Chapter 1039: Auspicious Sign from the Sky
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Master Xie looked gratified.
Old Master Xie’s eyes turned red on the spot, and he almost embarra.s.sed himself.
The second ceremony was complete.
The third ceremony began.
The person-in-charge brought over a handkerchief and a crown-shaped hairpin.
The old consort of Long County stepped forward and gave a congratulatory speech. “On this auspicious day, you have completed the coming-of-age ceremony. Your relatives have come to celebrate your virtue. I hope that you will live a long life and receive blessings from the heavens.”
The old Princess Consort of Long County took off Yu Youyao’s hairpin and added a crown-shaped hairpin.
The crown-shaped hairpin was a reward from the palace. It was a crown with twelve phoenixes. It was similar to the Eldest Princess’s crown, but it was not the same.
The phoenixes on the Eldest Princess’s crown made her look even more magnificent, dignified, and imposing. The crown-shaped hairpin looked a little more lively and light, and did not seem not as expensive as the crown.
Princess Lishan crowned her!
Yu Youyao had put on a large sleeved gown that matched the crown. It was also prepared by the palace.
The royal family used purple, and the n.o.bles and ministers used green and blue gowns. They were long and n.o.ble. They were inlaid with many pearls and jade of equal sizes and various gems. There were more than a thousand of them.
At first glance, one only felt that it was beautiful and dignified.
The palace did not lack these expensive pearls, jade, and gems. The Internal Affairs Department was not careless either, immediately shocking everyone on the spot.
“This is the third bow. The world is at peace. The sky is clear and the ground is bright!!
Yu Youyao knelt facing the south to pay respects to the world.
The third ceremony was complete.
Next, it was time to prepare the sweet wine.
Those of royal descent used sweet wine for the sacrifice, while those who were born of concubines used wine.
Some officials went on stage and removed the furnishings of the coming-of-age ceremony. They set up a banquet on the west step. The old Princess Consort of Long County bowed and invited Yu Youyao to sit.
Yu Youyao stood on the west side, facing south.
After the ceremony, she bowed.
This was a Taoist sacrificial ceremony.
It was a sacrificial ceremony.
Princess Lishan served the sweet wine. The old Princess Consort of Long Prefecture took the sweet wine and recited a blessing. “The sweet wine is sweet and thick. I praise you. I’ll pay my respects to you to ensure your prosperity. I hope that you will receive blessings from heaven and live a long life.”
Yu Youyao bowed and took the sweet wine. She knelt at the table and sprinkled some on the ground to worship the world. Then, her lips touched the cup symbolically and before she placed the sweet wine on the table.
The person-in-charge served the white rice, and Yu Youyao ate a little symbolically.
After the sacrificial ceremony, the ceremony to bestow an adult name began.
At this moment, a servant rushed into the hall while panting. The people watching the ceremony were stunned. They all felt that this servant did not know the rules. How could he barge into the Eldest Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony?!
Not only was it inauspicious to interrupt her coming-of-age ceremony, but it had also embarra.s.sed her.
Even if it was a huge matter, he should hold it in.
Everyone couldn’t help but shake their heads and look at Eldest Princess Shaoyi.
Yu Youyao’s expression was calm, and she was not displeased at all that her coming-of-age ceremony had been interrupted. Just as she was about to ask what had happened, she saw the servant fall to his knees with a thud and shout, “Young Miss, there’s news from the government office that it’s a joyous occasion in Guanzhong. Yesterday, it snowed in seven to eight counties. The drought is over, it’s over…”
Immediately, there was an uproar.
“Is it snowing? Is it really snowing?” Someone was in disbelief.
“It’s snowing, it’s finally snowing. As expected, there is always a way out…” Someone shouted excitedly.
“That’s great, that’s great…” Tears welled up in someone’s eyes.
Although Liaodong was not too affected by the drought in Guanzhong, millions of refugees surged into Liaodong, affecting the hearts of millions of people in Liaodong.
Everyone became excited.
However, Yu Youyao’s expression turned solemn.
After a short period of excitement, the coming-of-age ceremony continued. However, Yu Youyao did not know that everyone present was looking at her with even more respect and even a hint of fanaticism.
Auntie Xu saw everything and quietly left the hall. She found a smart servant and went out to gather information.
The servant ran out of the Yu Garden.
The old Princess Consort of Long County still looked excited. When she recited the blessing, her tone subconsciously became a little more serious, and she exuded a sense of solemnity.
“The ceremonies are complete. On this auspicious day, I declare your name. Your courtesy name is very beautiful and matches you. Protect your name forever. Your name is Zhi Yao.’
Yu Youyao vaguely sensed this change. She felt a little strange.
Thinking about it, Song Mingzhao did not use her courtesy name to cause trouble, so she was reluctant to part with the one her mother had personally given her before she died. She immediately replied, “Although Zhi Yao is not sensitive, she dares not to disobey!”
After the ceremony, the ceremony to listen to teachings began.
As Yu Zongzheng was not present, as her Eldest Uncle, Xie Xun bowed on behalf of her father. There was also joy on his face. “You should keep in mind not to easily listen to others. You don’t know if they’re slandering others. You have to endure and think twice. How do you know that it’s not your fault? You have to calm down.”
She could not easily listen to or believe others when they gossiped. How could she know if they were deliberately sowing discord?
When dealing with people, she should endure it and think about it again and again. She should think twice before understanding. She should use her thoughts to nurture her character. Only then would others sincerely admire her.
This was a warning to Yu Youyao to not be anxious. She had to calm her mind and cultivate her character. With Yu Youyao’s current status, although she did not have to be cautious, she still had to think carefully.
Yu Youyao listened to the lecture. “Although Zhi Yao isn’t sensitive, she doesn’t dare to disobey!”
Yu Youyao bowed to her parents and elders again. Then, she bowed to the main guest, the audience, the person-in-charge, and the host to show her grat.i.tude. Finally, she bowed to thank the guests.
At this point, the ceremony was complete.
Xie Xun stood up and announced, “There’s a daughter in the Yu Clan, Yao Yao.
She’s filial, pure, kind, and respectful. She has become an adult on an auspicious day.”
The people watching the ceremony sighed. All the etiquette, process, and blessings of the coming-of-age ceremony were similar. There was not much difference. Whether the coming-of-age ceremony was held well depended on who was the main guest, the person-in-charge, and the host. The more prominent their status and the more virtuous their reputation, the more complicated the etiquette would be.
Ordinary families would look for familiar families to be their guests and invite a few madams and young misses who they were on good terms with to watch the ceremony. It was fine as long as they were polite.
Large families were naturally more particular.
For someone like Eldest Princess Shaoyi, although the coming-of-age ceremony was not very grand, it could not withstand the weight of her status. She received treatment that only the royal family had.
After the ceremony, Xie Xun, Xie Liao, and Xie Tiao prepared to start the banquet without stopping.
The Second old madam and the Clan Chief’s wife were busy greeting the guests.
The Xie Residence lived up to its reputation of being rich. There were eight major cuisines, all kinds of medicinal cuisine, snacks, and fresh fruits that were almost impossible to eat in this season.
Not only that, but the Xie Residence had also spent a large sum of money to hold a banquet on the streets for three days. The banquet stretched over five kilometers. During the banquet, everyone could receive a free portion of food and 200 copper coins as a reward. It was enough for three to four months of expenses for an ordinary family of four. It was not a small sum.
At this moment, the news of the heavy snow in Guanzhong swept through the entire Xiangping like snowflakes.
The entire Xiangping City was in an uproar..