Upon hearing that someone would rather spend a fortune on jewelry than help the commoners while Lady Pang from the Wang family sold her jewelry to aid the commoners, the emperor couldn't help but feel angry.
He thought, "I'm facing such difficulties, and all of you are wealthy. You don't even think about sharing the burden with me. Yet, an elderly woman like Lady Pang sold her jewelry to help me. This comparison makes me extremely bitter."
Immediately, he ordered Old Master and Mistress Wang to the palace.
After praising them in person, the emperor couldn't offer rewards due to financial constraints. However, he asked Old Master Wang if he was willing to return to the court.
Old Master Wang promptly declined, citing his advanced age. The emperor didn't force it and issued a decree conferring the title of a first-grade noblewoman upon Old Mistress Wang.