ying raised his head, “I never intended to be disrespectful to you, Minister.”

Bai Huan shook his head, “I’ve always known your character. When told to wait outside, you stand and wait; when invited in, you maintain such humble courtesy. However, you still must account to the Ceremonial Office and His Majesty, no?”

He extended his hand from beneath the cape and said to the servant: “Help me up, help me put on my shoes, so the depot guards can come in and do their duty.”

Seeing only one servant attending, Deng Ying rolled up his sleeves and rose, walking to Bai Huan’s footstool, telling the servant: “Hold the master steady.”

Then he bent down to take Bai Huan’s shoes, saying softly: “Minister, these shoes won’t be suitable in the depot prison. Perhaps you should change to a softer, older pair?”

Bai Huan said: “They’re all the same.”

Deng Ying said no more, supporting Bai Huan’s leg to rest on his knee as he helped him with shoes and socks.

Bai Huan’s legs were swollen from illness, leaving depression at the slightest touch. Deng Ying shifted his knee to make Bai Huan more comfortable.

“Minister, I never intended to account to the Ceremonial Office and His Majesty.”

As he spoke, he took the silk socks handed by the servant, placing one on his leg and lifting Bai Huan’s foot as he continued: “Liang Weiben’s case involves the Japanese threat in Jiangzhe, which concerns His Majesty most. However, fortunately, the Liang case is being handled by the Ministry of Justice, involving at most two other ministries. They will do their best to modify Liang Weiben’s confession to avoid implicating you, Minister. As for my part…”

He paused, “I may have to move against some of your clansmen. Though you’ve never been corrupt, Minister, with such a large family and many clan members, there are bound to be places where supervision has failed. I promise you, I will try my best to preserve their lives but to ensure your safety, their properties, and assets, I will…”

“Take them in the Eastern Depot’s name, right?”

Deng Ying nodded, “Yes.”

“Deng Ying.”

Bai Huan suddenly called his name, and Deng Ying’s hands paused at the sound.

“I’m here, Minister. Please speak.”

Bai Huan lowered his head to look at Deng Ying’s profile.

“Were the school lands of Chushan Academy and Hutan Academy not seized also to save Yang Lun?”

Deng Ying pressed his lips together, “Minister need not concern yourself with these matters. They’re not important.”

“I wrote the memorial impeaching you, causing you to fall to such a state. Don’t you harbor any resentment?”

Deng Ying continued putting on Bai Huan’s shoes as he replied: “Actually, I walked this path myself. It has nothing to do with you, Minister, or Master Yang. I know you didn’t want to treat me this way, but circumstances compelled you. The memorial could only be written by you, the hearts of the entire court could only be settled by you, and this path I now walk, others couldn’t walk it. So I harbor no resentment. My conscience is clear.”

After speaking, he set down Bai Huan’s foot and knelt again, performing a deep bow to Bai Huan.

“From today forward, let this bow temporarily account for all my offenses against you. When you are cleared of charges and leave the depot prison, I will properly ask your forgiveness.”

Bai Huan coughed several times, waving away the tea offered by the servant, speaking dejectedly: “You need not do this. Why won’t you take a step back?”

Deng Ying stood up, “Though I am a man who has undergone punishment, I don’t want to be a worthless person with my bones picked clean. When my teacher died tragically in prison years ago, I couldn’t save him. I’ve felt guilty about this my whole life, never able to forgive myself. Today you are imprisoned, I must save you.”

Bai Huan tremblingly reached out, gently touching Deng Ying’s temple. Deng Ying’s back stiffened, his throat catching as he said: “Teacher, you…”

He choked, quickly correcting himself: “Forgive me, sir.”

“It’s alright…”

Bai Huan smiled, “There’s no one else here now.”

He took hold of Deng Ying’s wrist.

“Roll up your sleeve higher.”

Deng Ying quickly complied.

Bai Huan looked at the wounds under the restraints, then coughed several times again.

“Bring tea for the master.”

Bai Huan waved his hand, “No need…”

He expelled a breath heavy with blood, “My time is near, old age and illness bind me. You’re so young, yet also covered in wounds and ailments. Zhang Zhanchun taught you the I Ching back then. Do you know your lifespan?”

Deng Ying shook his head, “I’ve never asked the I Ching about such things.”

Bai Huan nodded, “It’s good not to ask, good not to ask…”

He finished speaking and stood up holding the chair back, “Let your men come in. Today I feel strong enough to walk out myself.”

In the spring of the fourteenth year of Zhenning, the most absurd record appeared in Ming History.

Deng Ying, while awaiting punishment himself, interrogated Bai Huan.

The former teacher and student, are both in chains on the road.

Deng Ying walked on his own in front, while Bai Huan was supported by depot guards, stumbling behind.

That day after Yang Wan left Qingbo Hall, she didn’t immediately return to the palace.

She hid in the crowd, surrounded by curses, accompanying Deng Ying on that journey from the Bai residence to the Eastern Depot prison.

Throughout, she kept thinking of the accounts in Ming History, and later scholars’ interpretations of this absurd historical episode.

Those words were more rational and detached than the citizens’ “evil words.”

Yet the more detached they became, the colder and sharper they were.

Yang Wan watched Deng Ying from outside the crowd. He used his sleeves to hide the restraints on his wrists, gently avoiding the onlookers and children who pressed close to him, occasionally pausing to wait for Bai Huan behind him, softly telling the depot guards: “Walk more slowly.”

Amidst endless malice, Yang Wan saw a slight smile on Deng Ying’s face.

Very faint, but enough for her to notice.

Yang Wan turned to look at Bai Huan, this elderly man stumbling along, his expression also quite peaceful.

The Ming History recorded this as a great political drama of master and disciple completely falling out, destroying each other in a life-or-death struggle. In reality, these two men simply walked a path together with the same bearing, in tacit understanding.

Yang Wan watched from the crowd as Deng Ying and Bai Huan entered the Eastern Depot prison. The midday sun suddenly broke through the clouds.

The sunlight falling on her body already carried some warmth.

An old man selling maltose candy by the road held out his candies to Yang Wan, “Young lady, they’re very sweet, buy some?”

Yang Wan touched the money pouch Deng Ying had gotten from Qin Wende, smiling as she asked: “I’ll take three packages, two with more, one with less.”

The old man smiled, “Young lady buying three packages, that means the man in your household also likes sweets.”

Yang Wan nodded, “He doesn’t like sweets, but when I tell him to eat them, he will.”

The old man’s eyes curved in a smile, “Young lady’s husband must be very good.”

Yang Wan looked back toward the prison gates, responding softly:

“Yes… others don’t know, but no matter what, he is just an especially, especially good person…”