“In earlier years, the Zhao clan’s winter solstice banquet served as the feast before rank determination. The lord would meet talented individuals from various commanderies while home and gain a general understanding. Later, even when the lord didn’t return home, because he served as Grand Impartial, talented people from all commanderies would still come to attend the winter solstice banquet.”

Zhao Hanzhang was astonished. “So the winter solstice banquet originated from official selection.”

No wonder so many people weren’t spending the holiday properly at home but instead traveled far to Xiping to attend a banquet.

A thought struck her. “Then among the attending guests, there must be aristocratic families from outside Runan Commandery as well?”

“There are, but there probably won’t be many this year,” Ji Yuan said. “First, because the lord has passed away, and second, because Yuzhou has only just experienced warfare.”

But for Zhao Hanzhang, this was already enough.

Ji Yuan asked, “So you really won’t attend the banquet, young lady?”

He said, “This opportunity truly is rare.”

Zhao Hanzhang considered it, then shook her head. “There’s no rush for this matter. I’ll continue mourning for grandfather.”

Ji Yuan didn’t believe the world would think the young lady attending the banquet was taboo, because most scholars were already unrestrained and unconventional—ritual propriety and moral principles were long since abandoned. Even if Zhao Hanzhang attended, no one would attack her over filial piety.

Among current scholars, aside from a very small number, who could truly maintain purity and abstain from desires during mourning?

Zhao Hanzhang had already ambitiously seized Xiping County—if she was going to act, she should be bold and appear openly to claim power. What was there to fear?

However, Zhao Hanzhang had her own calculations. She didn’t plan to appear before people too early. Xiping County was still too weak right now and couldn’t withstand much turmoil.

To minimize turmoil meant minimizing attention—ideally, aside from certain people, it would be best if others didn’t think of her at all.

Fu Tinghan shared this view. When strength was insufficient, lying low and developing was always the wisest strategy.

Not knowing if Zhao Ming had reached the same conclusion as them, he didn’t press Zhao Hanzhang to appear either.

Since she wouldn’t return to the fortified estate, even when visiting guests expressed wishes to meet Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Ming would suggest they visit the county office themselves rather than making introductions personally.

Zhao Ming’s attitude gave the impression that Xiping’s Zhao clan and Zhao Hanzhang weren’t particularly intimate and hadn’t completely unified.

Before they could reach any conclusions, the Zhao clan’s winter solstice sacrifice arrived.

Zhao Hanzhang led Zhao Erlang back to the fortified estate, changed into the ceremonial robes Wang Shi had made for the siblings, and proceeded properly to the ancestral hall.

Only the branch heads and household heads stood in the open space before the Zhao clan ancestral hall.

Zhao Hanzhang, representing the main branch, stood at the very front of the first row. Zhao Erlang obediently followed behind his sister.

Not far away stood Zhao Hu and his son. Fifth Grand-Uncle and his son presided over the sacrificial rites as usual.

Zhao Ming had distributed the sacrificial meat for many years, and this year was no different.

After reciting prayers asking ancestors to protect the Zhao clan’s prosperity and bless next year with favorable weather, Zhao Ming burned the prayer text. Following the sacrifice, he took up his knife to begin dividing the sacrificial meat.

The portions and order of distribution were determined by status and position.

When Zhao Changyu had been present, the sacrificial meat naturally went to him first. In his absence, it should go first to Zhao Zhongyu and his son. Unfortunately, neither father nor son was here, so it went first to Zhao Song.

The first group receiving meat consisted entirely of grand-uncles and elders—no one objected. When it came to the second group, it should have been Zhao Ming’s generation.

But Zhao Ming cut a piece of meat and, instead of keeping it himself or giving it to his brothers, turned and handed it directly to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang extended her hands to receive it.

Everyone was shocked. Even Zhao Cheng couldn’t help but look toward the pair.

Zhao Ming offered no explanation and continued cutting to give Zhao Cheng his portion.

