Mu Guiying's Southern Expedition, Volume 1, Chapters 1-7

This article was last edited by ptc077 on 2018-7-31 04:10. Volume 1 :
The Heavenly Prison's Erotic Cruelty 1. The Turmoil of Seizing the Commander On the morning of the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, the weather was cold and gloomy, making one shiver. Although it was early spring, some fluttering in the cold wind. Instantly, the fresh atmosphere of early spring turned into the ruthlessness and desolation of winter. In a small courtyard in the backyard of the Tianbo Mansion, Mu Guiying, dressed in an embroidered short jacket and thin-soled satin boots, held a long-handled embroidered phoenix knife. Sometimes she moved with the steps of mandarin ducks, sometimes with the movements of the Bagua Gate, her figure as agile and powerful as a dragon emerging from the water. Her knife skills were wide and sweeping, swift and powerful , seemingly as soft as silk, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds, with offense within defense and defense within offense . Every move seemed to contain infinite power. Within ten steps of her, not a single leaf fell, which was truly astonishing. Her swordsmanship was truly domineering and exquisite; each strike carried a sharp menacing wind, making it impossible for the spectators standing dozens of paces away to open their eyes. After practicing her swordsmanship for a while, Mu Guiying finally focused her energy in her dantian and stopped her stance. A fine layer of fragrant sweat had already seeped . Suddenly, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old ran out from the audience, skipped straight to Mu Guiying, took her arm, and said in a coquettish tone, "Mother, your swordsmanship is becoming more and more superb! I'm afraid there's no one in the world who can rival you!" A girl with dark skin dressed as a maid also walked over with a smile and said with a grin, " Miss Jinhua, do you even need to say that? The young mistress's swordsmanship is already invincible. Tell me, when she broke through Tianmen, fought in Hongzhou, killed Xiao Tianzuo, and conquered Xixia, who dared to compete with your mother?" It turned out that this little girl was Mu Guiying's daughter, Yang Jinhua, and the dark-skinned maid was Yang Paifeng, the famous kitchen maid of Tianbo Mansion. Thirty-four-year-old Mu Guiying, the Marquis of Hun Tian, had been left to fend for herself and her eldest son, Yang Wenguang, and her daughter, Yang Jinhua, since her husband Yang Zongbao died in battle three years prior during a campaign to the west. She was entrusted with a critical mission, leading twelve widows of the Yang family on a campaign against the Western Xia, advancing to their capital, Xingqing Prefecture, and forcing King Li Yuanhao to submit a letter of surrender. During these three years, the Song Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, with no major wars. After more than a decade of military service , Mu Guiying could finally enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life. Besides assisting her mother-in-law with household chores, she taught her son and daughter martial arts and military strategy. Although the grief of losing her husband occasionally kept her awake at night , she gradually adapted to widowhood as time went by. Yang Jinhua pouted and said sweetly, "Mother, when can you teach me this sword technique? I want to learn too!" Mu Guiying looked at her beloved daughter with affection and pretended to be angry, saying, "You're a girl, and you don't know how to do needlework and womanly duties. All you do is brandish swords and spears. What kind of behavior is this? How will you ever get married?" Yang Jinhua still held onto her mother's arm and swung it back and forth, saying, "I don't want to get married. I just want to stay by Mother's side for the rest of my life!" Mu Guiying shook her head helplessly, "Sigh, how can that be?" This made Yang Paifeng, who was standing to the side, cover her mouth giggle non-stop. Suddenly, a servant rushed over and knelt before the three, saying, "Young Madam, something terrible has happened!" Mu Guiying was taken aback and said to the servant, "Get up and speak quickly. What terrible thing has happened?" The servant stood up and said, "The Di family smashed our Yang family's 'Dragon-Slaying' plaque and 'Dismounting Archway'! They even injured our old steward, Yang Hong!" Mu Guiying slammed her sword hilt on the ground, her beautiful face filled with raging anger. "Outrageous!" Yang Jinhua also angrily said, "Does the Di family have no regard for the law? The 'Dragon-Slaying' plaque and 'Dismounting Archway' were bestowed by His Majesty! Have they lost their minds? That's one thing, but Grandpa Yang Hong is over eighty years old! How dare they beat him!" Miss Jinhua had a close relationship with Steward Yang Hong since childhood, and hearing that Yang Hong had been beaten, she was naturally furious. She pulled Mu Guiying and said, "Come on! Mother, let's avenge Grandpa Yang Hong and teach the Di family a lesson!" Mu Guiying, however, had calmed down by now. "Wait!" she said to the servant, "Do you know why the Di family smashed our family's memorial archway for no reason?" The servant replied, "I heard that something has happened in Jiangnan recently. The Prince Hao has rebelled, and