Chapter 81 My Daughter Grows Up
On August 16, Shen Yuan was woken up early in the morning. With the help of the maid, he took a bath and washed his hair. His whole body was rubbed inside and out until he felt that a layer of skin was almost rubbed off. Only then was he let go.
Although the coming-of-age ceremony officially began in the afternoon, time was still tight. Everyone in the Shen family was busy early in the morning. Yan Siyu, Jiang Yunyi and Lu Shuyan also came early to talk to Shen Yuan.
It just so happened that Shen Xi was also here. They were all girls of the same age, and they became familiar with each other in a short while. Jiang Yunyi and Shen Xi were especially special, as they felt like they had known each other for a long time at first sight.
Even He Ying's mother came early in the morning and did not rest since she arrived. She helped her daughter check whether the seating arrangement for the guests was inappropriate, and then came to explain to Shen Yuan what to pay attention to during the coming-of-age ceremony.
Old Madam Shen saw all of this, and she couldn't express enough gratitude to the He family, her in-laws.
"Thank you for your concern, mother-in-law. Our two children, their mother is not around, and you have taken care of them for so many years."
Old Madam Shen knew that Kang'er had studied with He Ying's grandfather since he was a child and often went in and out of the He family. Manman was still young at that time and her son was busy with official duties, so he probably stayed at the He family for eight days out of the ten days.
"Madam, you are being too polite to me by saying this. Don't treat me as a guest. Calling me aunt is the same as treating me as your daughter. Not to mention that our two families are still related like this. Kang Ge'er is my son-in-law. They say a son-in-law is half a son. He is like my son."
As Shen Yuan listened to her grandmother and aunt talking, she couldn't help but think of the dream she had last night. Last night, she dreamed of her mother.
Her mother was on a particularly beautiful fairy mountain and told her that she was not lonely there at all. She could see many fairies passing by every day. She could talk to the fairies there, and they could also see her, her father, and her brother and sister-in-law.
The mother said that although she was not by her side, she could see her daily life. Every day, the mother told the passing fairy to bless her daughter to be happy every day.
In fact, Shen Yuan was still young when his mother left, and his memory of her has become very vague over the years. However, in his dreams, Shen Yuan clearly saw his mother's appearance, and even slept in his mother's arms in her room. When he woke up, he could still feel the warmth.
"Manman, what are you thinking about?"
When Mrs. He came to comb Shen Yuan's hair, she saw her staring blankly at the mirror.
"Aunt, I dreamed of my mother last night. She said she was watching me and even hugged me to sleep."
These words almost made Mrs. He cry. When Manman's mother Yan Sheng first came to the capital with her husband, the two of them became good friends.
What a good person! I don't know why God is so blind.
"My dear child, today is your coming-of-age day. Your mother must want to see you too. Let's dress up beautifully today." What wonderful children they are! Which mother can give up on them like this? Even if she passes away, she will find ways to bring them to this world to see them.
Just after noon, the guests arrived with gifts. Shen Yuan's yard was suddenly crowded. The first thing everyone did when they came here was to see the protagonist of the day.
At about 3 p.m., someone suddenly came in from outside to report that the princess had arrived, and everyone hurried out to greet her.
When they came out, the princess had already walked to the inner courtyard accompanied by He Ying. Just as Mrs. Shen was about to salute, the princess grabbed her arm.
"Old lady, please stop being like this. Don't treat me as a princess today. Just think of me as an ordinary guest who is here to see you. Go and do your own things. Don't delay other guests because of me."
When others heard the princess' familiar tone, they were a little surprised. They wondered when the princess became so familiar with the Shen family?
"It's still early, Princess, please go sit in my yard."
Just as Old Madam Shen was about to say that this was against etiquette, she heard the princess readily agree.
"Manman, this is my coming-of-age gift to you. Open it and see if you like it." The princess took a box from the maid and handed it to Shen Yuan.
The box was opened, revealing a pair of gold filigree and kingfisher-inlaid bead bracelets. The gold filigree and kingfisher-inlaid bracelets looked gorgeous, while the irregular inlays of various colored gems neutralized the sense of luxury, making them look lively and more suitable for a girl of Shen Yuan's age.
"So beautiful, thank you, princess, I like it very much."
"As long as you like it, I know it suits you as soon as I see it."
He Ying and Shen Xi were the ones who were taking care of the ladies, and Madam He and Old Madam Shen were also there to chat with them. As for the men, Shen Su was in trouble, as he was so busy that he could barely handle them all.
Fortunately, not long after, Shen Yun also rushed home from the Dali Temple. He had originally planned to return home after the morning court today, but something urgent suddenly happened. He was still the temple minister and could not leave, so he had to come back later.
It was three quarters past three in the afternoon, an auspicious time, and most of the guests had arrived. The coming-of-age ceremony was held outside the main hall in the front yard.
According to Dazhao’s custom, for ceremonies like the coming of age ceremony and the coming of age ceremony, the more people there are, the better. Therefore, the courtyard outside the main hall was now full of people. In front of the courtyard were mats and a few chairs, which would be the venue for the coming of age ceremony.
"Dear guests, thank you for taking the time to attend my daughter's coming-of-age banquet. I am deeply grateful. Now, the coming-of-age ceremony will officially begin."
The coming-of-age ceremony began. Normally, the father and mother of the person coming of age should come forward and sit down, but Shen Yuan's mother was no longer around, so his father and grandmother sat down instead. Shen Yun still carried his wife's tablet and placed it beside him.
After hearing the eulogy for the bride, Shen Yuan walked out of the house, first greeted his parents and grandmother, then greeted today's guest of honor, and finally bowed to all the guests who had arrived today.
Outside the crowd, a young woman stood quietly, looking at Shen Yuan.
"Madam, you are Miss Shen's cousin. Why don't you go in and talk to Miss Shen today?"
"No need. My aunt is gone now. What can I say if I go? It will only hurt both parties. It's enough to know that she is fine."
After my aunt passed away, everyone in the family was very sad, and at the same time they could not help but blame the Shen family for not taking good care of my aunt. However, even though they no longer had any contact with the Shen family over the years, they had been keeping an eye on her secretly...
After she married and moved to the capital, letters from home prompted her to secretly inquire about her cousins. After asking for a long time and knowing that they were living well, she did not go to disturb them.
My little cousin looks so much like my aunt now. If my grandmother saw me, I wouldn’t know whether she would be happy or sad…