Chapter 132 Immortality and Joy
Nalan Zhi came out of the study and looked up at the sky above.
Today, the weather is fine and the sky is cloudless. The sunlight shines on the white snow on the ground, reflecting a brilliant color.
The snow scene was breathtakingly beautiful, but Nalan Zhi vaguely sensed an impending storm brewing.
He paused for a moment, his expression complex, feeling that there were many things he couldn't understand. But the only thing that was clear was that from this day forward, he would be Qin Yanzhou's master.
The true master.
The path his lord had laid out for him, he knew not where it would lead—whether it would be a path to enlightenment, a perilous journey culminating in peace and tranquility, or a long and arduous road leading to certain death. He had no idea. All he knew was that once he embarked on this path, there was probably no turning back.
Nalan Zhi let out a long breath and walked away.
*
Invitations to the coming-of-age ceremonies of the two young masters of the Qin family spread like wildfire among prominent clans. Not only in Yuyang County, but also in other places, prominent families received invitations to attend the ceremony.
Overjoyed, the prominent families from out of town hurriedly ordered their servants to prepare lavish gifts before setting off ahead of schedule.
Time flies, and the day of the coming-of-age ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye.
Winters in the North rarely rain; snow is more common. Dai Li got up very early today, and as she did, light snow began to fall outside her window. By the time she finished washing up and changing, the snow had stopped.
A thin layer of white was spread on the ground, like a thin sheet of dough.
The servant was sweeping with a broom, making a rhythmic, moderately loud sound that was quite amusing.
Today, Dai Li is dressed in a magnificent outfit, wearing a long, wide-sleeved, cross-collar dress in a deep blue-green color. The dress folds down to below her collarbone, and a string of ruby necklaces hangs above it, the translucent red standing out against her snow-white skin.
Her flowing black hair was carefully styled by Nianxia, with silver and gold phoenix hairpins adorning her temples on both sides, and the specially made kingfisher feather hairpins were dazzling in the sunlight.
These days, it's fashionable to wear floral appliqués on a woman's forehead, adorning it with patterns of flowers, birds, or butterflies to enhance her beauty. But Bibo held the appliqué for a moment, hesitating to take it.
Qin Shaozong returned as if he had timed it perfectly. Seeing that Dai Li had finished dressing, he stared at her for a long time before suddenly saying, "A beautiful lady is in her boudoir, though we are so close, she is so far away, it torments my heart."
Dai Li: "...Your Excellency has a refined taste."
Qin Shaozong saw the floral decoration in Bi Po's hand and said, "There's no need to put on the floral decoration; it's unnecessary."
Without applying floral decorations, her makeup complete, Dai Li slowly rose. "Have the guests already arrived?"
Qin Shaozong nodded and said, “I have already asked Hongying and a few boys to greet the guests. Madam, Yun Ce is a month older than Qin Yanzhou. Today is his coming-of-age ceremony, and I plan to have Yun Ce go first and have his capped first.”
Dai Li agreed.
The two walked hand in hand out of the main courtyard, where the snow had already been swept to one side by the servants. A cool breeze occasionally blew by, carrying some snowflakes with it.
Qin Shaozong: "Yun Ce's younger sister, Yun Shu, will also be returning today. Have her come to pay her respects to you then..."
Dai Li suddenly stopped, and a memory suddenly surfaced.
That was when she first arrived in Yuyang. The head of the Wei family, upon hearing of Qin Changgeng's return, blocked the door, saying he had important business to discuss with him. Qin Changgeng dismissed him at the time, but later the man told him that the Wei family was his deceased wife's maternal clan.
He once said: "...The Qin and Wei families were once related by marriage. I married the eldest daughter of the Wei family, but the Wei family was in poor health and died of illness less than two years after giving birth to a son."
The woman from the Wei family married him, gave birth to a son, and then died of illness. Later, Wei Cheng came to visit, and Qin Qinian addressed her as "aunt," so he must be the child.
So, are Qin Yunce and Yun Shu, whom he mentioned, illegitimate children?
But Dai Li felt something was off. It wasn't just that Qin Qinian treated Qin Yunce with great respect, but also Qin Changgeng's words just now, "Yunce's younger sister, Yun Shu."
Putting yourself in her shoes, if it were her own daughter, Dai Li would definitely say "my daughter," why would she need to beat around the bush like this?
However, when she first met Qin Yunce, he did indeed call Qin Changgeng "father".
