Daohua's insistence brought the situation to a deadlock.
Madam Jia stood up, her face set as she watched Daohua intently. She had never expected to encounter such a forthright and unadorned lady among the female relations of local officials.
There were such ladies in Beijing, but most of them came from noble families and were full of confidence. But this Miss Yan was merely the daughter of a fourth-rank official—how could she dare?
She belonged to the Taihou Palace. To disrespect her was to disrespect the Empress Dowager; to offend the Empress Dowager was something a fourth-rank official could not afford.
Seeing the steady and calm light in Daohua's eyes, Madam Jia felt an inward heaviness. This was someone who wasn't afraid to make a fuss.
She had ways to deal with ladies who cared about face, making them suffer without being able to voice it, but she had to be cautious around one ready to go to such lengths.