The matter of ancestral worship was actively proposed by Zhao Ming.

He was truly rational—anything beneficial to the Zhao clan, he could do.

Winter solstice ancestral worship was a major family event. Except for household heads and their eldest legitimate sons, on this day no one else could go to the ancestral hall to disturb the ancestors.

Looking at the people slowly emerging from grief, resuming production, and able to conduct a normal autumn harvest in Xiping County, Zhao Ming knew no one could block Zhao Hanzhang’s path.

Even if he was unwilling, the Zhao family had to make a choice.

This was where the benefit of living nearby showed.

Zhao Zhongyu was far away in Luoyang. Though he was clan head, it was difficult to control the Xiping Zhao family. Of course, being at court, his assistance to the clan was considerable.

But in these chaotic times, Zhao Hanzhang was right here in Xiping—her help to the Zhao family was even greater.

When Zhao Ming decided to become Xiping County’s assistant magistrate and provide her cover, he’d actually already made a choice on behalf of the Zhao family stronghold.

Having already chosen Zhao Hanzhang, then they should do things well and make both sides happy. He also needed to help her establish firm footing in the clan so both sides could cooperate more closely.

This was like seeing a promising poor young man fighting for the world and marrying your daughter to him, supporting him with your entire clan’s resources—the same principle.

Zhao Hanzhang’s status was somewhat better—she was naturally a Zhao family member. Zhao Ming didn’t need to find a daughter to marry off to her.

To establish her prestige in the Zhao family and make her and the Zhao family more closely bound, Zhao Ming proposed to his father that Zhao Hanzhang replace the main branch in participating in ancestral worship, bringing Zhao Erlang along.

Zhao Song hesitated.

Zhao Ming said calmly: “Father, Sanniang is no ordinary woman. You can regard her as equivalent to a man.”

Zhao Song understood his intention. “But her prestige in the clan is already considerable.”

“Aside from Uncle’s burial that day, she hasn’t seen the entire clan assembled on any other occasion,” Zhao Ming said. “This winter solstice ancestral worship, not only will household heads from each branch attend, but students studying away will also return.”

Zhao Song was surprised. “Zitu is coming back?”

Zhao Ming nodded. “Yes, he’ll be home any day now.”

Only then did Zhao Song ponder before nodding. “We still need to ask the other clan elders.”

The clan’s elders pondered for a long while. Under Zhao Ming’s persuasion, most agreed. Only Zhao Hu kept refusing to nod.

Zhao Ming directly left these words: “Otherwise I’ll have Sanniang come ask Seventh Uncle herself—did Sanniang do something wrong in the past that makes Seventh Uncle unwilling to let her perform ancestral worship?”

Zhao Hu muttered and grumbled at him for quite a while before reluctantly nodding. He was also afraid of Zhao Hanzhang coming to find him.

Only after Zhao Ming had confirmed everything did he seek out Zhao Hanzhang, directly informing her to participate in winter solstice ancestral worship.

After winter solstice ancestral worship came the ceremonial feast, much like the whole nation welcoming the new spring together.

Initially, the ceremonial feast only had Zhao clan members participating. Later it was people from the stronghold gathering together to celebrate. Even later, Xiping County’s common people would also run to the Zhao family stronghold to feast. By now it had developed into scholars, literati and wealthy merchants from other counties coming to Xiping County for the festival around the winter solstice.

Of course, ordinary commoners could also come. By then, not only the Zhao family stronghold but Xiping County would be decorated with lanterns and streamers, very lively.

This was the common people’s way of celebrating.

The Zhao family would widely distribute invitations, hosting banquets in the stronghold to entertain invited guests, with everyone discussing the Way and debating propriety, drinking wine and composing poetry. Thus it was called a ceremonial feast!

This year, because the Zhao family stronghold had been besieged by rebel troops and many had died, some clan elders wanted to suspend it for a year. But Fifth Great-Uncle believed that precisely at such times, they couldn’t stop. If people saw the Zhao family’s weakness, they’d think the Zhao family could be bullied.