Zhao Cheng made token resistance before accepting it…

After the father’s generation finished, it was Zhao Hanzhang’s generation’s turn. Each household had brought only their eldest legitimate sons, and some had no children yet or no legitimate heir, so the numbers weren’t large.

Zhao Ming cut a piece and after consideration still gave it first to Zhao Kuan. Zhao Erlang was fifth to receive his portion.

While eating her meat, Zhao Hanzhang reflected that people said Zhao Ming was fair and his meat distribution even—seeing it today confirmed his fairness.

This man seemed to lack personal desires—as long as something benefited the clan, he could advance or retreat accordingly.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes and bit hard into the sacrificial meat. If Zhao Ming became clan leader, he wouldn’t permit her to leverage clan resources to develop personal power this way.

So Zhao Ji serving as clan leader did have its benefits.

Her mouth curved slightly upward as she finished the sacrificial meat and took out her handkerchief to wipe her hands.

After consuming the sacrificial meat, the winter solstice sacrifice concluded. Everyone could proceed to the garden for the banquet.

Zhao Hu knew Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t attend, so he deliberately came to provoke her. “Sanniang, won’t you and Erlang go?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, showing her teeth. “Seventh Grand-Uncle, uncle is only taking two days off. The day after tomorrow he must return to the county town to continue teaching.”

Zhao Hu’s anger flared immediately, though he didn’t dare vent it at Zhao Hanzhang directly.

After Zhao Hanzhang invited Zhao Cheng to the county town, he had taken Zhao Zheng there, and the child had never returned.

Zhao Hu had spent lavishly to purchase a courtyard from the county office, hoping the family of three could live together in their new separate residence enjoying domestic bliss.

Who knew Zhao Cheng wouldn’t leave the courtyard Zhao Hanzhang had assigned him, and Zhao Hanzhang adamantly refused to reclaim it.

Even after buying a separate residence in town, he still couldn’t see his grandson Zhao Zheng, much less Zhao Cheng.

Feeling deceived, Zhao Hu had furiously sought to settle accounts with Zhao Hanzhang, demanding return of the books and paper he’d lent, only to have her produce an account book claiming he still owed years of back taxes.

Would Zhao Hu pay?

Certainly not!

So she went to that unfilial son Zhao Cheng.

That wastrel immediately brought people back to the fortified estate to haul away grain—that was the one time he’d seen him, and then no more.

Although Zhao Hu wasn’t clever, his instincts were sharp. Deep inside he vaguely knew Zhao Hanzhang meant trouble, but… he just couldn’t help wanting to provoke her.

Mainly because it was too infuriating—he was always the one who lost out.

After verbally blocking Zhao Hu, Zhao Hanzhang led Zhao Erlang to take leave of the elders.

Everyone watched her depart. Perhaps because they’d stabilized emotionally and the Xiongnu army had withdrawn, some began feeling that the power in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands wasn’t so fearsome or dependable after all, remarking, “This child shows too little respect for her elders.”

Zhao Ming said, “Grand-Uncle, shall we go? People are waiting at the banquet.”

Hearing this, the elders hurried after Zhao Ming, asking, “Have all the clan’s young people been summoned?”

“Yes, they should all be waiting in the garden.”

The elders said, “This is you young people’s banquet. We’ll just drink in a side courtyard—you go enjoy yourselves.”

They asked, “This isn’t a selection year—has the Impartial Official sent anyone to investigate?”

Zhao Ming replied, “I didn’t invite the new Impartial Official.”

Zhao Hanzhang was too conspicuous now—he didn’t want her attracting excessive attention. Not only had he not invited anyone, he’d specifically written Prefect He explaining that this year’s warfare had displaced people everywhere and bandits ran rampant. For the Impartial Official’s safety, it would be better not to attend the Zhao clan’s winter solstice banquet.

He’d indicated this year’s winter solstice banquet wouldn’t have many attendees—even within Runan Commandery, few gentry were participating—so attendance would be pointless.

Whether Prefect He believed him or not, at least the Impartial Official didn’t come.

—