Coming-of Age Ceremony Start (2)
Of course, as outsiders, it was just muttering a few words in their heart and won’t actually say anything. And as the relatives, they were certainly upset inside. Not supporting one’s own family or relatives, supporting an outsider, never seen such cold-hearted……….Of course, such unpleasant words, they were unable to say out loud, but the ins and outs of their words were precisely this meaning, even hoping that Jing Wan will change the person.
However, these people all got blocked by Luo Old Madam. With her guarding here, no one dared to caused trouble.
Things didn’t pass on to Jing Wan’s ears, but even if she knew, Jing Wan still wouldn’t bat an eyes. She was precisely an emotional creature, and also a cold-blooded animal, so what?
Speaking of which, the Zhou family were quite happy. One has to know, just the young ladies from their family, under normal circumstances, all didn’t have the opportunity to show their faces in front of the Grand Elder Princess in this lifetime. Because Zhou Ying Shuang was already engaged, she rather didn’t need to care about whether or not she’ll be able to enter those noble madams’ eyes.
However, Zhou Ying Shuang’s uncles, and even her father, all somewhat regretted that her marriage arrangements were settled early. If they’d known there would be today, then should have, should have………….Right now, was it still possible to withdraw from the engagement with the Head of the Imperial Academy’s family?
When Zhou Ying Shuang learned of this matter, she violently shedded tears. At the time, when she went blind, the other party still agreed to this marriage. Yet now, she was merely showing her face once, they just want to withdraw the engagement? Showing the face once, you’ll be able to become noble? Such snobbery, such ruthlessness, still want to look for the next family? More like never marrying in this lifetime and just go become a nun instead.
Zhou Ying Shuang, in a moment of anger, nearly didn’t want to be this zanzhe anymore. Fortunately she got consoled by her mother.
“…………If you really were to do this, wouldn’t that be wasting Miss Luo and Miss Yuan’s kind intentions? No need to bother with them, there’s still you grandmother overseeing above. If they really dare to have these words said out loud, your grandmother will definitely break their legs.”
Time gradually passed through the busy days, and very soon, the third of the ninth month arrived. Beseeching the guest: using letter paper, the letter of request was written. Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi personally headed to the Grand Elder Princess Manor, first deferentially requesting orally, then presenting the letter of request. Afterwards, another two days later, the couple headed to the Grand Elder Princess Manor again to respectfully invite, and this time, the Grand Elder Princess gave her letter of response.
The sixth of the ninth month, the Luo family opened their gates to welcome guests.
Although the female guests occupied the majority, it couldn’t be helped that each and every one were all of esteemed status. Even Luo Old Madam needed to work herself up to welcome the guests.
And when Li Hong Yuan personally came to visit, it seemingly wasn’t all that strange either. As for his other brothers following his lead, it further wasn’t strange at all. However, these noble personages noticed, seemingly, there were servants of the Luo family specifically serving them the whole time. The others didn’t think much of it, but Rui Qinwang had a bit of a guilty conscience inside. After all, he once seduced their family’s young miss in the Luo Manor before, and now, even if there weren’t young ladies of suitable age for him to ruin again, they still guarded against him like a thief.
Li Hong Yuan casted him a glance. Regarding Luo Jing Ying, he also pushed along the waves, but today was his darling’s big day. Whoever dares to cause trouble, he will be the first one to end them.
And as today’s leading role, Jing Wan was currently in the temporarily built eastern wing making preparations. At this time, she’s already finished taking a bath, and changed into the colored dress and colored shoes, quietly sitting there waiting. Next to her, not only were the guest of honor, yousi, and zanzhe present, the people she was relatively close to were also present.
Seeing that it was about time, the Grand Elder Princess left first.
Outside, as the hosts, Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi were standing by the eastern stairs waiting. And the three yousi chosen from the relative’s families were standing on the west side holding trays. The music at this very moment sounded.
The graceful and noble Grand Elder Princess neither quickly nor slowly walked in from outside. Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi hurriedly went forward to greet, mutually greeting by cupping their hands, and deferentially inviting the Grand Elder Princess to sit in the seat for the guest of honor. Afterwards, the various guests also successively took their seats, the seats for viewing the rite. Lastly, Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi finally took their seats as hosts.
TN: All
Once everything was in place and ready, Luo Rong Yan got up, making a simple speech, announcing that Jing Wan’s coming-of-age ceremony official began.
Zhou Ying Shuang came out first, washing her hands as she stood next to the yousi.
