The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

"Don't worry, sir." Shen Zhou tucked the letter back into his robes, turned to leave, then turned back and said, "Madam, you and sir must not go out. They are watching you two. As long as you remain still, they won't dare to make any rash moves. Wait until dawn, until Magistrate Yao has news."

With tears in her eyes, Madam Yao nodded: "Steward Shen, you...you must take care of yourself too."

Shen Zhou grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth: "Don't worry, Madam. I'm not very capable, but I'm quick on my feet and tough."

The door closed gently, and his figure disappeared into the night.

At 11:45 AM, in the back hall of the Shangshui County government office.

Magistrate Yao Ye paced back and forth in his study, clutching a newly arrived official document, his brow furrowed. The report from Chenzhou Prefecture stated that Liu Xinyi was suspected of poisoning Miss Chen and had been imprisoned pending trial. But this case was suspicious at every turn—

Just then, the gatekeeper came to report: "Sir, someone claiming to be the steward of Wangjiagang in Sanyi Village says he has important business to discuss and has brought a letter with him."

Yao Ye was taken aback: "The steward of Sanyi Village? Let him in."

A moment later, Shen Zhou was led into the inner hall. He was dressed in coarse cloth and looked travel-worn, but his expression was calm. He bowed as he entered.

"I am Shen Zhou, the steward of the Wang family in Sanyi Village. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, sir."

Yao Ye sized up the man in front of him—an ordinary farmer who spoke clearly and logically, neither humble nor arrogant, which surprised him somewhat.

"Butler Shen, what brings you here?"

Shen Zhou took out the letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands: "This is brought by this humble subject. Please take a look, sir."

Yao Ye took the letter, opened it, and his expression changed drastically.

Shen Zhou did not answer, but took something out of his pocket and gently placed it on the table.

It was a small gold medal, its surface gleaming with a cold, eerie light under the candlelight.

On the gold medal, four seal characters struck Yao Ye's eyes like thunder—

As if I were personally present

Yao Ye's legs went weak, and she almost knelt down.

Shen Zhouyi reached out and steadily supported him, saying in a low voice, "Lord Yao, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let me finish."

Yao Ye trembled all over, looking at the "butler" in front of him dressed in coarse cloth and short brown clothes, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

"You...you are..."

"Who I am is not important." Shen Zhou put the gold medal back into his pocket, his gaze calm as still water. "What is important is that someone asked me to pass on a message to the lord."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Liu Xinyi, protect her."

Yao Ye's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed hard. "Who...whose intention is this?"

Shen Zhou looked at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable:

"Sir, you don't need to ask who it is. Just know that some people, though thousands of miles away, are here—" He pointed to his eyes, "always watching."

Yao Ye's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

He certainly understood the weight of those words.

"Then... then what should I do?"

Shen Zhou gave this explanation.

"Very well! I will make this trip!" Yao Ye readily agreed.

Shen Zhou stood up and bowed deeply to him:

"Rest assured, sir, this case is not your sole responsibility. Thousands of villagers from Sanyi Village, tens of thousands of soldiers on the front lines in Junzhou, and... the person who has been watching all along are all behind you."

He turned and disappeared into the night.

Yao Ye stood by the window, watching the receding figure, his back soaked with cold sweat.

He suddenly remembered a sentence—

The wrath of Heaven is unpredictable.

Alas, this Lantern Festival may not be easy to get through.

The sixteenth day of the first lunar month, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM).

As soon as Chen Shimei entered the court, he saw Yao Ye, dressed in official robes and holding a tablet, strut in proudly.

"Magistrate Yao? What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?" Chen Shimei was displeased, but maintained a gentle demeanor.

"Your Excellency," Yao Ye said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I have heard that the case of Liu Xinyi involves a life and is of great importance. According to the Criminal Code, before such cases are reviewed by autopsy and the court makes a judgment, the perpetrators, especially women, should be properly placed to avoid torture and forced confessions, so as to prevent wrongful convictions. I humbly request Your Excellency to temporarily move Miss Liu to a quiet place and assign female officials to guard her, pending the imperial decree."

Chen Shimei's face darkened slightly: "Is Magistrate Yao trying to teach me how to handle cases?"

"This humble official dares not! But human life is at stake, and the law is strict. As the local official in charge, I dare not fail to investigate!"

Just as the two were exchanging words, a deafening shout suddenly came from outside the government office! Lü Sanjun led thousands of villagers from Sanyi Village and the surrounding villages, kneeling down in a sea of ​​black!

