The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

The little girl's face was full of pride and joy.

The Yang family of Tianbo Mansion! Mu Guiying's daughter! Qin Tiehua was deeply shocked. To a commoner like her, this was practically a legendary celestial being.

As they were talking, the carriage curtain was gently lifted, and a figure bent down and walked in.

The interior of the car seemed to light up for a moment.

The woman who entered appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. She was tall and slender, dressed in a crisp, deep purple riding outfit with a matching belt around her waist, which accentuated her upright and agile figure. She wore no makeup, yet her brows exuded a natural, spirited air. Her features were striking and bold, especially her eyes, which were clear, bright, and sharp as an eagle's. Her gaze held both feminine delicacy and the composure and all-knowing wisdom of someone long accustomed to a high position. Her steps were steady, her movements crisp and efficient, characteristic of someone in the military, yet without any hint of roughness. Instead, she possessed a refined and captivating elegance.

She simply stood there without saying a word, yet an invisible aura naturally filled the car, inspiring awe and reverence in everyone.

"Miss!" Miao Yunsheng immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, her face still showing undisguised affection.

Yang Jinhua nodded slightly to her, then her gaze fell on Qin Tiehua. Her gaze was gentle yet scrutinizing, as if it could penetrate the skin and reach the heart.

"Are you feeling any better?" Yang Jinhua's voice was clear and pleasant, her tone steady, carrying a calming power. She walked to the bedside and naturally reached out to place Qin Tiehua's wrist pulse, her movements skillful and professional.

Qin Tiehua struggled to get up, but Yang Jinhua gently pressed him down: "You have many bruises on your body, but fortunately no bones or tendons were damaged. Although the wound on your left arm has been treated, you have lost too much blood and your vital energy has been greatly depleted. You need to rest and recuperate. There is no need for formalities."

Her fingers, warm and steady, rested on Qin Tiehua's pulse. After a moment, she frowned slightly: "Your pulse is weak, thin, and rapid, indicating liver qi stagnation and heart blood depletion... You have been suffering from worry and fear lately, and have also endured hardships. It is truly remarkable that you were able to make it to Bianjing."

Her words accurately described Qin Tiehua's state, causing Qin Tiehua's heart to ache, as if he had seen a relative, and his eyes instantly reddened. The grievances, fears, and hardships he had endured along the way seemed to find an outlet in this gentle word of concern.

"I am Qin Tiehua... I thank Miss Yang for saving my life." Her voice choked with emotion.

Yang Jinhua withdrew her hand, her gaze falling on the "carrying pole" wrapped in rags that Qin Tiehua was tightly holding in his arms even in his unconscious state. A hint of understanding flashed in her eyes. She did not immediately ask any questions, but instead said to Miao Yunsheng, "Yunsheng, go and get my silver fox fur cloak, and have the kitchen cook a bowl of bird's nest porridge."

"Yes, Miss!" Miao Yunsheng responded and flew out like a happy little bird.

Only the two of them remained in the carriage. Yang Jinhua sat down on the embroidered stool beside the bed, looking at Qin Tiehua, her tone calm yet unyielding: "Miss Qin, you don't need to be afraid. Now that I've saved you, I won't abandon you. You're all alone, wounded and battered, risking your life to come to Bianliang, the capital. What you're carrying so tightly is probably no ordinary 'carrying pole.' But... what trouble have you encountered?"

Her gaze was clear and firm, carrying an irresistible sincerity and strength.

Looking at Yang Jinhua, the extraordinary woman known as the "Fairy Girl," Qin Tiehua recalled her legendary feat of pacifying Yunnan with three arrows, the Yang family's tradition of loyalty and helping the needy, her father imprisoned, Liu Xinyi, Wang Zhonghua fighting on the front lines, and Chen Shimei, who held absolute power in Chenzhou... At this moment, her tightly guarded heart finally broke down completely.

Tears streamed down her face.

She gripped Yang Jinhua's hand tightly, as if grasping at a last straw, and revealed all the grievances, all the hidden secrets, and even the secrets concealed within the "Snow Chant" knife...

Yang Jinhua listened quietly, her face calm and composed. Only her sharp eyes occasionally flashed with shock, anger, and... a knowing glint in them as Qin Tiehua narrated.

When she heard that Chen Shimei had used the insidious "Green Silkworm Gu" from the Western Regions to frame Liu Xinyi and murder her adopted daughter, her hands, which were resting on her knees, clenched unconsciously.

"The Jade Silkworm Gu..." she repeated softly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "No wonder it can simulate a feverish pulse, creating the illusion of sudden death, which ordinary doctors simply cannot distinguish. This insidious creature has long been extinct in the Central Plains, yet it has been unearthed again..."