Zhao Ming thought the same, so this year’s ceremonial feast would proceed as usual. The invitations had already been sent out.

The clan had many marriageable young ladies. By the winter solstice, families without heavy mourning would have passed the three-month period and could discuss marriage. So recently the clan was enthusiastically making new clothes.

Wang Shi had also made Zhao Hanzhang two outfits—one ceremonial robe and one ordinary dress. Although she said she wouldn’t participate in the ceremonial feast, when you’re sitting at home and someone comes to pay a visit, you can’t very well refuse the guest, right?

So clothes, shoes, socks and such—everything that should be prepared must be prepared.

Unfortunately, after Xiping County suffered military unrest, commerce was greatly impacted. Few traveling merchants came, and her aunts couldn’t find good fabrics.

Suddenly encountering a Shu merchant from outside who’d brought such fine Shu brocade, they couldn’t help but be tempted.

Zhao Hanzhang found an excuse to leave the reception hall. Not finding Ting He, she beckoned over a small maid and asked: “Where’s Ting He?”

The small maid lowered her head. “Sister Ting He is following my lady’s orders to select lumber.”

“Oh, right.” Zhao Hanzhang tapped her own head. “I forgot. I had her go select lumber for making spinning wheels. Then you make a trip to the front—invite Chief Clerk Chang’s… invite someone by his side. Say I want to ask about the Shu brocade.”

The maid acknowledged and hurried toward the front courtyard.

Upon hearing the maid’s report, Changning asked: “Are there guests at the residence today?”

“Yes. Madam came with several ladies from the clan.”

Changning understood. He hesitated briefly, feeling that based on his recent understanding of Zhao Hanzhang, their young lady was not a generous person.

Among Zhu Chuan’s goods, the most valuable were those Shu brocades and silk fabrics. Just a few bolts were worth those several carts of cotton wadding.

So after pondering momentarily, he called over a clerk who had accompanied him to negotiate prices with Zhu Chuan. The accounts were also kept by him—he knew the prices best.

“If my lady asks about the prices of Shu brocade and silk fabrics, add thirty percent to everything.”

The clerk’s mouth dropped open, his face flushing red. “This, this isn’t good, is it?”

Changning glared at him. “I’m not changing the prices in the accounts. If you see my lady alone, report the actual prices. But if you see her in front of others, raise the prices by thirty percent.”

The clerk agreed and went with the maid to the county office rear courtyard to see Zhao Hanzhang.

How could Zhao Hanzhang get away to see him privately? So he went directly to the reception hall. As soon as he entered, he was locked in place by the ladies’ gazes.

His steps faltered as he came forward to bow.

Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile: “Has Chief Clerk Chang settled on prices with Master Zhu the Second and purchased all his goods?”

The clerk lowered his head and answered “Yes.”

“Are there Shu brocades and silk fabrics among them?”

The clerk replied: “There are eight bolts of Shu brocade and six bolts of silk fabric, all top quality. The remaining fabrics vary.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and ordered: “Go bring all the Shu brocades and silk fabrics. My mothers want to select some.”

This statement gave the ladies tremendous face. They were all very pleased and couldn’t help but straighten their backs, becoming even more dignified.

The clerk acknowledged, bowing as he went to make arrangements.

Zhao Hanzhang gave the small maid a look, having her lead the household servants to help.

The Shu brocades and silk fabrics were quickly brought up. Zhao Hanzhang had people move tables to the center of the reception hall. The Shu brocades and silk fabrics were laid out bolt by bolt on the tables, allowing people a clear view for better appreciation and selection.

Aunt Qing reached out to touch a bolt of rose-red Shu brocade, exclaiming: “The floral pattern on this seems naturally born. How truly beautiful!”

Unfortunately, they couldn’t wear it now. For the next six months, the Zhao clan would try to wear plain clothing as much as possible. Moreover, while such colors were beautiful, they didn’t quite fit current aesthetics—too gaudy.