The Book of Rites says: A girl has her coming-of-age ceremony at the age of fifteen and gets married at the age of twenty.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, one is considered an adult.
There are three additions to a woman's coming-of-age ceremony: adding a hairpin, adding a hairpin, and adding a hair crown.
Lin Hongchu kept the ceremony simple, as she was in mourning. She only wore her hair in a bun and a hairpin, without a hairpin or a crown. The hairpin was also to be plain and simple. There was no banquet or feast for guests, so the only person who witnessed the ceremony was Xu Jiang.
Yuan Yanyan originally wanted to come, but because she was not yet an adult and was the child of an official, she was afraid that someone would find fault with her and accuse her of violating etiquette, so she had to miss the opportunity regretfully.
But although she couldn't come, she still didn't miss the chance to send gifts. She sent someone to deliver a generous gift early in the morning to congratulate Lin Hong on her coming of age.
Xu Jiang also arrived early. His eyes were still a little red and swollen, but he looked very energetic.
Yin Yin stayed in the outer courtyard, and she helped Lin Hongchu bathe, burn incense, and dress up. If Mrs. Lin were still alive, she would have done these for Lin Hongchu.
Looking at Xu Jiang brushing her hair in the mirror, Lin Hongchu suddenly asked, "Sister, who performed your coming-of-age ceremony for you?"
Xu Jiang paused and said with a smile, "I myself."
Lin Hongchu felt a pang of pain in his heart and held her hand.
Xu Jiang patted her back and continued, "I think it's good. Let's grow up on our own and move forward."
At that time, she had just left Qianzhong. In order to look mature, she made a wooden hairpin and tied her hair up with it.
After tying her hair up, she looked at herself in the water. Looking at her reflection in the water, she reminded herself that she had no one to rely on and no one to depend on. She could only be self-reliant and struggle to move forward.
"When is my sister's birthday?" Lin Hongchu suddenly realized that although he had known Xu Jiang for such a long time, he had never seen her do things for him. She was always busy doing things for others.
"I don't celebrate my birthday."
"Why?"
"I was picked up by my master. I originally had no birthday, but he later made the day he picked me up my birthday. He spent every year with me, but after he left, I stopped celebrating."
What Xu Jiang didn't say was that her last birthday was the day her master's leg was broken. It was also because her master was celebrating her birthday that day that Xu Twelve persuaded her to drink a few more cups and coaxed her into writing the answer sheet.
When he sobered up and chased after her, it was too late.
From then on, Xu Jiang never celebrated her birthday again.
This matter was too cruel, and Xu Jiang didn't want to tell Lin Hongchu and make her sad.
"Which day is it?" Lin Hongchu said, "Father and I will celebrate it for you from now on."
Xu Jiang touched her head. Coincidentally, she heard Yin Yin talking to someone outside. She changed the subject and said, "It should be Aunt Lin who has arrived. We must hurry and not miss the time."
As soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Lin came in. Seeing that the two sisters had packed everything, she smiled and said, "I thought you would come earlier to pack, but I didn't expect everything to be ready already."
Xu Jiang pulled the person over and sat him down, saying, "Grandma has arrived at the perfect time. There are many rules that require instruction from the elders. Please talk to Hong Chu first. I'll make some breakfast and we'll eat together later."
"Okay, okay." Aunt Lin watched her leave with a smile, then took Lin Hongchu's hand, sat on the couch, and talked to her about the rules that women should abide by and the moral qualities they should cultivate after they become adults.
Aunt Lin said, "When we women grow up, the most important thing is to learn how to conduct ourselves in society..."
Xu Jiang stood outside the door and listened for a while, then went to the kitchen with a smile. Seeing this, Yin Yin hurriedly followed and helped her light the fire.
The two of them made a pot of vegetarian soup noodles and sent a bowl each to Master Lin and Zeng Zhui outside, and then the four people in their courtyard gathered together to eat.
After the meal, Xu Jiang accompanied Lin Hong to clean her mouth and face, then changed into new clothes and went to Mrs. Lin's mourning hall to hold the coming-of-age ceremony.
Before her marriage ceremony, Lin Hongchu bowed to her late mother, "Mother, I have grown up today, but I cannot repay you for your kindness in giving birth to me. I am unfilial."
It is a great regret for a son to want to support his parents but they are no longer around. Thinking that he has become an adult today and his mother should have taken care of him, but now they are separated by heaven, Lin Hongchu could not help crying.
Xu Jiang and Aunt Lin couldn't help but tear up.
After paying respects to her deceased mother, Lin Hongchu wiped her tears and bowed to Master Lin again, "Father, I am now an adult. From now on, I will support you and repay your kindness in raising me."
Master Lin looked at his daughter in front of him, thinking that when she was just born, she was only a foot tall, but now she has grown into a graceful young lady.
But she is gone, and I will grow old.
"Okay." Master Lin smiled kindly.
After paying respects to her parents, Lin Hongchu paid respects to Aunt Lin. Aunt Lin held a silk scarf and placed it in her palm, then knelt behind her and tied her hair for her.
Xu Jiang, who was standing by, quickly presented a comb and a silver hairpin.
Hairpins, hairpins, and hairpin crowns were ceremonial items prepared by Mrs. Lin for Lin Hongchu before she passed away. She had hoped that she could see her daughter grow up, but unexpectedly, fate did not fulfill her wish and she was ultimately unable to see it with her own eyes.
It is a pity that because Lin Hongchu was in mourning for her, only the hairpin could be pinned in the bun among these ceremonial objects.
After Aunt Lin had tied up Lin Hongchu's hair and put on a hairpin, she sang: "On this auspicious day of the month, you are now wearing your first clothes. I hope you will abandon your childish ambitions and cultivate your virtues. May you live a long and healthy life and enjoy great happiness."
After her hair was tied up and pinned up, she was given a name and listened to instructions. Xu Jiang helped Aunt Lin stand aside.
Master Lin walked to Madam Lin's spirit tablet and said gently to Lin Hongchu, "When your mother was still alive, she gave you the nickname Chen'an. I hope you will be safe and sound in your future. This is also my wish."
Lin Hongchu wept and bowed: "Chen An thanks mother and father."
Master Lin, fighting back tears, continued, "You've always been a sensible and good child, kind and not timid. You've grown into a mature man. Your father has no other wishes for you, except that you cultivate a peaceful mind and a carefree life, enjoying a happy and healthy life."
After receiving the instruction, Lin Hongchu bowed again: "Although I am not very smart, I will not refuse."
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