In the early spring of the first year of Jinghe, He Yixian and others were transferred to the Imperial Prison of the Northern Pacification Department for trial. Once the news reached the capital, a wave of redress of unjust cases was set off in various places. He Yixian had been in charge of the Imperial Household Department for four years, and he had embezzled countless money and grain land. The number of criminal cases involved made the officials of the Ministry of Justice stunned. Qi Huaiyang had to borrow officials from the Imperial College and the Inspector to join the trial. However, due to the severe injuries from the punishment, He Yixian died of illness in the Imperial Prison before he survived February.
However, He Yixian's death did not quell the anger of the court and the people.
The Donglin School spoke like drawing a sword and wrote like a knife. They dug up old cases from the previous dynasty one by one and criticized them. Among them, the most heartbreaking cases were the Tongjia Massacre and the Zhang Zhanchun Case.
In early February, the Ministry of Justice requested a retrial of the Tong and Zhang cases. The relatives of the students of the academy, along with Zhang Zhanchun's son, went to Beijing from the land they were given. Three years had passed. For their parents' graying hair and their children who were still young, they walked on the city streets with their wives, supporting each other. When passers-by saw them, they all shed tears.
For a time, the academic officials and the people's public opinion were linked, causing public outrage. The Northern Pacification Office had no choice but to order that He Yixian's body be temporarily kept in prison.
Other eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department who were waiting for punishment saw He Yixian die of illness and no one came to collect his body. They were all terrified and unable to sleep because of the thought of their own fate. Although Deng Ying was detained like everyone else, the three departments jointly issued a release document to the Pacification Department. Deng Ying was not brought to trial, nor was he restricted from drinking and eating like other prisoners.
"Master, you are the only one who can escape..."
A eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department held up his chains and shed tears in front of Deng Ying.
"If I had known this would happen, I would never have followed my ancestors no matter what."
Deng Ying looked down at the two of them, "They are all the same."
"How can it be the same?"
The man cried, "The Ministry of Justice and the Supervisory Office have started to review old cases. I don't even know if my ancestors and I are responsible for the loss of life. Now, I can't survive. Let alone following the Supervisory Master, I can't even keep my life. I regret it so much..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the others also started crying.
Deng Ying looked outside the prison.
The spring weather was humid, and large patches of water droplets were on the dark blue walls.
Perhaps it was because of the bright spring sun that he could occasionally see a ray of warm light through the cracks in the wall, but it did not stay in his eyes for long.
"What are you howling about? When the charges come out, you'll have your day to cry!"
The jailer's shouting could be heard from outside the cell, and everyone fell silent.
"Deng Ying."
The jailer opened the cell door, stood at the door and called him by his name.
"exist."
"Stand up."
Deng Ying stood up, and a eunuch beside her suddenly grabbed the chain under her arm.
"Factory Supervisor..."
The man's voice was hoarse.
Deng Ying steadied herself, turned around, squatted down to support him, and said calmly, "Let go of your hand."
The man shook his head and cried, "You are my ancestor, please save my life, your son kowtows to you... kowtows..."
After he said this, the others also knelt down. A young eunuch who was already gray-haired called himself "Zi" and slammed his forehead heavily on the ground.
"Set them all up!"
The jailer obeyed the order and stepped forward. In three moves, he pulled these people up and pressed them against the wall.
Deng Ying heard the sobbing in the room, turned around and took a few steps forward, raised his voice and said: "Every human life is precious. If the criminal law can be lenient because of personal feelings, then how can I, the teacher, and the students of Tongjia Academy rest in peace? If you live, why should he die? Besides, I am 27 years old this year. I was the son of a criminal and my family registration has been expelled. I regard myself as a shame and cannot bear to mention the matter of human relations."
"Master..."
Deng Ying said nothing, turned around and walked out of the cell, and was taken all the way to the Beizhenfusi government office.
Zhang Luo was sitting in the hall waiting for him. When he saw him being brought in, he put down the official document and said, "No need to kneel. Today is not the day for the trial."
After he finished speaking, he stood up, walked away from behind the desk, and said to the jailer, "Take the things off him."
Deng Ying raised his hand cooperatively and looked sideways outside the yamen.
It was a sunny day, with soft willow catkins floating in the air. The wind was still cold, but it was blowing gently, blowing into his sleeves, so he didn't feel cold.
“No need to look at it.”
Zhang Luo put the prisoner release document in front of him and said, "After you sign it, you can leave from here."
Deng Ying withdrew her gaze and nodded to Zhang Luo.
"Give him the shirt."
Deng Ying took the clothes and suddenly heard Zhang Luo ask, "What's your name?"
"Talisman spirit."
"Who will pick it up for you?"
Deng Ying paused for a moment before saying, "Mr. Zhang, please take it."
"Zhang Zhanchun."
"yes."
Zhang Luo lowered his head and remained silent for a while, then turned to look at Deng Ying and said, "The Ministry of Justice has requested a retrial of the Tongjia and Zhang cases. I am reviewing the files from that year. The Zhang case involves you. Do you have anything to share?"
Deng Ying bowed deeply to Zhang Luo and said, "Please, sir, clear my teacher's name."
"Valentine him. You are the criminal in the Liulichang case."