his forces are quite formidable. They've marched straight to Zhucha Pass, inflicting heavy losses on the government troops and killing countless people. They seem poised to take Bianliang. The Jiangnan General Chen Bao has sent a urgent message from Babaili, and His Majesty is furious and wants to send troops to suppress them. And so, the Prince of Pingxi has recommended his son, the Grand Tutor Di..." Long was appointed commander-in-chief. However, Prime Minister Bao said that appointing a commander-in-chief was no child's play; it should involve recruiting heroes from all over the land for a martial arts contest. Therefore , a martial arts arena was set up at the East Gate training ground, where a three-day contest would be held, and only the winner could become the Grand Marshal of the Southern Expedition. Today is the first day of the contest. Grand Tutor Di Long, beating drums and gongs, passed by the Yang family's gate. The old steward, Yang Hong, ordered him to dismount, but when he refused, he was beaten! Yang Jinhua, upon hearing this, was even more furious: "This Di family is going too far! Do they think we Yang family have no one to watch over us? I'll go and meet him, and snatch his Grand Marshal's seal!" Mu Guiying scolded, "Stop this nonsense!" She then asked the servants, "Does the Lady know about this?" "Xiao," the servant said, "I already know, but for some reason, the old lady acted as if nothing had happened, even paying the old steward some money out of her own pocket and letting the matter drop." Yang Jinhua asked in surprise, "How is that possible?" Mu Guiying nodded, "Indeed, the old lady is very understanding." Yang Jinhua asked in confusion, "Mother, why do you say that?" Mu Guiying said, "Now that war has broken out again in the south, the country is in dire need of manpower. Looking at the court, our Yang family has already lost many men, and the Hu family is currently observing mourning in Shanxi. The only family that can hold the seal of the Southern Expeditionary Commander is the Di family." Yang Jinhua asked anxiously, "Why is it only the Di family?" "If you submit to me, Mother, you can take up the seal of the General Who Conquers the South!" Mu Guiying shook her head: "No, it's not about who takes up the seal now. The main thing is that everyone, from top to bottom, must unite to quell the chaos. If our Yang family and the Di family clash, the one who will benefit is still the powerful Prince Li Qing in the south." Yang Jinhua stamped her feet anxiously: "Mother, no matter what you say, I just can't swallow this!" Mu Guiying glared at her sternly: "You have to swallow it, whether you like it or not. This isn't just my idea, it's also the Old Madam's idea. If you dare to cause any trouble, don't expect me to let you off easily!"

After Mu Guiying finished speaking, she handed the table to a guard beside her and went back to her room alone. The other servants and household servants also
dispersed . Only Yang Jinhua and Yang Paifeng remained in the courtyard.
Yang Jinhua was still unwilling to give up: "Paifeng, look, my mother is actually not involved in this matter anymore!"
Yang Paifeng nodded: "This matter is truly infuriating. However, since your mother and the Old Madam have both ordered that we
are not allowed to get involved in this matter anymore, we servants have no choice!"
Yang Jinhua stood there, rolled her eyes, leaned closer to Yang Paifeng, and whispered: "Hey, Paifeng, look, how
about
we secretly go to the training ground to have a martial arts competition, meet that self-important Di Long, and teach him a lesson, what do you think?"
Yang Paifeng hurriedly shook his head: "No, no! The young mistress is always strict with her children. If she
finds out about this, she will definitely break our legs!"
"Sigh..." Yang Jinhua sighed sadly. Suddenly, she saw several servants walking in the distance, and an idea
came to her: "Why don't we follow Mulan's example and disguise ourselves as men? No one will recognize us."
"This... will it work?"
"Of course it will! Tomorrow I'll steal my brother's armor and my mother's warhorse, wear them,
and no one will recognize us." Seeing Yang Paifeng still hesitant, she added, "Hey, don't panic, it'll definitely work."
Yang Paifeng thought for a moment: "Today, things are still hot, we can't act rashly. Anyway, there are still two days until the martial arts competition.
On the third day, it's the Lantern Festival, and everyone in the manor will be busy preparing lanterns. We'll sneak
out on the third day!"
"Okay, it's settled then!"
The third day was the Lantern Festival. Mu Guiying, as usual, got up early to practice martial arts. After practicing her swordsmanship for a while
, she felt slightly tired and took the handkerchief handed to her by her maid to wipe the fine sweat from her forehead. She
looked around and asked, "Huh, where are Paifeng and Jinhua today?"
The maid replied, "I haven't seen them come downstairs. They're probably still sleeping."
"This is getting more and more outrageous!" Just as she was about to unleash her fury, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old suddenly ran towards her
. He was handsome, with a face like jade, red lips and white teeth—a true young hero. This was Mu Guiying's eldest son,
Yang Wenguang, the only son of the Yang family.
