◇ Chapter 108 Daily Life After Marriage: Lianzhi’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Part 2)
Madam Bai and the Helan prince, Helian Dulan, stepped forward. In public, Madam Bai was much more composed, her hands no longer trembling. As she tied Lianzhi's hair, she truly acted like a mother. Helian Dulan, on the other hand, hadn't yet figured out how to use Daning's hair crown, so his movements were a bit slow.
At the guest table, some sharp-eyed people noticed that the person's figure and appearance were different, and they were afraid that she was not from Daning. Some even guessed her identity and chose to keep silent.
Relations between Daning and the North Sea were now easing, and since that person was likely the next queen of the Helan tribe, they were already showing their integrity by not fawning over her. Why bother causing trouble for themselves? By marrying the young prince of the Helan tribe, Lord Bai's future career would surely be bright.
Therefore, Helian Dulan fiddled with the leather cap for a long time, and no one dared to urge her.
"How do I wear this thing?" Helian Dulan was a little anxious, and her movements became faster and faster. Lianzhi comforted her softly: "Don't worry, sister, how about I do it?"
"No more." Helian Dulan sighed and said coldly in the North Sea dialect, "Go back with my sister."
Lianzhi was stunned, afraid the guests would notice. Not only would that embarrass Bo Kang, but it would also raise suspicions about their relationship with Sister Dulan. He said, "Sister, why not just put it on my head..."
Helian Dulan bit her lip, her teeth clicking. Finally, she managed to hold back and put the leather crown firmly on Lianzhi's head. Lianzhi breathed a sigh of relief. After she left, the ceremonial officer glanced in the direction of the leader and said loudly, "The third crown—"
The crowd all moved aside, making way for a passage. Bo Kang, holding his formal gown and hair crown, sat across from Lian Zhi. Helian Dulan didn't know how to tie his hair, so Lian Zhi's long hair was twisted on top of her head, with a wisp of hair hanging down, covering her eyes.
"Brother." Lianzhi blinked, "Hurry up."
Bai Kang came back to his senses and put a crown on his head and a jade hairpin on his head. Lianzhi lowered her head obediently, waiting for him to fix her hair, and suddenly smiled.
"Brother's hairdressing skills are getting better and better." Lianzhi smiled sweetly. Bai Kang suppressed the urge to rub his hair and waited for the ceremonial officer to finish reading the rest of the congratulatory speech.
Lianzhi was supposed to toast the guests at the end, but Bo Kang, unwilling to let him drink more, canceled the ceremony without authorization. The ceremonial officer didn't dare to say anything. On matters of etiquette, who could argue with Bo Kang, who worked at the Ministry of Rites?
Lianzhi didn't know many of the people at the table, and he didn't want to stay any longer. Geerer, who had just been helping the ceremonial officer prepare the ritual vessels, had disappeared. Turning back, he saw a seat vacant on the left. Lianzhi rolled his eyes and quietly left the table.
As expected, there were three figures in the corridor, two standing and one sitting. Geerer, still bowing, said to Helian Dulan and Yuyao, "...I heard him address the young prince as Chen Fenglian myself. I'm sure you two have heard of this. It's the name of the Emperor of Da Ning!"
"Geril!" Lianzhi rushed over, "What are you talking about!"
"Xiaozhu, is what he said true?" Helian Dulan asked coldly.
Geerer looked over with a look of grievance. Lianzhi stammered and was speechless. This was the truth. Helian Dulan suppressed his anger. Geerer continued: "I also heard what he said. How dare you disobey me? How dare Bai Kang speak to the young prince like this!"
In fact, that day, Prince Mu's palace sent a box of crabs, and he secretly ordered someone to cook and eat them. Unexpectedly, he started to break out in rashes that night, which made Bai Kang very angry. When Bai Kang was very angry, he would call him by his full name. In this case, he was indeed in the wrong, so he didn't dare to talk back, but he didn't expect to be misunderstood.
"Is this true?" Helian Dulan asked.
"That's not what he said." Lianzhi tugged at her sleeve and acted coquettishly. Yuyao also echoed: "Yes, yes, Zhuzhu is very naughty. And Zhuzhu looks much rounder. It must be because Master Bai raised her well!"
Helian Dulan looked at the two of them, then at Geril, and said firmly: "Come back to the Helan tribe with me."
Lianzhi was stunned and said subconsciously: "I want to stay here."
Helian Dulan's usually expressionless face was filled with a hint of heartache, which made Lianzhi feel even more guilty. Helian Dulan said, "He treats you badly. Come back with me."
Lianzhi was about to say that Bai Kang treated her very well, but Helian Dulan continued, "We don't know his character, so how can we leave you alone in Daning? If you get bullied, we won't be able to help you. You haven't been with your mother and sister since you were a child, and we are all very worried about you."
"I also think Sister Dulan is right." Yuyao changed her mind and said, "Zhuzhu, you and Master Bai should come live in the North Sea. We all miss you very much."
Lianzhi lowered her head, her eyes a little red.
