Shen Jie admitted that he couldn't let her go, but she was about to become Yan Ling's fiancée. He couldn't mess with his friend's wife, so what could he do?

"Cousin!" Xue Shu, who was standing to the side, realized that she was being completely ignored and couldn't help but raise her voice, almost shouting.

Shen Jie then came to his senses and was unknowingly tugged at his sleeve by Xue Shu. Shen Jie was first stunned, then panicked, not knowing where to look. He simply brushed Xue Shu away without much politeness!

Shen Jie was always a gentle and refined person who would never say a harsh word. Xue Shu liked him because he was easy to control. She never expected that he would lose his temper, especially in such a situation in front of so many people!

Xue Shu couldn't accept it for a moment, and tears streamed down her face. "Cousin, am I really that annoying to you?"

"I..." Shen Jie, who had never made anyone cry before, was at a loss. He subconsciously reached for a handkerchief to hand to Xue Shu, but found that the handkerchief was the one that Jiang Xuehui had left behind when she had her chance encounter with her.

He hesitated, his hand frozen in mid-air.

At this moment, Jiang Xuening suddenly pushed Jiang Xuehui, "What are you still standing there for? This time I don't want to take what belongs to you, but happiness isn't a rabbit waiting to run into your arms!"

The reason I brought her here today is to show her just how sought-after the Deep Steps are.

There are those he likes and can't let go of, those who like him and can't let go of him, and even those who use him as a stepping stone to climb higher. But no matter what kind of person he is, if Jiang Xuehui wants to be with Chen Jie, she has to be more proactive.

Hiding at home and acting like a living Buddha won't do you any good.

As soon as Jiang Xuehui appeared, Xue Shu's eyes narrowed, and a few more tears slid down her cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat, and she seemed to understand that Jiang Xuening and You Yue from the past were probably regarded as her imaginary enemies.

Jiang Xuehui is the person she should be especially wary of.

Jiang Xuehui's expression was conflicted. She wasn't really someone who liked to fight for things. It wasn't her fault that she was switched from a concubine's daughter to a legitimate daughter by her aunt when she was young and ignorant, but she was forced to bear the bitter consequences.

Her stepmother treated her very well, and she couldn't betray both the kindness of raising her and the kindness of giving birth to her.

So when Jiang Xuening was being picky and glaring at her, she usually just endured it, hoping that things would calm down after a while.

Getting her to actively compete for the sinking steps is not an easy task for her now.

As she hesitated, she saw Chen Jie looking at her with a pleading gaze.

Like someone seeking rescue from a swamp.

Jiang Xuehui's fingertips trembled, and in an instant, she mustered up a courage and slowly walked towards Xue Shu, handing her her handkerchief. "Miss Xue, so many people are watching. It's not good to cry like this. People who don't know the situation might think that His Highness Prince Linzhi has bullied you."

In this way, Chen Jie could naturally take back his handkerchief.

However, Xue Shu also noticed that the handkerchief Jiang Xuehui took out was exactly the same as the one in Shen Jie's hand.

"So it was you!" Xue Shu said, her face changing drastically as she spoke each word clearly.

...

When most of the guests had arrived, Yan Mu announced the start of the coming-of-age ceremony.

Xie Wei went on stage, and Yan Ling knelt in the center of the stage. The two equally outstanding men made the atmosphere on the scene hot and the atmosphere rose higher and higher.

A servant presented a cloth crown, which Xie Wei took off and placed on Yan Ling's head: "On this auspicious day of the month, you will be given your coming-of-age ceremony. May you abandon your childhood name and follow your virtuous path. May you live a long and prosperous life, and enjoy great fortune."

As soon as the ceremony was completed, many guests offered their congratulations, which Yan Mu returned one by one, creating a lively atmosphere.

Xie Wei then placed the leather crown on Yan Ling's head: "This is a double crown, auspicious month and time. May you wear this garment, show respect for your dignity, and cultivate your virtue. May you live a long and healthy life, and receive abundant blessings."

The process was the same, but today the Yan residence was exceptionally lively. At a glance, it seemed that all the prominent figures in the capital were gathered here.

Regardless of whether they came with the intention of offering blessings, currying favor, watching the spectacle, or whatever else, Yan Ling's coming-of-age ceremony was successfully completed under the witness of the entire capital.

This is what Chu Yuan hoped to see: Yan Ling is good, deserves it, and will have a smooth life.

Finally, a jade crown was added: "The three crowns are bestowed in accordance with the proper time of the year and the month, bringing blessings upon all, ensuring the well-being of all brothers, and fulfilling their virtues. May the virtues of Huangdi and Laozi be boundless, and may they receive the blessings of Heaven. The ceremony is complete!"

Yan Ling's upright posture made him appear inexplicably taller.

After Xie Wei finished speaking, he was about to ask him to get up, but Yan Mu spoke up, "Sir, there's no rush. A teacher for a day is a father for life. Today is the day of the coming-of-age ceremony and the bestowal of a name. So, please, sir, bestow a name upon my son."

Xie Wei pondered for a moment, “...The vast ocean is where my heart belongs. I will overcome all difficulties and never change my original intention. This word is called 'return'.”

"The swallows return."

It expresses both the hope that geese and wild antelopes will have a home and the gratitude of Xie Wei himself, who has been wandering for so many years and has never longed to return home.

With a flourish, he wrote the character "回" on the Xuan paper, and tears streamed down Yan Mu's face.

Eldest sister, you can rest assured now, the lost goose has returned home!

Yan Ling reacted instantly, and when she looked up at Xie Wei, her eyes flashed.

After a moment, he cupped his hands and said loudly, "Yan Hui thanks you, sir, for bestowing upon me this calligraphy!"

Such a heart-wrenching scene can probably only be felt by those who know the truth.

Shen Zhiyi muttered softly, "The master is a little different today. Although he is still as noble as ever, he seems to have emotions, like Yan Ling's elder brother."

Chen Ying also exclaimed, "As expected of Junior Tutor Xie."

Zhang Zhe, expressionless, fell into deep thought, pondering the emotions he seemed to have when he received the cap and hat earlier.

The crowning ceremony is complete.

At the banquet, Yan Mu, holding Yan Ling's hand, announced, "Thank you all for giving me face today to attend my son's coming-of-age ceremony. Actually, besides my son's coming-of-age ceremony, the Yan family has another joyous occasion to share with everyone!"

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