Wenguang ran up to his mother, his eyes filled with awe: "Mother, I was practicing martial arts
the other day , and I was quite puzzled by the fifteenth move of the Yang family spear. I'd like to ask you for guidance."
Mu Guiying looked at her son with affection: "My son Wenguang, you are becoming more and more sensible. You are even studying martial arts
on your own . You will surely be like your father in the future, a pillar of the country, and a savior of the emperor."
Just then, a loud drumbeat suddenly sounded from the drum tower of the Yang mansion. Mu Guiying asked her attendants in surprise, "What happened?
Who gave the order to beat the drum on the drum tower?" The Tianbo Yang family was a military family of the Song Dynasty, and there were rules in the mansion. Whenever
the drum was sounded, everyone in the mansion, regardless of age or gender, had to be properly dressed and go to the Yin'an Hall to await orders. In this
mansion, only She Taijun and Mu Guiying had the authority to order the drum to be sounded for assembly. Since Mu Guiying
quelled the war drum for assembly had not been sounded in the mansion.
A maid rushed in and reported in a panic, "Young Madam, the Prince of Pingxi is coming to the mansion. The Old Madam has ordered all the ladies
to assemble in the Yin'an Hall!"
Mu Guiying pondered, "This Prince of Pingxi, Di Qing's son, Di Long, just smashed my family's 'Dragon-Slaying' plaque and
'Dismounting Arch' a few days ago. He suddenly came to the mansion today. I wonder what important matter he has to do? Is he here to apologize?"
As she pondered, the second drumbeat sounded from the drum tower. The Yang family rules were: the first drumbeat signaled preparations; the second
, full armor was donned; the third, the entire household gathered at the Yin'an Hall to await orders. Mu Guiying hurriedly told
Yang Wenguang , "My son Wenguang, quickly hide in the cellar, lest outsiders see you." Why
was Yang Wenguang hiding in the cellar when the entire household was assembling? It turned out that three years ago, Mu Guiying's husband, Yang Zongbao
, had been killed in battle during a campaign against the Western Xia. Mu Guiying had taken his place. Unexpectedly, Wenguang fell seriously ill. The matriarch sought out
renowned doctors and finally cured him. Because several generations of the Yang family had perished on the battlefield, only
Yang Wenguang . Although still young, he would soon be ready to fight. To preserve the last
bloodline of the Yang family, the matriarch boldly submitted a memorial to the emperor, falsely claiming that Yang Wenguang had died of illness.
The Emperor believed it to be true and, moved by the loyalty of the Yang family for generations, bestowed upon them a golden plaque inscribed with "For the Nation, No Descendant Will Remain." Because of this,
the Yang family kept Yang Wenguang's existence a closely guarded secret, for if the matter were exposed, the entire household would be branded as guilty of deceiving the Emperor, potentially facing execution
.
Yang Wenguang, aware of the gravity of the situation, without a word, gathered his weapons and retreated to the cellar. Mu Guiying
summoned her maidservants and returned to her chambers, donning armor. When she arrived at the Yin'an Palace, the third drumbeat sounded.
In the Yin'an Palace, the She matriarch sat as still as a statue, her face ashen. On either side, the widows and ladies-in-waiting donned their long-unseen
armor , robes, and belts. The old steward, Yang Hong, ordered the servants to open the gates wide and respectfully welcome Prince Di Qing of Pingxi. A moment later,
Yang Hong led Di Qing through the stone path in the courtyard to the head of the hall, loudly announcing, "Prince Pingxi has arrived!"
Prince Pingxi, Di Qing, wore a golden brocade dragon robe, a jade belt around his waist, and had a face as red as a jujube. Five strands of gray-white hair hung down
his chest. He strode with a powerful and imposing gait, his face exuding authority without anger. When he entered the Yin'an Hall, the widows looked closely and seemed to see a deep sorrow on
Prince 's face. However, he quickly concealed his grief and
bowed deeply to the matriarch of the She family, who sat in the center, humbly greeting her, "This junior, Di Qing, has come to pay my respects to the matriarch."
The matriarch rose and returned the bow, saying, "Your Excellency holds the throne and is a member of the imperial family; I dare not accept such a grand gesture."
Mu Guiying immediately instructed her maids to find a seat for Di Qing.
After Di Qing sat down, Lady She asked again, "Your Highness, what brings you to my
humble abode?" Di Qing bowed slightly and said, "I rarely visit your residence, but today I have come specifically to pay my respects to you, Lady She." He
paused, then continued, "The other day, my two sons, Di Long and Di Hu, passed by your residence and
smashed the gate. My steward, Di An, has already informed me of this, and I have severely reprimanded them. They have lived in Shanshan for a long time and
are unfamiliar with the customs of the capital of our Great Song Dynasty, however..." "This is also due to my failure in educating my sons, and I have come here specifically to apologize to the Madam. I will
accept whatever punishment the Madam may give my two sons, and I would never dare to complain."
