Tianliangyuan

Chapter 68 The Grand Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Xu Zhaozhao had no idea that Jiang Ning and Prince Zhong were plotting against her behind her back, nor did she know that she had inexplicably become a target of Prince Zhong's attention.

She now has an older cousin to talk to, so she's in no hurry to go out.

This, however, troubled Jiang Ning.

Since the prince specifically asked her to handle this matter, she first needed to find a way to get Xu Zhaozhao out of the house.

Fortunately, Jiang Ning was not too worried, because the Duke of Su's mansion was going to hold a banquet.

Liu Jiajia, the youngest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Su, is about to come of age. The Duke of Su's mansion wants to take this opportunity to hold a grand celebration. At the same time, they also intend to show off their precious daughter, whom they have cherished for more than ten years, in front of others.

It is said that Liu Jiajia is beautiful and has been loved by the Duke of Su since childhood. He has always regarded her as the apple of his eye, and his wife, Song Wanyi, has spared no expense to hire famous teachers to teach her. She even specially invited two palace maids to teach Liu Jiajia etiquette and manners.

It's clear that they put a lot of thought into it.

There are rumors circulating that the Duke of Su intends to marry his eldest daughter into the royal family.

Therefore, he was still unmarried until he was sixteen this year.

During the Daxing Dynasty, the requirements for the coming-of-age ceremony for women were not strict. Some women had their coming-of-age ceremony at the age of fourteen, while others had it at fifteen, but the latest age was sixteen. Women could not be older than sixteen, otherwise they would be punished.

The Daxing government imposed a marriage age limit of twenty for women, and if a woman did not marry by the age of twenty, she would have to pay a fine.

In order to protect their own political achievements, some local officials will force women into marriages, just to increase the population under their jurisdiction and thus have merit to be rewarded.

However, this behavior was prohibited by the imperial court, and if it were exposed, it would be prosecuted without fail.

However, ordinary people are unable to file a complaint in such cases, and the reasons are complex and varied, so this practice remains difficult to curb in remote areas.

Xu Zhaozhao carefully searched the original owner's memories. She and Liu Jiajia had met when they were young, but she hadn't seen Miss Liu since she was about seven or eight years old.

She also asked her mother, who replied that Ms. Liu was highly regarded by her family and had a lot of studies at home, which was why she didn't have time to go out and play.

As a child, Xu Zhaozhao didn't understand, and sometimes she would complain to her mother why she didn't let her learn more.

It wasn't until she grew up that she understood that her parents didn't want her to marry into that deep palace. Rather than being locked up for life, it was far better to marry a suitable husband and be free.

When Xu Zhaozhao received the invitation, she felt sympathy for Liu Jiajia.

She had heard from her mother that several members of the royal family, including princes and princesses, would be attending the coming-of-age ceremony.

What appears to be an honor is actually nothing more than a hook thrown out, just waiting to lure Liu Jiajia into the deep palace, where she would never be able to leave again.

Xu Zhaozhao shook her head slightly. Just then, she saw Wang Wenxiu coming over, and the two of them discussed what kind of coming-of-age gift would be appropriate.

Now that I've accepted the invitation, I can't just show up empty-handed.

"The Duke of Su's mansion is wealthy, so even the rarest things won't seem particularly novel to them. It would be better to send something ordinary, something that won't be too eye-catching, and it won't make people think we're belittling Miss Liu."

Xu Zhaozhao nodded: "What my cousin says is right, that's exactly what I was thinking too."

On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, the Duke of Su's mansion was bustling with activity.

Before they even reached the gates of the Duke's mansion, they saw an endless line of carriages. Xu Zhaozhao sighed, "Mother, are we too late?"

Wang Ruolan smiled and said, "It's not late, it's just that some people arrived early. There's no need to rush, someone will take care of the arrangements."

Those who could attend the coming-of-age ceremony at the Duke's mansion were certainly not ordinary people.

The royal family and nobles haven't arrived yet; it's just the officials' families waiting for the servants to help them lead the way and park the car.

Sure enough, the Marquis's carriage didn't have to wait long before a neatly dressed servant led them into a spacious area where three carriages were already parked, indicating that they had indeed arrived quite early.

"You two sisters must stay together at all times and in all places, and you must be careful with your words and actions, so as not to cause any trouble at this time."

"Yes, mother."

"Yes, aunt."

The three were invited into the Duke's mansion, each accompanied by their servants. After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Wang Ruolan was asked to leave by a noblewoman. Xu Zhaozhao and Wang Wenxiu then simply found a place to sit down and chat while enjoying the scenery.

Princess Leyang and Xie Yun also arrived. Seeing Xu Zhaozhao from afar, they walked towards her.

"You two seem quite relaxed. There are few people here, so you can find some peace and quiet."

Princess Leyang sat down directly next to Xu Zhaozhao. Wang Wenxiu smiled, stood up, bowed, and then stepped back a few paces, allowing Xie Yun to sit on the other side of Xu Zhaozhao.

"We're not trying to find peace and quiet, it's just that the coming-of-age ceremony banquet held by the Duke's mansion is really grand. I've attended a few other people's sisters' coming-of-age ceremonies before, but this is the first time I've seen such a grand event. Sister Leyang, please don't laugh at me for being naive."

Princess Leyang smiled so much her eyes almost slits: "You little girl, you're so good with words. There aren't any relatives from the Duke of Su's mansion here, so why are you fawning over them like this?"

Xu Zhaozhao said helplessly, "Sister Leyang, I have never seen such a grand coming-of-age ceremony before. I heard that the Princess will add a hairpin to her hair. Is that true?"

Princess Leyang smiled and nodded: "That should be true. But it's not important. We're just here to watch the excitement and then try the Liu family's feast."

Speaking of the banquet, Princess Leyang leaned closer and whispered, "Do you still have any of that peach blossom wine? Could you spare me a few more jars?"

Xu Zhaozhao looked surprised: "Sister, you've finished it all? This peach blossom wine is the first time I've brewed it this year, and there's not much of it in total."

"Oh, stop asking so many questions, just tell me if you'll give it to me or not?"

Princess Leyang sat up straight, her face darkening. Her expression clearly said, "If you dare to say no to me, I'll see if I still talk to you!"

Xu Zhaozhao hadn't expected the princess to be so childish, and could only helplessly say, "There is some, but really not much. I don't know which gossipy person was spreading rumors before, but a while ago several princesses and princesses' residences sent people to ask for wine, and I didn't dare refuse, so..."

Princess Leyang glared at her and snorted, "So you're just unwilling to give it to me because I'm a princess?"

Xu Zhaozhao knew she was teasing her on purpose, and laughed, "No, not at all, here you go! I'll have someone deliver it to your residence later. Although there's not much Peach Blossom Wine left, there's still some Hundred Flowers Fragrance. Would you like some more Hundred Flowers Fragrance?"

"Of course! The Hundred Flowers Fragrance drink is indeed delicious, but my mother prefers Peach Blossom Wine, while I prefer Hundred Flowers Fragrance."

Seeing that they were chatting enthusiastically, Wang Wenxiu glanced into the distance and then whispered a reminder: "Jiang Ning and the Crown Prince's wife are coming together. Be careful."