Jia Huan strolled along leisurely. Before he reached his courtyard, Concubine Zhao came running over, her waist swaying and a smile she could not suppress on her face.
"Huan'er, those two cowardly turtles were both demoted two grades. That poor woman in the Eastern Mansion-her Imperial Mandate is now the same rank as your mother's."
Jia Huan chuckled. "They brought it on themselves."
Signing and affixing their seals meant backing a beast guilty of monstrous crimes. They had to bear responsibility for that wrongdoing.
"Brother Huan."
Li Wan had waited at the Ceremonial Gate for a long time. Usually dignified, gracious, and poised, she now lowered her head slightly and looked up at Jia Huan from beneath her lashes, her eyes full of guilt.
"Eldest Sister-in-law." Jia Huan walked over and looked at her. "Don't let reputation blind you again. The abyss of human nature is unfathomable."
"Brother Huan, I'm sorry." Li Wan pressed her lips together and apologized for what she had said. Then she hurried away, too ashamed to face him again anytime soon.
Jia Huan had just entered the warm chamber, where Xiangling and Caiyun were taking off his shoes and changing his clothes.
"Huan'er! People from the Embroidered Uniform Guard are here!" Concubine Zhao cried excitedly.
Jia Huan immediately went out to receive them.
Although he had expected this, he could not help feeling exhilarated.
More than twenty officials from the Southern Commandant Office entered the reception hall, accompanied by several eunuchs.
They had come to his residence to confer the promotion because a Hundred-Household Commander awarded five Golden Threads would receive an imperial plaque!
Two eunuchs unfolded the red satin. The words "Utmost Loyalty and Diligence" shone brilliantly on the gilded plaque.
Jia Huan respectfully cupped his hands toward the east.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"