The Neidongchang was located to the north of the Huntangsi and, like the Silijian, was just a government office of the inner court.
In the first year of Deng Ying's management of the East Factory, the East Factory only had the power to monitor and arrest, and could not detain or interrogate prisoners. Yang Wan was detained in an empty duty room in the south of Inner Dongguang. When the factory guards brought Yang Wan in, she had already developed a high fever, and the wounds on her body were bleeding from the bumpy journey. However, there was not even a clean quilt in the duty room at this time. Song Yunqing could only support Yang Wan to lean on the couch temporarily, and walked out and said to the factory guards: "I will go back to the Fifth Institute to get her a set of clean clothes and bring her another quilt."
Tan Wende said, "The general of Chengqian Palace just sent someone to ask, and he has gone back to get her clothes a while ago."
Song Yun nodded lightly, "That's good..."
Qin Wende glanced at her and said, "Although she is from our Dongchang, she is still a prisoner after all. You shouldn't stay for too long, lest you give us, the governor, and yourself something to talk about."
"I see."
Song Yunqing raised her head and said, "Let me help her change her clothes. This is the only thing that no one else can do."
As he was talking, the eunuch from Chengqian Palace came over with clothes and bedding, and said to Song Yunqing anxiously, "The Queen and the little prince cannot come. I heard that they were tortured and they are very anxious. I have to ask the head monk in person how badly Yang Zhangji was injured."
Song Yunqing took the clothes and her nose started to sour. However, she had been in the palace for many years and knew not to add fuel to the fire. She held back her tears and replied, "Your Highness, although the wound is serious, it is only a superficial injury. It is neither hot nor cold now and will recover quickly. Please take care of yourself and don't worry too much."
The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Now that you have said this, I can go and reply."
Song Yun gently waved her hand to signal him to go, turned around and wiped away her tears, then pushed the door open and went in.
Yang Wan's injuries were all on her waist, abdomen and legs. When Song Yunqing was taking off her clothes, he could hardly bear to look at her wounds.
"Just wear your middle clothes tonight, you won't get rubbed."
Yang Wanzha struggled with her last bit of strength and tried her best to cooperate with Song Yunqing's movements. "It's a bit... scary, isn't it?"
Song Yun nodded lightly and said "Hmm", "I can't stay tonight, I have to leave after helping you change your clothes. It's getting late now, and there can't be any more noise at the door, so the imperial physician can't be called. I'll help you apply some of the medicine that Empress Ning gave you, but you have to rely on yourself tomorrow. Yang Wan, remember, no matter what, don't allow the eunuchs to touch your body, people like us are not worthy of them. Did you hear me?"
After hearing Song Yunqing's words, Yang Wan suddenly remembered what Li Yu once said, that although Song Yunqing and Chen Hua had been living together for many years, she never allowed Chen Hua to set foot in her house. This shows how lowly a group of people in Minghuang City are. Even if they get the love of the palace maids, they can't get their real respect.
"Yun Qing..."
"Um?"
Yang Wan was reluctant to answer Song Yunqing directly, so she simply changed the subject.
"Please help me convey a message to Empress Ning."
Song Yun gently pressed the quilt beside the bed, bent down and helped her fasten the side straps of her shirt, "You say."
"Tell the queen to... not ask for mercy, and better not to ask me about it."
"I'll go and tell you."
Song Yun said softly as he moved her legs onto the couch and moved the quilt over her body. "I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself."
"good… "
**
The door of the office opened and closed, and there was no sound in the office, except for the occasional "crackling" sound from the lamp that Song Yun had lit before. Deng Ying stood outside the office, looking at the warm light on the window screen, without saying a word. Two rounds of factory guards were changing shifts in front of the door, and Deng Ying stepped aside. His leg injury hurt from standing for a long time, and he couldn't help but stumble. Qin Wende tried to help him, but he waved his hand, "It's okay, you can continue the handover."
Qin Wende said: "Since the governor is here, go in and see her."
Deng Ying did not respond.
He had been standing there for nearly half an hour, but he didn't dare to go in.
