Chapter 84 Zhu Lan's Coming of Age

"Chunlan, I have to go out for something in the morning. Please tell my mother for me." Xiao Wan said as she got dressed.

"I understand, Miss." Chunlan was a little absent-minded.

"What's wrong with you recently? You seem to be worried about something." Xiao Wan asked her.

Chunlan whispered that it was nothing.

The young lady is the apple of the Xiao family's eye and is held in high regard by Master and Madam Xiao. Even I was specially recruited from another family by Madam Xiao to take care of the young lady.

It's not just about taking care of her, but also about paying close attention to the lady's every word and action to prevent her from making any mistakes.

But after what she saw in the garden last time, she really... didn't know how to deal with it.

Xiao Wan had already opened the door, Chunlan followed a few steps and said:

"Miss, how about Chunlan go with you..."

"No, I don't like people following me when I go out."

After saying that, Xiao Wan walked out.

Outside the gate of the Xiao Mansion, Zhao Sicheng was already waiting there. The two of them agreed to attend Zhu Lan's coming-of-age ceremony together today.

Outside the academy, especially at the Xiao family's gate, the two did not dare to act too blatantly.

So Zhao Sicheng walked in front and Xiao Wan followed behind.

After the two figures disappeared, Chunlan quietly retracted her head, her face full of worry.

How could Miss be so confused?

"Chunlan, what are you doing?"

Chunlan shuddered when she heard the voice behind her, "Husband, Madam, it's nothing, the young lady said she had something to do this morning and just left."

Madam Xiao nodded and asked, "Miss, is there anything unusual recently?"

Chunyan was sweating profusely, and after hesitating for a long time, she gritted her teeth and said:

"No miss...I spend most of my time reading."

Mrs. Xiao showed a satisfied expression and asked Chunlan to go back to work.

…

Wish the house.

The breeze blew, and the bright sunshine illuminated the slightly old bluestone floor and mottled courtyard wall in the Zhu residence.

Although all the arrangements and furnishings were not as luxurious as those of the wealthy families in Jiangzhou City, it still showed the importance this family attached to this coming-of-age ceremony.

Zhu Lan was woken up by Tao Yuan early in the morning. She changed into a green silk dress with sleepy eyes and combed her hair into a bun.

Zhu Lan nodded in drowsiness, Tao Yuan couldn't help but complain:

"Miss, if you do this, we won't be able to finish combing our hair today!"

Zhu Lan forced himself to cheer up and responded weakly when he heard Pei Yue's gentle urging voice coming from outside the door.

At the coming-of-age ceremony, guests have arrived one after another and everyone takes their seats.

Zhu Yuanou saw several people coming in from afar, his face was filled with joy, and he quickly walked towards them.

"Mr. Chu, Brother Gongsun, I didn't expect you to come too!" These two are both famous figures in Jiangzhou City. It will be a great honor for the Zhu family to have them come to watch the ceremony!

"Haha, Madam Du from your mansion has invited us so warmly. If we two refuse, wouldn't that be an insult to Lord Zhu?"

Zhu Yuanou had never expected that Du Lanfang would actually work so hard for Zhu Lan's coming-of-age ceremony. He felt very pleased and repeatedly praised Du Lanfang for doing a good job.

Du Lanfang smiled and said, "Dad, what are you talking about? My wife has always treated Lan Jie'er as her own daughter.

The coming of age ceremony is such a big event, how can I not contribute?"

The venue for the coming-of-age ceremony was an open space with a large mat in the center, on which were placed simple fruits and toiletries.

Among those who came to watch the ceremony, those of high moral character and prestige sat in the front, and in the back were some relatives and friends, including some of Zhu Lan’s classmates from the academy.

Zhu Qingyan stood outside the Zhu residence, feeling very unhappy.

She wanted to go in, but she didn't want to go in.

Under the gaze of everyone, Zhu Lan walked out slowly, and at the same time, melodious music sounded.

Following the procedure, Zhu Lan began to wash his hands, burn incense, and perform the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the gods of heaven and earth and the ancestral tablets.

Zhu Hongsheng died early, so Pei Yue stepped forward to put on the jade hairpin that symbolized her adulthood.

Qiao Youyou touched Qin Yuwei beside her and said with a smile:

"It's amazing. We are adults again."

Qin Yuwei also smiled: "Yes, I always had age anxiety when filming before, thinking how nice it would be if I could be a dozen years younger. I didn't expect it to come true."

When it came to the word-giving session, Zhu Yuanou stepped forward and read aloud:

"…I now grant you the name 'Wanru'. I wish you to be gentle and virtuous, talented and intelligent like an orchid, and live in good health."

The guests applauded and congratulated.

Zhu Lan remembered that in the original plot, "Wanru" should be the name Zhu Yuanou gave to Zhu Qingyan at his coming-of-age ceremony.

As for the original owner's coming-of-age ceremony, it was just a hasty formality behind closed doors, and she was given the name "Hui Ning".

What I mean is that I hope she can be smarter and live a safer life.

Zhu Lan sighed in his heart, and didn't feel much about the gift of the word, but he still took the document of the gift of the word with a solemn expression, "Thank you, grandfather."

"The coming-of-age ceremony is complete—"

Upon hearing that the ceremony was over, many guests who came to watch the ceremony showed anticipation on their faces.

Especially those celebrities invited by Du Lanfang, basically they were all famous for being greedy in Jiangzhou City. Du Lanfang told them that the Zhu family had prepared a grand banquet this time, so they came.

Some people who were unaware of the situation had already stood up and prepared to leave.

"Hey, Li Zheng Zhang, Mr. Lu, please take a rest for a while and have your meal before leaving!" Du Lanfang hurriedly kept them.

Zhu Yuanou also looked at Pei Yue.

Pei Yue did a great job at this coming-of-age ceremony and he was very satisfied.

Especially given the limited money, they were able to arrange the ceremony so brilliantly, so I imagine the banquet would not be badly prepared either.

It seems that this daughter-in-law is really good at managing money!

Everyone looked at Pei Yue expectantly.

Pei Yue smiled bitterly in her heart. Did he really think she was the God of Wealth who could conjure up silver out of thin air?

Do you understand what it means that a good cook cannot cook without rice?

Du Lanfang keenly caught Pei Yue's expression and said loudly in surprise:

"Oh! Sister-in-law, you didn't... forget to prepare the banquet, did you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the guests' faces turned strange.

Although I didn't want the meal, but he didn't even have this little courtesy. It's a pity that Mr. Zhu is an old scholar!

For a moment, some people were gloating and wanted to see the joke, while others felt very unhappy because they were being neglected.

No one spoke.

Zhu Yuanou was so embarrassed at that moment that he frowned and asked Pei Yue what was going on.

There are so many famous people here. If I make a fool of myself, not only will I be embarrassed, but the Zhu family will also be embarrassed!

"Don't worry, Grandfather. We are already preparing." Zhu Lan came over and said calmly, then turned around to comfort the guests and asked everyone to stay calm.

Du Lanfang was very proud and pretended to be virtuous:

"Dad, since my sister-in-law is not well prepared, let's not embarrass her...

If it is not convenient for you to come forward, your daughter-in-law can go out and talk to everyone to go back.

At worst, I'll offend a few people, and if they want to blame someone, just blame my daughter-in-law."

You are a good person, Zhu Lan thought, fortunately she was prepared.