Chapter 23

Wang Wang Wang Xifeng’s expression darkened further, and she said with a sour tone, “That is indeed the case.”

This was because neither Wang Wang Wang Xifeng nor Li Wan held a formal imperial title.

Given the influence of the Rongguo Prefecture, the two of them should have been granted imperial mandates.

However, they were merely sixth or seventh-rank *Anren* (dignified ladies).

This was because those below the sixth rank were not qualified to enter the palace for court ceremonies or to observe mourning rites.

A so-called imperial mandate was an honorary certificate bestowed by the Emperor upon the family members of serving officials.

It specifically referred to women who held such titles.

Those of the fifth rank and above were granted mandates!

Those below the sixth rank were granted imperial edicts!

Mandates were drafted by the Hanlin Academy, following a fixed format using parallel prose, with wording adjusted according to rank, and issued by the Grand Secretariat.

For anyone from a Duke of the State down to a General of Imperial Grace, the mandate used a dragon-bordered scroll, a brocade face, and jade rollers.

For women in ancient times, an imperial mandate was the ultimate pursuit!

A woman’s greatest face, pursuit, and glory were nothing more than this.

And this was not merely a matter of face.

It also brought various substantial and tangible benefits.

They enjoyed various ceremonial privileges and certain economic benefits.

【29】 Seeing Seeing Fengjie is sour! Jia Jia Jia Baoyu smashes the jade! Qin Qin Keqing looks forward to an early marriage.

First of all.

In terms of etiquette, noblewomen of the sixth rank and above were qualified to attend ceremonies such as the conferring of titles upon the Empress Dowager, the investiture of the Empress, the Sericulture Rites, and seasonal festivals; a few high-ranking noblewomen could even attend the Emperor’s birthday celebrations!

Noblewomen also enjoyed special treatment regarding their attire, jewelry, and carriages.

Legally, noblewomen enjoyed privileges such as deliberation, petition, reduction, redemption, commutation, and exemption; those who held such rights were generally exempt from interrogation under torture and could have their sentences reduced!

Economically, elderly noblewomen without support and the wives or mothers of high-ranking generals were entitled to a stipend!

Their status within the household was therefore self-evident!

Thus, at this moment, Wang Wang Wang Xifeng and Li Wan could not have been more envious and jealous of Qin Qin Qin Keqing!

Li Wan said faintly, “In this life, I can only hope that my Lan’er will build a career through the imperial examinations, so that I might have a chance to obtain a mandate.”

This was her greatest pursuit.

Because her husband was dead.

And she could not remarry.

Now, she naturally could only pin all her hopes on her son.

Therefore, she was naturally incredibly envious that Qin Qin Qin Keqing had married Jia Hui, who had immediately obtained high office and noble rank, achieving an ultra-grade mandate in one step and enjoying all the glory they might not obtain in a lifetime!

Wang Wang Wang Xifeng’s beautiful face looked even worse!

Because Li Wan at least had a son, Jia Lan, who was good at his studies to look forward to!

She, Wang Wang Wang Xifeng, had a husband in name only.

Yet he was a useless embroidered pillow; rely on him? Don’t even think about it in this lifetime!

As for children? She didn’t even have a shadow of one!

That was why she felt even more sourly envious of Qin Qin Qin Keqing!

She thought to herself, “Luckily, I didn’t marry Jia Rong!”

Before, she had mocked Qin Qin Qin Keqing for having a poor, lowly fiancé who was worth nothing!

And now?

What was Jia Rong?

Jia Hui was the diamond bachelor everyone envied!

No!

Even a diamond bachelor couldn’t compare!

Power, titles!

How could a mere merchant compare to that!

This made Seeing Seeing Fengjie and the others even more deeply impressed by Jia Hui.

Thinking of this, Seeing Seeing Fengjie felt even more awkward.

Her mood was complex.

In fact, Hearing Hearing Tanchun and the others were much the same!

Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and the others were also very jealous!

The only person in the entire Jia family who surpassed Jia Hui was Jia Mu, who was a Duchess and held the title of an ultra-grade noblewoman.

For a moment.

Except for Jia Mu.

All the women had complex feelings!

Inevitably.

They all began to discuss Jia Hui.

Seeing everyone discussing Jia Hui, Jia Jia Jia Baoyu, feeling left out, felt extremely miserable inside!

It had been Love Love Like this for the past few days.

Today, it was even worse!

Even Jia Jia Yingchun, who was honest, incompetent, cowardly, and nicknamed “Two-Blockhead.”

And Sister Sister Xichun, who was aloof and indifferent, “cold-hearted and cold-mouthed.”

The two of them were discussing various things about Jia Hui.

With some excitement.

This made Jia Jia Jia Baoyu inexplicably loathe and hate Jia Hui!

“Bang!!”

Jia Jia Jia Baoyu suddenly raised his right hand and gave a violent tug at the jade pendant hanging around his neck.

Then he threw it forcefully onto the ground!

This was the Spiritual Jade that was the pride of the Jia Fu, and even more so, Jia Jia Baoyu’s protective amulet.

He cursed, “What kind of rare object is this, calling itself ‘spiritual’ or not! I don’t want this damn thing anymore!”

Frightened, everyone rushed to pick up the jade.

Jia Mu, anxious, hugged Jia Jia Baoyu and said, “You wretch! If you are angry, it is easy to scold or hit someone, why must you smash that life-root of yours!”

Jia Jia Baoyu, his face covered in tears, sobbed, “What is the use of this broken jade? The sisters in the house don’t care about me either. It is clear this is not a good thing.”

This left the women looking at each other in dismay.

They were speechless!

Seeing Seeing Fengjie was such a clever and tactful person.

As soon as she heard and saw this, she knew that Jia Jia Jia Baoyu was jealous, felt neglected, and was acting out to attract everyone’s attention.

She felt contempt and disdain in her heart.

However, on the surface, she still joined the others in coaxing him.

After all, this was Jia Mu’s treasure.

No one could afford to offend him!

For the time being, no one dared to mention Jia Hui.

Once again, everyone revolved around Jia Jia Jia Baoyu.

Seeing that the trick of smashing the jade worked.

Jia Jia Baoyu finally became happy again.

And if Jia Hui knew that Jia Jia Jia Baoyu’s first time smashing the jade was not for Lin Lin Lin Daiyu, but because he was jealous and resentful of him, who knows what he would think?