When he was first reborn, he was mostly grateful. Even though he knew he was now in Helian Zhulan's body, he still felt only hatred. He didn't mind using those around him, even those in the North Sea, for revenge.
When he met Helian Dulan, she was cold and aloof, completely different from the impression he had of his mother. Yes, they hadn't seen each other for so many years, so naturally there wouldn't be any feelings, and he could use them with peace of mind.
But they all loved him and cared about him.
I am no longer an unloved child.
Lianzhi's nose felt a little sour, and impulsively, without thinking, she said, "Actually, I'm not Helian Zhulan."
Helian Dulan's eyes became even more confused, and Yuyao and Geerer also looked at him in surprise. After a long time, Helian Dulan got up and left without saying a word.
Qing He's voice came from behind. Bai Kang, who had stayed at the table to toast him, came over. Seeing the strange atmosphere between them, he was confused and asked, "What's going on?"
Helian Dulan, who was about to leave, stopped beside him and said coldly: "You, be nicer to Xiaozhu."
Yu Yao sighed and said, "Even if you have a deep relationship with Lord Bai, you can't say such things to Sister Dulan."
After that, she left. Bo Kang didn't know what was going on, but he was still cheerful: "What good things are you saying about me?"
Holding the lotus branch, he turned around and was startled: "Why are you crying? Who bullied our baby?"
"I want to be honest with her." Lianzhi sobbed. Bai Kang knew what was going on when he heard this and wiped his face: "Are you sure you want to tell her? Baby, you have already avenged Prince Zhulan."
Mobei has been destroyed, and those who hurt Zhulan are long dead. If I don't tell her, Lianzhi might feel guilty. But if I tell her...
But after a moment, Lianzhi made a decision: "I'm not going to tell her."
It would be too cruel to let them know that my younger brother is dead and has been taken over by someone else.
"It's all your fault for being mean to me that they misunderstood." Lianzhi clutched Bo Kang's collar, blushing and saying fiercely, "So you better treat me better in the future! In front of Ge Ri'er, just call me Xiao Zhu, and you have to act nicer."
Bo Kang suppressed his laughter and said, "Okay, Xiaozhu."
When Lianzhi returned, her face was still red. Yuyao looked at him and shook her head in frustration. Lianzhi glared back, "You're still shaking your head. What happened between you and Chang Yuzhu?"
After the new emperor's death, Yan Xiniang returned to Longxi. Chang Yuzhu, feeling depressed for a long time, followed her. After more than half a year, she returned alone and dejected. Bo Kang, unsure how to comfort her, sought advice from Lianzhi, who then revealed the matter to Yuyao.
A few days ago, I heard from Bai Kang that Chang Yuzhu and Yuyao exchanged several letters. I don’t know how they are doing now.
"Wait a little longer." Yu Yao chuckled, "I'll definitely tell you if there's good news."
The guests didn't leave until late in the evening. Mrs. Bai cleaned up the guest room for Yuyao and Helian Dulan to stay in. Lianzhi followed them and said something to them. She stayed in the room until midnight before returning. Bai Kang hadn't slept all night, waiting for him.
As soon as Lianzhi came back, she threw herself into Bo Kang's arms: "I told my sister a lot of good things about you, and she agreed to let me stay. You should thank me."
Bai Kang smiled. Lian Zhi held out her hand: "I'm an adult now. Do you have any gift for me, brother?"
"It's been prepared long ago." Bai Kang took out a brocade box and opened it. Inside was a set of headgear and a plain white brocade dress. It was made of white jade and embellished with pearls, shining brightly.
Lianzhi's hobbies were simple: she loved eating, sleeping, and dressing up. It was no big deal for Bo Kang to prepare a gift for her. He draped the white brocade dress over Lianzhi, who pouted, "I dressed up for you anyway, so of course you're so attentive."
Having said that, he put on his brocade robe very proactively, hugged Bo Kang's neck and sat in his arms: "Brother, I have finally reached adulthood."
He lived to be twenty years old, and Bai Kang was still by his side.
This was truly the happiest birthday he had ever had.
Helian Dulan and Yuyao stayed in Rongcheng for a month. Taking advantage of the warm spring weather, Lianzhi took them on a scenic outing. Coupled with Mrs. Bai's warm hospitality, Helian Dulan's impression of Bai Kang changed considerably.
When they returned, Lianzhi and Baikang secretly sent them off. The usually aloof Helian Dulan showed reluctance to leave and said to Baikang, "Remember your promise."
Bai Kang nodded in agreement. After their carriage left the city, Lianzhi asked, "What did you say behind my back?"
"He said he would take you back to the North Sea." Bai Kang said frankly.
Lianzhi was surprised. Bo Kang spread his hands and said, "I promised the Crown Prince that I would return to the North Sea with you."
But he stayed in Daning because he was originally from Daning. Beihai was an unfamiliar place. If Bai Kang left, wouldn't that end his career? Lianzhi disagreed: "Don't be impulsive."
"Who's impulsive?" Bo Kang hugged him tightly and put his head on his shoulder. "I told you, I'll go wherever you go."
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