It's hard to believe that it's called a villa; there are two stone lions in front of the Xu residence.
The wall encloses all the surrounding trees and hills, showing just how large the house is.
At the main gate of the Xu family residence, Madam Xu arrived early and waited at the entrance.
Upon seeing Zhen Wanwan arrive, he warmly stepped forward and took her hand.
"Madam Zhen, you've finally arrived! Come on! I really need your help!"
Zhen Wanwan looked confused. What could possibly require her to wait for her?
When she arrived at the scene, she understood the cause of the matter: the hairpin maker that the Xu family had previously arranged could not come.
Madam Xu wanted her to help comb Miss Xu's hair.
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate, Madam Xu?"
The hairpin-wearing ceremony requires a woman of noble status and a harmonious and happy family to comb the hair of the person wearing the hairpin and offer her blessings.
Madam Xu thought to herself that no one present was of higher status than you.
Moreover, Zhen Wanwan's parents are both alive, her siblings are harmonious, her husband and wife are loving, and she has given birth to twins.
Such good fortune, if it could be used to make a hairpin for one's youngest daughter, would be a respectable thing to say.
“Perfect! I would be more than happy to have your blessing on my daughter.”
The other ladies present, whether they knew her or not, chimed in, praising Zhen Wanwan from head to toe.
This almost made Zhen Wanwan think she was incredibly noble.
The Xu family was a respected and influential family in the area, and their invitation to her help was a gesture of respect.
Zhen Wanwan naturally had no reason to refuse.
Therefore, without much hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
At the scene, Zhen Wanwan stood at the very front, next to Madam Xu, with a maid standing beside her, on a tray with items that would be needed later.
A short while later, Miss Xu walked in slowly amidst everyone's anticipation.
After seeing the other person's face clearly, Zhen Wanwan was stunned. She never expected that the other person was the woman she had seen standing next to Qu Huaiyuan at the academy that day, and who looked very well-matched with him.
So this is the third young lady of the Xu family!
Why did Qu Huaiyuan choose to elope?
Zhen Wanwan had a hint of doubt on her face, but she didn't show it in front of so many people.
"The coming-of-age ceremony begins, and all is silent; Heaven and Earth created all things, and all things prosper eternally. With family and country, we bring glory to our ancestors... Therefore, we hereby establish this solemn ceremony and clear rule; the coming-of-age ceremony begins, and music is played."
"Those who have given their votes, please take your seats!"
Upon hearing the praise, Zhen stood at the other end of the evening, lit candles and incense.
After the host and guests took their seats, Miss Xu bowed to the principal guest and sat down. Only then did Zhen Wanwan step forward to wash her hands and comb her hair to offer her blessings.
"Though I am not clever, I dare not disobey!"
"The ceremony is complete!"
After the coming-of-age ceremony was completed, guests from all around offered their blessings to Miss Xu.
Miss Xu walked up to Zhen Wanwan with great politeness, smiled and bowed to her: "Thank you for your kindness in combing my hair, Madam Zhen."
Before the coming-of-age ceremony began, Miss Xu already knew that the person who combed her hair had been changed.
Thinking of what her mother had told her, she couldn't help but secretly peek at Zhen Wanwan out of curiosity.
With skin as smooth as jade and delicate features, she exudes a gentle and approachable aura.
Only someone like that could tame that temperamental man.
While Miss Xu was sizing her up, Zhen Wanwan was also looking at her.
The phrase "as beautiful as jade" perfectly describes the girl before me. She was only sixteen years old, with fair and rosy cheeks, and had the demeanor of a young girl.
Upon closer inspection, she found that she was even more beautiful than when she first met Miss Xu.
"I haven't yet blessed Miss Xu, but I'm sure she'll find her Mr. Right in the future."
Zhen Wanwan keenly noticed that the other person's body trembled and a trace of disappointment flashed in their eyes.
It must be because Qu Huaiyuan refused to marry him!
She began to fantasize about their torturous love story, unaware that a banquet had already been set up in the living room.
Zhen Wanwan was invited to take a seat again this time, and she was not as reserved as when she first arrived.
While chatting and laughing with Madam Xu at the main table, a lady at the next table asked in bewilderment, "I wonder what happened to Madam Chen and Madam Han, that they don't even come over on days like this."
After these words were spoken, the surroundings quieted down considerably; in fact, they were quite curious as well.
After all, Madam Chen was a daughter of the Xu family, and her niece's coming-of-age ceremony had to be attended no matter what.
As for Madam Han, she accepted the Xu family's invitation to be a tutor for their third daughter long ago, but then stood them up on the appointed day.
Although the Han family is also a large family, isn't this blatantly offending the Xu family?
If it were them, they would crawl over even if they had broken their legs.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu's smile visibly faded; she was still angry about the incident.
His explanation was tinged with anger.
"Oh, I heard she's busy cleaning up her adopted son's stall!"
Han Erniang was somewhat uneasy at this moment. Although the Han family shared the same surname as her, they were distant relatives who had no connection whatsoever.
Even when she came to Anqing Prefecture, she preferred to stay at the Xu family's residence rather than go to the Han family's.
Now that this has happened, she's even less friendly towards the Han family.
To please Madam Xu, she spoke up to explain to everyone: "That's why it's better to raise someone else's child than your own. Madam Han is good in every way, except that she's a bit too soft-hearted."
Zhen Wanwan was confused. Her knowledge of the Han family was limited to the fact that her eldest aunt was the wife of the Han family's housekeeper's son.
She never liked to pry into these kinds of gossip, and she still couldn't understand what was going on today.
The lady in the know was immediately eager to share, and she covered her hand and whispered, "I heard that this mistress has caused trouble again. Last night, she bullied the cousin of Madam Chen's household."
"Look! Madam Chen didn't sleep all night; she brought Lord Chen to the Han family's door to demand an explanation!"
Han Erniang spat, "Such a scoundrel! And the Han family treasures him like he's something special."
Since arriving in Anqing Prefecture, Han Erniang has intentionally concealed her relationship with the Han family.
So everyone agreed, saying, "Madam Fang is absolutely right. It can only be said that Madam Han is too kind. If I were a mistress who couldn't be seen in public, I would have kicked her out long ago."
"Look at the state of things now! This once respectable and prestigious family has been turned into a complete mess by this mistress."
Seeing that the crowd was going too far, Madam Xu had no choice but to speak up and stop them.
Although she also looked down on the Han family's attitude towards this concubine's son, these rumors absolutely could not be allowed to spread from their Xu family.
Zhen Wanwan ate her fill at the banquet; she almost ate too much gossip!
After attending her coming-of-age ceremony, Zhen Wanwan bid farewell to Madam Xu and boarded a carriage to go home.
All the way there, she kept thinking that they would be staying here to live in the future, and even though she didn't like gossip, she still needed to know the reason behind things.
This will help avoid making a fool of yourself in future social interactions.
"Xiaomei! After we get back, when you have time, come to the county town to find out some information, especially about the lives of these families."
Xiao Mei smiled and replied, "Don't worry, my lady! I'm an expert at these things!"
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