Qin Shaozong watched with great interest as Dai Li frowned and relaxed, her expression strange, as if she were troubled by some difficult problem.
A moment later, he saw her slowly raise her eyes and ask him, "Qin Changgeng, how many children do you have?"
Qin Shaozong raised his eyebrows slightly, "I've been waiting since I returned to Yuyang, and finally, my wife has time to inquire about family matters."
Dai Li: "..."
He didn't know how to respond to that, so Dai Li simply coughed and said, "There were one thing after another before, first the detoxification of the prefectures, then the winter hunt, and then the coming-of-age ceremony. Everything was so busy that I didn't have time to think about it."
After that explanation, Dai Li quickly followed up with, "Qin Changgeng, so how many children do you actually have?"
Every time she called him by his full name and courtesy name, it meant either she had something important to say to him, or she was somewhat annoyed. The man smiled, his hands behind his back, and said, "It could be one, it could be two, or it could be three."
Dai Li: "?"
How many children are there? And how can they keep changing like this?
Once it's born, it's born. Can you put it back in?
Dai Li had a hard time explaining: "Are the Lord's children like gourds on a vine, changing with the seasons?"
Qin Shaozong explained, “Yun Ce and Yun Shu are my elder brother’s children. After my elder brother died on the battlefield, my sister-in-law followed him in death, leaving behind two young children. At that time, some people in the Qin family were not very well-behaved, so I wanted to adopt Yun Ce and Yun Shu. That year, Yun Ce was five years old and Yun Shu was two years old.”
Dai Li suddenly realized.
No wonder those two brothers didn't have any disagreements; they were cousins.
Qin Shaozong walked forward with her. "Yun Ce has a long memory. He has a deep affection for my elder brother and was initially unwilling to acknowledge me. I told him that if he wanted to acknowledge my elder brother after he came of age, I would have no objection."
Dai Li then understood where that variable came from. "So when you said it might be one, was that assuming Yun Ce and Yun Shu both changed their minds and recognized your brother as their father?"
Qin Shaozong nodded.
Dai Li glanced at his expression and asked, "If a child who has called you 'father' for over a decade suddenly changed their address to 'uncle,' how would you feel?"
Qin Shaozong looked up at the boundless blue sky, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "My elder brother was a very good father. In my memory, he would even let Yun Ce ride on his head, carrying the child around, and he would also teach him to read and write. Every time he went out, he would bring back souvenirs for his wife and children. Even some of Yun Ce's childhood toys were made by my elder brother himself."
Qin Shaozong felt inferior to all of them.
Compared to his brother, he always had much less patience for children. As long as the children weren't missing any limbs, that was enough; they would become tougher from falling and getting hurt, and there was no need to raise them with such meticulous care.
Dai Li nodded in agreement, "He is indeed a good father."
“So even if he acknowledges my brother, it’s only natural.” Qin Shaozong’s tone was not much different. “But regardless of whether he acknowledges him or not, he is older than Qin Yanzhou. From now on, Qin Yanzhou will live with Yun Shu at home.”
Qin Yunce was the oldest, followed by Qin Yunshu, who was the same age as Qin Qinian but a little older, and finally Qin Qinian, who was the third oldest.
In some families, the young master and young lady are arranged in the same row, with men and women standing side by side. Before Qin Yunshu got married, people called her Second Young Lady Qin.
Some families lined up separately, with men and women in their own rows. This usually happened to families with many children. If all the children were lined up together, the line would be as long and winding as a snake.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the main hall.
Dai Li had not yet married Qin Shaozong, but news of their impending marriage next spring had already spread throughout Yuyang. She acted as the matriarch, greeting the guests, and no one around dared to show the slightest dissatisfaction.
Just kidding, Marquis Wu'an came with her, and he even had a smile on his face, clearly indicating that he had no ill intentions.
The hosts all thought there was no problem, and these guests, who were even subordinates of Marquis Wu'an, could not possibly show any disdain.
Among the guests, Dai Li spotted Qin Yunshu. She bore a striking resemblance to Qin Yunce, especially in the lower half of their faces, and both siblings possessed a gentle and mild temperament.
The young woman, whose hair was already styled in a bun, stepped forward, curtsied, and greeted Qin Shaozong and Dai Li, saying, "Father, Madam Dai."
Qin Shaozong: "How have you been doing at the Tang family's place?"
This question made Tang Wenjin, who had come with his wife, feel a chill run down his spine.
