CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188: THE OSTENTATION OF THE NOUVEAU RICHE

188 Nouveau Riche Ostentation

The clan leader had always felt indebted to Zhao Dong. Now that Zhao Dong questioned him so directly, he was momentarily at a loss.

Just then, Mrs. Zheng stepped forward and began to mock Zhao Dong. "Zhao Dong, that’s enough out of you! Stop making a fool of yourself. Just look at you! How can you possibly compare to your third brother?"

"Your third brother is now related to Landlord Qin by marriage! His son, Zhao Ji, became an Elementary Scholar at such a young age. Next year, he’ll be able to enter the best Official School in our county. Your third brother is the father of a future top scholar, mind you!"

"Then look at yourself! Tsk, tsk. You can’t even produce a son to carry on the family line. What standing do you have to face the ancestors?"

Zhao Dong glared at Mrs. Zheng and retorted, "Me? What about me? So what if I don’t have a son? My daughter is no worse than their Zhao Ji! She will bring honor to our ancestors in the future too!"

Hearing this, the surrounding people looked at Zhao Dong as if he were a fool. He must be delusional, they thought, pinning hopes on a girl to bring honor to the ancestors.

Just then, Sun Mei finished her tasks and walked over, happening to overhear Mrs. Zheng’s remarks.

She didn’t confront Mrs. Zheng, as their purpose today wasn’t to quarrel. Instead, she turned directly to the clan leader and questioned, "Clan Leader, according to the rules, shouldn’t the eldest son offer the sacrifices? Why is it different this year? Does the Clan Leader intend to break our established traditions?"

The clan leader felt quite awkward. Mrs. Wang’s grandson, Zhao Ji, was indeed incredibly promising. Not only had he passed the examination to become an Elementary Scholar, but he had also caught the eye of Landlord Qin, who intended to marry his daughter to Zhao Ji.

Moreover, Zhao Chun had mentioned that Landlord Qin had already helped arrange an introduction for Zhao Ji to Mr. Ma of Taiyi Academy.

Zhao Ji was learned and quick-witted, and Mr. Ma held him in high regard. He was almost certain to pass the Official School entrance examination next year!

Through Landlord Qin, Zhao Chun had also connected with influential figures in the Capital City. If Zhao Ji were to secure an official post in the future, these connections would undoubtedly ensure a smooth career path for him!

Their Zhao Clan was on the verge of producing a high-ranking official—what a tremendous piece of good fortune!

Considering all this, Zhao Chun’s family was far more deserving of his favor. So, when Mrs. Wang approached him, asking to let her son perform the ancestral rites that day, he had readily agreed after some thought.

Mrs. Wang merely wanted her son to stand in as the eldest to elevate her grandson’s status, he reasoned. It wouldn’t cause any real loss to Zhao Dong’s family. After all, Zhao Dong has no son and has always been a quiet, uncompetitive sort. Agreeing to it wasn’t a major issue.

But who could have predicted Zhao Dong would be so uncharacteristically stubborn today, refusing to yield an inch? This put the clan leader in a difficult position.

Just as the clan leader was feeling troubled, a sudden gasp from the crowd cut through the argument. Everyone turned to look and saw Xiao Wang approaching with her children.

Early that morning, nearly all the women of the Zhao Clan had been summoned to help with preparations. Only Xiao Wang and Mrs. Wang were exceptions. Thanks to Zhao Chun’s connections with influential people, the clan leader hadn’t asked them to assist with the chores.

Thus, Xiao Wang had spent a good while at home preening. Only when she saw the preparations were nearly complete did she finally saunter over, radiant and beautifully dressed.

Xiao Wang and her family were dressed in opulent attire that day, adorned with gold and silver that dazzled the eyes.

Xiao Wang, in particular, had her hair crammed with ornaments, as if terrified people wouldn’t know how rich she was.

The very picture of nouveau riche ostentation.

