Xiqu

Volume Two begins with the construction of the Tianbo Mansion on the Yang Residence grounds. As it was a present from the emperor to reward the Yang’s for their patriotic deeds, its front gate displays an imperial plaque that says “officials to alight from their sedan chairs; military personnel to dismount”. Villainous courtiers Wang Qiang and Xie Tingfang pass by the mansion on horseback on purpose, and are chided by Dowager She. The duo picks a fight by asking to ride the sushuang horse. They get a beating, upon which they bring the case to court and charge the Yang’s for insulting and beating up imperial commissioners. Emperor Taizong wants to have the Tianbo Mansion demolished. Dowager She asks help from the Eighth Prince who manages to bring the emperor around. Armed with a forged imperial edict, Xie Tingfang comes to demolish the Mansion, which entails a severe beating ordered by Dowager She.