Just then, the timing incense beside Qi Huaiyang burned out.

The ash fell to the ground, but none of the officials had the heart to remind Qi Huaiyang.

Seeing no orders from behind for a long while, the guards on the execution platform had no choice but to send in the timekeeper to ask, “Minister, should we remove the prisoner’s clothes now?”

Qi Huaiyang looked up at Deng Ying on the platform. Though held down by guards and unable to move, he still struggled, constantly shaking his head at Bai Yuyang and the others.

Just as Qi Huaiyang was about to speak, someone announced, “Minister, Thousand Households Qin Wende from the Eastern Factory has arrived with a message from Deputy Prime Minister Yang for you.”

Qi Huaiyang said, “Bring him in.”

Qin Wende entered the curtained area and strode to Qi Huaiyang, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a low voice, “Sir, Deputy Yang and several other cabinet ministers have entered the palace. The inner court now orders hourly reports on the situation here. Deputy Yang says you know execution ground procedures well and asks you to help our Supervisor take a gamble.”

Hearing this, Qi Huaiyang gave a low laugh, “Well, he’s forcing me onto a desperate path too.”

Qin Wende bowed deeply, “Please help, Minister.”

Qi Huaiyang nodded, “I’ll do my best. You may leave first.”

“Yes.”

After Qin Wende left, Qi Huaiyang immediately gestured for the guards to approach and ordered, “Remove the prisoner’s clothes.”

As soon as the order was given, Deng Ying was lifted by the guards. The binding ropes were cut, but before he could feel any relief, he was chained to the execution frame. The guard raised a knife to cut the ties of his prison clothes. Deng Ying instinctively tilted his head back. Though after the mutilation punishment, he had been prepared to lose every round of dignity beneath his clothes. But here before Pichangmiao Temple, with Yang Wan absent, he felt for the first time the injustice in his heart. He didn’t want to be treated this way, didn’t want to fail that brave girl who wanted him to win just once.

“Please… preserve my dignity… please… preserve my dignity…”

He opened his mouth, silently mouthing these words to the crowd.

Bai Huan wept as he held the railing, and Song Yunqing couldn’t help but cover her face in tears.

“Don’t remove his clothes!”

Chen Hua screamed from her kneeling position, then stripped off her robe and held it up toward the execution platform.

“Don’t take his clothes away!”

Bai Huan also straightened up and began undoing his official robe’s ties. Seeing this, Zhou Muyi and others also raised their hands to remove their robes.

At that moment, among the male spectators, many followed Bai and Zhou’s example, attempting to offer their robes to cover Deng Ying.

The Five Cities Military Police maintained strict guard, unable to let these people approach the platform yet afraid to act too forcefully and harm Bai Huan and the others.

The Inspector in the tent couldn’t bear it anymore and grabbed Qi Huaiyang’s hand, “This can’t continue.”

Qi Huaiyang said, “Write a memorial asking…”

He paused, “Ask if the pre-execution public display of the stripped prisoner can be waived.”

A judicial officer from the Ministry of Justice said, “Sir, it’s already past Si hour. Just questioning the ‘public display’ without addressing the execution order—we might not have time for the execution.”

Qi Huaiyang clasped his hands behind his back, “Only question the ‘public display,’ nothing else.”

He then ordered someone to bring clothes to cover Deng Ying.

The Inspector turned to take up his brush, writing rapidly while asking, “Sir, you’re trying to delay the execution process?”

After a moment of silence, Qi Huaiyang replied, “Let’s take a gamble. If we pass the set time without seeing the ‘execution order,’ the execution date will have to be changed. We’ll submit this memorial and see how long Yang Lun can stretch this out.”

The Inspector paused his brush, “Sir, do you also think Deng Ying shouldn’t be executed?”

Qi Huaiyang countered, “I can’t say that. You’ve been a court clerk for so long and best understand the voice of officials and common people alike—what do you think?”

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yang Lun stood at the eastern steps, reading Qi Huaiyang’s memorial aloud.

Bai Yuyang couldn’t help but interrupt him, addressing the emperor, “Your Majesty, I believe there’s no need for Qi Huaiyang to petition about the ‘public stripping’ at this time.”

Yang Lun asked, “Why not?”

He raised the memorial to Bai Yuyang’s eyes, “Let me read it again for the Prime Minister—’ When the prisoner was to be stripped before execution, Minister Bai Huan offered his clothes to clothe him, and the common people followed suit, all offering their clothes to cover him.'”

Lowering his hand, he asked directly, “If Qi Huaiyang and the others can’t even remove the prisoner’s clothes, how will they deliver the three thousand cuts later? Prime Minister Bai, I think this matter precisely needs discussion.”

“Fine!”

Bai Yuyang angrily said, “Discuss it!”

He turned to the emperor, “I propose arresting all those who offered clothes, charging them with obstruction of justice…”

“When the prisoner was to be stripped before execution, Minister Bai Huan offered his clothes to clothe him, and the common people followed suit, all offering their clothes to cover him.”

Before Bai Yuyang could finish, Yang Lun raised his voice over him, repeating that passage, emphasizing the words “Bai Huan.”

Forced to step back, Bai Yuyang’s voice notably lost half its strength.

