Good news never left the house; bad news traveled a thousand miles.
For several days running, noblewomen came to visit, ostensibly to keep in touch and strengthen their friendships, but in truth to witness this colossal laughingstock for themselves.
The principal wife was a Seventh-Rank Lady, while the concubine held a fifth-rank imperial mandate. When they entered the palace at New Year to pay their respects to the empress dowager and empress, the principal wife would even have to bow and kowtow to the concubine.
What an utter loss of face!
Yet few spoke up on her behalf. For one thing, an Embroidered Uniform Guard Deputy Thousand-Household Commander carried tremendous deterrent power. For another, as women themselves, they all hoped to bear a good son who would crown them with glory too.
The atmosphere in Rongguo Mansion was oppressive. Jia Baoyu climbed into a sedan chair and headed for the Nine Gates Commander's residence.
As soon as he entered the reception hall, Jia Baoyu pulled a mournful face, brimming with grievances.
"Uncle, Mother is bedridden. She told me to come find you at once."
Wang Ziteng's expression darkened as he said angrily:
"There's nothing I can do either!"
"If you want to wash away this humiliation, you must place on the golden list in next year's imperial examinations, or your father must enjoy a flourishing official career. Then her imperial mandate can be raised again."
Jia Baoyu let his broad face droop and fell silent.
After a long silence, he relayed another message.
"Mother also said to use the same trick and demote her again. She cannot tolerate that wretch riding over her head and flaunting her power!"
Bang!
Wang Ziteng slammed the table, his fury soaring to the heavens.
"Does she think the imperial court is a theater? That