On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the Empress suffered a great loss of face because of Noble Concubine Shih.
First, she and the Empress Dowager squeezed her out at every turn, and then there was hardly a conversation where they didn't bring up childhood stories, as if they wished to let the whole world know about her and the Emperor's childhood.
Finally, during the banquet, they mocked Lady Xia, whom she chose to divide the Emperor's favor, for being ineffective and called her a sickly person!
The Empress was so angered she almost suffered internal damage.
She forced herself to accompany the Emperor in escorting the Empress Dowager back to Ningshou Palace, hastily asked about her well-being, and then rushed back eagerly.
She went to bed livid without even eating her evening meal, and no one could persuade her otherwise.
From then on, no one dared to mention the matter of Lady Xia in her presence again.