Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia was getting a headache from Lady Wang's firm opposition.

She couldn't quite understand it; Baoyu's mother wasn't like this before!

Why do I always make stupid mistakes and fail to see the situation clearly these days?

You even want to complain to the Empress? Let me tell you, what right do you, a mere fifth-rank noblewoman, have to complain to a high-ranking second-rank marquis?

Even if you complain, what can you say?

Does this mean the eldest son's wife is interfering in the second son's family affairs? Or does it mean they don't want their daughter to leave the palace, but want her to be favored and made a concubine so she can compete with the Empress for a man?

This is something that can't be discussed openly at all! You can't even hide your little schemes from Feng Yatou, do you think you can hide them from the Empress?

If you dare to complain about this, the Empress will slap you across the face!

The reason why Grandmother Jia agreed to Jia Jing's suggestion to bring Yuan Chun back to the mansion was that she considered that the Empress might not want Yuan Chun to stay in the palace.

For the past two years, Yuan Chun has been unable to rise in rank within the Empress's palace. Isn't this a clear indication that the Empress is secretly and intentionally suppressing her?

You have a powerful general brother in your family, and you still dream of being favored and made a concubine?

If she really became a concubine, it would threaten the status and power of the empress and the princes. How could the empress be so stupid as to create a rival for herself?

What if a prince is born?

Could it be that they're also vying for the throne?

Therefore, the reason why Grandmother Jia agreed to this matter was ultimately because she was considering the interests of the second branch of the family and Baoyu, and did not want them to be caught in the danger of the struggle for imperial power.

To everyone's surprise, Madam Wang didn't understand her good intentions. Instead, she spoke arrogantly and refused to agree no matter what. She was incredibly stupid!

A hint of displeasure appeared on Grandmother Jia's aged face. Her brows furrowed as she looked at Lady Wang's unyielding attitude and sighed deeply in her heart.

This is a family matter for the second wife. If Madam Wang disagrees, it's really not appropriate for her to force her to agree.

It would be even more inappropriate for him to rashly ask the Empress alone, otherwise he might cause trouble and lose all face.

She decided that she could only discuss it with Jia Zheng first before making any further plans.

Just as the scene in the hall fell silent.

Suddenly, an old woman came briskly from outside the hall. Though her steps were quick, they were not disordered. She first bowed to Grandmother Jia and the others, and then said with a look of surprise:

"Grandma, Third Miss, Second Madam, an angel has arrived from the palace!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned, their faces filled with doubt.

Why would an angel come to the palace when it's neither a holiday nor a festival?

Lady Wang's face darkened. The old women in the mansion now report to Grandmother Jia, Tan Chun, and Wang Xifeng when something happens.

As the second wife, she seemed to have become a marginal figure, just like Madam Xing, and had completely lost her presence.

A hint of surprise appeared on Tan Chun's beautiful face as she asked:

"Why are angels here? Can we find out what's going on?"

Now that she is the head housekeeper of the Jia family, she is naturally the first to take charge of any matters.

"Yeah! Could something have happened to Jing-ge?"

Grandmother Jia looked somewhat worried.

Of all the things that could get the Rongguo Mansion to send an imperial envoy, the only one she could think of was Jia Jing's affairs.

But didn't Jing-ge just go to the Northwest? What news has come so quickly?

Could it be that things have gone wrong?

A hint of joy appeared on Madam Wang's face. It would be wonderful if the eldest son of the concubine had suffered a defeat or something had happened to him!

However, the joy on Madam Wang's face didn't last a moment before it vanished due to the old woman's subsequent report.

Meeting the concerned gazes of Grandmother Jia and the others, the old woman smiled and said:

"Madam, the Third Young Lady is not an eunuch angel, but a palace maid angel serving the Empress!"

"She brought with her a great deal of jewelry, headdresses, and brocade bestowed upon her by the Queen, as well as a considerable amount of tea from Siam!"

"It is said that the Marquis has led his troops to Yulin and made meritorious contributions on the front line. He has specially rewarded the ladies of the manor with these supplies and clothing."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of everyone in the hall immediately settled down.

Daiyu, Baochai, Xiangyun and the others could not hide their joy. They did not expect that their third brother had already made a contribution so quickly. This was truly a matter of swift action!

Tan Chun smiled and said:

"I knew that once Third Brother went, the front lines would surely be victorious! Third Brother has been in the army for so many years and has never suffered a single defeat!"

Grandmother Jia was also secretly pleased. Although this brat was not easy to get close to, he did have some of his grandfather's flair in battle.

Sister Feng glanced at Madam Wang, her brows furrowing slightly, and covered her mouth with a smile:

"These palace gifts came at just the right time, it's almost as if they were specially sent for us..."

Although the words were not fully spoken, everyone present understood the meaning behind them!

It was as if this was a slap in the face specifically for Lady Wang. Lady Wang had just said she was going to complain to the Empress about Jia Jing, and then the Empress sent someone to deliver a reward!

Madam Wang looked embarrassed and annoyed. She understood perfectly well the hidden meaning in Sister Feng's words, but what could she do at this moment?

After a while

The Empress's female official, Shanggong, and several palace maids were led to Rongqing Hall by the Jia family's servants.

According to the Han Dynasty system, the female officials around the Empress were divided into "six bureaus and one department".

This includes the Shanggong Bureau, Shangyi Bureau, Shangfu Bureau, Shangshi Bureau, Shangqin Bureau, Shanggong Bureau, and the independently supervising Gongzheng Division.

These female officials were all officials with ranks, not concubines, and were in charge of managing the affairs of the inner palace.

Among them, the female officials of the "Shang" rank who are the heads of each bureau, such as Shang Gong, Shang Yi, and Gong Zheng, are the highest-ranking female officials in the palace system, and are of the fifth rank.

Female officials of the "Si" rank, such as Si Ji, Si Yan, and Si Bu, numbered twenty-four and were of the sixth rank.

Female officials of the "Dian" rank, such as Dianji and Dianyan, were of the seventh rank.

Female officials of the "Zhang" rank, such as Zhangji and Zhangyan, were of the eighth rank.

Finally, there were ordinary female historians like Jia Yuanchun, who were responsible for auxiliary work such as document recording, and were ranked as the ninth rank.

If the story had unfolded as it did in the original novel, Yuan Chun should have risen through the ranks to become the Shangshu of Fengzao Palace, the highest-ranking female official in the Empress's palace, holding the rank of fifth grade.

She was then favored and promoted to the virtuous consort, one of the four consorts.

The Shanggong was the head of the Six Bureaus, in charge of all affairs of the Six Bureaus, and was directly responsible to the Empress. She had the greatest power and could be considered the head of the female officials in the harem.

The Shanggong was responsible for attending to the Empress and handling important matters such as documents, orders, ceremonies, and rewards, much like Xia Shouzhong, who served Emperor Jingsheng.

He was an extremely important assistant to the Empress in exercising her power over the inner palace, and also the Empress's confidant.

However, when the empress sent someone to a minister's home to deliver an imperial edict or bestow gifts, she would only send a female official of the sixth rank, Siyan, and would not send a Shanggong.

Empress Zhou sent the palace maid to the Jia family this time to demonstrate her high regard for the Jia family and the deep imperial favor she bestowed upon them.

When Grandmother Jia saw the female palace maid enter, she quickly stood up and stepped down from the high couch.

This was not an official imperial decree, so there was no need for Grandmother Jia and others to kneel and welcome it at Rongxi Hall.

However, since the female official Shanggong was there on behalf of the Empress to bestow favors, the female relatives, including Grandmother Jia, could not be disrespectful!