Late that night, after taking care of everything, Jia Huan did not go home. He rested on the small couch behind the screen in his office.
He slept straight through until noon the next day.
"Boss, people from the Southern Office are here!"
Twin Whips hurried over and shook Jia Huan awake.
"How many?" Jia Huan asked.
If only a few had come, they were here to collect the closed case files.
If there were fifteen or twenty, the purpose went without saying.
"Even more than last time!" Twin Whips looked excited.
Jia Huan sprang upright.
After a long wait, a dense flurry of footsteps sounded in the corridor.
Nearly twenty Southern Office officials entered the office. Their leader was just over fifty, with regular features and a flowing beard beneath his chin. He carried himself with extraordinary authority.
Behind him, Officer Guo prompted:
"Aren't you going to pay your respects to Lord Fu?"
Clearly, this man was one of the Southern Office's senior officials.
"Your subordinate pays his respects, Lord Fu!" Jia Huan respectfully cupped his fists.
Officer Fu studied him for a long while, then said with an appreciative expression:
"You rooted out the Tatar Invaders' covert agents and executed men blinded by greed. You have rendered service to the State and Altars."
Jia Huan answered firmly:
"It was my duty."
Officer Fu nodded and lightly waved a hand.
Two officials stepped forward carrying trays.
On one lay a brand-new silver Flying Fish Uniform, with two Golden Threads embroidered along its shoulders and sleeves.
On the other lay a Command Token granting access to Section Ding of the Case File Archive.
Officer Fu continued:
"In addition, the Southern Office will transfer thirty strongmen from other guard stations to serve under your Celestial Pivot Office."
"As you command!" Jia Huan's reply rang out forcefully.
Inwardly, he could not help feeling a little disappointed. He had thought he might receive three Golden Threads.
Though Officer Fu did not know what the young Hundred-Household Commander was thinking, he could more or less guess that Jia Huan was not entirely satisfied. After all, he had rooted out the Tatars' covert agents in time; left to develop, they might have caused a tremendous disaster. Besides, he had also cleared more than a dozen vile maggots out of the court.
Had he already been in his thirties, his merit and seniority would certainly have earned him promotion to three Golden Threads.
But he was not yet eighteen, far too young, and had only recently joined. After weighing everything, the Southern Office had decided to hold him back.
Officer Fu had come in person precisely to soothe Jia Huan's feelings.
Officer Fu declared in a clear voice:
"The Southern Commandant Office has secured approval from the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Hanlin Academy. A drafting secretary of the Grand Secretariat has written and sealed the patent, investing your birth mother, Lady Zhao, as a Ninth-Rank Confucian Lady."
"Under the rites, a concubine is not eligible to become a court lady. Yet since ancient times, mothers have risen through their sons' distinction. There have always been outstanding sons born of concubines who sought court titles for their birth mothers, though the obstacles were many."
"Our office went to considerable trouble to secure the title of Ninth-Rank Confucian Lady for your birth mother."
His words came to an end.
Jia Huan expressed his sincere gratitude:
"Thank you, my lord. Your subordinate swears to serve the State and Altars unto death. Henceforth, I shall work diligently and strive to earn further merit!"
What was there to complain about? To keep a man of merit from feeling chilled at heart, the Southern Office had compensated him in another way.
The decision was final. If one fewer Golden Thread could make his mother happy, it was worth it!
"Good!" Officer Fu departed, satisfied.
"Hundred-Household Commander Jia, the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review wish to examine the closed case files. Come to the Southern Commandant Office later."
Officer Guo left him with those words and followed the others out.
Jia Huan stroked the brand-new Flying Fish Uniform.
He had to earn more merit than others to make up for the disadvantage of his youth.
But was youth a disadvantage?
If seniority fell short, merit would fill the gap!
Sooner or later, he would wear five Golden Threads, then bid farewell to this silver-white Flying Fish Uniform!
Rongguo Mansion.
Several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel entered the reception hall, led by Lai Da.
Their leader announced in a booming voice:
"An imperial decree! Summon Jia Huan's father, lawful mother, and birth mother."
A short while later.
Jia Zheng arrived in the reception hall with Madam Wang.
"Where is Jia Huan's birth mother?" the leading official asked.
Madam Wang answered with a smile:
"She is a concubine. It would be inappropriate for her to appear."
The leading official paused briefly, then urged:
"Please have her come."
The rites required the lawful mother to be present. Otherwise, she would have been the one who need not appear.
"Someone!" Jia Zheng signaled with his eyes for a page to fetch her.
