The surroundings were extremely quiet, and the guests were thinking different things. However, Wei Hanzhang, a little girl, was not embarrassed at all when being treated so politely by the Marquis Xie Li. She just smiled and said, "You are too polite, sir."
She paused, feeling somewhat helpless and sweet about the man's impatience. In the face of Xie Li's respectful and expectant look, she nodded slightly and replied softly, "Yes."
The girl's voice echoed in the silent courtyard, as clear as jade beads falling on a plate, and it made the Crown Prince Wei Huan and Liu beside them come back to their senses. Without time to think about anything else, they hurriedly called the eunuchs who came with Xie Li to announce the decree to sit down and rest.
Xie Li heaved a sigh of relief when he received the confirmation. He completed the tasks assigned by His Highness and also made himself familiar to the future Queen. He was so happy that he hurried back to report. He did not want to stay for long and politely bowed to everyone in the room.
A group of people came from the palace in a mighty procession, did not stay for long, and then left in a mighty procession.
After the people left, the guests in the yard remained reserved.
Among the guests who came today, Wei Hanshuang was closest to her little cousin. Seeing this scene, she asked in a trance, "Ran Ran, when did you meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
Wei Hanzhang felt that Xiao Boqian was really capable after shocking her usually steady cousin to such an extent.
She looked slightly embarrassed and muttered softly, "We've known each other for a while."
The surroundings were quiet and her voice could be heard clearly.
Upon hearing this, the guests were all stunned. This statement clearly hinted at why His Highness treated her so differently.
Wei Heng, who had been stunned for a long time, finally came back to his senses. He bowed to the guests and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. I have something urgent to do at home, so I can't keep you here for long. Thank you all for coming to see my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony today. If I have been negligent, I will come to apologize another day."
"Brother Wei, why are you so polite?" someone in the room immediately responded, "It is my honor to be able to come to your house to watch the ceremony today. Our two families have known each other for many years, and we should visit each other more often in the future."
This statement immediately attracted a wave of agreement.
Those who were able to come here today were originally people who had close personal relationships with Wei Heng or Jiang family. Needless to say, their relationship was very close. Now they had witnessed with their own eyes that the current crown prince sent a distinguished marquis to present a coming-of-age ceremony to the girl from the Wei family.
He was even more glad that he had come to the right place today. After all, looking at the situation, the girl from the Wei family was very likely to become a concubine in the Eastern Palace. If he did a good job in front of her, he could always accumulate some favor.
Anyone who can make it in official circles will have good eyesight. The guests could see that the elders of the Wei family were no less shocked than they were, and it was obvious that they were completely unaware that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was acquainted with the girl in their family.
Knowing that the Wei family was certainly not in the mood to exchange pleasantries with them at this moment, they all bowed and said goodbye quickly.
Soon, the courtyard, which was bustling before, was left with only the Wei family members. The two married girls, Wei Hanye and Wei Hanshuang, had not left and were standing under the eaves of the corridor.
Wei Ping had not yet finished his shift and returned home. Liu was the oldest among the people here. She sat on the pear wood chair brought by the servants, looking at her little granddaughter with a strange expression. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
After a strange silence, Liu waved to Wei Hanzhang with a loving face and said, "Come here, Ranran. After today, you will be a big girl. Let your grandmother take a good look at you."
“……”Wei Hanzhang lowered his head and pursed his lips without saying anything.
Thinking of that night in the study, her grandmother's indifferent attitude and the loving voice in her ear gave her goose bumps, and she stood there, motionless.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
"Please don't embarrass my mother. My father and mother are not aware of my acquaintance with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Wei Hanzhang couldn't bear to see Jiang being questioned by Liu because of him, so he said first: "If you have any dissatisfaction, just tell me directly."
Liu sat upright on the chair. She was not angry at the younger generation's disobedience. She just looked at her softly and said in a kind tone, "Ran Ran, do you have any misunderstandings about your family? Why do you think that your grandmother will be dissatisfied with you?"
Wei Huan, who was standing beside her, also said, "Jiu Niang, you can't talk to your grandmother like that..."
He acted like an uncle with a dignified look on his face. Just as he was about to say something else, he saw Wei Ping leading his sixth son Wei Huai rushing towards him.
The father and son were still wearing official robes. It was obvious that they had not even had time to change into their casual clothes after returning home from work, and they came straight here.
The midsummer sun was fierce, and one could vaguely see the white hair on Wei Ping's temples. He looked anxious and walked in a hurry.
Liu hurriedly stood up to greet him, and everyone in the Wei family, including Wei Heng, bowed and greeted him.
Wei Ping said, and after looking around, his eyes fell on Wei Hanzhang. His face relaxed slightly and he said, "It's very hot in the sun. What are you all standing here for? Let's talk inside if you have anything to say."
The main courtyard was too far away, so Wei Ping went straight into the reception hall of the second house.
A maid brought in a few ice jars, and a hint of cool air filled the air.
In the huge hall, Wei Ping and Liu sat at the top, the two legitimate sons, Crown Prince Wei Huan and Wei Heng, sat on the left and right respectively, and among the illegitimate sons, only Wei Huai came.
Among the grandchildren, the eldest son of the first wife and the sisters Wei Hanye and Wei Hanshuang are all alive. Apart from them, only Wei Hanzhang and Jiang are left.
"As soon as I returned home, I heard that something big had happened at home," Wei Ping put down the teacup in his hand and said, "Changmen Hou came to the mansion to give a zither at the order of His Highness, is it true?"
"Father, this is the gift from His Highness to Little Jiuniang for her coming of age." Wei Huan whispered what he had seen, briefly describing it in detail. At the end, he whispered, "His Highness also asked Changmen Hou to ask Little Jiuniang about the appointment. Can we set the date tomorrow?"
"Oh?" Hearing this, Wei Ping was greatly encouraged, his eyes sparkled, and he looked towards Wei Heng, "Second brother, is what your brother said true?"
Wei Heng was already feeling complicated because of his parents' attitude towards their daughter not showing up at the coming-of-age ceremony. When he heard the question, he showed some hesitation on his face. After a moment, he nodded slightly and said, "Yes."
Wei Hanzhang sat below, and together with Jiang Shi, they watched quietly as Wei Ping asked questions until his gaze finally turned to themselves.
Wei Ping's usually serious face showed a slight smile, his expression was gentle, and he said softly: "Xiao Jiu, would you like to tell your family what the prince has agreed with you to do tomorrow?"
Since he used the word "willingly", he must have known the attitude of the people in the Wei Mansion during this period, which made his granddaughter and the Wei family alienated from each other.
He didn't care about it before. After all, as the head of the family, why should he care about the thoughts of the younger generation? Now that he knows that his granddaughter is related to the current crown prince... naturally he doesn't want her to be estranged from the family.
Fortunately, it is not too late. The little girl who grew up in a honey pot and was pampered has suffered some grievances. She can be coaxed and it will be fine.
(End of this chapter)