The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Yang Huayu ran to Grandmother Zhe's side, snuggled up to her, and looked up at her, saying, "Grandmother, don't you think so? Aunt Tiehua is so good, she waited for him for so long, but he didn't come when he got to the capital. What else could it be but a guilty conscience? That's what everyone in the streets and theaters is saying! A heartless man, a Chen Shimei!"

Children's words are innocent, yet they are like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Grandmother Zhe gently stroked her great-grandson's head with her wrinkled hands, but her eyes suddenly turned deep and unfathomable. The expressions of the ladies in the hall, who had weathered many storms, also changed slightly.

A glint flashed in Yang Jinhua's eyes, and she sat up abruptly: "What Huaiyu said... may not be entirely wrong, but the direction may be wrong."

"What does Hua'er mean?" Mu Guiying looked at her daughter.

"If Wang Zhonghua were truly a coward who fears death and seeks only to avoid harm, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths for Tiehua in Chenzhou, much less knowingly ventured there to rescue Miss Liu." Yang Jinhua spoke quickly, her mind racing. "There are only two possibilities for why he didn't come to the capital: first, he was caught in a situation we don't know about, such as trouble or surveillance; second... he did it on purpose."

"Intentionally?" Lord Zhe asked slowly, tapping the ground lightly with his iron crutch.

"Yes, deliberately." Yang Jinhua's gaze swept over everyone. "Grandmother, Mother, all you grandmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters-in-law, think about it. If he comes to my Yang residence immediately to meet Tiehua, then what? He'll simply wait with us for an opportunity, hoping to reach the Emperor through normal channels. But this process is passive, slow, and full of variables. Chen Shimei and the General of Xiangyang will never sit idly by and wait for their doom."

She stood up and paced back and forth: "But what if he temporarily conceals his whereabouts, taking advantage of his unfamiliarity with the rules of the capital and his status as an 'outsider,' to do something in the shadows... like those exciting stories about 'Chen Shimei' that suddenly circulate among the common people?"

Everyone in the hall gasped.

Seventh Madam Du Jin'e exclaimed in surprise, "Jinhua, are you saying... those stories of 'Chen Shimei killing his wife and children,' which are being talked about everywhere and cursed so harshly, were fabricated by Wang Zhonghua?"

"The timing is too coincidental," Yang Jinhua said in a deep voice. "The iron painting had just arrived when a city-wide search for it failed, and then these stories directly pointing to the name 'Chen Shimei' started popping up everywhere. The content was extremely inflammatory, and the way it was spread was very sophisticated... This doesn't seem like something an ordinary storyteller could fabricate out of thin air and happen to coincide with a hot topic. It's more like someone deliberately guiding public opinion, first making the name 'Chen Shimei' infamous in the public eye! He'll probably be remembered for his infamy for eternity!"

A chilling glint suddenly flashed in Grandmother Zhe's cloudy eyes: "Good lad! He's got some strategy! He knows he can't shake the powerful head-on, so he's working on winning over the hearts of the people first! He's making sure that Chen Shimei loses public support before he even appears in court! He's making this case arouse overwhelming public outrage from the very beginning!"

Mu Guiying nodded slowly: "If that's true, then Wang Zhonghua... his courage and resourcefulness are both top-notch. However, while this method is ingenious, it's ultimately a risky approach. Public anger can be channeled, but it's difficult to directly transform it into irrefutable evidence to bring down the Prince's Mansion. Ultimately, the court's laws must be judged by evidence and the Emperor's will."

"So, he must have a backup plan," Yang Jinhua said decisively. "He needs time to make arrangements. His not coming to the Yang residence might be because he doesn't want to draw our attention to him too early, or perhaps... he's carrying out an operation that requires even greater secrecy."

Yang Huayu seemed to understand but not quite, blinking his big eyes: "Then... then is he a good person? Not a heartless man like Chen Shimei?"

Grandmother Zhe patted his little head, a rare, cold smile appearing on her face: "Whether he's Chen Shimei or not is still hard to say. But if he can truly stir up trouble in Bianjing under the very nose of the Prince of Xiangyang's mansion, creating a glimmer of hope for Miss Qin and Miss Liu... then this lad does possess some of the 'daring' that our Yang family admires!"

Just then, a series of hurried yet steady footsteps came from outside the hall. Yang Jinhua's personal maid, Yun Sheng, quickly walked in, first bowing to everyone, and then whispering a few words in Yang Jinhua's ear.

Yang Jinhua's expression shifted, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She then said to Grandmother Zhe and Mu Guiying, "Grandmother, Mother, Wang Zhonghua... has arrived. He is requesting an audience outside the mansion gate."

The room fell silent.

It was truly a case of "speak of the devil, and he appears." And he arrived so suddenly, just after they had deduced that he might be acting in secret.

Lady Zhe and Mu Guiying exchanged a glance.

