The next morning, a carriage was prepared in front of the general's mansion.
The servants of Xingzhiyuan busied themselves carrying two jars of osmanthus wine and four baskets of fresh, plump hairy crabs into the carriage.
Autumn is the season when crabs are at their fattest, making it the best time to eat them.
Biluo stood at the gate of the mansion, waving her handkerchief and directing the servants: "Watch your step. This is a gift specially presented to Her Majesty the Empress by our lady. If there is any mistake, you will not be spared."
After paying her respects at Luhetang, Jiang Wan boarded a carriage bound for the palace.
"The other day she was showing off the bracelet that was a gift from the palace, and today she's trying to curry favor with the Empress. This Lady Jiang is far too ostentatious."
"That's what Granny Wu said."
"She's just lucky to have received a second-rank imperial title. Does she really think she's something special?"
The matriarch of the Yuan family twirled the prayer beads in her hand and said unhurriedly, "There are countless noblewomen who try to please Her Majesty the Empress. How could Her Majesty not see through her little scheme?"
Granny Wu was somewhat worried.
"With the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet approaching, and hearing that His Majesty will be bestowing a title upon the heir apparent, Jiang's eagerness must be for Song Yu's sake."
The matriarch, however, was not in a hurry.
The Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet will be infiltrated by members of the Illusion Moon Cult, causing chaos. Emperor Jingyuan will be too preoccupied to establish an heir.
"Are we just going to watch the Jiang family continue to be so smug?"
Granny Wu lowered her voice.
"Why not use the news about Peony from last night to dampen her popularity?"
"Do not act rashly."
The matriarch's face darkened, and she gave a reprimand.
"The situation is tense right now, so unless it's something important, we must not easily contact the Ji family."
"As for Jiang Wan..."
She sneered.
"What's the use of currying favor with the Empress? She's so young and she's already received a second-rank imperial title; that's all she'll ever be. Does she even dare to dream of being granted a first-rank title?"
"That's the vanity of a first-rank imperial consort. How could her frail bones possibly support it?"
"It was Wu Mama who said with a smile."
"As a first-rank official, the old lady is entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Such honor is something that even Jiang Shi could never match in her next life."
The elder's wife looked at him with a serene expression.
Since Jiang Wan fell off the cliff and returned to the capital, although she has gained much fame and fortune, she has never been able to shake her position.
People in the world are all opportunists, and lackeys are even more so.
The reason she was able to bribe servants and plant spies in the general's mansion was not only because she spent a lot of money, but also because she held a high position.
A first-rank imperial consort was the most honorable woman besides the empress.
Even though Jiang Wan held the reins of the household, the matriarch's influence in the inner quarters remained deeply entrenched.
"Let's put the matter of the peony aside for now."
"The elder's wife said."
"Jiang Wan merely sent a male guard disguised as a woman to the Ji residence. At most, she lost her composure and was given a few mild reprimands. This won't harm her foundation, but it will expose the people we planted."
"If she wants to curry favor with the royal family, let her be. What trouble can she possibly cause?"
When the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet arrives, Ziyu will have made great contributions. After the General's Mansion turns the tables, she will have a hard time.
The matriarch of the family made up her mind and went to take a nap.
When I woke up again, it was already getting dark.
She was awakened by the voices outside the door.
Several maids gathered at the door, excitedly discussing something.
Granny Wu scolded from the side, "What first-rank imperial consort? You dare to gossip about such baseless rumors in Luhe Hall! If you wake the old lady, I'll tear your tongues apart!"
The maids scattered and left.
The matriarch called out, and Granny Wu pushed open the door and entered.
"What happened?"
Granny Wu looked troubled.
The old lady urged her again before she spoke, "Biluo, who serves Madam Jiang, just arrived. She said she wanted to borrow the old lady's first-rank imperial robe to take a look and compare the embroidery pattern."
The matriarch didn't react for a moment: "What?"
Granny Wu knelt down, her voice trembling slightly: "Biluo... she brought fabric with her. I heard it was a gift from the Empress to Lady Jiang. I saw it; the fabric was embroidered with phoenixes..."
The matriarch of the patriarch was fully awake.
In a fit of rage, he overturned the teapot on the table and knocked it to the ground.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
“Madam, it’s true.” Granny Wu raised her head. “Using the phoenix pattern privately is a great disrespect. If it weren’t for the Empress’s bestowal, how could Madam Jiang have dared to make such a decision on her own? Wouldn’t that be foolish?”
The matriarch's face turned pale.
That's right.
Since the founding of the Great Yong Dynasty, apart from the Empress and the First-Rank Imperial Lady, other women were not allowed to embroider phoenix patterns on their bodies.
Could it be that the palace intentionally promoted Lady Jiang to the rank of first-grade official?
…How is that possible!
The General's Mansion is no longer as prosperous as it once was, and Jiang Wan has not made any great contributions to the country. On what grounds can she be granted the title of First Rank?
But otherwise, why would the Empress have bestowed upon her a garment embroidered with phoenix patterns?
The Empress was the most dignified and respectful of etiquette. Even if she doted on Jiang Wan, she would not overstep the palace rules for her sake.
The elder's wife was in a state of utter confusion.
"That cunning Jiang must have used some sweet words to bewitch the Empress!" said Granny Wu. "Have you forgotten that the coral she presented before also pleased His Majesty greatly? Even the cold-hearted Crown Prince and Princess became friends with her. To be able to do that, she is truly too scheming!"
"If we let her continue like this, in a couple of days, there might be an imperial edict bestowing upon her a higher title!"
The matriarch gritted her teeth, her heart filled with extreme shock and anger.
Who is Jiang Wan? What gives her the right to be on equal footing with me?
She was disobedient and unfilial in the past, and did not respect herself. If she were of the same rank, wouldn't she be able to ride roughshod over her?
"Impossible, she can forget about it for the rest of her life!"
The matriarch roared angrily, her face dark and gloomy.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "Send a message to Meixiang at the Ji residence; I have something I need her to do."
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