Upon hearing Di Qing's words, Madam She immediately dispelled her resentment at the vandalism of the memorial archway by Di Long and Di Hu the day before
, and turned her anger into joy, saying, "This is a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. Considering the generations-long friendship between the Di and Yang families,
if His Majesty does not blame us, I will certainly not pursue this matter any further. Please, Your Highness, do not let this matter weigh on your mind."
Di Qing lowered his head and repeatedly agreed. However, sitting there, he looked apprehensive.
Seeing that Di Qing seemed to have something to say, the Dowager Lady changed the subject, asking, "I heard that the Southern Tang is in rebellion, and His Majesty has ordered Grand
Protector Di Long to temporarily assume command and compete in martial arts at the East Gate training ground. I wonder what the outcome was?"
Di Qing sighed, his face growing increasingly sorrowful, yet he still seemed reluctant to speak.
Seeing this, the Dowager Lady said, "Your Highness, please speak freely."
Di Qing then began, "My son, Di Long, was competing in martial arts at the East Gate training ground. Today was supposed to be the last day. Unexpectedly,
this morning, a man suddenly stormed into the training ground, claiming to be Song Chaoqing, and defeated my son with a silver spear. Alas…"
"..."
The Dowager Lady advised, "Your Highness, do not grieve.
Our Great Song Dynasty is full of heroes, and it is a good thing that they can serve the country." Di Qing shook his head and continued, "The matter is not so much. If it were truly a hero of our Great Song Dynasty who seized
the commander's seal , I would have nothing to say. Who knew that Song Chaoqing would flee after seizing the seal? Fearing
for the seal, I ordered my two sons, Di Zhao and Di Xiang, to stop him. But Song Chaoqing was ruthless and,
together with a dark-skinned follower, killed my two sons. I was overwhelmed with grief and led my troops in pursuit,
but the two men disappeared into the alley behind your mansion."
Mu Guiying pondered, "I thought Di Qing came here to apologize, but it turns out he's here to catch the murderer!"
She looked at the Dowager Lady, whose expression was also grave. The matriarch hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you are mistaken. Although my Yang family and Your Highness
do not often interact, Your Highness is aware of the Yang family's affairs. Now, apart from a group of old women and widows, who in the Yang
household would have gone to seize the seal and caused the deaths of your sons, Di Zhao and Di Xiang? How could it be the work of someone from my Yang household?"
Di Qing also hurriedly defended himself, "Madam, you misunderstand. That Song Chaoqing's origins are unknown. I fear he is a
spy from the Southern Tang who seized the commander's seal. This matter is of great importance, and I hope Your Highness will investigate thoroughly."
Seeing that Di Qing was relentless, and still harboring resentment over the incident of Di Long smashing the memorial archway the other day, the matriarch
sternly said, "Your Highness's words are true..." " How could someone who is a spy from the Southern Tang Dynasty have managed to enter my Yang residence? Does Your Highness
suspect that the Yang family is colluding with rebels?"
Seeing that the Dowager was angry, Di Qing said without any politeness, "I personally
witnessed Song Chaoqing disappearing near the Yang residence. How could it be false?"
The Dowager said, "Since that's the case, everyone in my Yang residence, from myself to the servants and maids, is
here . Please, Your Highness, take a close look and see who is the one who seized the seal. Arrest him immediately. If it was done by anyone in my Yang residence,
I am willing to accept the punishment."
Di Qing had come here to arrest the culprit, but seeing the Dowager's words, he was also angered. He stood up, bowed deeply to
the Dowager , and said, "I will obey Your Highness's orders." He flicked his sleeve and ordered his men,
"Search!" He took two steps back, his hawk-like eyes scanning everyone in the Yin'an Hall. Suddenly, he
noticed someone lurking behind Mu Guiying, whose figure closely resembled the one who had seized the seal. He walked up to Mu Guiying and
examined him closely.
Mu Guiying found his actions suspicious and turned around to see Yang Jinhua hiding behind her,
too afraid to come out. Seeing her flustered and guilty expression, she already guessed six or seven parts of the truth. But out of protectiveness,
she glared at Di Qing and said, "Your Highness, why are you staring at my daughter Jinhua?"
Di Qing was also puzzled. From her face and figure, Jinhua looked exactly like the one who had seized the seal, but as he had
just said, Song Chaoqing was a man, while Yang Jinhua was a woman—that was the biggest difference. He
bowed to Mu Guiying and said uneasily, "Lord Hun Tian..."
Just then, a guard ran over and whispered in Di Qing's ear, "Reporting to Your Highness,
I found two warhorses covered in sweat in the stables of the Yang residence. They seem to be the mounts of Song Chaoqing, who seized the seal at the training ground."
