After a master of metaphysics severed ties with his family, the whole family was filled with regret!

Chapter 112 Luo Chujiu's Grand Coming-of-Age Ceremony: No Comparison, No Harm

Upon hearing this, the group of people all turned to look at Nalan Qingyin, who had just driven Xiao Beiming away.

Nalan Qingyin, however, remained completely calm and did not seem guilty at all.

"He will arrive tomorrow, so Xiao Jiu need not worry."

"Yes, I know. I just saw that all the senior brothers were there except for him, so I was a little sentimental," Luo Chujiu explained to Nalan Qingyin.

Nalan Qingyin nodded and said nothing more.

That night, Luo Chujiu went to bed early. The next morning, Feiyun dug her out of bed and dressed her up.

Nalan Qingyin prepared a yellow coming-of-age ceremony dress for Luo Chujiu, knowing that she liked yellow, so she specially had it custom-made.

After all, most coming-of-age dresses are either pink or blue, with yellow being very rare, requiring a tailor to make them custom-made.

Meanwhile, in the front hall, Nalan Qingyin and several other senior brothers were already welcoming guests, which was the first of the fourteen coming-of-age ceremonies.

Once all the guests have arrived, a designated guide will lead them to their seats; this is the second ceremony.

After Luo Chujiu finished washing and dressing, she was invited to the front hall.

However, the third ceremony did not begin. It seemed that Nalan Qingyin was waiting for someone. Only when the person arrived could the ceremony be officially started.

The distinguished guest arrived in about fifteen minutes.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has arrived!"

Upon hearing this loud singing, everyone turned to look towards the main entrance.

Xiao Jinglin helped Consort Jiang to the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

"May Your Majesty be well, and may the Imperial Concubine be well!"

Apart from Xiao Beiming, Nalan Qingyin, and Luo Chujiu, the guests all bowed to His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine.

When Xiao Jinglin and Consort Jiang walked onto the stage, Xiao Jinglin finally spoke:
"No need for formalities, everyone. Consort Jiang and I are simply here to attend the coming-of-age ceremony. Please take your seats."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

After everyone was seated, Xiao Jinglin looked at Nalan Qingyin, indicating that he could begin.

At this moment, Nalan Qingyin glanced at the master of ceremonies, who then loudly proclaimed:

"Opening Ceremony—"

Nalan Qingyin stood up, smiled, and addressed the guests, announcing the official start of Luo Chujiu's coming-of-age ceremony.

"Those who have reached the age of marriage, please take your positions—"

Following the guidance, Luo Chujiu walked to the center of the venue. She did not bow to the guests, but simply smiled slightly at them from all directions before sitting down on the cushions.

“guests wash their hands (pronounced guan, fourth tone) –”

The distinguished guest who washed Luo Chujiu's hands was none other than Consort Jiang. Consort Jiang was helped to walk behind Luo Chujiu and combed her hair, tying it into a bun.

"Initial addition—"

Consort Jiang added a hairpin to Luo Chujiu's hair, then rose and returned to her original position, where the attendant Kong Xianling properly styled Luo Chujiu's hair.

"One bow—"

Originally, the first bow should be a formal bow to one's parents, but since Luo Chujiu has severed ties with the Luo family, she kneels before her four senior brothers instead.

"Thank you to my four senior brothers for taking care of me since I was a child. I am grateful and will always respect and love you in the future."

"Two plus—"

Ao Yuan put a hairpin in Luo Chujiu's hair, and Luo Chujiu then changed into a flowing robe that matched the hairpin.

Luo Chujiu bowed formally to Ao Yuan to express his respect for the elder.

"Three plus—"

Fu Heng added a hairpin crown to Luo Chujiu, and Luo Chujiu changed into a long-sleeved dress that matched the hairpin crown. She then bowed to Fu Heng.

"Place the sweet wine—"

The master of ceremonies set out the libation feast, and Nalan Qingyin led Luo Chujiu to her seat. Luo Chujiu raised a cup of wine, poured it on the ground as a libation, and then placed the cup to her lips, symbolically touching her lips to the ground.

