mtl008 Chapter 405 Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Chapter 405 Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Lu Zhijin was stunned by the hug and stood there for a moment. By the time he came to his senses, Xiao Siyue had already disappeared at the gate.
Lu Zhijin suddenly lowered his head and laughed. After standing there for a while, he was about to leave when he heard the familiar voice again.
"Brother Lu, see you again in a few days." A small head suddenly peeked out from behind the door, smiling mischievously at him.
"Okay." Lu Zhijin's doting and gentle smile was almost overflowing.
After saying goodbye to Lu Zhijin, Xiao Siyue returned to her courtyard with light steps.
Then she couldn't wait to walk to the mirror and look at the person in the mirror. The girl in the mirror was smiling, her fingers gently touching the hairpin on her head, seemingly lost in thought.
July 20th was Xiao Siyue's coming-of-age banquet.
The Xiao family home was unusually lively, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and guests kept arriving at the gate.
Xiao Siyue got up in the morning and washed up and changed her clothes surrounded by her maids.
Because everything was arranged in advance, everyone had their own tasks to complete, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
As the protagonist of today's event, Xiao Siyue only needs to quietly follow the arrangements.
The banquet was held in the front yard, and the weather was perfect today, with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze.
The guests were already seated, waiting for the coming-of-age banquet to begin.
Xiao Qinian walked to the head of the table and addressed the crowd: "Today, I am deeply honored by your presence at my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony. Time flies like an arrow, and the years pass swiftly. It seems like only yesterday that my daughter was born, babbling and taking her first steps. Today, my daughter turns fifteen and is undergoing the coming-of-age ceremony, thus entering adulthood. May she treat others with courtesy, handle affairs with wisdom, remain humble yet steadfast, and become a person of knowledge and character in the years to come."
Although Xiao Qinian was speaking to the guests, Xiao Siyue could feel his gaze occasionally sweeping towards her.
At that moment, she was peeking out from the window of the east room. For some reason, a strange feeling welled up inside her, and her eyes became a little moist.
Old Mrs. Xiao and Lin Qin's eyes were red. The scene of Xiao Siyue's birth flashed through their minds. How desperate they were at that time, thinking that the child would almost not survive. Fortunately, heaven was kind to life, and in the end, everything was fine. Now, she has long since survived that ordeal and grown up safely.
The coming-of-age ceremony officially began, and Xiao Siyue, following the procedures she had been taught, walked to the very center, to the spot where Xiao Qinian had just been standing.
She wore a light pink dress, her hair was loose and she had no headdress. Her eyes were smiling. After bowing to Xiao Qinian and the others who were in charge, she knelt on the prayer mat that had been prepared in advance.
The hairdresser who styled Xiao Siyue's hair was her good friend Gu Xinglan. Hairdressers are usually sisters of similar age who have reached the age of marriage, but Xiao Siyue didn't have any sisters, so she asked her friend.
After her hair was combed, Her Highness Princess Zhengbin added a hairpin to her head.
The eldest princess rose, washed her hands in the basin, and walked behind Xiao Siyue to add a hairpin to her hair: "On this auspicious day of the month, you begin your coming-of-age ceremony. May you cast aside your childish ways and follow your virtuous path. May you live a long and prosperous life, and enjoy abundant blessings." The eldest princess recited the blessing as she added the hairpin.
After finishing her OnePlus session, Xiao Siyue got up and returned to her room. With the help of Lan Yi and the others, she changed into a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). The ruqun was a plain-colored dress without any decoration, which meant that she had completely bid farewell to her childhood and adolescence and entered adulthood.
Xiao Siyue returned to the center and bowed to Xiao Qinian and Lin Qin to express her gratitude to her parents for raising her.
She knelt down again, and the princess began to change her hairpins: "On this auspicious day and month, I present this ceremonial robe. Adorned with dignity, may you be virtuous and gentle. May you live a long and healthy life, and forever enjoy the blessings of the Hu people."
After three bows and three additions, Xiao Siyue's coming-of-age ceremony officially ended, and she was now an adult woman.
Looking at her solemn clothes and her hair, Xiao Siyue felt a mix of emotions.
After Xiao Siyue left, the banquet in the main courtyard officially began, and everyone was very satisfied with the exquisite and delicious dishes.
What's even more satisfying is that they really broadened their horizons today. They've attended the coming-of-age ceremonies of noble ladies in the capital before, but they've never seen the Princess as the chief guest before.
As expected of Lord Xiao, who is deeply favored by His Majesty, his only daughter is also extremely noble.
Lin Qin is currently with the Eldest Princess.
"Your Highness, I am very grateful for your presence at my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony. It is an honor for my daughter. Please take a seat, Your Highness."
"Madam Xiao, you're too kind. I also like Siyue very much." The eldest princess smiled warmly. What she didn't say was that she hadn't initially thought about making Xiao Siyue the principal guest, but her brother, the current emperor, had given her a message, so she came.
I knew before that my elder brother trusted Lord Xiao very much, but I never expected that he would care so much about Lord Xiao's daughter. Not only did he bestow the title of princess, but he also attached great importance to her coming-of-age ceremony.
Now Xiao Siyue is famous in the capital, and countless suitors will come to propose marriage to her in the future.
The eldest princess sat down with Lin Qin, lost in thought.
Xiao Siyue was exhausted today. With so many people watching, she had to be on her guard, afraid of making a mistake and disgracing the Xiao family. Fortunately, she didn't make any mistakes.
The coming-of-age ceremony concluded successfully.
The next day, the people in the capital were all talking about the coming-of-age ceremony of the eldest daughter of the Xiao family. The more they talked, the more exaggerated it became. Xiao Siyue even heard rumors from others that she was not her father's biological daughter, but a princess who had been lost among the common people. Otherwise, why would His Majesty attach so much importance to her?
Xiao Siyue was both amused and exasperated when she heard this. She had known who her biological parents were since birth, so how could she be wrong?
However, Xiao Siyue ignored all of this.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, people from the Xiao family started coming to their door to sound them out, but Xiao Qinian and Lin Qin rejected them all, saying that Xiao Siyue was too young and they wanted her to stay for two more years.
However, those men were not discouraged. "If a family has a daughter, many families will want her. They can always come back later."
Lin Qin, who had just seen another person off, sighed to Old Lady Xiao, "Sigh, when this child was little, she always thought about what kind of husband she would find when she grew up. Now, however, I feel a little sad. Just thinking about Yue'er getting married makes my heart ache..."
"Isn't that right? Our Yue'er is so well-behaved and intelligent. We spoil her at home. If she gets married, I wonder what her in-laws will be like? Just thinking about how Yue'er might not have a good life in the future breaks my heart." Old Mrs. Xiao felt the same way.
"Xiaoqin, our Yue'er is still young, she has just come of age. Don't rush to find her a husband. Let's wait a couple more years and find her a good match."
"Mother, don't worry, I will. In the future, Yue'er's husband must be someone we are all satisfied with."
Old Mrs. Xiao was finally satisfied.