Di Qing asked in surprise, "Is that so?"
Mu Guiying, who was standing nearby, heard him clearly and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, those two horses are the
ones I rode when I was practicing martial arts with my servants just now. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Highness."
Di Qing was suspicious, but upon closer inspection, he saw that the fine sweat on Mu Guiying's forehead had not completely dried. He asked
with some doubt , "Is that so?" He then carefully examined Mu Guiying again. Song Chaoqing was as delicate as a young girl,
while Mu Guiying was tall, strong, and valiant. They were not the same person.
Lady She asked, "Prince Di, have you found the two murderers who killed your son?"
Di Qing lowered his head and stammered, "This...no."
"Fine! But how can you search my Yang residence as you please, and leave as you please? Since you haven't found the murderers,
I certainly report you to His Majesty!" Lady She said, angrily pounding her dragon-headed golden staff on the ground
.
Di Qing said, "In that case, I will also report this matter to His Majesty!" With that, he turned and left.
2. The Execution Ground Incident
After Di Qing left, the ladies gossiped, all saying that Di Qing dared to be so bold as to lead troops to search Tianbo Mansion privately.
Only Mu Guiying remained silent.
Lady She gestured for everyone to quiet down and said loudly, "My Tianbo Mansion and the Di family have never had any enmity or dealings. Di Qing's reckless actions
this time must have some hidden reason. Ladies and gentlemen, are you sure no one in my Yang Mansion went to seize the seal
and kill anyone?"
The widows all replied in unison, "Indeed, no such thing!"
Lady She lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Di Qing is a relative of the emperor and has achieved unparalleled merit. This time, he believes that my
Yang family killed his two sons and will surely report to the Emperor. It seems that I have no choice but to go to the palace to meet the Emperor!" She
then instructed her steward, Yang Hong, to prepare the horse and said to the widows, "When I go to the palace to meet the Emperor, I will definitely report the matter of Di Long smashing the plaque
to the Emperor and let the Emperor decide right and wrong."
All the ladies nodded in agreement.
Before long, Yang Hong had prepared the horse and was about to help Lady She mount when someone came to report, "An imperial
decree has arrived at the mansion!" Lady She had no choice but to lead the ladies to receive the decree.
The grand gates of the Tianbo Yang residence swung open, welcoming the imperial messenger into the Yin'an Hall. Behind him followed a group of palace guards,
each clad in brocade robes and jade belts, exuding an imposing aura. Upon arriving at the Yin'an Hall, they straightened their posture and announced in drawn-out voices, "The imperial edict has arrived
!"
Everyone in the Tianbo household, except for the matriarch, knelt. The matriarch hurriedly raised her dragon-headed golden staff above her head and
tapped it three times. This was a golden staff bestowed by the founding emperor; when meeting the emperor, kneeling was not required, but tapping the staff
three times signified submission.
The messenger unfurled the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Due to the rebellion in the Southern Tang, I
hereby summon She Saihua of the Tianbo household to the palace to discuss strategies for quelling the rebellion. Respectfully obeying the imperial decree, I hope you will be grateful. So be it!"
After Lady She and the ladies expressed their gratitude, they received the imperial edict. The messenger said, "Lady She, His Majesty requests your
presence. I hope you will accompany me."
Lady She nodded and said, "Of course." Then she instructed the ladies, "You all stay in the manor and
await orders. Do not act rashly. We will discuss matters after I return from the palace. Guiying will temporarily manage all affairs in the manor."
Mu Guiying said, "Yes! Grandmother, please go with peace of mind."
With Yang Hong's help, Lady She mounted her horse. Despite her advanced age, she was still very healthy
and rode off in a cloud of dust, disappearing from sight in no time.
Mu Guiying waited until the Empress Dowager was out of sight before turning to the ladies and saying, "Gentlemen,
please go back to your rooms and rest. I'll keep watch here."
The Sixth Lady, Wang Huainu, said, "Di Qing is a member of the imperial family; his word is law. The Empress Dowager's journey to
meet the Emperor is uncertain; it would be better if we all wait here with Guiying."
Mu Guiying thought for a moment and said, "Very well, then I'll wait with you ladies."
Seeing that none of the ladies wanted to leave, Mu Guiying had no choice but to find a moment and say to Yang
Jinhua, "Jinhua, come with me for a moment; I have something to ask you."
Yang Jinhua's face turned pale, and she said tremblingly, "Yes..."
Mother and daughter walked out of the Yin'an Hall together to a corner of the courtyard outside. Mu Guiying's face darkened, and she asked:
"Jinhua, tell your mother the truth! Was it you who impersonated Song Chaoqing, the
one who ?
