The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

Upon hearing this, the officer's imposing manner faltered. The name of the Yang family of Tianbo Prefecture was renowned throughout the army; for many years, every soldier revered the Yang family as gods. However, glancing at the wanted posters on the city wall and recalling the strict orders of the Prince of Xiangyang, he forced himself to speak: "Madam, His Highness has ordered that all carriages and entourage must undergo inspection to prevent wanted criminals from infiltrating the capital and disturbing His Majesty. Please... grant us this favor."

"Oh?" A clear, authoritative voice came from inside the carriage. "I have been away from the capital for several years. I do not know when it began, but the gates of Bianliang (Kaifeng) have been placed under martial law by the Prince of Xiangyang's residence? Could it be that the Prince's residence has taken over the defense of the capital? I must ask the Privy Council and His Majesty about this!"

Before the words were finished, the carriage curtain was completely lifted. Inside, Yang Jinhua sat gracefully, already dressed in the robes and hat of a first-rank noblewoman! She wore a pearl and jade crown and a dark blue jacket embroidered with gold cloud and phoenix patterns, exuding elegance and nobility, with an imposing presence. Her gaze swept over the head of the procession with lightning speed, radiating authority without anger.

The team members felt an invisible pressure wash over them as her gaze swept over them, their legs went weak, and they quickly bowed: "This humble general dares not! But... the Prince's Palace has strict orders..."

"Does the Prince's decree supersede the laws of the court, or even His Majesty's imperial edict?" Yang Jinhua's voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight. "I have been ordered to return to the capital, bearing the responsibility of personally reporting Yunnan's military and political affairs to His Majesty. If, due to your delays, matters of state are thus delayed, can you, a mere squad leader, bear this responsibility? Or can the Prince of Xiangyang behind you... bear it?"

Every sentence she uttered revolved around "imperial edicts" and "matters of state," each accusation more egregious than the last. The squad leader broke out in a cold sweat; how could he dare to obstruct her any further? The Yang family of Tianbo Prefecture was a family of loyal martyrs, respected even by the emperor, and this Lady Yang was a woman of illustrious military achievements, deeply favored by the emperor. If he truly delayed her audience with the emperor, not only would a lowly squad leader like him be implicated, but even the Prince of Xiangyang would likely face consequences.

"This humble general...this humble general dares not! Please, madam!" The captain hurriedly made way and waved for the soldiers to pass.

The convoy started slowly and drove smoothly into the majestic Bianjing city gate.

Inside the carriage, Qin Tiehua watched through the gap in the curtain as the menacing soldiers at the city gate and the glaring arrest warrants were left far behind. His tense nerves finally relaxed a little, and his admiration for Yang Jinhua grew even stronger.

However, they all knew that this was only the first hurdle. The Prince of Xiangyang, having laid an inescapable trap, would not give up so easily.

Sure enough, the caravan had barely entered Bianjing, and before even reaching the Tianbo Mansion, when it was stopped by a group of much better-equipped men dressed in the uniforms of the Prince's guards. The leader, a commander, clasped his hands and said, "Madam Yang, by order of the Prince, we are tasked with apprehending the wanted criminal Qin Tiehua. Someone saw her infiltrate your caravan. We beg you to grant us permission to search her."

This time, it was the Prince of Xiangyang's personal guards who came. Although their attitude was respectful on the surface, their tone was undeniably firm.

Yang Jinhua sat upright in the carriage, her voice coming through the curtains, icy cold: "Do you think you can search my carriage as you please? Does Your Highness believe that the Yang family of Tianbo Mansion is a place to hide wanted criminals?"

The commander's expression remained unchanged: "I wouldn't dare. It's merely my duty, Madam. Please understand. If Madam insists, I have no choice but to offend you and request that you accompany the carriage to the Prince's residence."

This is a blatant threat!

A cold glint flashed in Yang Jinhua's eyes, and he was about to lash out.

Suddenly, an aged yet extremely authoritative voice rang out from the end of the street:

"I'd like to see who dares to invite my Yang family's daughter to the Prince's mansion as a 'guest'!"

At the end of the street, a group of servants escorted a wheelchair slowly towards them. Seated in the wheelchair was an elderly woman with white hair, her face etched with deep wrinkles, yet her back was ramrod straight. She held a dragon-patterned cane, its gold paint peeling and fading—a gift from the late emperor, which had been with her for over sixty years.

Everyone in Bianjing knows that this Lady Zhe is over a hundred years old this year. In her youth, she followed General Yang in his campaigns, in her middle age, her seven sons died for their country, and in her later years, she lost her grandson Yang Zongbao. The Yang family was left destitute, with some dead and others wounded, leaving only this centenarian, raising a group of orphans and widows, guarding the Tianbo Mansion.

Yet this old man, just sitting there, his cloudy yet sharp eyes sweeping across the street, sent chills down the spines of everyone present. It wasn't the oppressive force of power, but the aura of loyalty and righteousness—forged from seven graves, forged from forty years of tears, and irrigated by the blood of his entire family.

The arrival of Lady Zhe caused the atmosphere on the entire street to freeze. The guards of the Prince's Mansion looked at each other, their imposing manner instantly diminished.

The commander forced himself to step forward and bow, saying, "This humble general greets Your Excellency!"