Zhao Yun walked beside Xiao Wang, her movements fluid and graceful, her bearing exceptionally elegant. With a smile reminiscent of a young lady from a distinguished family, she captivated many of the village’s young men.

Zhao Cai had initially thrown a tantrum, refusing to come because Zhao Zhitong had dirtied her prettiest dress.

Finally, Zhao Yun had persuaded her, saying, "That little Evil Star probably only has that one new dress, and it’s dirty now too. She definitely won’t have anything decent to wear today. Wouldn’t it be perfect for you to appear in all your finery and completely overshadow her?"

Only then did Zhao Cai stop her tears. She changed into another outfit, meticulously styled her hair, adorned it with a pretty hairpin, and arrived as proud as a peacock.

The villagers’ eyes were irresistibly drawn to them.

Zhao Chun and Mrs. Wang had arrived earlier, also well-dressed, and the villagers had already taken note.

However, Zhao Chun was a man, and Mrs. Wang was advanced in years. While their garments were of fine material, the styles weren’t striking enough to cause a stir.

But now, Xiao Wang, a young matron, accompanied by her two lovely daughters and young son, all clad in such vibrant and beautiful attire, were truly a sight to behold.

When Xiao Wang appeared, Mrs. Zheng’s eyes lit up. She quickly pulled her daughter, Zhao Miaomiao, along and bustled over, her face wreathed in smiles as she began to shower Xiao Wang with flattery.

"My, my, Xiao Wang! That dress of yours is simply gorgeous! It was too dark last night for me to see it properly. But now, in the sunlight, why, it looks just like what the officials’ wives wear in the county town!"

Xiao Wang adored such compliments, and a smug smile spread across her face. "Ah, this isn’t the dress I wore last night. This one is the latest fashion from the Nishang Building in the county town."

Hearing this, Mrs. Zheng grew even more envious.

Zhao Miaomiao was staring intently at the dresses worn by Zhao Yun and Zhao Cai, her eyes practically glued to them. She gulped, then tugged at Mrs. Zheng’s arm, whining, "Mama, Mama, Sister Yun’s and Cai’er’s dresses are so pretty! I want one too! Buy me one, please, Mama, won’t you?"

Mrs. Zheng impatiently pinched Zhao Miaomiao’s arm. "You silly girl," she snapped, "your mother can’t afford such clothes for you! Just look, and be content. Maybe when Sister Yun and Cai’er outgrow theirs, you can get their hand-me-downs."

A smug look nearly spilled from Zhao Cai’s face. She shot a disdainful glance at Zhao Miaomiao’s attire and exclaimed with feigned surprise, "Hmm? Zhao Miaomiao, why does that dress you’re wearing look so familiar?"

"Oh, I remember now! Isn’t that my old dress from three years ago? I don’t wear it anymore. Did my mother give it to yours?"

Zhao Miaomiao was a few months older than Zhao Cai, but Zhao Cai never addressed her as ’Older Sister.’ She felt that calling Zhao Miaomiao ’Older Sister’ would be beneath her.

Zhao Miaomiao didn’t take offense; she actually thought Zhao Cai called her by her name directly as a sign of closeness.

Hearing Zhao Cai’s words, Zhao Miaomiao couldn’t help but look down at her own dress. It was an old garment her mother had acquired from her Aunt’s house that year. When she had first received it, she had been overjoyed for an entire evening.

Now, listening to Zhao Cai, the initial delight she’d felt in the dress vanished, replaced by a sudden, inexplicable sense of dejection.

Just then, Zhao Zhitong, who had been bored and had dragged Zhao Cheng and his two younger siblings off to Zhao Yue’s house to play, came running back with them, all laughing and chatting.

"Daddy, Mommy!"

Upon entering the crowd, Zhao Zhitong immediately scampered towards Zhao Dong and Sun Mei.

At that, the villagers’ attention shifted to Zhao Zhitong, Zhao Cheng, Zhao Yu, and Zhao Ya.

All four children were dressed in new clothes. The two girls, Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Ya, even wore small cloaks made of precious fox fur.