The official paused for a moment and said, "Please invite the third daughter of the Liu family, Yu Jiao, to come in."
Liu Yaoyu and Yu Fuling followed Yu Jiao on the left and right, accompanying her out of the east room.
Yu Jiao bowed, greeted her parents and guests, and then took a seat.
Many of the guests present saw Yu Jiao for the first time and were curious. It was rumored that the third daughter of the Liu family had been raised in the countryside and not in Beijing, but her demeanor was no less than those of the daughters of the aristocratic families, her manners were graceful, and her appearance was also very pretty.
The daughter born in a scholarly family like the Liu family is indeed beautiful and intelligent. No wonder the Annan Marquis's Mansion is in a hurry to marry her. This Miss Liu San will be able to get married after her coming-of-age ceremony. Many ladies looked at Yu Jiao, and thought of the fact that she was a female doctor with exquisite medical skills. If such a girl was married as a daughter-in-law, it would be much easier for the people in the mansion if they had any illness. Many families have thought about marrying her.
Yu Qizhe stood in the crowd, his eyes fixed on Yu Jiao. His peach blossom eyes were a little deep, and no one knew what he was thinking.
The officials invited the sponsor, Ms. Yang, to come in. Ms. Yang washed her hands, took her seat on the west steps, and combed Yu Jiao's hair. She skillfully changed the double willow buns on Yu Jiao's head into flying fairy buns.
Madam Liu, as the main guest of honor, entered the venue after washing her hands with the help of the host. She walked in front of Yu Jiao and chanted a blessing in a loud voice, "On this auspicious day of the month, I am putting on your first year of formal attire. I will abandon your childish ambitions and help you become virtuous. I wish you a long life and great happiness."
After the blessing, the host presented a silk scarf and a hairpin. Madam Liu took the hairpin and put it on Yu Jiao. The host, Ms. Yang, then put on the symbolic hairpin for Yu Jiao.
Yu Jiao stood up, and the guests who were watching the ceremony bowed to congratulate her, and she smiled back.
Then Yu Jiao returned to the east room. Ms. Yang took the clothes from the official and brought them into the house. Yu Jiao changed into a plain dress that matched the hairpin on her head, and went out of the room again to kneel down and pay homage to Liu Yu and his wife and Old Madam Liu.
This counted as one plus one bow, followed by two pluses. Madam Liu washed her hands again, and the official presented her with a hairpin. Madam Liu chanted loudly again, "In an auspicious month and on a favorable day, I will serve you. I respect your dignity and your virtue. May you live a long life and receive blessings forever."
After the toast, Ms. Yang took off Yu Jiao's hairpin, and Mrs. Liu put a hairpin on Yu Jiao. Ms. Yang helped to adjust the hairpin. The guests bowed to Yu Jiao again to congratulate her. Yu Jiao returned to the east room and changed into a long gown with curved hems that matched the hairpin on her head.
After the second bow, it was time for the third bow plus the third bow. The official presented the hairpin and crown, and Madam Liu once again chanted loudly, "In the right year, in the right month, all are dressed in honor. The brothers are all here to complete their virtue. Huang Gou has no boundaries, and receives the blessing of heaven."
Ms. Yang took off her hairpins, and Mrs. Liu added a hairpin crown for Yu Jiao. Ms. Yang helped to adjust the hairpin crown, and the guests bowed to congratulate her.
Jianjia helped Yu Jiao put on a long dress with wide sleeves and said with a smile, "Miss, are you feeling tired? Just bear with it for a while and the ceremony will be over."
Yu Jiao smiled, with a slightly tired look on her face. The coming-of-age ceremony was indeed a bit complicated, but it was only once in a lifetime, so she could still endure such tediousness.
After going out of the room to pay respects again, the sweet wine banquet was ready, and Yu Jiao took her seat. Madam Liu took the sweet wine from Ms. Yang and handed it to Yu Jiao. Yu Jiao knelt down facing the altar for worshiping heaven and earth, poured half a cup of sweet wine, sprinkled it on the ground as a sacrificial wine, and brought the remaining half cup to her lips, touching them symbolically.
