The previous chapter was not filler, but a necessary turning point and setup.
News that Consort Rong had taken temporary charge of Jingren Palace spread through the capital in an incredibly short time.
Those still muddled and unaware of its true significance had yet to understand, but memorials from the Censorate impeaching the Jia family had already piled up half a man's height.
If the Second Prince's early death had been a heavy hammer that shattered Rongguo Mansion's backbone, then in the eyes of those with insight, Consort Rong taking temporary charge of Jingren Palace formally tolled the death knell for Rongguo Mansion's decline.
For it meant that the Emperor had blamed Jia Yuanchun for his birth mother's death!
Thus, from that day onward, Rongguo Mansion gradually regained its former "prosperity" of visitors crowding its gates. Only this time, those who came calling were not flattering sycophants, but creditors with cold stares and furrowed brows.
At first, only people of status and influence came to demand repayment. Gradually, even common folk lost their awe, blocking Rongguo Mansion's gates so completely that not even water could pass through.
On the seventh day of the ninth month, even Second Master Jia Zheng's carriage had nearly been detained by the "mob."
For a time, alarm swept through the mansion, and everyone feared for themselves.
Double Ninth Festival.
A drizzling autumn rain soaked all things.
But to the creditors standing outside Rongguo Mansion's gates, it was like adding fuel to the fire.
On the Double Ninth Festival, a day for family reunions, they had no choice but to endure the wind and rain outside these gates for the livelihood of their entire families...
Bang!
The sudden dull thud drew everyone's attention. It turned out Zhao Erkui from the lumber business had crouched so long