Shortly after, Jing Wan finally, neither quickly nor slowly, walked out, dressed in the colored dress and shoes. The colored dress was denoted as children’s clothes, the style simple and the color singular. Even so, it still couldn’t cover up the imposing aura all over Jing Wan.
People say, the simpler the clothes, the more it was able to shine on a person’s bearing and cultivation. And on Jing Wan, this was undoubtedly so. On Jing Wan were the experiences of two completely different lifetimes, and also the accumulated wisdom of two entirely different cultures. Because of her past life, she possessed foresight far surpassing the time, as well as an imposing manner that ordinary girls can’t easily achieve. And also because of the hardships and torment in her past life, it made her tough and unyielding, and this lifetime’s ancient teachings and the warmth of the home made her become increasingly reserved and gentle. These things formed together on her alone, yet didn’t contradict. She was just like that highest quality fine jade, after going through meticulous grinding and polishing, blossomed luminously.
Jing Wan stood in the center, her complexion peaceful, facing the south, greeting the numerous guests attending the rite by cupping her hands. Then, turning to face the west, she kneeled onto the already placed mat cushion. Zhou Ying Shuang went forward to comb her hair for her, and soon after, had the comb placed down on Jing Wan’s left side.
Perhaps because there were too many people, and also numerous noble guests, Zhou Ying Shuang seemingly was a bit nervous. Jing Wan sensed that her hands were somewhat shaking. However, fortunately, she managed to restrain herself. If she were to make a mistake, even if others won’t say anything, she herself would still blame herself and be unable to show her face.
Jing Wan got up, then turned again, facing the east and kneeling down, her two hands naturally resting on her thighs, with her elbows facing outward, and her fingertips facing inward.
The Grand Elder Princess got up. Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi also got up along with her. At the base of the steps, the Grand Elder Princess washed her hands and wiped them dry, then each returning to their respective seats, peacefully sitting. Shortly after, adding the hairpin began…………..
One of the yousi went forward carrying the tray. On there was a plain short-coat dress, and on it, was a full set of headscarf and hairpin. At the same time, the Grand Elder Princess walked before Jing Wan, her lips parting as she recited the ode of good wishes, “On this month’s lucky day, beginning to add the yuan dress[1], abandoning thou younger aspirations, following along in becoming virtue, a long life is only auspicious, introducing thou to bright fortune.” Soon after, she slightly leaned over, combing the hair for Jing Wan……….
(T/N: This is a plain short-coat dress or 素衣襦裙)
The Grand Elder Princess, because of her identity, didn’t kneel down to add the hairpin for Jing Wan.
When the Grand Elder Princess fetched over the hairpin, she slightly paused for a rare moment. Noble daughters that had high enough status reaching marriageable age, the consorts in the palace would usually bestow quite a few things. And the three things used in the hair, the ji, zan, and chai[2], for the most part were always bestowed by the Empress. Jing Wan naturally wasn’t an exception. However, towards the things the Empress bestowed down, the Grand Elder Princess had an understanding of inside. After all, when her own daughter had reached marriage age previously, she’d also received bestowments. When the hairpin entered her hand, she immediately concluded, this wasn’t bestowed by the Empress. There was no reason for the bestowments for her own daughter be inferior to Jing Wan’s. The Luo family weren’t frivolous people, and this adopted daughter of hers further wasn’t, disdaining that the Empress’s things weren’t good. Moreover, to dare brazenly have the things swapped out, aside from that living Enma, there was none other.
The Grand Elder Princess was just like as if she didn’t notice anything at all. This adopted daughter of hers most likely didn’t know. When she finished, she turned around, returning to her original spot. Zhou Ying Shuang went forward, carrying a bit of symbolic meaning as she straightened Jing Wan’s hairpin.
Jing Wan got up, cupping her hand towards the Grand Elder Princess, and afterwards, turned around and returned to the eastern wing.
[1] This is referring to adult clothes, but more symbolic sense of shedding away your younger self and embracing adulthood.
[2] 筓，簪，钗 – Ji, Zan, Chai; these all translate to hairpin in english but they’re referring to different types of hairpins. The best way is to just illustrate with pictures below.
Ji(筓) – In ancient times was used to bind the hair so that the hair wasn’t loose, used by both men and women.
Zan(簪) – Developed from the ji, generally inserted as decoration for the hair. This is what’s commonly referred to as the hairpin in novels.
Chai(钗) – Similar in function to the zan, used to insert into the hair. What makes it different is that it’ll have at least two prongs.
T/N: The process and formalities of the coming-of-age ceremony, aka hairpin ceremony, detailed in this novel are all historically accurate, which is why it’s so long.
