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Yang Shangshu arrived at Zheng Situ's residence and saw Old Minister with a sorrowful expression, tears streaming down his face. Choking back sobs, he said, "Today, the Empress Dowager issued a decree for me to return Yang Lang's betrothal gifts. I have already sent Chun Yun to the garden, but I pity my daughter's situation. My wife and I are heartbroken and do not know what to do! I am fine, but my wife has been overly worried about this and has fallen ill, remaining unconscious to this day!" Upon hearing this, Yang Shangshu turned pale and was at a loss for words. After a long while, he finally spoke, "This matter cannot just end like this. I will write to the emperor and plead our case. Is there truly no justice in the court?" The Minister quickly interrupted, "Son-in-law, how can you say such things? You have already rejected two imperial edicts; now you want to write again? This is just asking for trouble and will surely lead to severe punishment! In my opinion, it would be better to comply with the Empress Dowager's wishes. Moreover, it is reasonable for you to seek another place to live." Yang Shangshu did not respond and went straight to the garden.
When Chun Yun saw Yang Shangshu, she began to cry uncontrollably, her face covered in tears. She presented the betrothal gifts from before and said, "I was fortunate enough to serve you on behalf of the young lady for over a year. I believe I have done nothing wrong, yet now it has come to this—truly an injustice! With no hope left for the young lady's marriage, I must bid farewell and return to serve her. Oh, how unfortunate I am!" As she spoke, she broke down in tears. Yang Shangshu comforted her, saying, "I will write to the emperor and plead our case; perhaps he will change his mind. Even if he does not agree, once a woman is promised to someone, she should follow through—that is what etiquette dictates. Chun Niang, how could I be someone who betrays trust?" Chun Yun replied, "Your words are misguided. Though I am unworthy, I have read some ancient texts and understand the virtue of a woman's obedience. However, my bond with the young lady is like that of sisters; we are different from others. We grew up together as sisters without regard for status, swearing an oath of life and death to share joys and sorrows together. Since she cannot marry you, how can I remain alone?" Yang Shaoyou said, "Chun Niang's loyalty to her mistress is commendable. But Chun Niang's situation is different; the young lady can choose her own path freely. Following her to serve another is detrimental to a woman's chastity." Chun Yun responded, "If you truly understood my mistress, you would know she has made her decision. She will forever remain under our family's care and vows never to be a woman again after dedicating herself as a nun before Buddha in her next life. As for me, I too am determined to follow her path. If you wish to see me again, your betrothal gifts must be sent back to the Zheng Family before I can accept them again; otherwise today marks our final separation. I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to serving you for so long and have been grateful for your affection; my only way of repaying you is through my service. But if things continue like this, all I hope for in my next life is to be your loyal servant in gratitude for your kindness. Please take care of yourself." After crying against the wall for half a day, she turned and descended the steps, bowing deeply before entering her room.
Yang Shaoyou felt immense pain and confusion; he sighed deeply and wept aloud. The next day, he submitted a memorial that was both passionate and earnest.
In the memorial he wrote: "I humbly submit this petition as Minister of Rites Yang Shaoyou: The principles of governance are fundamental; marriage is the foundation of human relationships. If we lose this foundation, morality decays and the nation faces peril; neglecting this foundation leads to family decline and ruin. Is there anything more evident than matters concerning national and familial prosperity? Therefore, wise rulers and virtuous ministers pay close attention to these issues. To govern well requires prioritizing ethical principles; to restore families necessitates addressing marriage matters first. This is essential for establishing order in governance and clarifying subtle truths! Since I have been accepted by the Zheng Family with their betrothal gifts and have left my mark there, I am naturally a married man with family ties now. Unexpectedly, Your Majesty has bestowed such great grace upon someone as insignificant as myself. Initially skeptical but ultimately moved by your kindness, I am filled with shock and fear—can such an arrangement truly align with propriety? If I had not performed the marriage rites or stayed with the Zheng Family as a guest due to my humble background and limited abilities, I would not deserve Your Majesty’s selection at all! Moreover, since I already have a marital name with Miss Zheng and established ties with Old Minister Zheng as father-in-law—how can it be said that no rites were performed? How can a princess of noble status marry someone as lowly as me without considering whether it aligns with etiquette or weighing matters appropriately? Furthermore, Your Majesty’s secret decree ordering me to abandon completed rites and return betrothal gifts is something unheard of! I fear Your Majesty cannot emulate Emperor Guangwu’s leniency towards Song Hong! My current perilous situation requires Your Majesty’s wise judgment. The sorrow of Miss Zheng also concerns my private affairs. Though I dare not trouble Your Majesty further with my concerns about potential chaos in governance or moral decay leading to national disaster—please uphold fundamental propriety and rectify customs immediately so that my anxious heart may find peace; I would be immensely grateful!"
The emperor reviewed the memorial and forwarded it to the Empress Dowager. Upon reading it, she became furious and ordered Yang Shaoyou imprisoned in the dungeons. In response, court officials hurriedly submitted petitions advising against such punishment. The emperor remarked: "I know that his punishment is excessive but cannot act rashly; the Empress Dowager is angry right now." For months thereafter, she deliberately punished Yang Shaoyou by preventing him from engaging in state affairs.
At this time, Tubo was aggressive towards China; they disregarded our nation while gathering an army of one hundred thousand troops that continuously captured border counties—advancing forces even approached Wei Bridge—causing panic in the capital city. The emperor summoned his ministers for discussion on countermeasures; they advised him: "The capital's defense forces number only several thousand while external reinforcements cannot arrive quickly enough. It would be better temporarily to abandon the capital; Your Majesty should lead civil and military officials eastward calling upon local armies for support." The emperor hesitated: "Among all officials in court, only Yang Shaoyou possesses wisdom and strategy; I rely heavily on him. Previously when we quelled three rebellions successfully—it was all thanks to his efforts." After dismissing court proceedings that day, he reported this matter to the Empress Dowager and sent someone with an edict granting clemency for Yang Shaoyou from prison so he could be consulted.
Yang Shaoyou advised the emperor: "The capital is where our ancestral temples are located—the foundation of our royal palace—if we abandon it now it will surely cause unrest among people leading our nation into chaos! Once lost into enemy hands it will be difficult if not impossible to reclaim! In ancient times during Tang Dynasty when Tubo allied with Huabei forces numbering over one million besieging our city—the court’s military strength was far weaker than now—but Prince Guo Ziyi single-handedly repelled them! My abilities pale in comparison yet I am willing to lead several thousand elite soldiers against these invaders as repayment for Your Majesty’s mercy!" Recognizing Yang Shaoyou's military talents immediately appointed him Generalissimo commanding thirty thousand imperial guards from within the capital.
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