Chapter 1038: Three Ceremonies

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

The Ministry of Rites sent the coming-of-age ceremony gifts prepared by the various families in the capital into the Yu Garden.

The endless stream of gifts broadened the horizons of the people who had come to watch the ceremony today. They also deeply realized how n.o.ble Eldest Princess Shaoyi’s status was.

When the auspicious time came, the bamboo moved.

Eldest Uncle Xie Xun stood up and gave a ceremonial speech.

Yu Youyao, who was dressed in plain clothes, slowly walked into the flower terrace. After bowing to the viewing platform, she knelt in the middle of the table.

As the host, Princess Lishan also dressed up and attended. She dipped her hand into the copper basin. After doing the hand-washing ceremony, she helped Yu Youyao comb her hair.

The comb gently sc.r.a.ped from the top of her head until her hair was slightly combed, again and again, until her long black hair fell behind her head like a waterfall. Under the candlelight, it emitted a dense l.u.s.ter. She was beautiful.

After bowing, Princess Lishan placed the boxwood comb so that it was facing south.

Looking at this boxwood comb that had been used for many years, Yu Youyao thought of Yin Huaixi. Her heart felt a little empty, and she felt a little aggrieved for no reason.

At this moment, the old Princess Consort of Long County, who was the main guest, stood up and went up the east step to carry out the hand-washing ceremony.

The Second Old Madam and the Clan Chief’s wife quickly accompanied her.

After the hand-washing ceremony, both sides greeted each other.

The person-in-charge served the handkerchief and hairstick. It was the phoenix pearl hairstick that Yin Huaixi had given Yu Youyao on her fifteenth birthday.

Yu Youyao stood up and headed east. She bowed to the guest and sat upright on the witness stand. When her gaze landed on the long hairstick, her heart trembled and a sour and sweet taste spread.

She took a deep breath and gradually calmed the bitterness in her heart.

The old princess consort of Long County stepped forward and recited her blessings. “On this auspicious day, I’ll give you the clothes of an adult. Give up your childish ambitions and become virtuous. I hope that you live a long life and enjoy good fortune.”

Then, she knelt down and combed Yu Youyao’s hair into a Tiaoxin bun. Her long black hair was gathered on the top of her head and combed into a round shape. It looked like a peak from the side, and it looked as beautiful as a ridge.

The Tiaoxin bun was a high bun, and it was also a solid bun. Most women would often comb their hair into this hairstyle after reaching adulthood.

Due to the variety of Tiaoxin bun styles, there were no less than a hundred styles. Every style had its own charm. Even if they were combed in the same way, with different jewelry, the charm would be different. It was very popular in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After the bun was combed, the Princess Consort of Long Prefecture picked up the long hairstick with a phoenix pearl and added it to Yu Youyao’s hair with a serious expression, “The first ceremony is a success.”

The long phoenix hairstick was like a phoenix resting in her hair. The ta.s.sel pendant was long and reached her ears. It gently trembled at her temples and cheeks, revealing her dignified and quiet demeanor.

Princess Lishan stepped forward and symbolically adjusted Yu Youyao’s hairstick.

Yu Youyao slowly stood up. Everyone watching the ceremony bowed and congratulated her. The scene was very lively.

After the ceremony, she returned to the east room. Yu Youyao changed into a plain dress that matched her coming of age. She tidied her appearance and returned to the banquet to show off to the audience!

“With a bow, your bloodline will nourish your kindness!”

Yu Youyao’s mother had pa.s.sed away early, and her father was far away in the capital, so he naturally couldn’t come. The Yu Clan had prepared Madam Xie’s memorial tablet, and her Elder Maternal Uncle Xie Xun replaced her father.

Since ancient times, there had been a saying that one’s maternal uncle was of highest status in one’s maternal family. There was a detailed explanation of the phrase “maternal uncle” in the Shuowen Jiezi. In ancient diplomacy, great va.s.sals with different surnames could be called “Elder Maternal Uncle”, while minor va.s.sals could be called “Younger Maternal Uncle”. The words “maternal uncle” could be used for va.s.sals, who were second only to a lord of a country.