The hairpin crown on her head and the long-sleeved dress were extremely heavy. Jianjia stepped forward to help Yu Jiao stand up. Liu Yu looked at Yu Jiao lovingly, "Now that the etiquette is ready, I will announce your name on an auspicious day of the month. My name is Kong Jia, which is suitable for a gentleman. I will give it to you on vacation, and I will protect you forever. You are called Yu Ningfu."
This is to give Yu Jiao the name Yu Ning.
Yu Jiao replied, "Although Yu Ning is not smart, I dare not come here day and night."
Then he listened to the instructions. Liu Yu said in a gentle voice, "Serve your parents with filial piety, and be kind to your children. Be gentle, honest, respectful, frugal and modest. Do not be arrogant or conceited, and do not deceive others. This is the ancient teaching. You should abide by it."
Yu Jiao replied respectfully, "Although I am not very smart, I will still accept your advice."
Liu Yu and his wife, along with Yu Jiao, bowed to thank the guests, and the ceremony was concluded.
Madam Liu invited a troupe of actors, and they came into the mansion a few days ago and set up the stage in the back garden. The banquet was also set up in the back garden. Madam Liu asked Jianjia to help Yu Jiao go back to the room to rest, and invited the guests to the back garden for the banquet.
Yu Jiao glanced at the crowd, met Yu Qizhe's gaze, winked and smiled at him, then went back to Yingyuexie to change out of her wide-sleeved dress.
The hairpin was too heavy, and Yu Jiao's neck was a little stiff. Jianjia poured Yu Jiao a cup of hot tea, rubbed her shoulders and said distressedly, "Miss, it's okay to go to the banquet later, you should take a good rest."
While Yu Jiao was drinking tea, Liu Yaoyu came in from outside, holding something covered with black cloth in her hand, "Third sister, Young Marquis Gu sent someone to send you a birthday gift."
Liu Yaoyu looked very happy, as if she was the one receiving the gift.
She placed the thing covered by the black cloth on the table and said with a smile, "Third sister, guess what Gu Yun brought you?"
The thing on the table looked a bit like a box, and it was not small in size. Yu Jiao really couldn't guess what it was. She smiled and shook her head. She didn't know if Gu Yun's injury had fully recovered, but he even had the energy to ask someone to send her a birthday gift.
"Open it quickly and take a look." Liu Yaoyu urged with a smile.
Yu Jiao reached out and lifted the black cloth, revealing a white marble birdcage. The jade cage was in the style of a hexagonal palace with a pointed roof, two layers of flying eaves, and upturned eaves with beads hanging on the corners. The eaves were engraved with lotus patterns, and the brackets were carved with bird feather patterns. It was extremely exquisite.
A pink cockatoo stood in the cage, holding the railing tightly with its claws. Its head was slightly tilted, its feathers were smooth, its long tail was trailing, and it tilted its head to look at Yu Jiao.
"Fairies have come down to earth, fairies have come down to earth!" The cockatoo shook the phoenix feather crown on its head, opened and closed its sickle-shaped beak, and called out clearly.
"This little thing is really interesting!" Liu Yaoyu's eyes were full of surprise. She noticed the top of the birdcage and said enviously, "Even the handle is made of jade. Third sister, Young Marquis Gu is always very generous when he gives you something."
Last time it was a box of South China pearls, and this birthday gift was no less extravagant. The cockatoo alone was a very rare species.
Fortunately, the servants of Annan Marquis' Mansion covered it with a black cloth when they brought it to her, allowing her to carry it directly into Yingyue Pavilion. Otherwise, if the guests outside saw it, countless girls in the capital would envy Yu Jiao.
Yu Jiao felt even more guilty in her heart. She had no romantic feelings towards Gu Yun, so how could she accept the expensive gifts he prepared so carefully over and over again?
Liu Yaoyu couldn't help feeling a little strange when she saw that Yu Jiao didn't seem very happy about receiving such a valuable and interesting gift. Just as she was about to ask her, Bai Lu hurried in from outside.
"Second Miss, Third Miss, there are distinguished guests visiting the mansion. The master wants you to go to the flower hall to meet the guests." Bai Lu's face was not good, as if the so-called distinguished guests were not people welcomed by the Liu Mansion.
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