ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 51
Today, the guests arrived in unusually large numbers. Lady Li’s face was almost strained from smiling. The Eldest Princess and her entourage arrived a bit late, but Lady Li’s joy was evident as she hurriedly welcomed them with a full-faced smile and respectful bow.
Light silk lifted the sedan curtain, and the Eldest Princess sat inside, looking regal. Her attire for the day was quite elaborate, clearly indicating the significance she attached to this coming-of-age ceremony. Lady Li felt a radiant glow on her face, and her happiness only increased.
The Eldest Princess’s gaze fell upon Li Zhizhi behind her, and her expression softened. With a smile, she said, “Let’s go inside and get ready. We wouldn’t want to delay the ceremony.”
The group respectfully ushered the Eldest Princess into the mansion. She had brought quite a few attendants, all maids and servants, a formidable group of thirty or forty. They seemed to outnumber the entire Li mansion’s staff. Li Cen was a bit puzzled and quietly asked Lady Li, “Why did the Eldest Princess bring so many people?”
Lady Li, overwhelmed with joy, didn’t mind at all. She said, “I suppose the Eldest Princess values this occasion. Isn’t that a good thing?”
With that, she called for Li Suwan, quickly following the group. Li Suwan, holding a handkerchief, deliberately lingered when pa.s.sing Li Zhizhi. She flashed a triumphant smile, lightly hummed, brushed against her shoulder, and walked away with an air of pride.
The venue for the coming-of-age ceremony was arranged in the Li mansion’s garden. In the center stood a flower-adorned gate. Beyond it lay the inner chambers. The maids sent by the Eldest Princess’s residence were already waiting, and there was no need for Lady Li to lead the way. They surrounded the Eldest Princess and proceeded inside, making the crowd even larger.
Li Zhizhi walked at the rear, overhearing Lady Li instructing Li Suwan on etiquette. She emphasized the importance of today’s ceremony and advised her to behave with grace and elegance, avoiding any hint of impropriety.
Lady Li wore a smile on her face, earnestly teaching, much like any good mother who loves her daughter dearly.
At this moment, Qingluo suddenly approached and smiled at Li Zhizhi, saying, “Your Highness, please come over, Miss. Quickly follow this servant.”
Li Zhizhi was slightly stunned, and Madam Li and Li Suwan ahead also heard it, all looking over. Madam Li quickly asked with enthusiasm, “May I ask when the eldest princess is summoning my daughter?”
Upon hearing this, Qingluo revealed a subtle smile and said, “I do not know about that. If the Eldest Princess summons, this servant will come to inform you.”
With a slight nod to her, Qingluo led Li Zhizhi away, leaving Madam Li and her daughter standing there. Li Suwan hesitated and asked, “Mother… should I just wait?”
Madam Li came to her senses and instructed, “You just wait for the Eldest Princess’s summons.”
However, for some reason, thinking of the maid’s smile just now, an indistinct unease surged in her heart, as if something unpleasant was about to happen. But soon, she felt that she might be overly concerned.
At this moment, a servant rushed over, panting and breathless. He stammered as he reported to her, “M-Madam, th-that…”
“Why are you so fl.u.s.tered and in such a hurry? Be careful! Don’t you know if there are many distinguished guests today?” Madam Li interrupted him displeased, glancing around. Seeing that no one paid attention to them, she asked, “What happened?”
The servant hastily replied, “It’s the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is here with the Seventh Princess.”
Madam Li was initially startled, then ecstatic, her eyes lighting up. She murmured to herself, “Heavens, what an auspicious day today!”
Saying this, she hurriedly headed in the direction of the flower hall. Li Suwan, seeing this, quickly stopped her and said, “Mother, then what about me—”
Madam Li was in a hurry to meet the Crown Prince, so she waved her hand at Li Suwan and said, “You wait for the summons from Princess Yongning, and I’ll be back in a moment.”
Li Suwan had no choice but to continue waiting, unaware that Li Zhizhi was already being led to meet Princess Yongning.
When she arrived, Princess Yongning was very pleased, a smile on her face as she beckoned, “Come over, Zhizhi.”
Li Zhizhi approached as instructed, and Princess Yongning gently touched her hair, a tender smile in her eyes. She sighed, “The first time I saw you, you seemed so small. It’s been just over two months, and you’ve already come of age. From now on, Zhizhi, you’re a young lady.”