In some places, there was also the saying that there was a thunder G.o.d in the sky and one’s maternal uncle underground. To a certain extent, a “maternal uncle” could take on the responsibility of a parent. Among all the relatives, her uncle had the highest status.

Yu Youyao understood this very well.

In a family, be it one’s elder paternal uncle or or one’s younger paternal younger uncle, there were direct interests involved. Benefits dominated, and ties were secondary.

However, as her elder maternal uncle, there were not many direct benefits involved. Meanwhile, familial ties dominated. Having a good maternal uncle was a rare blessing. With her maternal uncle’s support, she usually did not live too badly in her father’s family.

Yu Youyao’s mother pa.s.sed away early. If it weren’t for the fact that she had a few good uncles and her grandmother doted on her, her days in the Yu Residence would have been terrible.

Therefore, in Yu Zongzhengs absence, Eldest Uncle Xie Xun naturally replaced him.

Yu Youyao recalled that after her grandmother pa.s.sed away, her uncles had spared no expense to help her leave the Yu Residence and the capital. It was also her uncles who often guided and supported her. Even with her current status, the Xie Residence had spared no effort to help her.

For a moment, she had mixed feelings. Yu Youyao knelt on the ground and sincerely bowed to her Eldest Uncle, Xie Xun, and her mother’s memorial tablet. For some reason, her eyes suddenly turned red.

The first ceremony was complete.

The second ceremony began.

The person-in-charge brought over a handkerchief and a hairpin.

The old Princess Consort of Long County stepped forward again and recited a congratulatory prayer, “On this auspicious day, you have donned the clothes of an adult. You have to promise that you will maintain your dignity and wisdom. I hope that you will live a long life and always be blessed.”

Then, she helped Yu Youyao to remove her adult hairpin and kneeled down to insert an ornamental hairpin for her.

It was the one that her grandmother had prepared for her. It was a large golden silk phoenix hairpin inlaid with red treasures. It was exquisitely crafted. Even the feathers of the phoenix were exquisite. There were more than ten pure natural and uncarved rubies inlaid on it. They were like rubies, thick and beautiful like fire and blood.

The hairstick had a single p.r.o.ng and was mostly used to stabilize hair.

Meanwhile, a hairpin had two or more p.r.o.ngs. Most of them were used to tie one’s hair or decorate one’s bun. There were also many insertion methods. They were diagonally inserted, inverted, twisted, and so on. Most of the hairpins were made of gold and silver. They could be bent flexibly and were a little smaller than a hairstick.

Old Madam Xie, who was watching the ceremony, looked at the big golden phoenix in front of Yu Youyao’s Tiaoxin bun, making her look extremely radiant. Her eyes suddenly turned red and she couldn’t help but cry.

Madam w.a.n.g, who was sitting at the side, also had mixed feelings. She gently patted her hand to comfort her.

Old Madam Xie said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, “In the past, 1 hated Old Madam Yu very much. I kept feeling that she was too scheming and harmed Roujia’s life.” At this point, she sobbed a little, and even her voice choked. “l suddenly feel a little grateful to her. She raised Little Yao’er very well…”

She should be gratified to know this in the netherworld.

Princess Lishan helped Yu Youyao with the hairpin. Yu Youyao went to her room and set up a deep robe that matched the hairpin.

“The second bow represents your elders’ love!”

Yu Youyao held back her tears and bowed to her eldest maternal grandfather, her maternal grandfather, her maternal grandmother, the Second Old Madam, the Clan Chiefs wife, and a few uncles and aunts. Thinking of how much they had cared for her all these years, she couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat.

It wasn’t until this moment that she truly understood that the coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t just a ceremony. It wasn’t just about etiquette. This was a great filial ceremony since ancient times. The coming-of-age ceremony allowed the witness to be grateful to her parents and elders. She had to understand that from now on, she had to bear the responsibilities, obligations, and responsibilities of an adult.

Therefore, it was solemn and profound..