He was afraid that she would be naked and humiliated while recovering from her injuries. He was afraid that no matter how much he humbled himself, he would not be able to uphold her dignity. Although he had suffered those crimes, the last castration cleared up all the pain before. He could no longer say the last words like Zhou Congshan before his death: "I hope my flesh and blood will fall to the ground to pave a good path for my successors, and I hope my bones will become trees to support and protect future generations."
After that one blow, he was no longer qualified to be a successor or "predecessor".
He had no choice but to accept the punishment, put down his pen, closed his mouth that shouted for the world, wore palace clothes, called himself a slave, and lived in silence.
He has changed, but Yang Wan is different.
She is almost the only person in the world who sympathizes with Deng Ying.
To Deng Ying, if there was even the slightest flaw in her, he would have to be shattered into pieces in order to continue to stay with her.
"Master."
Seeing no response, Qin Wende called him again tentatively, "It is indeed late today, why don't you go back first and interrogate him tomorrow."
"good… "
He had just lowered his head to answer when he suddenly heard someone inside the door calling his name.
"Deng Ying."
The voice was very faint, but he heard it clearly.
"Deng Ying."
She didn't say anything else, just screamed again, but the end of her scream was a little trembling, and even involved a cough.
"exist."
He almost blurted it out.
She seemed to sigh, and also seemed to be relieved.
"It doesn't matter whether you see me or not, don't be silly and blame yourself... I'm fine, it doesn't hurt much, I just don't have much strength, otherwise I would help you open the door..."
After she finished her sentence, she coughed intermittently.
"Deng Ying, can you ask them to give me a glass of water?"
"Go get me a pitcher of water."
As he spoke, he reached out and untied the official robe covering himself and handed it to the worker beside him.
The factory guard was a little puzzled, "Go and get the governor's regular clothes."
Deng Ying took the water from the factory guards and said softly, "No need. Please step back and be quiet."
"yes."
The factory guards took a step back in response, and the sound of footsteps spread from near to far.
Yang Wan closed her eyes and heard the sound of the door. It seemed that someone was walking back and forth outside with a lantern, which was much brighter than inside the room. But it was only for a moment, and the door closed, leaving a thin shadow in front of her.
Yang Wan endured the pain and slowly turned over.
"Being a prisoner in the Dongchang is much better than being in the imperial prison."
Deng Ying put the kettle on the table, silently poured a glass of water, and walked to Yang Wan's bed.
He didn't sit down, but half-bent one knee and squatted down. He stretched out his arm and gently lifted Yang Wan's back, and brought the cup of water to her mouth.
Yang Wan lowered her head and sipped the water in the cup bit by bit. Deng Ying just held the cup quietly without moving, waiting for her to move her mouth before she changed her leg to half-squat.
Yang Wan looked up at Deng Ying, "Don't your legs hurt? Sit down."
Deng Ying held the teacup and shook her head, "I won't sit down."
"Why."
He said nothing, just shook his head.
Yang Wan only then noticed that he was not wearing an outer robe. His green undershirt revealed the bony shape of his shoulder. However, there were no sharp edges where the shoulder was broken. He looked no different from a gentle man from an ordinary family.
Yang Wan stretched her hand out from under the quilt, gently grabbed his wrist, and tried to help him up.
Deng Ying was afraid that she would hurt her wound, so he did not dare to hesitate for a moment and quickly stood up with the help of her force. However, she pressed down her wrist again and tried to pull him to sit down.
"Yang Wan... let me stand."
"I don't… "
She didn't let go, "You are so considerate, so considerate that I am ashamed of myself. I have to use a lot of strength to get you closer to me..."
She met Deng Ying's gaze and said, "Please stop standing there. If you want to interrogate me, you can do it tomorrow. I really don't have the strength to do it today..."
"Why should I interrogate you?"
As he spoke, he quickly obeyed her and sat down.
"Wait for Lord Yang to come back and let him interrogate me, both of you together."
After he finished speaking, he pinched his sleeves and lowered his head, "Yang Wan, I don't know what to do to make you feel better."
Yang Wan pursed her lips, gritted her teeth and propped up half of her body.
Deng Ying hurriedly said, "What do you want? I'll get it."
"I don't want to lie down, please help me, I want to lie down a little."