A full half-quarter of an hour passed before Concubine Zhao finally arrived, her face full of bewilderment.
The leading official unrolled a silk scroll an inch long and read with measured cadence:
"By the Emperor, who receives Heaven's mandate: Let it be proclaimed, there is a Commoner Woman, Lady Zhao..."
He was interrupted.
"What crime have I committed?" Concubine Zhao asked in terror.
Never mind an occasion such as meeting officials-even at an ordinary family banquet, a lowly concubine like her could not sit at the table!
Now there was actually an imperial decree. Were they going to condemn her?
What have I done?
Panic-stricken, Concubine Zhao hurriedly said, "My son is innocent..."
"You ignorant woman! Hold your tongue!" Jia Zheng glared at her in fury.
Madam Wang lowered her head, looking uneasy.
The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel had come together. As a daughter-in-law of a ducal household and the principal wife of an assistant director, she was very familiar with such proceedings.
A mere concubine? Impossible!
Utterly absurd!
Seeing how frightened Jia Huan's birth mother was, the leading official lowered the scroll and simply explained:
"Your son has earned merit. The court has invested you as a Ninth-Rank Confucian Lady."
Boom!
Concubine Zhao's mind went blank. She staggered and nearly fell.
Madam Wang's face instantly turned livid, and towering fury burned in her chest.
A principal wife had allowed a concubine to become a Ninth-Rank Court Lady.
How humiliating was that for her?
It was an enormous insult!
Shock filled Jia Zheng's eyes, and he instinctively glanced at his wife.
The officials also looked toward Madam Wang, sympathy showing in their eyes.
For a principal wife, this was indeed humiliating. Among the wealthy hereditary nobility, she would lose all face, and the noble ladies would mock her for a long time to come.
Yet Lady Zhao had relied not on Assistant Director Jia, but on her son.
Besides, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wielded overwhelming power. Since they had made the request, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel could hardly refuse such a small favor.
"I... I... I'm an Imperially Invested Lady?"
Concubine Zhao came to her senses, her face full of disbelief and even her voice trembling.
The leading official immediately corrected her:
"Only those of the fifth rank and above are Imperially Invested Ladies. Those below are Imperially Appointed Ladies. From now on, mind your words and conduct. You must not overstep the rites."
That said, what could they do if she did overstep them...?
It had always been the Embroidered Uniform Guard who seized upon other people's faults. Who would dare accuse his birth mother of improper speech or conduct?
"We take our leave."
They all departed.
Madam Wang's eyes blazed as though their corners would split, and she could barely breathe. Had she stayed another moment, she would almost certainly have begun smashing things in hysterics.
Jia Zheng shook his head and sighed deeply.
This affair would leave the household no peace!
At some point, Concubine Zhao had crouched on the floor, clutching the scroll tightly. Her eyes were red, and her tears would not stop, as though every grievance she had suffered was pouring out.
She could sit at the table during the household's family banquets now!
At New Year and other festivals, she could enter through Rongguo Mansion's main gate!
She knew that, in the eyes of a great clan, the lowest title of Ninth-Rank Confucian Lady counted for little. There were already several ladies of the fifth rank or above. But this scroll could make her happy for the rest of her life!
Concubine Zhao laughed through her tears.
When she returned to her courtyard, Qingwen and the other two hurried over at the sight of her.
"What happened this time?"
"Here." Concubine Zhao wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and handed the scroll to Xiangling.
Xiangling read it, covered her mouth in astonishment, and said hoarsely:
"A Ninth-Rank Court Lady, with an annual stipend of eight taels of silver and eight bolts of silk!"
Qingwen and Caiyun exchanged looks. How had she suddenly transformed into a court lady?
Concubine Zhao's gaze was dazed as she lifted her face to the sky and shouted:
"I'm eating government grain now too!"
"How did I ever carry such a fine seed as you!"
Still stunned, Qingwen blurted out:
"Madam, you must be refined."
Boom!
Concubine Zhao's face flushed crimson. She fixed her eyes on Qingwen and demanded, each word distinct:
"What did you call me?"
"Madam. You're a court lady now." Qingwen pressed her lips together.
Concubine Zhao's ears burned, but her heart was filled with delight. In the past, she had always thought this wretched girl terribly stubborn and far too fond of talking back. Now, the more she looked at her, the more pleasing she seemed.
"Dear Qingwen, say it again." She was utterly exhilarated.
"Madam."
"Yes!"
"Madam, I'll fetch the gong and firecrackers." Caiyun was just about to go to the side room when she saw Jia Huan returning from work.
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