" Yang Jinhua trembled with fear and immediately knelt down, begging her mother for forgiveness. "Please forgive me, Mother. It
was truly a moment of foolishness on my part. It's just that Di Long was too arrogant, and I couldn't suppress my resentment, so
I
disguised myself as a man and went to the East Gate training ground. I wanted to seize the commander's seal and dampen his arrogance, but Di Xiang and Di Zhao ambushed me halfway . I had no choice but to fight them with Paifeng."
Mu Guiying was so angry that her teeth chattered. "You wretched child! How many times have I told you not to
cause trouble ? I even specifically told you not to go to the training ground to fight for that commander's seal! And yet, not only did you not listen to your mother,
you even killed someone!" "How could Di Qing let this go so easily?"
Yang Jinhua knelt and crawled two steps forward, grabbing Mu Guiying's leg and weeping, "Mother, I know I was wrong, please
punish me! If the Di family insists that the Yang family pay for Di Xiang and Di Zhao's lives, then please kill me alone, don't
implicate the entire Yang family."
Mu Guiying's heart softened instantly, as she was deeply attached to her child. She sighed and said, "Since things have come to this, there's no other way. Go and tell Paifeng that this matter must not be publicized. Find a safe place to hide the commander's seal
you seized , and we'll make further plans after the Dowager returns from the Golden Palace." Yang Jinhua, her face streaked with tears, nodded and replied, "Yes, I will follow Mother's instructions." The Dowager had been gone for a long time and still hadn't returned. All the ladies and wives in the Yin'an Palace were extremely anxious. Suddenly , the sound of horses' hooves sounded outside the door. The elderly Yang Hong leaped from his horse and stumbled into the Yin'an Hall, tears streaming down his face. He knelt before the ladies as soon as he entered, crying, "Ladies and gentlemen, something terrible has happened!" Mu Guiying went to Yang Hong and helped him up, asking, "Old steward, why are you in such a panic?" The ladies nearby also chimed in, asking, "Yang Hong, you went to the Golden Hall with the Old Madam, why have you returned alone? Where is the Old Madam?" Yang Hong gasped for breath and incoherently recounted what had just happened in the Golden Hall: "The Old Madam and Di Qing were arguing before the Emperor, but unexpectedly, the Emperor sided with the Di family..." " They intend to punish my Yang family. In a fit of rage, the Dowager Lady defied the Emperor and has now been ordered by His Majesty to be bound and taken to the execution ground. She will be beheaded at noon! And ... His Majesty himself is overseeing the execution!" The ladies, filled with righteous indignation, shouted, "How dare they! My Yang family has risked their lives justice left?" Yang Hong said, "The Dowager Lady had a message for me to convey to you ladies before she went to the execution ground." Mu Guiying asked, "What did the Dowager Lady say?" Yang Hong said, "She said, 'Yang Hong, go and tell my daughters-in-law, young and old, to don armor , robes, belts, swords, and spears, mount their horses, and come to the execution ground to rebel!' " "Ah!" The ladies were all stunned, speechless. The Dowager Lady had always been loyal and devoted to the Song Dynasty, never uttering a word of rebellion. Her words today were particularly inexplicable. Mu Guiying asked again, "Yang Hong, tell me honestly, is that what the old lady said?" Yang Hong nodded, "Yes, that's what she said." "Do you know that the old lady would never say such a thing?" Mu Guiying pressed on. "Oh dear, young mistress, isn't this a case of the officials forcing the people to rebel? Our Yang family has rendered outstanding service, yet the Emperor has turned a blind and bound us to be executed. Even if the old lady has made some mistakes, she's old and gray, she shouldn't be beheaded. Tell me, how can the old lady not rebel?" Hearing Yang Hong say this, all the ladies and wives chimed in, "That's right, Guiying, what are you still hesitating for? Since the old lady has said so, let's rebel and rush out of the execution ground and behead that foolish emperor!" Mu Guiying was still suspicious and said to the ladies and wives, "Gentlemen, the truth of this matter is hard to discern, we must not act rashly. If Yang Hong has misheard, then it is a heinous crime that could lead to the confiscation of our property and the extermination of our entire family!" Guiying's words silenced all the elders, and they all hesitated. Sixth Grandmother Wang Huainu said, "Guying, just give the order! If you hesitate any longer, the old lady might really end up dead at the execution ground." Mu Guiying pondered for a moment, then steeled her heart and shouted, "All women, listen to my command!" "Yes!" the ladies and wives responded in unison. "Put on your armor and mount your horses, wait outside the mansion, and come with me to the execution ground to rescue the old lady!" "Yes!" The women were already fully armed and ready to charge straight to the execution ground once they retrieved their weapons from the storeroom. Yang Hong had already ordered the ladies' warhorses to be prepared outside the mansion. Mu Guiying wore a gold-threaded chainmail, a breastplate , a phoenix-feather helmet, two pheasant feathers hanging down her back, a brocade belt with a hundred flowers around her waist, a silver-white beast-patterned robe, and gleaming yellow leather boots. A seven-star sword hung at her waist, and a bright red cloak fluttered in the wind. Holding an embroidered phoenix-patterned sword and riding a peach-red horse, she exuded power and awe-inspiring presence. She hung her sword on the victory hook, tightened the reins, and commanded her assembled female warriors, "Proceed! Storm the execution ground and rescue the Grand Tutor!"