"good… "
Deng Ying was at a loss, "How can I help you without pulling the wound?"
"Give me a hug."
Deng Ying was stunned.
"I… "
Yang Wan touched his slightly red ears and smiled at him palely, "Forget it, I'll do it myself."
As she spoke, she tried to lift her legs, but she had no strength at all.
"Don't move, I'll do it."
After he finished speaking, he gently squeezed his own hand, then he stood up, bent down, and put his hand into the quilt.
Fortunately, she was wearing a complete middle garment.
It was just because she had a fever, and her body temperature was much higher than the temperature on his hand. When he was searching for her knee, he touched her leg, and she seemed to tremble, but she didn't say anything.
Deng Ying didn't dare to think about anything. She gently lifted Yang Wan's knees, supported her back with one hand, and tried to hold her in her arms.
"Will it feel better if you lie down here?"
"Well, I want to lie down a little further."
After listening to this, Deng Ying raised one leg, half-knelt beside the couch, and moved Yang Wan's body closer to her.
"alright… "
Deng Ying was about to pull his hand away, but Yang Wan held his arm, "Deng Ying... I have a favor to ask."
"you say."
"Stay in my house for one night, please."
She gently let go of his arm and said, "You are the supervisor of the East Factory. It doesn't seem very good to be locked up with a prisoner like me, but this is your jurisdiction, and Song Yunqing and the others dare not stay..."
"I don't want to leave either."
He interrupted Yang Wan softly.
"I'll sit and watch over you."
"You took off your official robes, aren't you cold?"
“It’s not cold.”
Yang Wan raised her arm and gently lifted a corner of the quilt.
Deng Ying took a step back, "Yang Wan... don't treat me like that."
Yang Wan turned her arms over and pulled her hands out from under the quilt. The red marks left by the shackles were still there, looking particularly glaring against her snow-white skin.
"Deng Ying, you said before that you were a guilty person. Although I didn't ridicule you, I thought it was ridiculous at that time. Just because you have been in prison and suffered injuries, you are guilty? But today I understand. I understand why you think that way and why you are so humble, because even I have to be humble. The dynasty has judicial institutions and the king has imperial prisons. They are for education and also for making people fearful. I am very scared today... Deng Ying, you must have been scared too when you were in Nanhaizi that day..."
She choked up after she finished speaking, "I'm sorry, Deng Ying. I didn't understand the pain of others at that time. I thought I was very cautious and sensible... Now I think I was really smart. I offended you a lot, but you kept backing off, holding on to my so-called self-esteem. Deng Ying... I'm really sorry. But you have to believe me, I won't change what I said to you, I want to help you, I must help you..."
She choked up at the end of her speech. Deng Ying looked at her helplessly, not knowing how to comfort her.
"No, Wanwan... don't say that."
Yang Wan didn't hear clearly what he called her in a hurry, she just repeated "I'm sorry..."
Deng Ying bent down to take off her shoes and socks, then lay down on the edge of the bed. He didn't know what to say, so he could only open his heart to comfort her, just like he did in the torture room that day, "I didn't think about anything that day... I have a past, but I don't dare to have extravagant hopes for the future. It was because you made a pinky promise to me that you would come to find me that I had those delusions. So it's okay, Wanwan, it's okay..."
I don’t know if it was the two words “It’s okay” that soothed Yang Wan, but she slowly calmed down and her breathing gradually became steady.
Deng Ying didn't dare to move anymore and gently tucked the quilt between them.
That night, Deng Ying sat next to Yang Wan.
Yang Wan placed her hand on the back of his hand, and she squeezed it from time to time, not knowing whether it was because of the dream or the pain.
Deng Ying no longer tried to dodge and let her touch and pinch her.
It was not the first time she touched him, but this time Deng Ying felt different.
It's not about giving, but about wanting to ask for something from him.
He once told Yang Wan that he hoped she would show him the mercy she would give to a slave.
But at this moment, he couldn't say this sentence anymore.
He didn't know the specific reason.
In fact, some things gradually change over the years, cracks appear, silently.
In the past, Yang Wan could respect him but not love him through the paper.
Now sitting on the bed, she could finally respect him and try to love him.