She continued, her voice almost sighing, “Thinking about it, I find it a bit regrettable. If only I had known you a little earlier.”
Upon hearing these words, for some reason, Li Zhizhi suddenly felt a tingling at the tip of her nose. She blinked, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Oh dear,” Princess Yongning hurriedly handed her a handkerchief to wipe away the tears, comforting, “Why are you crying? My good girl, you should be happy. In the future, you’ll only get better and better, Zhizhi.”
Her tone was as gentle as ever, and her movements were light. As she approached, Li Zhizhi caught a comforting scent on her, like a warm quilt bathed in the winter sun, making her unable to resist the urge to get closer.
In that moment, Li Zhizhi suddenly remembered Madam Li from earlier. She was holding Li Suwan, patiently giving advice and instructions, while she stood in the background watching.
She wasn’t without envy, but her heart was filled with reluctance, or perhaps she had harbored too much resentment. Even that hint of envy seemed like a mockery of herself.
Up until this moment, Li Zhizhi received the same tenderness from Princess Yongning as she did before. Unable to contain her sorrow any longer, she couldn’t help but cry, like a child who had endured too much grievance.
Seeing her like this, Princess Yongning couldn’t bear it and quickly embraced her, comforting her. She signaled to the attendants, and everyone immediately left the room, restoring peace. Only the sound of Li Zhizhi’s quiet sobbing could be heard.
After a while, she gradually stopped her tears, suddenly feeling a bit embarra.s.sed. With her head buried, she sniffled and said, “I’m sorry for making Your Highness laugh…”
Her voice carried a hint of crying but was still trying to regain composure, making Princess Yongning’s heart ache. She gently stroked Li Zhizhi’s head and consoled, “It’s our Zhizhi who suffered. Don’t be sad; there are still many good days ahead. Don’t cry, okay?”
She carefully wiped away her tears and looked at Li Zhizhi’s red eyes with great affection. “Like a little rabbit, so pitiful. Later, you have to put on the hairpin, with so many people watching you. Our Zhizhi needs to look beautiful.”
Li Zhizhi enjoyed listening to her comforting words, naturally filled with affection. Each sentence seemed like a soothing touch, making her wish to curl up and stay in the warmth of Princess Yongning’s embrace forever.
Princess Yongning continued to soothe her with kind words before commanding the servants to enter. Several maids held new clothes and various beautiful hair accessories. Every item was exquisitely made.
The maids helped Li Zhizhi change into the new clothes, and Princess Yongning personally styled her hair. She smiled and said, “This is the last time I’m styling your hair like this. I’ll make it the most beautiful for you.”
After finishing her hair, she had Li Zhizhi stand up and walk a few circles. Pleased, Princess Yongning praised, “Our Zhizhi looks truly beautiful.”
The maids echoed the compliments. Just then, a nanny entered and reported, “Your Highness, the time is approaching.”
Princess Yongning nodded and handed the jade comb to Qianluo, instructing, “Then let’s begin.”
She had mentioned earlier that she personally wanted to organize Li Zhizhi’s coming-of-age ceremony. Since Lady Li had agreed to it, there was no room for the Li family to interfere. Lady Li had already agreed with her own words, and it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of the situation.
…
The hall of the Li residence was lively at the moment because the Crown Prince had arrived. Although Xiao Yan now appeared to be a wealthy and idle person, his status was still prominent. Being superior to everyone, and rarely appearing in public, the opportunity was not to be missed. People lined up with their daughters to pay their respects, hoping to catch the Crown Prince’s eye in case of any future prosperity.
In this process, Lady Li, the hostess, found herself trailing behind. She inwardly cursed the opportunistic eyes of these people but maintained a smiling demeanor. She occasionally checked the sky, wondering why the appointed time had not arrived.
Just as she was contemplating, a unfamiliar maid entered. She curtsied and announced, “Esteemed guests, the coming-of-age ceremony is about to begin. Please follow me to the garden; the eldest princess has arrived.”
Upon hearing this, the ladies did not dare to delay any further. They hurriedly followed the maid towards the garden. The Li family, walking among them, felt like guests themselves, an unusual and amusing sensation.
