032
Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, six years have slipped through our fingers.
It was late autumn again, and the chrysanthemums were in full bloom in the imperial garden of the Yu Dynasty palace, filling the air with the fragrance of osmanthus. But even the most vibrant autumn colors could not compare to the festive atmosphere and undercurrents that permeated the palace today—today was the coming-of-age ceremony of the Ninth Princess, Si Mianmian.
The once deserted Zhuixia Pavilion is now bustling with activity. Palace maids come and go, carrying brocade boxes adorned with jewels, their brilliance illuminating the entire room. Consort Wen—now the Noble Consort Wen—wears a deep purple palace gown and a double phoenix hairpin adorning her head, exuding elegance and grace. Her brows reveal the composure cultivated through years of pampered life, yet when she gazes at her daughter's reflection in the bronze mirror, her eyes still hold an unyielding tenderness and a hint of barely perceptible sorrow.
Si Mianmian sat gracefully before the mirror, letting the palace maids do her hair and makeup. The girl in the mirror was fifteen years old, at the radiant age of her youth. Her once slightly chubby face had lost its childishness, revealing an exquisitely beautiful profile. Her skin was as white as snow, delicate and flawless. Her almond-shaped eyes were still clear, but deeper than in her childhood, their movement revealing both the innocent liveliness of a young girl and an occasional trace of composure and understanding beyond her years. Her eyebrows were naturally dark, her lips naturally red, and her entire demeanor possessed the grace of a royal princess, yet also an indescribable, captivating charm.
Survival Handbook Rule #32: Coming of age signifies adulthood. Shedding the shell of immaturity also means donning a more resilient armor. From this day forward, every step must be taken with greater caution, for your opponents will no longer show you mercy because of your "youth."
"My daughter has come of age." Consort Wen gently placed a red-gold phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls into her daughter's hair, her voice filled with emotion and pride. This phoenix hairpin was one of the coming-of-age gifts specially sent by the Emperor that morning, and it held extraordinary significance.
Si Mianmian grasped her mother's hand, her fingertips cool and gentle, her smile serene and reassuring: "Mother, I've grown up. From now on, it's my turn to protect you." In six years, she had grown from a little girl who needed to depend on her mother for survival into a young woman capable of standing on her own and even supporting her mother. Consort Wen's promotion from Consort Wen to Noble Consort was not only due to her own gentle and dignified demeanor, but also largely due to the growing importance of her daughter in the hearts of the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and even the former Crown Prince.
Survival Handbook Postscript: The magic of time lies in its ability to transform past "weakness" into present "capital." Past efforts and groundwork will, at some point in the future, connect to form a line, unleashing astonishing energy.
The coming-of-age ceremony was completed in a solemn and grand manner. A sacrifice was held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, attended by the Emperor and Empress, and witnessed by all officials. Si Mianmian, dressed in an elaborate and magnificent princess gown, moved with graceful steps, displaying impeccable poise and winning widespread praise. The Emperor, seeing his daughter blossom into a beautiful young woman who had remained "filial and considerate" for so many years, was overjoyed and showered her with gifts throughout the Yonghe Palace (the current residence of Consort Wen). The Empress Dowager even personally placed an ancient jade bracelet, symbolizing her status as a legitimate daughter of the imperial family, on her wrist, the significance of which was self-evident.
However, Si Mianmian was acutely aware of the undercurrents beneath the grand ceremony. The gazes directed at her contained a mix of admiration, envy, jealousy, and scheming, not to mention the undisguised scrutiny and comparison from the older princesses. Especially the Seventh Princess, Si Yunshang, who, though forcing a smile, almost overflowed with resentment and bitterness in her eyes.
After the ceremony and banquet, the lanterns were already lit. Si Mianmian excused herself to change, temporarily leaving the noisy banquet, and strolled alone to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion deep within the Imperial Garden. The autumn night was slightly cool, and the moonlight, like a ribbon, shone on the pavilions and towers, adding a touch of tranquility. She needed this moment of peace to sort out her thoughts and plan her next move.
Six years is enough to change a lot of things.
Crown Prince Si Jingjin's position has become increasingly secure, and he has begun to participate in core court affairs. His temperament has become increasingly deep and unpredictable, but he has always maintained an extraordinary degree of indulgence and protection towards his "sensible" younger sister, Si Mianmian. She always gets a share of the good things from the Eastern Palace.
Crown Prince Rong Jingyu remained as carefree as ever, but at the Emperor's birthday celebration two years ago, his brilliant "Nine Armies Simulation" won him thunderous applause, subtly elevating his status to a position of involvement in military affairs. The thin veil of ambiguity between him and Si Mianmian, the one between "Brother Jingyu" and "Little Darling," seemed to have thinned further; their interactions became increasingly natural and intimate, yet also more intriguing.
Prince Xuanjing remained low-key, but with his unfathomable knowledge and shrewdness, he gained considerable prestige among the literati of the Yu Dynasty, and his relationship with the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent was quite delicate. The "leisure books" and "chess manuals" he gifted to Si Mianmian had long transcended the realm of mere entertainment.