The women warriors shouted in unison. In an instant, over a hundred people from the Yang household rushed towards the execution ground.
Mu Guiying led the way, galloping to the execution ground outside the Wu Chao Gate. There, a sea of people thronged
the making it impossible
to move. She reined in her horse, circling around the crowd, but the sheer density of the crowd made it difficult to find a way in, fearing her horse might trample innocent civilians. Sixth Madam Wang Huainü arrived, her
fiery temper barely contained. She spurred her horse and shouted, "Hey! Everyone in front
, get out of the way! Don't bump into my horse!"
Hearing the sound of hooves and shouts, the crowd parted to make way. The women warriors then
squeezed through the crowd and reached the execution ground. In the center of the execution ground, the Old Madam lay alone, bound, awaiting
her execution.
Enraged, Wang Huainu's eyes blazed with blood, and she cried out, "Rebellion!"
The executioner at the execution ground was Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, flanked by the Minister of Justice Kou Zhun and the Prince of Pingxi, Di Qing. The commotion at the execution
ground also attracted the emperor's attention. Emperor Renzong Zhao Zhen said to his attendants, "Who is so bold as to dare to
cause trouble at the execution ground?"
Di Qing, who was nearby, rose from his seat and stared intently. He saw that the leading female general, clad in phoenix helmet and golden armor, riding a horse and brandishing a
sword , was incredibly imposing. She was a beautiful woman of unparalleled charm, yet also a Mulan who charged into battle. Di Qing
reported to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, those who have trespassed into the execution ground are Marquis Mu Guiying and the widows of the Tianbo Mansion
."
Emperor Renzong slammed his fist on the imperial desk, his face contorted with rage: "Outrageous! Does the entire Tianbo Mansion intend to rebel against my Great
Song Dynasty?"
Upon hearing this, the brothers Di Long and Di Hu replied, "Your Majesty, we will go and bring the traitors to justice on the spot!"
After receiving the Emperor's permission, the two brothers drew their swords, mounted their horses, and charged down from the execution platform with shouts, rushing into the execution ground.
Their defeat at the East Gate training ground had brought shame upon the brothers, and now they saw this as an opportunity
to impress His Majesty.
Di Long, brandishing his ghost-headed sword, shouted loudly, "Who is so reckless as to dare to storm the execution ground?"
At this moment, Wang Huai Nu, the Great Swordsman, dismounted from her warhorse to rescue the bound She Taijun. Without a word, Mu Guiying
took the Phoenix Blade from the saddle hook and charged forward, taking over Di Long's horse's head.
The brothers Di Long and Di Hu, well aware of Mu Guiying's formidable power, dared not be careless. Di Hu also drew his Cloud-Headed Blade and spurred his
horse forward to aid his brother.
Mu Guiying faced two enemies alone, yet showed no fear. She leaped onto her horse, blade in hand, and engaged Di Long first.
As their horses' necks clashed, Mu Guiying unleashed her first strike.
Di Long hastily raised his blade to parry. Having just blocked the first blow, and as their horses collided, Mu Guiying's second strike
came crashing down. In a panic, Di Long could only lean back against his saddle, dodging the fatal
blow .
Just as their horses' tails parted, Mu Guiying struck again with a backhand strike. By this time, Di Long's horse was already
far ahead , and he heard a whooshing sound behind him. Knowing the situation was dire, and utterly powerless to resist, he inwardly cried out, "
Alas ! I, Di Long, never imagined I would perish here today!" He could only close his eyes and await his death.
On the battlefield, Mu Guiying's masterful three-sword technique was already unparalleled, her skill unmatched.
Countless powerful enemies from Liao and Western Xia had fallen to her blade. However, Mu Guiying considered Di Qing a pillar of the Song Dynasty,
who had just lost two sons, and moreover, to her own daughter. She couldn't bring herself to kill him. Just as
the blade was about to strike Di Long's neck, she suddenly raised her hand, her wrist flipping upwards, turning the blade and
striking Di Long's helmet with the back of the sword.
Di Long cried out, his body tumbling from his horse like a broken sandbag.
In a single exchange, the renowned Grand Protector Di Long, famous throughout the capital, had been knocked off his horse by Mu Guiying.
Di Qing broke out in a cold sweat. If Mu Guiying hadn't shown mercy, Dillon would have been a dead man.
