An imperial edict rushed eight hundred li from Guangnan to the Capital City.
No one was alarmed, as it went directly to the Shih Family!
Ever since the Emperor closed their shops and cut off their financial source, the Shih Family had been living under severe financial strain.
Grand Tutor Shih even liked to pretend to be incorruptible.
He dared not accept gifts, and there was no business to do.
One thing led to another, and life at the residence became increasingly difficult.
Madam Shih was getting on in years and didn't have much desire for beautiful clothes and jewelry, so she was rather indifferent.
However, the many young and beautiful concubines in the household constantly squabbled, raising hell over the most trivial sums.
Fed up beyond endurance, Madam Shih sold them all in a fit of anger.
Grand Tutor Shih was so angry that his beard curled, but ultimately, he couldn't say much.