She looked at Qin Tiehua, who was crying so hard she was almost exhausted, gently patted the back of her hand, and spoke with a resolute tone, carrying an undeniable force:

"Miss Qin, I, Yang Jinhua, am determined to handle this matter."

"Chen Shimei... Prince of Xiangyang... Western Region Gu Master..." She sneered, a confident and sharp smile playing on her lips, befitting a battlefield commander. "The waters of Bianjing are murky enough. Perfect timing, this time I've returned to do something for my fallen Yang family, to help His Majesty stir the waters even more!"

Her gaze was fixed on the approaching, majestic Bianliang city wall outside the car window, her eyes deep, as if she could already see the even more thrilling contest to come.

Qin Tiehua nestled close to Yang Jinhua, feeling the reassuring aura and strong confidence emanating from her. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally began to settle down.

She had a vague feeling that the appearance of this "fairy maiden" might be the most dazzling light that could break the deadlock and illuminate the darkness.

On the second day of the second lunar month, a day traditionally known as the Dragon Raises Its Head, outside the Nanxun Gate of Bianjing (Kaifeng).

Yang Jinhua's convoy slowly approached the heart of the empire. However, unlike the usual bustling scene of merchants and travelers, the atmosphere at the city gate was tense and the security was tight.

The number of soldiers guarding the city had doubled, each fully armored and wielding a long spear, their sharp eyes scrutinizing everyone entering the city. On the city walls, a row of brand-new arrest warrants was posted, each bearing a portrait of a young girl. Though the brushstrokes were simple, the spirited air in her brows bore a striking resemblance to Qin Tiehua! The warrants boldly proclaimed:

[Apprehend the wanted criminal]

An investigation has revealed that Qin Tiehua, a 17-year-old woman from Chenzhou, is suspected of stealing and selling 20,000 jin of refined steel from the state-run steel mill in Sanyizhai. Her father, Qin the blacksmith, is already imprisoned as a key suspect in the case. The suspect is at large; her appearance is as described above. A reward of 500 guan will be given for information leading to her capture; anyone who harbors or protects her will be punished along with the suspect!

Prefect Zhao Yunlang of Kaifeng

The seal of Kaifeng Prefecture at the end of the inscription is a striking bright red.

Miao Yunsheng secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and after just one glance, she shrank back in fright, her face pale. She whispered into the carriage, "Miss, something terrible has happened! There are so many soldiers at the city gate, they're arresting Sister Qin! Her portrait is plastered everywhere!"

Inside the carriage, Qin Tiehua trembled violently upon hearing this, her face instantly draining of color. Instinctively, she clutched the "Jinghong" sword, wrapped in rags, tightly to her chest. She looked at Yang Jinhua, her eyes filled with despair and terror. The Prince of Xiangyang! It was actually the Prince of Xiangyang himself who issued the arrest warrant! The charge was the theft of official steel! This was an outrageous lie, a treacherous scheme to undermine her very foundation! If this charge proved true, she would be a wanted criminal, with no chance of even approaching the capital, let alone appealing to the emperor!

Yang Jinhua grasped her icy hand, her gaze as steady as a rock, and whispered, "Don't panic." She frowned slightly, instantly discerning the treacherous scheme behind it: "Theft of government steel... what a ruthless tactic. Once this case is involved, it becomes a serious crime involving vital military equipment, which local officials have no jurisdiction over and must be directly transferred to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review. Chen Shimei and the Prince of Xiangyang can then bypass all local judicial procedures and directly target you in the capital, perhaps even... murder you to silence you."

She pondered for a moment, a wise glint in her eyes: "The more ostentatious their actions, the more guilty they seem. This arrest warrant is hastily written, and the illustrations are rather crude; it's clearly a rushed attempt to cover up their guilt." She gently patted Qin Tiehua's hand. "Don't worry, now that we're in Bianjing, they can't cover up everything anymore."

"Yun Sheng," Yang Jinhua whispered, "bring me my official robes and hat."

"Miss, you want to..." Miao Yunsheng asked, puzzled.

"They want to investigate, don't they?" Yang Jinhua's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then let them investigate thoroughly. I'm returning to the capital by imperial decree to report on my duties; I'd like to see who dares to block my carriage!"

A moment later, the convoy arrived at the city gate checkpoint.

"Stop the vehicle! Submit for inspection!" A captain-like officer stepped forward, his tone stern, his gaze sweeping over the convoy.

Just then, the curtain of the most luxurious carriage in the middle was lifted, and a guard solemnly said, "This is the carriage of the Yunnan Pacification Commissioner, the wife of the General of Zhennan, and the Yang family of Tianbo Mansion, who are returning to the capital by imperial decree. Do you also wish to search it?"