Still shaken, Dillon sat up, clutching his head, secretly relieved he'd
survived. His head was spinning and incredibly painful. He tried to remove his helmet, but no matter
how hard he tried, he couldn't. Mu Guiying's blow had deformed Dillon's helmet
without injuring him. Now, Dillon's head was stuck in the deformed helmet, impossible to remove. This move required precise control of force; too much force and Dillon's head would have been deformed like
his helmet ; too little and he could have gone back into battle. Just as they exchanged a few blows, Dillon's brother, Di Hu, charged forward. Seeing his brother knocked off his horse, he roared in fury and swung his broadsword at Mu Guiying. Without pausing, Mu Guiying ducked to dodge Di Hu's broadsword. As their horses' tails parted, Mu Guiying leaned back, her back pressed against the horse's saddle, and with the back of her sword, she forcefully swept backward. Di Hu, like his brother, hadn't even reacted before being struck to the ground. At that moment, a soldier nearby shouted, "It's terrible! Someone's storming the execution ground! Brothers, grab your weapons and charge!" Countless soldiers, weapons in hand, charged towards the group of women from the Tianbo Mansion. The ladies and wives following Mu Guiying also arrived, each as fierce as a tiger, wielding their broadswords and hacking and slashing at the chaotic ranks of soldiers as if cutting melons and vegetables . In an instant, countless were wounded, and screams filled the air. Mu Guiying slashed down five or six soldiers in quick succession, then reined in her horse and stood between the soldiers and the Yang family women , shouting at them, "Mu Guiying, the Marquis of Hun Tian, is here! If you don't value your lives, come and face your death!" Intimidated by the imposing presence of Mu Guiying and the ladies of the Yang family, the soldiers exchanged glances and retreated. Mu Guiying raised her head and saw the imperial carriage on the execution platform, surrounded by countless Imperial Guards. She turned to the ladies and said, "My dear mothers, the Emperor's carriage is over there. Let Guiying charge forward, explain the situation to the Emperor, and clear the Yang family's name." With that, she slapped her horse's rump with the back of her sword, and her peach-red steed shot off like an arrow. This action terrified Di Qing. He hurriedly shielded the Emperor's carriage with his body, shouting, "Protect the Emperor!" Mu Guiying, single-handedly, broke through the Imperial Guards who came to intercept her, moving as if they were nothing. In the blink of an eye , she had reached within thirty paces of the Emperor's carriage. Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, was so frightened that his dragon throne overturned, and the imperial carriage fell to the ground. He stammered, "There's...there's an assassination attempt ! Quick, protect the Emperor!" Di Qing gripped his nine-eared, eight-ringed broadsword tightly, pointing the tip at Mu Guiying and shouting, "Hun Tianhou, you..."

"How dare you charge at the Emperor's carriage! Dismount and beg for forgiveness!"
Mu Guiying's warhorse showed no sign of stopping, charging straight towards the Emperor's carriage as she shouted,
"Prince Di, please step aside! The Yang family has been wronged and we must report this to His Majesty today!"
"Guiying, stop for me!" Suddenly, the She Taijun's shout came from behind.
Mu Guiying hurriedly reined in her horse and rode back. By this time, the Yang family's soldiers had already surrounded the Taijun
. Led by the Sixth Madam, Wang Huainu, they all bowed to the She Taijun and said, "Mother-in-law, your daughters-in-law
have been ordered here. Please give us your orders: should we kill that tyrant first, or occupy the royal city?"
"Nonsense!" The She matriarch was furious, scolding the female generals, "What are you all doing, all dressed in armor and
exuding murderous intent?"
Mu Guiying had already ridden back to the execution ground, dismounted, and reported to the matriarch, "
The female generals of the Yang family have all assembled here on the orders of the matriarch. Please check them, matriarch!"
The She matriarch was also somewhat bewildered: "You... what are you doing?"
Mu Guiying knew something was wrong, realizing she had been deceived by the steward Yang Hong: "This... Grandmother, didn't you send Yang Hong back to the mansion to
deliver a message, ordering the female generals of the Yang family to come to the execution ground and rebel against the Song Dynasty?"
"Yes, it was Yang Hong who delivered the message!" The female generals behind Mu Guiying nodded in agreement.
"Nonsense! This is outrageous! The Yang family has been loyal ministers and generals for generations, never uttering a single word of rebellion.
For you to act so brazenly, charging at the royal carriage on horseback, is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of your entire family!" The old matriarch continued
her furious rebuke of the female generals.
The female generals finally understood that it was their steward, Yang Hong, who had suggested they come to the execution ground to rescue the person.
They had all caused a great disaster, and each of them stood frozen in place, not daring to utter a sound.

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Mu Guiying's Southern Expedition, Volume 1, Chapters 1-7

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