Qin Yunshu smiled and said, "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Father."
Qin Yunshu married into a neighboring prefecture, but it wasn't too far from Yuyang. Qin Shaozong said, "Since you've returned to Yuyang, why don't you and your husband stay at the mansion for a few days and get together with your family?"
Qin Yunshu nodded obediently.
With so many guests, Dai Li couldn't attend to just one, so she didn't have much time to talk to Qin Yunshu before she had to deal with the other guests.
In the midst of our busy schedules, time slipped by unnoticed, and before we knew it, the auspicious hour had arrived.
Today's auspicious time is exactly noon. As the gong is struck, the guests who have already taken their seats all boo.
The coming-of-age ceremony included an opening ceremony, which was overseen by Qin Shaozong. After the ceremony, the two young men, the most important figures in the coming-of-age ceremony, came forward.
Both of them had disheveled hair. At this moment, one of them was kneeling on a kneeling cushion that had been prepared in advance, and an elder of the Qin family was helping him comb his hair.
The guests below the stage already knew that the two of them would be crowned together today. But at this moment, seeing the two of them step forward together, their eyes showed more or less surprise.
After combing his hair, Qin Yanzhou stood up and stepped aside. His strategist, Cui Shengping, went up on stage and straightened Qin Yunce's clothes, who was still in the middle.
At this time, a hymn is sung: "On this auspicious day of this month, you begin your coming-of-age ceremony. Cast aside your childish ways, embrace your virtuous conduct, may you live a long and blessed life, and enjoy boundless fortune." ①
The coming-of-age ceremony was quite complex, involving three additions and three bows. The "three additions and three bows" here refers to the three additions of the cap, which were respectively the "black cloth cap," the "leather cap," and the "jue cap," each with a different meaning, and each type of cap also had a corresponding set of clothing.
This is equivalent to having to go back to your room to change clothes after receiving a new crown, and then come out to greet the guests again.
"A man is of legal age at twenty and is given a courtesy name. Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Yun Ce, today you will receive a courtesy name." Cui Shengping's face was beaming.
Qin Yunce: "Please tell me, sir."
Cui Shengping: "New life grows and flourishes, which is called 'longevity'. This is one of the several names that Boyang thought of for you many years ago, long before you were born. I think it is the most suitable now, so I chose it."
Qin Yuance was stunned, and his eyes instantly reddened. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, sir."
Suddenly, a damp patch appeared on the ground.
Qin Yun straightened up, walked to the side corridor to go back to his room to change his clothes, and after he came out to pay respects to the guests, his coming-of-age ceremony was basically over.
Next was Qin Yanzhou, who repeated the three bows and three additions. Nalan Zhi was the one who crowned him.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, Nalan Zhi solemnly said, "Yanzhou, the past is gone, and the coming-of-age ceremony marks a new beginning. I bestow upon you the name 'Chong Le' (重乐), wishing you smiles year after year and peace year after year."
The following sentence lacks a subject and is too mild, which deviates slightly from Nalan Zhi's previous style; it's more like...
The young man turned his head slightly to look at his mother sitting not far away. He saw that she was smiling, and when she noticed him looking over, her smile deepened.
A surge of heat welled up in his chest. As Qin Yanzhou bowed again, he silently uttered the words: Qin Chongle.
"重" means both "renewal" and "double".
That's great, he likes the name too.
The two boys completed their ceremonies in succession. With this, the coming-of-age ceremony for the guests was essentially concluded.
If it is someone else's son who has come of age, after the ceremony, he must pay respects to a respected person in the local area, such as the local leader or the village doctor, before returning to worship his ancestors.
In the Qin family, that middle step was simply skipped.
Dai Li and Qin Hongying went to see off the guests. The guests had brought generous gifts, and it was only right and proper for them to leave empty-handed.
After seeing off the guests, we went to the Qin Clan Ancestral Hall to pay respects to our ancestors.
The Qin Clan Ancestral Hall is located within the Junhou Mansion; you need to drive there.
As she boarded the carriage and listened to its rumbling sound, Dai Li felt a complex mix of emotions.
They were going to pay respects to their ancestors, and Zhouzhou was specifically asked to come along. After all, she hadn't married Qin Changgeng yet, and Zhouzhou's biological father and grandfather were ultimately unrelated to Qin Changgeng's family.
Something feels off, something's off.
Qin Hongying and Dai Li rode in the same car, sitting face to face.