"Please invite him to the 'Hall of Strategies'," said Lady Zhe in a deep voice, her iron crutch slamming into her hand. "I will personally meet this young man who is 'stirring up trouble.' Guiying, Jinhua, you two come with me. The rest of you, disperse for now."

"Taolue Hall" was the place in the Yang family where confidential military affairs were discussed, and it was not a place to enter casually.

A moment later, Wang Zhonghua was led into the "Hall of Strategies". He was still wearing a slightly worn blue robe, his face was calm and his eyes were clear. He bowed respectfully to the seated Lady Zhe, Mu Guiying and Yang Jinhua: "This humble subject, Wang Zhonghua, pays his respects to the old lady, pays his respects to Marquis Hun Tian, ​​and pays his respects to General Yang."

Although he held the official title of Military Supervisor of Chenzhou, he was treated as a guest at Yang's residence, so he did not refer to himself as "this humble general" but as "a commoner".

He was courteous and respectful, neither arrogant nor servile.

Lady Zhe squinted, scrutinizing him carefully, before finally saying, "Rise. Young Master Wang, I've heard you've been in the capital for several days. Knowing Miss Qin is in my residence, why haven't you come yet?"

It gets straight to the point, carrying an invisible pressure.

Wang Zhonghua straightened up, his gaze frank: "Your Majesty, I have indeed been in the capital for several days. The reason I did not come to pay my respects immediately is twofold: firstly, I was unsure if it was convenient for your residence; secondly…" He paused slightly, his voice steady, "during my journey to and after arriving in the capital, I heard some things about Chen Shimei and the Prince of Xiangyang's residence. I felt that perhaps… I could do my utmost for Tiehua and Xinyi from another direction. A hasty visit might bring unnecessary attention to your residence, after all, military families are now looked down upon by scholars, and it might also disrupt some of my humble arrangements."

He admitted it! And he admitted it so directly!

A look of admiration flashed in Yang Jinhua's eyes. Mu Guiying also nodded slightly; this young man's response was responsible and measured.

"Oh?" Lady Zhe said calmly. "Another direction? Is it the story of 'Chen Shimei' circulating in the streets?"

Wang Zhonghua nodded: "It is one of them."

"Anything else?" Lady Zhe pressed. "I've heard that Miss Liu is currently in a state of suspended animation, her life hanging by a thread. The imperial court has secretly ordered Chenzhou Prefecture to preserve her body at all costs, but if she cannot be awakened in time... do you have any plans?"

Upon mentioning Liu Xinyi, a deep pain and anxiety finally flickered across Wang Zhonghua's usually calm face, but his tone remained restrained: "This humble subject is deeply worried day and night. Ordinary doctors would likely find it difficult to decipher such a secret technique. I have heard that there may be a glimmer of hope in the martial arts world."

"The martial world?" Lady Zhe's gaze sharpened. "You mean…"

Before she could finish speaking, the steady voice of Yang Hong, the old family retainer, came from outside the hall: "Old Madam, Mr. Ouyang Xiu has arrived at the second gate."

Ouyang Xiu?! Why would he suddenly visit at this time?

Lady Zhe, Mu Guiying, and Yang Jinhua were all startled. Wang Zhonghua, however, understood. Although the journey was slow, Old Ouyang should have arrived in Bianjing by now.

"Please come quickly!" said Lady Zhe immediately, then glanced at Wang Zhonghua, "Young Master Wang, please wait aside for a moment. Lord Ouyang must have important business to attend to at this time."

Ouyang Xiu remained as refined and scholarly as ever, dressed in a blue robe and simple shoes, as if he were merely passing by. However, when he stepped into the Hall of Strategies and saw Wang Zhonghua there, there was little surprise in his eyes; instead, a knowing look of "I knew it" flashed across his face.

After exchanging greetings with Lady Zhe and the others, Ouyang Xiu's gaze fell on Wang Zhonghua, and he said gently, "Young friend Wang, we meet again. Since our parting in Junzhou, I have been delayed on my journey, but you seem to have become even more charming than before. However, the bloodshot eyes are probably due to excessive worry."

Wang Zhonghua quickly bowed and said, "This humble one greets you, sir. I am grateful for your concern."

Ouyang Xiu waved his hand, turned to Lady Zhe, and his expression became solemn: "Lady Zhe, I have come here to tell you two important things. It just so happens that my young friend Wang is here as well, which saves me the trouble of looking for him again."

"Please speak, Lord Ouyang," said Lady Zhe solemnly.

"The first matter concerns Miss Liu Xinyi," Ouyang Xiu said in a deep voice. "His Majesty has received a secret report that Miss Liu is using the art of tortoise breathing, which can only last for a month at most. Time is running out. The situation in Chenzhou is delicate. Although Chen Shimei and the Prince of Xiangyang have been temporarily intimidated by Miss Liu's resolute actions, their patience is limited, and they may resort to desperate measures. We must find a way to rescue her as soon as possible and safely transfer her out of Chenzhou."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I have recommended someone to His Majesty who may be able to resolve this crisis."