Chapter 1033: Removal of Mourning Clothes
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Auntie Xu had long known that this girl was impressive. She was a golden phoenix that could not be trapped in the residence.
When she was vounz, Auntie Xu would often give her pointers.
In the past few years, Auntie Xu had begun to live a luxurious life, so she had placed her focus on teaching the maidservants in the courtyard. She no longer interfered much with Yu Youyao’s decisions.
She had originally wanted to come to Jinzhou with Yu Youyao, but Yu Youyao did not want her to come along and suffer. She also could not leave the Yu Garden without someone to take care of it, so she stayed in Xiangping.
The etiquette of removing her mourning clothes was very complicated. With Auntie Xu’s help, Yu Youyao heaved a sigh of relief.
The 13th of August was the day she would remove her mourning clothes.
Yu Youyao set up an incense table at home to pay respects to her grandmother and burn the Buddhist scriptures she had copied previously. After the memorial ceremony was completed, Auntie Xu sang auspicious words and took off Yu Youyao’s mourning clothes.
Yu Youyao knelt on the meditation cushion in her white singlet.
Auntie Xu sprinkled teacup pomelo peel water on Yu Youyao with a bamboo branch. Then, she helped Yu Youyao change into a light green coat dress. “After you remove your mourning clothes, you’ll be wearing plain clothes for the entire month. Then, you’ll start wearing your usual clothes.”
She could only change into her usual clothes in September.
After all the etiquette involved in removing mourning clothes was done, the servants at home carried the pomelo peel water and began to splash it in the courtyard. They packed all the items for the mourning period and replaced them with new ones.
The white lantern hanging under the eaves of the gate was taken down.
It was obvious that the mourning period for the master of this family was complete. Those who came to visit did not have to hide anymore.
This work lasted until night. The entire Jinyuan Garden looked brand new.
Yu Youyao watched quietly, feeling a pang of bitterness.
Auntie Xu patted her shoulder. “A woman reaches adulthood when they reach 15 years old. Now that your mourning period is over and you’re 16 years old, shouldn’t you hold your coming-of-age ceremony too?”
Yu Youyao also knew that this matter couldn’t be delayed. “What do you think, Auntie?”
Auntie Xu said, “In my opinion, the grander the coming-of-age ceremony, the better. You’re the Eldest Princess, so all the etiquette for your coming-of-age ceremony is according to the standards of the royal family. It’s best if you can return to the capital and ask the imperial family and the Yu Clan to step in. However, it’s a troubling period now. Your reputation in Liaodong has greatly boosted the morale of the people and stabilized the situation in the North. This is what the Imperial Court is happy to see. I don’t think the Imperial
Court wants you to return to the capital.”
There was a war in front of them. The old citizens of the North should be in a state of panic, but Yu Youyao and the Xie family were encouraging reclamation, promoting green manure, teaching how to make fertilizer, increasing crop production, and driving animal husbandry.
Everything in the North was developing in a good direction. The lives of the commoners were getting better, and the shadow of war did not affect them. All of this was done by Yu Youyao.
To put it bluntly, Yu Youyao was the stabilizing force in the hearts of the commoners in the North. With her around, the North was a pure land filled with hope.
No one wanted her to leave.
Yu Youyao was at a loss. The coming-of-age ceremony was the most important day of an unmarried woman’s life. She also knew what this day meant to women. However, when it came to this day, she did not know what to do.
Auntie Xu said, “l i m afraid I’ll have to trouble you.”
Yu Youyao shook her head. “I don’t care about this. Now that the court is in troubled times, it’s not appropriate to be extravagant. It’s good to be polite.” Auntie Xu had the same intention. “In that case, your coming-of-age ceremony is set for October. I’ll discuss with your grandmother later and choose an auspicious day. Send a memorial to the capital and see what the
Imperial Court thinks. Then, we’ll discuss what to do with the coming-of-age ceremony.”
The Eldest Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony was a big deal, so the Imperial Court would definitely reward her.
Yu Youyao nodded. “We’ll do as you say, Auntie.”
Auntie Xu suddenly smiled. “Once the coming-of-age ceremony is held, it’s time to agree on your marriage with King Yue Fei.”
Yu Youyao blushed and lowered her head shyly. She whispered, “The war hasn’t ended yet. How can we get married? I— I don’t plan to consider this for the time being…”
She really did not plan to consider this.
However, when she thought of Yin Huaixi, she couldn’t help but feel shy.
Auntie Xu shook her head. “If you don’t consider it, how do you know that
King Yue Fei hasn’t considered it? You and King Yue Fei aren’t young anymore. The three books and six etiquettes are very complicated. It’ll take a year and a half. In my opinion, King Yue Fei is waiting for this day.”
The Great Zhou Dynasty was in chaos. King Yue Fei’s ambition would not stop at Youzhou. It would take time to eliminate the calamity of the other countries and calm the internal strife. If they really waited until the war was settled, who knew how long it would take? King Yue Fei was not young anymore, He was in his prime and might not be able to hold on.
Yu Youyao’s breathing was a little chaotic. For some reason, images of her being with him in the army appeared in her mind. Her ears were filled with his charming cries, which seemed to be filled with pain and joy, making her feel at a loss. It was as if she knew everything, but also as if she didn’t know anything.
“But the war in the North…” Yu Youyao’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s. Auntie Xu smiled and said, “That’s not surprising. Most of the generals are marching to war outside, so it’s inevitable that marriage will be delayed. We can’t just focus on war and not care about filial piety, right? The emperor also believes in marriage. How many generals in ancient times went to the battlefield in marriage robes?”
Yu Youyao was speechless. In history, there had been many generals guarding the border city. Not only had the emperor personally bestowed marriages, but he had also sent troops to escort the brides to the border city to get married.
Didn’t the Empress have this idea before?
However, she had never expected the Empress Dowager to hold back.
“It’s time to consider what needs to be considered. Not to mention the war, the Great Zhou Dynasty treats people with filial piety. However, there are three types of unfilialness. The most severe type is to have no descendants. Therefore, it’s the most important thing to continue the family line.”
“King Yue Fei has a large army and is in charge of a region. His marriage is also a state matter. It’s important to stabilize the North and the country. If the
Empress Dowager hadn’t given him a marriage long ago, I think the Imperial
Court would have chosen a good match for him long ago.”
Yu Youyao pursed her lips. Therefore, not only would Yin Huaixi!s marriage not affect the war, but it would also greatly calm the hearts of the people in the North.
Auntie Xu knew that she did not like to hear this, so she continued, “A man should start a family and establish a career. He should start a family before establishing a career. It’s obvious that in most people’s hearts, a man can only show his true talent and responsibility after starting a family. He can cultivate his body, manage his family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. As a young general, King Yue Fei’s family is especially important to him.”
A family was closely related to a career. Most people who couldn’t settle their families wouldn’t have much achievements in their careers.
Yu Zongzheng was an example. At the peak of his life, the parents were kind and the children were filial. He married his virtuous wife, Madam Xie, and established himself in the royal court. After that, he obtained a “filial daughter” and managed the family. His life almost reached its peak.
However, all of this was an illusion. With Old Madam Yu’s death and Yu
Youyao’s departure, the Yu Residence was only left with chicken feathers. Yu Zongzheng was also beaten back to his original state..