Dai Li's expression kept changing, and Qin Hongying guessed what she was thinking. She couldn't help but smile and say, "You and your son will be Qin family sooner or later. It's okay to go and pay your respects sooner rather than later. Besides, it was my second brother who brought this up himself, so he knows what he's doing."
Dai Li smiled but remained silent.
Soon after, the carriage arrived at the Marquis's residence.
Dai Li had never been to the Marquis's mansion before, and now, looking out through the curtains, she felt that the mansion was surprisingly large.
Looking into the distance, the carved beams and painted rafters, the flying eaves and upturned corners each have their own unique characteristics, the pavilions and terraces by the water are quiet and elegant, and the green tiles and red roofs are truly magnificent and indescribable.
Dai Li suddenly remembered something.
Palaces in each dynasty actually became smaller and smaller. For example, the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, was only about a quarter the size of the Daming Palace of the Tang dynasty.
There are many reasons, one of which is that giant timber is becoming increasingly rare. The further back in time we go, the more giant trees there are. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, a lot of timber had to be found deep in the mountains and forests.
The carriage drove straight in until it arrived at the ancestral hall before stopping.
Dai Li didn't really want to go in, so Qin Hongying stayed outside with her while the two boys followed Qin Shaozong inside.
Qin Hongying took the initiative to ask Dai Li, "Dai Li, do you know about Yun Ce?"
"Huh?" Dai Li then realized, "You mean whether Yun Ce should acknowledge his biological father? I already know about this."
"What was the result?" Qin Hongying asked.
Dai Li chuckled, "If even you, as her aunt, don't know, how would I know?"
Qin Hongying looked suspicious. "Didn't my second brother tell you?"
Dai Li shook her head and said no.
Qin Hongying murmured, "Second brother feels guilty towards eldest brother and has always held a grudge about what happened back then. If Yun Ce still acknowledges second brother as his father, it's not impossible that things could turn out differently in the future..."
She spoke softer and softer, and Dai Li didn't hear what she said next, but it wasn't hard to guess.
Dai Li's brow twitched slightly.
Didn't Qin Changgeng say that his elder brother died in battle? On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; going there means risking your life. Casualties are to be expected.
Generally speaking, one cannot blame others. Could there be another hidden story behind what happened back then?
Qin Hongying snapped out of her daze and, seemingly realizing the topic was somewhat sensitive, immediately changed the subject.
The two chatted casually outside.
About fifteen minutes later, someone came out.
It was Qin Yanzhou who came out.
Qin Hongying, who had been somewhat lazy, straightened up. "Why are you the only one here? Where are my brother and Yun Ce?"
Qin Yanzhou: "The sacrificial ceremony is over, and Marquis Wu'an has asked me to come out first."
Qin Hongying turned to look at the ancestral hall, seemingly lost in thought.
*
After Qin Yanzhou left, Qin Yunce knelt down in front of Qin Shaozong with a "plop".
Instead of using a kneeling cushion, he knelt directly on the ground and solemnly kowtowed three times to Qin Shaozong in front of the ancestral tablets of the Qin family. "Your kindness in raising me will be unforgettable for a lifetime and will be forever etched in my heart."
He called himself "Chang Sheng" (meaning "immortal").
Qin Shaozong lowered his eyes, his gaze unfathomable. "Have you really thought it through? Do you know what changing it back means?"
Qin Yunce, who had been touching the ground with his forehead, slowly straightened up. He had kowtowed three times, and his forehead was now red, as were his eyes.
“I know. But fourteen years have passed, and I still can’t forget those moments. Besides, those weren’t what I wanted, and my body… doesn’t allow me to do anything else.”
A tear rolled down his cheek. "Uncle, I'm sorry. I've let you down and failed to live up to your expectations over the years."
Qin Shaozong closed his eyes.
...
Qin Yunce left, leaving only Qin Shaozong in the ancestral hall.
The light of the setting sun slanted in from outside the door, falling on the burly man and casting a long shadow to his side.
In the empty room, that back, as heavy as a sword and seemingly never to bend, now exuded a sense of unspoken loneliness and desolation.
A moment later, someone sighed softly, “Brother, you are a much more successful father than I am.”
Author's Note: Here I am, please give me some nutrient solution! [Hands clasped in prayer]
I'll try my best tomorrow and see if I can get it [crying emoji]
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①: The Book of Rites - The Ceremony of Coming of Age
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