"Those who have completed their hair-pinning ceremony—"

"My master wrote to me, giving me the name Guangming (meaning 'brightness'), hoping that you will shine brightly and live a virtuous life." "Guangming thanks my master for bestowing this name upon me."

Luo Chujiu knelt and bowed to heaven and earth.

"Listen to the instructions—"

Luo Chujiu knelt before Kong Xianling, who then instructed her.

"May you stand clear-headed between heaven and earth, upright and proud."

"Thank you for your teachings, Senior Brother. I will keep them in mind."

"Thank you—"

Luo Chujiu bowed to all the guests who came to attend her coming-of-age ceremony to express her gratitude.

"The ceremony is completed——"

Nalan Qingyin looked at all the guests:

"Thus, the coming-of-age ceremony for Guangming is complete—"

All the guests stood up and returned the greeting to Nalan Qingyin.

Only then was Luo Chujiu's coming-of-age ceremony complete, and the guests could then begin their meal.

Luo Chujiu did not need to avoid the guests; she received them alongside her fellow disciples, receiving the utmost freedom and respect.

Luo Chujiu went directly to Xiao Beiming, stretched out her hand, and asked him for her coming-of-age gift.

"where is my present?"

Seeing Luo Chujiu reach out to him, Xiao Beiming smiled and handed a wooden box to Luo Chujiu.

May Xiao Jiu be like this day every year, and may every year be like this morning.

"Thank you."

After thanking her, Luo Chujiu opened the box. Inside was a ring-shaped jade pendant engraved with the symbol she had given to Xiao Beiming, the number "9".

"Did you carve this yourself?"

Luo Chujiu could tell that the carving was somewhat rough. If Xiao Beiming had bought it or found it, the workmanship would certainly not be so rough.

The only possibility is that this jade pendant was carved by Xiao Beiming himself.

Xiao Beiming smiled and nodded, "It was carved by my own hand. I hope Xiao Jiu won't find it offensive."

"No, no, I love it! I'll put it on right now!"

Just as Luo Chujiu was about to put it on, her eyes darted around, and then she handed the jade pendant to Xiao Beiming:

"You can tie it for me."

Xiao Beiming naturally did not refuse, took the jade pendant, and tied it around Luo Chujiu's waist.

After chatting with Xiao Beiming for a few minutes, she went to find Xiao Jinglin and Consort Jiang.

"Cousin Kui Kui, thank you for coming to my coming-of-age ceremony today."

Luo Chujiu was very grateful for this, after all, Consort Jiang was pregnant and had made a special trip out of the palace for her coming-of-age ceremony, which was very thoughtful of her.

"I absolutely must attend your coming-of-age ceremony; His Majesty is trying to stop me from coming."

As she spoke, Consort Jiang gave Xiao Jinglin a coquettish look, and Xiao Jinglin smiled helplessly:
"You're heavily pregnant now, what if something happens to you? I'm just worried about you."

"The Imperial Preceptor's residence is so safe, how could there be any danger? Besides, Xiao Jiu is here, she will definitely protect me."

Xiao Jinglin did not want to argue with Consort Jiang, so he could only acquiesce to what she said.

Luo Chujiu could tell at a glance that the two were flirting, and their relationship was obviously even better than before, which put Luo Chujiu at ease.

Luo Chujiu smiled and helped Consort Jiang to her seat, then poured her a cup of her homemade flower tea.

"Cousin Kui Kui, since you can't drink alcohol, I'll offer you a toast with tea instead."

Luo Chujiu looked at Consort Jiang with a smile.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs instinctively reached out to test for poison with a silver needle, but Consort Jiang raised her hand, indicating that there was no need to test for poison. She then raised her teacup and drank it all in one gulp, showing complete trust in Luo Chujiu.

The description of the coming-of-age ceremony is from Baidu Encyclopedia, slightly modified; please do not take it too literally.
(End of this chapter)