Zhang Luo looked at him and continued in a cold voice: "Deng Fuling, you are the only living person in the Imperial Household Department who has been reinstated. Once He Yixian dies, you will be the target of public criticism. At this moment, even the slightest charge will put you in danger."
Deng Ying pressed his wrist and bowed his head, saying, "I have committed hundreds of crimes, and the Liulichang case is not worthy of the cabinet's discussion."
"So you don't care."
“I care.”
"What do you care about?"
"I care about being able to live more days outside."
"OK."
Zhang Luo lifted his robe and stepped into the case, "I won't delay you."
**
The west door of the Zhenfu Division was opened, and the aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts wafted towards Deng Ying.
The chestnut stall owner said to the woman who was standing on tiptoe to look into the pot with a smile on his face: "Young lady, you are so impatient. Wait a little longer. If it is not cooked enough, it will not be sweet."
"How long will it take?"
The woman who was speaking was dressed simply, in a cross-collared jacket, a horse-faced skirt, and had her hair tied up with a blue cloth.
"Wan Wan."
"ah?"
Yang Wan looked up at Deng Ying in surprise, then laughed at herself, "I bought chestnuts for you, but you couldn't fry them well after spending so much time on it."
"You always like to buy me food."
"What else?"
Yang Wan said as she walked towards him, "I like watching you eat. You are very serious when you eat, and you will smile occasionally."
As she was talking, the stall owner behind her called out, "Girl, the chestnuts are ready."
Yang Wan turned around and said, "I'll be right there."
After she finished speaking, she grabbed Deng Ying's hand and said, "Does it hurt your wrist if I pull you like this?"
"Won't."
"Then come with me."
She did not deliberately hold Deng Ying's wrist as she did back then, but instead held his fingers casually.
Compared to Deng Ying, Yang Wan's hands were warmer. This touch suddenly reminded Deng Ying of the night before his torture, when he had opened the window of the torture room, expecting someone warmer than him to appear. And she really did appear, and because of her, he seemed to be relieved of his entire tragic life.
"How much is the bag?"
Yang Wanlang said in a loud voice.
The stall owner glanced at Deng Ying and said with a smile, "Why don't you stop?"
"oh… "
Deng Ying was a little embarrassed, "How much..."
"He has no money."
"What?"
The stall owner looked up in surprise, but the young man in front of him smiled shyly and said frankly, "Yes, I don't have any money."
Yang Wan lowered her head and took out half a dollar from her sleeve.
"Is this enough?"
"That's enough."
Yang Wan took Deng Ying's hand and said, "Look at which bag you have."
Deng Ying lowered her head and said, "Any bag is fine."
"OK."
Yang Wan bent down, picked up the bag and handed it to Deng Ying, "Here, I'll pay for it."
The stall owner looked at the two men and smiled without saying anything.
"Let's go, Deng Ying. I'm going home now."
After Yang Wan finished speaking, she took the chestnut from Deng Ying.
"Wanwan, you peel it and eat it. I'll take it."
"Doesn't it hurt your hand?"
She turned her back and said, "Just follow me."
"What place?"
"go home."
Deng Ying stopped and said, "The time for the palace confinement is almost here."
Yang Wan turned around while holding Li Zi, looked up at Deng Ying and said, "There is something I forgot to tell you."
"What."
"I left the palace."
"Leaving the palace?"
"right."
"You're back at the Yang residence."
Yang Wan smiled and shook her head, saying, "Since I have made a promise, why should I go back to the Yang Mansion this afternoon? Your outer residence is now closed, so I will temporarily live in Qingbo Pavilion. Um... but... I have not been feeling well recently and I can't take care of many things, so there are quite a lot of people in the pavilion. If you are recuperating, it may be a bit noisy. I have to go back and tell them not to bother you."
Deng Ying looked at Yang Wan, "What's wrong with you?"
"Just like you used to be."
Yang Wan said, "If you don't take medicine when you are sick, the longer you delay, the worse it will be."
"I… "
Deng Ying choked, "Why don't you take your medicine?"
Yang Wan raised her head and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm different from you. I'm not punishing myself. I just don't want to leave any evidence in front of the empress. If your majesty treats me well, then I'm naturally guilty."
She paused, then lowered her voice, "You too."
"Um."
"Let's not talk about this for now. Come home with me. You won't eat the noodles I cooked tonight. Yun Qing went down to the kitchen and cooked a hot pot. Chen Zhangyin is also here. He brought a bunch of rabbits over. They are very fat. You go home and take a bath first. You can eat them when you are done."
Deng Ying asked, "How is Song Sizan?"
"What is Song Sizan? Remember she is in the palace. She is now helping me manage the backyard of Qingbo Pavilion. I am relieved."
She said with a smile on her face, "Deng Xiaoying, look at how capable I am. I can buy you food, take care of your illness, and give everyone something to do and meat to eat."
Deng Ying nodded with a smile, "Yes, Wanwan, you are really good."
"Then you should eat more rabbit meat later."
"Don't you want to eat chestnuts?"
"Whoever says not to eat, eat it anyway."
Deng Ying lowered her head and smiled, "Wanwan, I can't eat that much."
Yang Wan was stunned, "Me too, I just do whatever I want when I'm happy."
She tucked her hair around her ears and said, "If you can't finish it, eat it tomorrow. Don't be afraid, there will be more to come."