“If it weren’t for His Majesty’s consideration of nurturing relationships, refusing to punish those who wrote ‘treasonous books,’ how could…”

Yang Lun shouted, “Because of that ‘treasonous book,’ Yang Wan is already in deep prison, yet is this book banned today? No official or foreign printing house dares to print Yang Wan’s book, but private copies and unofficial editions now rest on tens of thousands of desks. Should all these copyists and printers be punished? Prime Minister Bai, is this calming public anger or inciting it?”

Bai Yuyang fell silent, barely able to stand. The two cabinet ministers behind him hurried to support him.

One of them advised, “Deputy Yang, these court discussions are all about punishing crimes and settling public minds. We know you’re anxious, sir, but shouldn’t you consider collegial courtesy in your words?”

Yang Lun laughed, “What more courtesy should I show?”

He raised his head, “My colleagues are executing my schoolmate…”

“Deputy Yang!”

The cabinet minister who had just spoken grabbed him, pleading, “Be careful with your words before His Majesty!”

Yang Lun smiled, “I too have copied my sister’s book. If this deserves punishment, I, Yang Lun…”

As he spoke, he knelt, “Admit my guilt.”

“You… you…”

Bai Yuyang stammered, “You disgrace the sacred texts, disgrace your position in the cabinet!”

Yang Lun remained silent, only removing his official hat, placing it before his knees, and bowing down.

Seeing Yang Lun like this, none of the cabinet ministers knew what to do.

From the imperial throne, Yi Lang suddenly said, “Ministers, I have a question.”

The ministers hurriedly responded, “Please speak, Your Majesty.”

Yi Lang stood up, walked down from the throne, and approached Yang Lun, “After executing Deng Ying, should I also execute Yang Lun and Minister Bai?”

“Your Majesty!”

Ignoring the ministers, Yi Lang asked, “What time is it?”

A nearby court eunuch replied, “Your Majesty, it’s almost noon.”

“Good.”

Yi Lang turned to Bai Yuyang, “Can my ministers answer my question?”

“I…”

Bai Yuyang had no choice but to kneel, “I… cannot answer.”

Yi Lang said, “Then let me try to answer myself, and let the ministers judge.”

He looked down at Bai and Yang kneeling on the ground, “I studied Confucianism in my youth, though not deeply, but I know the main principles—one must not defy a father’s will, must not betray worthy ministers, must not abandon the people’s hearts. Ministers, are these statements correct?”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

“What does Prime Minister Bai think?”

Bai Yuyang remained silent, and Yi Lang didn’t continue, only looking down at him, silently waiting for his answer.

Soon, Qing Meng reminded from the side, “Your Majesty, noon… noon has passed…”

“I know.”

After responding, he addressed Bai Yuyang again, “Minister, can we continue our discussion?”

Bai Yuyang exhaled heavily, his shoulders suddenly slumping, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty is wise, I… I have nothing more to say.”

At Pichangmiao Temple, the messenger had already reported three times.

Zhou Muyi looked up at the sun and said softly, “The time is almost up.”

Song Yunqing wiped away her tears and straightened up, “If the time passes, they can’t carry out the execution. Until now, they haven’t even stripped the Commander—they won’t have time.”

She became excited and grabbed Chen Hua’s hand, “Do you think there might be an imperial decree?”

Chen Hua quickly replied, “Yes, yes, there will be.”

Just then, the last section of Qi Huaiyang’s timing incense burned out, its ash scattered on the ground. Qi Huaiyang closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.

The crowd of spectators suddenly burst into cheers, with young people rushing forward shouting, “Time’s up! They can’t execute him anymore! They can’t execute him!”

Qi Huaiyang stood up, walked out of the curtained area, stepped onto the execution platform, and raised his hand to calm the crowd, “Everyone please step back, don’t trouble the Military Police. The execution time has passed, there will be no execution today. Please disperse.”

He then gestured to the guards, “Release the prisoner.”

“Why…”

Deng Ying uttered two words, then said no more.

Qi Huaiyang said, “You can speak now. Ask what you want to know.”

“Why did you stop my execution?”

Qi Huaiyang replied, “For that, you’ll have to ask Deputy Yang.”

Just as he finished speaking, he saw that Yang Lun had somehow already appeared before the curtain at the foot of the platform, “Bring him down.”

Qi Huaiyang said, “Do you have an imperial decree? Without one, I must hand him over to the Northern Patrol.”

Yang Lun said, “His Majesty has ordered him to be taken back to the palace.”

Qi Huaiyang asked puzzled, “For another imperial interrogation?”

“No.”

Yang Lun pointed at Deng Ying, “Let me tell you, my sister is gravely ill. His Majesty has graciously allowed her to return to the palace for treatment, and you better take good care of her. Don’t think that because I saved you, I’ve forgiven you. She made herself this sick because of you. If she has any lasting illness, I’ll beat your face black and blue.”

Qi Huaiyang couldn’t help but laugh, “Minister Yang, how old are you to be saying such things here to him?”

“I accept it.”

Deng Ying replied, “I’ll take care of her. If she doesn’t get better, I…”

“Just take the face-beating, don’t make any of those life-and-death oaths!”

His voice lowered, becoming somewhat choked, though he cursed, “Damn it, thinking back on the oaths you made to me back then, I realize what a poisonous mouth you have.”

Deng Ying said, “Then just beat my face black and blue.”

Yang Lun unexpectedly laughed too, turning away and struggling to hold back his tears.

“Let me tell you, she’s been copying texts day after day and has hurt her eyes. Don’t be like a silent gourd in front of her, only knowing how to make her cry instead of making her laugh. She can’t cry anymore.”