Jiang Wu, the female general whom Si Mianmian had once met and who was jokingly told to be her "sister-in-law," is now the youngest female general in Dayu. She works well with the Crown Prince in military and political matters, and their relationship... is intriguing.
More importantly, Si Mianmian herself was no longer the little girl who could only survive by "feigning pitifulness" and "chance encounters." In six years, with her photographic memory (a perk of time travel?), her accumulated knowledge of people and psychology from her previous life, and just the right amount of "luck," she became a confidante to the emperor, a source of joy for the empress dowager, and a capable "one of her own" in the eyes of the crown prince. She even helped the emperor resolve two minor court crises through some "unintentional" tips. Her reputation for "intelligence and virtue" had already quietly spread.
A reminder from the survival manual: True strength lies in being needed by everyone, yet remaining unseen. Your value should be like air—omnipresent, vital, yet unassuming.
"Hiding here to admire the moon? Is it because the wine at the banquet doesn't suit Ninth Sister's taste?" A voice with a lazy laugh rang out from behind, breaking the silence of the night.
Si Mianmian didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She slowly turned around, and in the moonlight, her beauty appeared even more refined and otherworldly. A genuine smile bloomed on her lips: "Didn't Brother Jingyu also hide out?"
Rong Jingyu strolled into the pavilion, still as dashing and unrestrained as ever, though the years had added a touch of mature charm to him, the black brocade robe making his figure even more upright. His gaze fell on Si Mianmian, filled with undisguised admiration, and he laughed, "There's nothing I can do, those old fogies inside, how can they compare to our little Zhaochen?" He had now gotten used to addressing her by her title.
Si Mianmian gave him a slight reproachful look, her eyes sparkling with charm: "You smooth talker." But there was no hint of annoyance in her tone.
Rong Jingyu stopped beside her, and they looked at the bright moon in the sky side by side. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "You've come of age. What are your plans for the future? You can't stay in this deep palace forever, just an innocent little flower, can you?" His words were loaded with meaning and contained a probing tone.
Si Mianmian felt a slight chill in her heart, knowing that the real confrontation had begun. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them, her voice soft yet firm: "What plans could Mianmian possibly have? It's nothing more than to be dutiful, filial to my father and mother, and loving to my brothers and sisters." She raised her eyes to look at Rong Jingyu, her gaze clear and unwavering, "As for Brother Jingyu, he is increasingly favored by Father, and his future is limitless."
Rong Jingyu chuckled softly, then suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear. His voice was low and magnetically seductive: "You little ingrate, talking to your brother like that? Do you know how many eyes have been on your marriage since your coming-of-age ceremony?"
These words struck Si Mianmian like a thunderbolt. Yes, reaching the age of marriage meant that marriage was on the agenda. For this highly anticipated princess, her marriage was destined to be a political game. What would the Emperor plan? What would the Crown Prince's attitude be? And what about the man before her… and that hostage prince far away in Chonghua Palace, whose thoughts were unfathomable?
The final note of the survival manual: Marriage was a woman's greatest bargaining chip in ancient times, but it could also be her most magnificent prison. To play this game well requires weighing all sides and careful planning before acting. Acting on impulse is a grave mistake.
Two blushes rose on her face at the right moment, and with a girl's shyness, she turned her face away: "Brother Jingyu, don't talk nonsense! Mianmian... Mianmian is still young and only wants to stay with Father and Mother for a few more years."
Rong Jingyu looked at her blushing profile, a deep smile flashing in his eyes. He stopped pressing her for answers and simply said, "Yes, she's still young. But..." He changed the subject, "There are plenty of toads in and out of this palace who want to eat swan meat. Little Zhaochen, you'd better keep your eyes open."
Just then, the voices of palace servants calling out came from afar: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is looking for you."
Si Mianmian responded and curtsied to Rong Jingyu: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is looking for me, so Mianmian will take her leave now."
Rong Jingyu nodded slightly, watching her graceful figure disappear into the moonlight and flower shadows. The smile on his lips gradually faded, turning into deep thought.
"Open your eyes wide?" he muttered to himself, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes. "I'm afraid you, little phoenix, already have someone else in your heart, or... you don't even have your heart set on this, do you?"
Si Mianmian walked towards the brightly lit palace, her heart churning with turmoil. Rong Jingyu's warning was no empty threat. Her marriage would inevitably become the center of a new storm. Her elder brother, the Crown Prince, Rong Jingyu, Xuan Jing… even those powerful scions she hadn't yet come into close contact with, would all be potential pawns or adversaries.
However, Si Mianmian was no longer the naive young girl she was six years ago, who had just arrived and needed to carefully disguise herself to survive. Six years of cultivation had allowed her to build connections, win the Emperor's favor, and gain a clearer understanding of the rules of this deep palace.
Coming of age is not the end, but a new beginning.
She looked up at the bright moon, a faint yet confident smile curving her lips.
This game of chess has been played for six years, and now it's her turn to make the moves.
Like a phoenix dancing in the heavens, its cry resounding. The格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall structure and political landscape) of the Yu Dynasty's harem and even the previous dynasty will inevitably be stirred up by Si Mianmian's coming of age.
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