Reaching Cooperation, Encountering Tang San on the Road

The forge was crude and dilapidated. Over a dozen disciples of the Strength Clan, bare-chested and swinging hammers, stopped in their tracks at the sight of the Crown Prince and the Imperial Concubine, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Bring me a piece of black iron and star-patterned steel. Fuse them in a three-to-seven ratio."

Ye Yunxi walked up to the forge, her tone calm.

Tai Nuo followed her instructions with skepticism, ordering his disciples to prepare the materials. Watching Ye Yunxi standing in the grease-stained forge in her magnificent red dress, he couldn't help but feel she looked completely out of place.

In his experience, a noblewoman could never appear in such a place, yet here she was—and not just anyone, but the future Empress who would one day hold the mandate of heaven!

Ye Yunxi raised her hand, and a faint surge of soul power flowed into the furnace. The earth-fire flared instantly, its temperature locking precisely at 3,200 degrees.

She picked up the iron tongs to grip the mixed ore and tossed it into the furnace, her movements so skillful it didn't look like her first time at all.

"The force must be uniform during forging; every strike must carry the penetration of soul power."

Ye Yunxi took the heavy hammer handed to her by a disciple. Her seemingly slender arms rose, and when the hammer fell, it was as steady as Mount Tai.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

The rhythm of the hammer strikes was distinct. As soul power flowed through the handle into the metal, a visible shimmer rippled across the surface of the ore, stripping away impurities layer by layer.

The sheer power of her movements, combined with the fact that Ye Yunxi was swinging a hammer heavier than her own slight frame, left many of the surrounding disciples dumbfounded.

By now, Tai Tan and Tai Nuo were staring with wide eyes, locked onto the piece of metal.

They could clearly feel that while Ye Yunxi's technique appeared simple, it secretly aligned with the true path of forging, and her application of soul power was nothing short of exquisite.

She was perfectly guiding the reorganization of the metal molecules—this was the very key they had studied for years without ever mastering!

Qian Renxue stood to the side, equally shocked.

She had always assumed Ye Yunxi was merely sharp-tongued, never expecting her to actually understand forging, let alone possess such profound technique. She looked nothing like a pampered Imperial Concubine.

Half an incense stick later, Ye Yunxi withdrew the hammer and lifted a metal ingot glowing with a silver luster using the tongs.

The ingot was as smooth as jade, devoid of a single impurity, its cross-section revealing a fine, dense texture that exuded an aura of both strength and flexibility.

"This... this is..."

Tai Nuo stepped forward quickly, reaching out to touch the ingot, his expression turning solemn.

"The resilience! It's thirty percent stronger than our best finished products!"

Tai Tan also stepped forward, taking the ingot to examine it closely. A startling light erupted in his cloudy eyes, and his hands trembled slightly.

"Impossible! This is impossible! You actually managed it!"

He had seen countless forging masters, yet never had he seen anyone forge an ingot of this quality in such a short time with such exquisite technique!

Ye Yunxi set down the heavy hammer and brushed the dust from her hands. Though her red dress was stained with a few iron filings, it did nothing to diminish her composure.

"Now, do you believe I understand forging?"

Tai Tan looked up abruptly. The way he looked at Ye Yunxi had changed completely, shifting from initial contempt to profound awe.

"The Imperial Concubine is full of hidden depths! This old man is impressed!"

Tai Nuo also looked convinced. "Your Highness's forging technique far surpasses that of our Strength Clan!"

Qian Renxue regained her senses, looking at Ye Yunxi's back with a complex mix of emotions.

This little enchantress always managed to bring her unexpected surprises.

Ye Yunxi raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Clan Leader, no need for such formalities. I said we are here to cooperate. The Heaven Dou imperial family can provide all the resources you need, and your forging craft can shine brightly on the battlefield."

Tai Tan gripped the metal ingot, silent for a moment, before suddenly bowing in salute.

"On behalf of the Strength Clan, this old man is willing to cooperate with the Heaven Dou imperial family!"

"The Imperial Concubine is certainly not the frail woman the rumors suggest."

"No need for formalities. This Imperial Concubine is just an ordinary girl; I cannot compare to those powerful soul masters. You can discuss the details of this cooperation with the Crown Prince."

Ye Yunxi had no desire to discuss the intricacies of the partnership with these old men; it was better left to Qian Renxue.

"As the Imperial Concubine commands," Tai Tan said respectfully.

This cooperation was indeed far better than their current situation.

"Crown Prince, please follow me."

Subsequently, Tai Tan, Tai Nuo, and Qian Renxue headed to a room in the side hall to conduct the partnership negotiations.

Ye Yunxi, meanwhile, headed toward a tree to wait.

While she waited, many disciples stole glances from afar at this charming, ethereal Imperial Concubine who looked as if she had stepped out of a painting.

Ye Yunxi merely offered them a bewitching smile, causing their cheeks to flush red, and they dared not peek again.

"Sigh, just a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears boys."

Ye Yunxi chuckled. Just as she was about to think of something amusing to do, a voice filled with shock suddenly rang out from the entrance.

"Is, is that the Imperial Concubine?"

Following the sound, Ye Yunxi raised her eyes and caught sight of two callow youths.

"Isn't this little brother Tang San?"

Discovering that the pair were Tang San and Tailong, the grandson of Tai Tan, Ye Yunxi smiled amusedly and cast a flirtatious wink at Tang San.

"Im-Imperial Concubine, please, don't mess around."

Unable to resist such provocation, Tang San stammered out a response.

It was fortunate that Xiao Wu was not by his side, or else there would be trouble again.

"Tang San, do you really know the Imperial Concubine? I thought the rumors were all fake."

Tailong was somewhat shocked. He had assumed the gossip about the Imperial Concubine favoring and admiring Tang San was false, but seeing it today, it couldn't be more real.

While they were stunned, Ye Yunxi tapped her jade-like feet and arrived before the two of them.

"Aren't you two preparing for the upcoming competition? What brings you here?"

Tang San dared not look Ye Yunxi in the eye; he glanced to the side and explained:

"The competition isn't until tomorrow. I came today primarily to pay a visit to Patriarch Tai Tan."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the side hall doors swung open.

Tai Tan walked out, laughing heartily.

"The Crown Prince is indeed generous; let it be done as discussed. We will certainly provide full support to the soldiers on the front lines."

"Then it is a pleasure to cooperate." Qian Renxue also offered a polite smile.

She had not expected Tailong to agree so readily.

"Grandfather, I've brought Tang San."

Tailong waved his hand and called out to Tai Tan.

The three of them looked toward the sound simultaneously, and when Qian Renxue saw Ye Yunxi and Tang San exchanging glances, she felt as if a green hat had been placed upon her head.

No, in just this short while, she was already chatting with another man?

Qian Renxue felt displeased, yet she maintained an exceptionally calm facade:

"Then let us leave it at that for now, Patriarch Tai Tan. We will notify you of the subsequent matters shortly."

Tai Tan nodded.

Qian Renxue then marched forward, fuming.

She reached out, grabbed Ye Yunxi by the wrist, and dragged her away from the Strength Clan.

"Ouch, what are you doing? Slow down."

"Little brother Tang San, good luck with the competition. This Imperial Concubine will be watching you."

As Ye Yunxi departed, Tang San felt a sudden sense of emptiness in his heart.

Once they reached the horses, Qian Renxue finally released her grip, glaring indignantly at the heartless Ye Yunxi.

"This Crown Prince is discussing a partnership, and what are you doing?"

"Since when is it your business?"

"I am your husband; why can't I make it my business?"