"Before the coming-of-age ceremony, you have to wear bright colors to represent the innocence of a girl." Madam Shen gently took Si Jinxing's hand, her eyes unable to hide the disappointment.
I really regret leaving this child alone in Beijing back then.
Actually, I missed all the time we spent together.
In the blink of an eye, the soft and sweet little baby has grown into a big girl and can no longer be held.
Si Jinxing smiled and said, "Thank you aunts for the dresses you prepared. Xing'er likes them very much."
She thought that today was just a family dinner together.
However, she didn't expect that when she entered the mansion, she found that the Lan Mansion was decorated with lights and colors everywhere, and it was as lively as the New Year!
Upon asking, I found out that the grandmother loved her granddaughter so much that she hadn't celebrated her birthday for ten years.
She gave the order and it was done!
Invitations were sent to all the relatives and friends who had contact with the Lan family over the years!
Even Si Jinxing's younger sisters and Princess Heng, who were friends with her, were taken care of carefully by the Lan family.
What she didn't expect the most was that the main guest today, the person who would confer the title of tiara on her, was actually the Empress Dowager!
The person who is to receive the hairpin is usually the most dignified, steady and most blessed female elder in the family.
The Empress Dowager is naturally worthy of Quan Longyin, the most blessed female predecessor!
For a moment, all the women in the flower hall were filled with envy for the young lady of the Lan family!
Si Jinxing changed her clothes and entered the hall accompanied by her third aunt Han.
She bowed towards the guests.
The Empress Dowager is wearing a green palace robe with red edges today.
The robe was embroidered with large peony flowers using gold and silver threads, which looked elegant and luxurious.
She washed her hands with a dignified posture and a smile on her face, then began to comb Si Jinxing's hair.
When a woman reaches the age of 15, she is required to perform three additions and three bows.
The three plus refers to:
First, a bun is added, then a hairpin is added, and finally a hairpin crown is added, matched with three different sets of clothing, symbolizing the different growth processes of women.
The three bows are to pay respect to parents, teachers and the ancestral temple every time a woman comes of age, thus preparing to pass on the family motto.
Finally, it was the Empress Dowager who lovingly helped Si Jinxing up and said:
"Today, you are a grown-up girl, and I give you a name: Jianing.
It represents auspiciousness, happiness, joy, and peace.”
Before a girl reaches the age of 15, she only has a name but no courtesy name. Now her name is Si Jinxing, with the courtesy name Jianing.
Si Jinxing finally understood why unmarried ladies were said to be waiting to be married!
The long hair is tied up, and the coming-of-age ceremony is over.
The old lady of the Lan Mansion announced:
"The Lan family's young lady's coming-of-age ceremony has been completed. Thank you all ladies and young ladies for your kind participation."
Next comes the endless stream of preserved fruits, desserts and pastries, as well as the most fashionable snack of the moment: ice jelly!
This is something that the noble ladies in Beijing can no longer buy except Yaxu Lao!
Qi Nanling took Si Jinxing's arm and said with a smile:
"You clever little bastard, you've attracted another group of wealthy diners!"
Si Jinxing laughed and said:
"As the saying goes, if you want to keep a girl's heart, you must first capture her appetite!"
Princess Heng also said:
"Last time I asked you about the new shop, you kept it a secret then. What's going on today? Do you still want to keep it a secret?"
The Empress Dowager had been in contact with the old lady of the Lan family since she was young, and they had been friends for many years, so she made an exception and left the palace to be the one to receive the marriage certificate.
It was the first time for her to eat this ice jelly. She felt it was smooth, cool, fragrant and delicious, which relieved the hot and irritable feeling she had been having for days.
She smiled at the old lady of the Lan Mansion and said:
"Your granddaughter is quite thoughtful!"
When Old Lady Lan heard this, she looked at her granddaughter who was chatting and laughing with the little sisters, and said distressedly:
"Xing'er, it hasn't been easy for her to get to where she is today. Back then, I actually left her all alone in the hands of that bastard from the Si family!"
The Empress Dowager had heard about Si Junshan's affairs and could only offer consolation:
"You can see now that our Xing'er, although petite and frail, is not a timid or pretentious person!"
There is usually no banquet for the coming-of-age ceremony, but the Lan family didn’t care about that and just held the banquet!
Those who were invited by the Lan family were all families that had good relations with the Lan family. Many of them wanted to take the opportunity to establish a relationship with the Lan family, but they could not even send a coming-of-age gift.
For example, Qi Nanyan, who is full of regret at this moment.
Back then, he should have taken Si Jinxing as his concubine, so that both the Lan and Si families would be under his command!
You know, the entire northern part of Longyin is under the influence of Si Junshan and his father-in-law, General Lan!
Now, is it really too late?
After the banquet, Si Jinxing was harassed by her three aunts again. Finally, it was the old lady who spoke and took her back to her own courtyard.
Si Jinxing supported her grandmother's arm and helped her sit down. She then stood behind her obediently, rubbing her shoulders and back, and said:
"Grandma, you are so kind to Xing'er. Xing'er has caused you so much trouble again."
The old lady pulled her to her front, held her in her arms, and said:
"You've suffered so much over the years dealing with those wolves, tigers and leopards all by yourself!
In the Lan Mansion, you don't need to be careful everywhere. From now on, this will be your home."
Si Jinxing reached out and hugged her grandmother beside her. She really looked like her grandmother in her previous life.
Since she came into this world, she has been accustomed to the indifference of family affection, but now someone has given her a home.
She liked the Lan family very much, not only her grandmother and three aunts were kind to her.
Instead, the family rules of the Lan family made her feel like she was part of the family.
Men are not allowed to take concubines, and women are not allowed to be concubines.
My grandparents set an example themselves and had no prejudice against boys. They treated their three daughters-in-law very well, even better than their own sons.
The three aunts are all kind people and there is no need to share their husbands with others.
They were cheerful every day and treated the servants in the mansion with kindness and generosity.
Over time, the entire Lan family naturally developed this kind of harmonious and friendly atmosphere.
The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while, and then a servant came to report, saying:
"Prince Mo Ying has arrived. He said he wants to see the young lady. The eldest lady has brought him here."
The old lady felt a little worried when she heard this. She looked at Si Jinxing and said:
"Xing'er, King Mo Ying is young and energetic, and he's a killer on the battlefield, so he has a bad temper.
If you don't want to marry him, Grandmother can go to the Emperor and withdraw even if she has the honor of a first-rank imperial decree..."
Si Jinxing shook her grandmother's hand and said soothingly:
“Grandma, Xing’er has suffered a lot and has learned to judge people.
He is very nice to Xing'er.
That day, in order to vent his anger for his granddaughter, he broke into the Si family's backyard and whipped Zhou twenty-one times!
He respects his granddaughter very much and often seeks my advice."
Seeing that the old lady's face was still full of worry, she smiled and said:
"If you're worried, I won't marry you. We can discuss it later when you like him."
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard a cold male voice from the courtyard:
"Aunt, look at her, she has such a cruel heart!"
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