The next day was the ancestor worship ceremony. Not only did Zhao Jing rise early, but Chen Wanqing, Mrs. Zhao, and Xiang'er were also all up before dawn.
Chen Wanqing hadn't slept well and was exhausted from several days of travel. When she woke up, she felt as if she hadn't slept at all; her entire body ached, and she looked completely drained.
Mrs. Zhao, on the other hand, had cried her eyes out the previous night. But perhaps just as Zhao Jing had said, a good cry could release all the pent-up frustration. Mrs. Zhao showed no signs of distress or fatigue. Instead, she was refreshed and energetic, as if she had never felt healthier in her life.
Although she still had dark circles under her eyes, it did nothing to stop the radiant smile on her face as she spoke to people; she was grinning from ear to ear.
During the ancestor worship, the women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall and had to wait outside.
Everyone chattered away, their conversation lively and cheerful.