Halfway through, Lady Li noticed several maids chatting and laughing in the corridor, seemingly idle. Her brows furrowed, and she called them over, questioning sternly, “Why are you all here? Didn’t I instruct you to a.s.sist in preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony with the eldest princess?”
The maids looked uneasy. One of them quickly replied, “Madam, we’re not avoiding work. Princess Yongning ordered us not to intervene in everything. They will handle the preparations themselves. If we go to help, it might cause chaos.”
Madam Li originally had some doubts in her heart, but after hearing these words, she dispelled them all. She had heard that Princess Yongning was once trained in martial arts, capable of leading troops into battle, with a straightforward and a.s.sertive personality. Now, it seemed to be true. She even intervened and wouldn’t allow others to interfere. If she insisted on helping, it would probably offend her.
Madam Li let go of this matter. Later, when she thought about it again, she felt regretful and wished to slap herself a few times. But that’s a story for later.
Everyone arrived at the garden, where a cleared area was set up with tables and chairs, a variety of fruits, pastries, and sweets. The arrangements were novel, and Madam Li couldn’t help but be amazed. Even the refreshments were brought from the eldest princess’s mansion. No wonder so many people came.
Li Cen couldn’t help but say, “Princess Yongning is really considerate.”
He frowned, a bit puzzled, “But why does it seem like we’re just borrowing s.p.a.ce from our Li Mansion?”
Madam Li smiled and praised, “Princess Yongning is considerate. This is good for us.”
Just as they were talking, a woman in a sand-colored dress came out, around twenty years old. She wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but she exuded a calm and dignified aura. Unperturbed by favor or disgrace, she bowed to everyone, a graceful gesture, and slowly said, “The hairpin ceremony begins, in silence.”
Everyone immediately quieted down, listening to her recite the words. Someone whispered in surprise, “Isn’t this the ceremonial official from the palace?”
Madam Li’s heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a glance with Li Cen. Originally, this was a good thing. The ceremonial official from the palace came to perform the hairpin ceremony for her daughter, a great honor. Even the prime minister’s legitimate daughter wouldn’t have received such treatment. What virtue and ability did the Li Mansion have to receive such glory?
Is it just because Princess Yongning has a little fondness for Li Zhizhi? But today is not Li Zhizhi’s coming-of-age ceremony…
Watching Princess Yongning, who is sitting upright in the guest seat, she is smiling and listening to the female official reciting words of praise. Xiao Rulei leaned over and said something to her, and the Crown Prince covered her mouth, signaling her to be quiet. Xiao Rulei obediently sat back in her seat.
This scene was originally very ordinary, but Madam Li’s eyelids couldn’t help but twitch. The various conversations and scenes with Princess Yongning flashed through her mind one by one. She unexpectedly felt a sense of falling into a trap.
Suddenly, Madam Li remembered something. She looked around, and her movements were a bit exaggerated, attracting the attention of those around her. Li Cen frowned and asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”
Madam Li looked around and did not find any trace of Li Zhizhi. Similarly, she did not see Li Suwan. She felt uneasy, as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart. She wanted to stand up, but she was stopped by two maids behind her. One on each side held her shoulders, making her unable to move. One of them whispered in her ear, “Madam Li, today is a good day. Please don’t lose your manners in front of Princess Yongning and the Crown Prince, and ruin the girl’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
Although it was early summer, Madam Li felt cold and stiff in her hands and feet. She turned her head to look at Princess Yongning and saw her holding a teacup, with a graceful and unhurried posture, smiling as she looked over. She appeared warm and kind, but her eyes were as sharp as a knife. She spoke softly, “Madam, please sit and enjoy the ceremony.”
In Madam Li’s heart, there were only two words— it’s over.
At this moment, the officiant had finished singing the words and loudly announced, “The coming-of-age ceremony begins. The debutante will come out from the east room.”
Soon, a group of maidservants surrounded a girl who walked gracefully from the Flower Drooping Gate. The girl was dressed in luxurious and beautiful clothes, with a long skirt and wide sleeves dragging on the ground. She walked slowly to the officiant, lifted her head slightly, revealing a pair of clear and bright eyes. The girl’s facial features were delicate and exquisite, with a smile on her lips—pure and lively, reminiscent of wild peach blossoms in the mountains. She possessed a dazzling beauty that could captivate everyone’s gaze.