Lady Zhe ignored him completely, her gaze passing right past him to Yang Jinhua's carriage. Her tone softened as she said, "Hua'er, you've returned without even sending someone to inform me. You've kept this old lady waiting." She seemed to have no idea that the guards of the Prince's mansion were on the verge of drawing their swords.

"Great-grandmother!" Yang Jinhua lifted the car curtain, quickly got out of the car, and walked to Grandmother Zhe's side.

Grandmother Zhe patted her great-granddaughter's hand before slowly turning her gaze to the Prince's mansion's commander, slamming her cane heavily on the ground: "Just now, was it you who said you wanted to invite my granddaughter to the Prince's mansion?"

The commander broke out in a cold sweat: "Your Excellency, please calm down. This humble general... this humble general is acting on the orders of the Prince to apprehend a wanted criminal..."

"A wanted criminal?" Lady Zhe sneered, her voice suddenly rising and echoing throughout the street. "My Tianbo Mansion is full of loyal martyrs! Seven sons sacrificed their lives for the country, their blood spilled on the battlefield! Now only these daughters, wives, and a group of orphans and widows remain! What? Does the Prince of Xiangyang think that with all the men of my Yang family dead, we're easy to bully?! How dare he lead troops to surround my great-granddaughter's carriage in broad daylight and even search it?! What does Zhao Yunlang want to do? Does he want to emulate the treacherous officials of the previous dynasty, framing loyal officials and confiscating their property and exterminating their families?!"

These words were like a thunderclap, resounding and powerful! Every word was written in blood and tears, every sentence piercing the heart!

The surrounding people were deeply moved by her words, their gazes towards the guards of the Prince's mansion filled with anger and disdain. Who in Bianjing did not know, and who did not respect, the loyal and virtuous Yang family of Tianbo Mansion? The Prince of Xiangyang's men dared not touch her, not because they feared a centenarian, but because of the weight of the name "Tianbo Mansion," for behind her stood the hearts and minds of the entire Song Dynasty!

The commander was terrified and knelt down with a thud: "Your Excellency is too kind! This humble general would never dare! And His Highness would never have such an intention!"

"Get out!" Lady Zhe shouted sternly. "Go back and tell Zhao Yunlang that if he wants to search my Tianbo Mansion, he should bring the Emperor's decree! Otherwise, who dares to step into the gates of my Yang Mansion? I recognize this dragon-patterned staff bestowed upon me by the late Emperor, but my Yang family generals, who have survived the battlefield, do not!"

As Lady Zhe finished speaking, the old guards of the Yang family behind her stepped forward in unison. Although most of them had gray hair and were injured, the murderous aura condensed from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood instantly spread out, making the pampered guards of the royal palace tremble with fear.

"This humble general...this humble general takes his leave!" The commander dared not say another word and scrambled away with his men in a sorry state.

……

The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Hanging Arches.

Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Zhen, was reviewing memorials when he heard a secret report from an official of the Imperial City Guard. He slowly put down his vermilion pen, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"The Prince of Xiangyang... has surrounded Tianbo Mansion?" He repeated softly, his tone calm, but his eyes were as deep as the sea.

"Yes, I was reprimanded by Lady Zhe," the attendant replied, bowing.

Emperor Renzong remained silent for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the imperial desk. Based on confidential reports, he was well aware of the Prince of Xiangyang's ambitions and understood the far-reaching implications of the Chenzhou case. Yang Jinhua's arrival in the capital with Qin Tiehua was like a stone thrown into a seemingly calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

"Minister Yang is back...good." Emperor Renzong murmured to himself, a barely perceptible glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes. He needed a swift and decisive move to cut through the increasingly complex tangled mess in the court. And Yang Jinhua was undoubtedly one of the most suitable candidates. She had a special identity, a powerful background, and outstanding abilities. More importantly, she was far removed from the capital's strife and had minimal entanglements with various factions.

"Issue my decree," Emperor Renzong said slowly, "Summon Yang Jinhua to the palace for an audience at dawn tomorrow. I want to hear for myself what insights this 'fairy maiden' from Yunnan has on governing the southern frontier."

"Yes."

Emperor Renzong picked up another memorial, a request from the Privy Council regarding the selection of the Prefect of Kaifeng. His gaze narrowed slightly, he pondered for a moment, then dipped his brush in ink and lightly circled a name—Bao Zheng.

This scholar, known for his integrity and brilliant judgment, was perhaps the best candidate to reform Bianjing and quell the chaos. Promoting Bao Zheng to the position of Prefect of Kaifeng would not only check the power of the Prince of Xiangyang in the capital but also lay the groundwork for a potentially major case, placing a fair and just pawn in the process.

All of this was quietly orchestrated beneath Emperor Renzong's seemingly gentle and benevolent actions. He was like a master chess player, making his moves with lightning speed without making a sound.

"Wang Zhonghua, I wonder where that lad is now?" Zhao Zhen tapped the table lightly, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "It's time to bring out that reclusive sage."

An even greater storm is quietly brewing in this magnificent capital. Qin Tiehua, at the center of the vortex, has temporarily gained a respite under the protection of the Tianbo Mansion, but she knows that the real contest has only just begun.

She had to present the evidence to the Emperor as soon as possible; otherwise, not only would her father and Liu Xinyi be in grave danger, but even the Tianbo Mansion, which was protecting her, might be dragged into peril.