Chapter 256: Chapter 256: The Purpose of Lady Zhao
256 Lady Zhao’s Purpose
In a short while, almost all the clan members had arrived. Everyone sat together, chatting, making the atmosphere lively and bustling.
"Mrs. Wang’s son-in-law really is generous. He’s treating the entire clan to dinner. This must have cost quite a bit of money!"
"I heard her son-in-law is working with powerful people from the Capital City. They sell medicinal herbs to the palace and make a lot of money, so treating us to dinner is probably nothing to them."
"That’s true. Over the past three years, the Niu Clan’s Xiangfu Medicine Hall has grown bigger and bigger. I just saw Lady Zhao dressed very well, attended by maids and servants. She doesn’t even need to lift a finger to eat or drink. She’s living the life of a high-born lady from a wealthy family."
Many people couldn’t help but feel envious upon hearing this.
"Hey, what do you all think? Zhao Chun, Mrs. Wang’s son, was released from prison, and now her son-in-law has invited our entire clan for dinner. It seems like they want to show us their branch of the family hasn’t declined. He’s definitely going to help Zhao Chun, right? Do you think Mrs. Wang’s family line is on the rise again?"
"Of course! Lady Zhao is Zhao Chun’s biological younger sister, and they have such a good relationship. She will definitely lend her own brother a hand."
Listening to the envious conversation of the two women nearby, Shi Tou’s wife snorted. "What’s there to show off? Who knows if their wealth isn’t ill-gotten gains, blood money even. Aren’t they afraid of divine retribution?"
Someone nearby quickly tugged on Shi Tou’s wife’s clothes. "SHH, keep your voice down! Don’t let anyone hear you."
Sun Mei also cautioned Sun Liuniang to be more careful with her words. Although they weren’t scared, attracting trouble was indeed unpleasant.
But Sun Liuniang didn’t care, snorting again. "What am I afraid of? I’m speaking the truth! Everyone knows how outrageously overpriced the medicine at Xiangfu Medicine Hall is!"
These words resonated with quite a few people, as they all knew how expensive the medicine at Xiangfu Medicine Hall was.
But knowing it was ill-gotten money didn’t stop them from coming to dinner. In fact, many thought that since the money was tainted, they should eat even more to make up for it!
Soon, all the dishes were served one after another.
Whether it was because the portions were too small or for some other reason, the dishes had barely been on the table for a moment before the villagers snatched them all up.
Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Ya sat quietly beside Sun Mei. They had only managed a couple of bites when they looked up and discovered that all the food on the table was gone.
Zhao Zhitong was stunned.
This was her first time experiencing such a communal meal. At their family’s previous Housewarming Banquet, she, as a young hostess, had eaten at a separate table with her close friends. So, she had never experienced the horror of eating at a table with the villagers.
The villagers’ living conditions had always been poor. Even though in the past three years, grain yields had slightly improved because the village raised pigs and the villagers had learned composting techniques from Zhao Dong, meaning they didn’t go hungry as frequently, the habit of scrambling for food was still deeply ingrained in them.
Especially when eating at feasts like this, everyone rushed to grab food. If you didn’t scramble, you’d end up like Zhao Zhitong and her two companions – unable to eat your fill.
"TSK TSK, there’s far too little food. They’ve earned so much money, yet they’re still so stingy."
"Exactly! I only managed three chopsticks’ worth before it was all gone."
"You’re one to talk! You grabbed half a dish with a single scoop of your chopsticks!"
By now, many people were complaining about the meager portions.
Just then, the hosts emerged. Zhao Chun had shed his earlier gloom and, as if nothing had ever been amiss, was smiling, offering toasts, and exchanging pleasantries with the crowd.
Lady Zhao, meanwhile, approached the tables where the women of the clan were eating.
As someone had mentioned earlier, Lady Zhao was attended by two servants: one an older woman, the other a younger maid.
Lady Zhao herself was dressed in fine silks and satins, her hair exquisitely coiled and adorned with beautiful decorative hairpins. Clutching a silk handkerchief, she was gracefully supported by the young maid as she approached, truly carrying the air of a lady from a prominent family.
However, when she saw the disarray on the tables, a wave of disgust washed over her. These people are truly crude, utterly unpresentable, she thought.
A flicker of disdain and contempt, though fleeting, crossed her eyes, but Zhao Zhitong caught it.
Lady Zhao, beaming, approached them and explained her purpose. "Everyone," she began, "we are all members of the same clan, one big family, the closest people to each other in this world."
Her speech, full of emotion and vividly delivered, truly moved many. Yes, we are all of the same clan, essentially one family, the closest of kin, they thought.
Zhao Zhitong, Sun Mei, and Zhao Ya watched Lady Zhao, wondering what scheme she was concocting.
Sure enough, they then heard Lady Zhao continue, "Since we are all family, it wouldn’t be right if only our branch prospers, would it?"
"So, I thought that upon my return this time, I would select two suitable young girls from our clan to accompany me to the county town."
"I will personally teach them proper etiquette and, later, help them find good matches with respectable families in the county town. This will also serve to strengthen our Zhao Clan."
These words immediately caused an uproar. Almost every family with eligible young ladies looked eagerly at Lady Zhao.
Naturally, they hoped their own daughters could follow in Lady Zhao’s footsteps, marry into the county town, and secure a match with a wealthy, respectable family. Then, these young ladies could, in turn, support their natal families.
This is truly a wonderful opportunity! they thought.
However, someone asked doubtfully, "Such a good opportunity, why don’t you take young ladies from your own immediate family?"
Lady Zhao smiled and looked at the questioner. "My two nieces have been very well brought up by my third sister-in-law. They can dance, play instruments, and sing. They are sure to marry into good families in the future."
"Besides," she added, "my intention is to strengthen the entire Zhao Clan, not just my own household. So, naturally, I want to help more of our clan’s families prosper."
This explanation was reasonably convincing, and many clan members showed unprecedented eagerness. Some even immediately brought their daughters forward to Lady Zhao.
"Lady Zhao, please take a look at my girl! She’s smart, quick-witted, and pretty too. See? She’s so charming and likeable."
"Oh, Lady Zhao, look at mine! Look at my girls! I have three, you know. The youngest is five, the eldest is thirteen, and there’s an eight-year-old. Take a look, they’re all very well-behaved and sensible."
Seeing others proactively presenting their daughters, many of the women grew anxious, afraid that Lady Zhao might make her choices too quickly. They hurriedly pushed through the crowd to promote their own girls.
Just then, Lady Zhao’s daughter, Niu Lili, along with Zhao Yun and Zhao Cai, emerged from the courtyard to play outside.
Niu Lili was dressed beautifully, with a decorative hairpin in her fair hair, and her skin was pale. Many of the local young girls blushed just looking at her.
Even Zhao Yun and Zhao Cai were now deeply envious of their cousin, admiring her pretty clothes and the personal maid who attended her.
After Niu Lili and the others appeared, the young girls who had been pushed forward by their mothers turned their eager gazes to Lady Zhao, their eyes shining with longing. They, too, yearned to go to the county town and wear beautiful clothes!
Among them, Mrs. Zheng and her daughter, Zhao Miaomiao, pushed themselves closest to the front.
Mrs. Zheng was now fully deploying her talent for bootlicking—previously reserved for Mrs. Wang—as she showered Lady Zhao with compliments while introducing her own daughter.