"Your Honor! Physician Liu has saved countless lives, and Miss Liu possesses the heart of a bodhisattva! We beg Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly and clear Miss Liu's name!"

"We are willing to jointly vouch for her! Miss Liu is definitely not a bad person!"

The outcry grew louder and louder, and the public sentiment was surging.

Chen Shimei's face was ashen; he hadn't expected such a fierce reaction from the people. Suppressing his anger, he stepped forward and spoke with a compassionate voice: "Fellow villagers! I understand your feelings! Physician Liu has indeed rendered meritorious service to this region, and I do not believe that Miss Liu would intentionally harm anyone! However, the law is as solid as a mountain, and human life is of paramount importance! Nianyao… she is also my own flesh and blood!" He squeezed out a few tears at the opportune moment. "I want to see such a tragedy more than anyone else! But precisely because of this, I must investigate the truth and give everyone an explanation! If Miss Liu is truly innocent, I will certainly give her justice! If there was indeed negligence… alas, the law is merciless, but it cannot tolerate personal feelings!"

This "righteous and awe-inspiring" performance temporarily stabilized the situation, but it also put him on the line of "acting according to the law."

Just then, a clear and elegant voice came from behind the hall: "Since that's the case, why don't I be the witness?"

Everyone turned to look at the sound and saw a beautiful woman in palace attire gracefully emerge. Her apricot-yellow silk robe trailed on the ground, and the pearls and jade ornaments in her hair swayed gently, making her skin appear even whiter than snow. She was in the prime of her life, with a thin mist of melancholy veiled between her brows and eyes, yet it could not conceal the majesty flowing in her blood. A slight frown between her brows and a few tear stains on her cheeks suggested that she was burdened with the worries of her family and country; yet, in the movement of her gaze, there was an unapproachable nobility of a princess—it was none other than Princess Yaoji, Zhao Jinyu, who rarely left her secluded home.

Her gaze swept calmly over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Chen Shimei's face, with a faint sigh.

She walked very slowly, each step as steady as a mountain.

It wasn't because she was calm, but because—she needed this time to calm her mind.

Her gaze first swept over the villagers kneeling on the ground. Their faces, red from the cold, and their expectant eyes pierced her heart like needles. She saw an old woman in the crowd, kneeling on the cold stone slab, her hands clasped together, muttering incantations. Her gray hair trembled in the cold wind, just like the old woman who, when Nianyao was ill, had stayed by her bedside, repeatedly praying to Buddha for protection.

Nianyao...

Her heart clenched suddenly.

That child, though not her biological child, was raised by her alone. For nine years, she taught her to read and write, to do needlework and embroidery, and to be a proper young lady. Nianyao always called her "Mother" timidly, her voice as soft as a newly hatched bird. Every time she heard it, she couldn't help but want to laugh, yet her heart ached.

Now, that child lies on the cold bed, never to call her again.

She lowered her head, her gaze slightly lowered, allowing the tears in her eyes to quietly recede. She was a princess, a member of the royal family; she could not lose her composure in front of everyone.

When she looked up again, she saw Yao Ye.

The thin magistrate stood with his head bowed, his back soaked in cold sweat. She could see his nervousness, and she could see his determination.

—He is a good official.

She nodded slightly, which was both an expression of approval and encouragement.

Then, her gaze finally fell on Chen Shimei's face.

For a moment, she almost stopped in her tracks.

He was still as gentle and refined as ever, as composed and unhurried, with just the right amount of grief on his face—the demeanor of a father who had just lost his daughter.

But she knew it was just a shell.

In their thirteen years of marriage, she had witnessed countless masks his face wore in different situations. At home, he was a gentleman; in the court, a capable and efficient official; and before her, a considerate husband. But sometimes, in the quiet of the night, she would see something fleeting in the depths of his eyes, something no one else could ever perceive.

What was that? She couldn't explain.

For thirteen years, she coldly watched him rise through the ranks, as he cultivated relationships with the powerful and influential, and as he thrived in the officialdom. It wasn't that she hadn't had her suspicions; it wasn't that she hadn't noticed the subtle clues. But she chose to remain silent.

Because she is a princess.

Because she is his wife.

Because she couldn't afford to lose face, and neither could the royal family.

She wasn't without suspicion about Nianyao's death. But she had no evidence and didn't want to investigate.

She feared that the truth she uncovered would leave her utterly hopeless.

Princess Yaoji felt as if ten thousand wild horses were galloping and neighing in her heart, and eighty thousand acres of waves were churning, without a moment of peace.