Chapter 118: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony

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Nanny Jiang had long since prepared the hot water, scattering fresh flower petals into the bath. The bathroom was filled with rising steam, the white mist mingling with the faint fragrance of blossoms. Immersed in the tub, Shen Qingyun felt her whole body soften and relax.

Though dawn had yet to break, the maids of the Reed House were already bustling about—preparing items, boiling water, tidying up—moving constantly inside and out.

Once Shen Qingyun finished her bath, Yicui quickly brought a cloth to wring out her dripping long hair, while Zhenzhu stood by holding the outfit she was to wear.

After applying a simple layer of light makeup, Nanny Jiang couldn’t help but exclaim from the bottom of her heart that the young lady was even more stunning than Madam had been in her youth.

When preparations were nearly complete, she followed the attendant who led her to the main hall, which had been arranged in advance.

Han Rou had begun posting invitations two weeks prior. The guests were few but all somewhat acquainted with the General’s Residence. General Han himself had arrived early to oversee things for Shen Qingyun.

Though he did not favor Shen Qingyun, most of the attendees were distinguished figures, so the matriarch and Shen Zhifeng surprisingly did not make things difficult. Instead, they welcomed the guests from the morning onward.

When the time for the ceremony arrived, Shen Zhifeng stood and announced, “Today, my youngest daughter Qingyun holds her coming-of-age ceremony. We thank everyone for coming! Now, the ceremony will officially begin. Please, Qingyun, enter and pay respects to our esteemed guests!”

At his words, Shen Qingyun entered the room, two maids trailing behind her.

The young girl’s eyes were like a deep yet clear lake, her exquisite and delicate face calm and composed. Her steps were measured and unhurried. Under everyone’s gaze, she walked gracefully to the front, exuding a dignified noble aura.

Amazement shone in everyone’s eyes.

The chief guest was Lady Liu, wife of the Prince of the Commandery, who performed the traditional three bows and three hair arrangements—combing the hair three times and adorning it with a hairpin, a hairpin ornament, and a coronet.

Lady Liu recited a blessing aloud: “On this auspicious day of the lunar month, the first donning of your adult garments. Forsake your childish thoughts, embrace your virtues. May you live long and prosper, blessed with enduring fortune.” She then placed the first hairpin on Shen Qingyun.

Shen Qingyun changed into a simple plain skirt and blouse matching the hairpin, then formally knelt and bowed to Han Rou and Shen Zhifeng. Han Rou’s eyes reddened with pride and emotion for her daughter.

Lady Liu recited another blessing: “In this fortunate month and day, we confer upon you your attire. Respect your dignity, cultivate your virtues. May your life be long and your blessings eternal.” She then added the hairpin ornament.

Shen Qingyun changed once more into a curved-hem deep garment matching the ornament and knelt to Lady Liu.

Finally, Lady Liu intoned: “At the beginning of the year and the proper lunar month, all your attire is bestowed. May you live to a ripe old age, receiving Heaven’s favor.” She placed the coronet.

This time, Shen Qingyun donned a large-sleeved long skirt tailored to match the coronet. The outfit was naturally more splendid than usual—a whole set fashioned from Song brocade patterned with floral motifs of the four seasons, its colors vibrant and elegant, the subtle patterns refined and graceful. The sleeves were wider than her everyday clothes, dignified yet exuding a breezy lightness. A rose pendant adorned her waist, the ensemble radiating a noble air that seemed innate.

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After she completed the three bows, Lady Liu smiled and bestowed upon her the courtesy name “Wangshu,” meaning the bright moon at the horizon.

She then instructed that from this day forward, she was an adult and eligible for marriage, expected to embody the virtues of filial piety, brotherly respect, loyalty, and obedience, taking on the responsibilities of a woman.

Shen Qingyun listened attentively. When Lady Liu finished, she bowed in response: “Though Qingyun may be slow to learn, she dares not neglect her duties day or night.”

Lady Liu nodded and stepped aside. Han Rou and Shen Zhifeng offered brief remarks before declaring the ceremony complete, bowing once again to thank the entire assembly.

Though the coming-of-age ceremony was attended by only a few, the proceedings were solemn and grand—an experience Shen Qingyun had not known in her previous life.

Back then, Shen Sisi had held an extravagant coming-of-age ceremony on this very day, but Shen Qingyun had not even been present, as the matriarch worried she would embarrass the family, and Han Rou was already bedridden from illness.

At least Shen Sisi had attended, though she was relegated to the farthest corner and utterly invisible throughout.

Seeing Shen Qingyun shine so brilliantly before everyone, Shen Sisi’s jealousy nearly consumed her. Her chest felt weighed down by a heavy stone, unable to let go.

She had come of age as well, yet because of her awkward status, neither the matriarch nor Shen Zhifeng had bothered arranging anything for her.

Even if a ceremony had been held, who would have come?

Shen Sisi smiled bitterly, thinking to seek comfort from Jiang Lin, only to find him staring in stunned amazement at Shen Qingyun’s splendid attire, his admiration impossible to hide.

At that moment, Jiang Lin’s heart held but one thought: How much better it would have been if he had listened to his mother and married Shen Qingyun.

Without casting a glance at Shen Sisi, Jiang Lin left with Lady Jiang in a daze.

Lady Jiang had expected Han Rou to invite her as the chief guest but was disappointed to find she was merely a spectator. Furious, she paid little attention to Jiang Lin’s evident sorrow.

Upon returning to the Jiang Residence, she immediately threw herself into Shi Shaohua’s embrace.

Jiang Miaodan held her head high from beginning to end. When she had come of age, there had been no such grand ceremony. She thought silently how beautiful Shen Qingyun would look wearing the Song brocade.

Catching sight of Shen Sisi, she gave a cold laugh.

Indeed, Shen Sisi was the most miserable of all.

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Jiang Miaodan’s heart felt considerably more balanced as she returned with Lady Jiang to their residence.

The three no longer regarded Shen Sisi as before, leaving her to retreat to her chambers to weep.

Amid all these complex emotions, Shen Qingyun had no time to care. After completing today’s ceremonies, she was utterly exhausted, half-reclining on the beauty couch.

Zhenzhu tiptoed in and said, “Miss, the Prince of Li has sent another gift.”

Shen Qingyun smiled lightly, “Why so sneaky? Bring it here.”

Zhenzhu stuck out her tongue playfully. “It’s only because we didn’t want to disturb your rest.” She presented a box in her hands.

Shen Qingyun opened it to find a hairpin carved from a thousand-year-old piece of golden nanmu wood, its grain resembling flowing water. Under the light, it gleamed smooth and sharp as a drawn sword’s blade; in the dim room, it shimmered with a cat’s-eye glow, exquisitely lively.

“Wow, this hairpin is truly beautiful,” Zhenzhu marveled, blinking. “Miss, there’s also a letter from the Prince of Li.”

Shen Qingyun sent Zhenzhu out, then unfolded the letter.

Reading it, she learned the hairpin had been carved by his own hand. Her heart swelled with an indescribable emotion, a smile unconsciously curving her lips.

Meanwhile, at the Prince of Li’s residence, the guards lamented, “This is the finest thousand-year golden nanmu wood, wasted by the prince himself. Luckily, in the end, he crafted a hairpin worth seeing.”

The old steward shoved him aside, “What do you know!”

Si Moli sat in his study, imagining Shen Qingyun’s expression upon receiving the hairpin, smiling softly. When had he become so nervous?

He knew Shen Qingyun was not yet ready to marry. He was willing to wait.