Chapter 222.2: Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Imperceptible Influences

Li Hong Yuan in the past was once on the same level as this third imperial brother of his, possessing a similar way of thinking as him. Women that were empty with just looks, no matter how stunningly beautiful, that was still just a plaything. Even if having that bit of care, in his bones, he still believed that was something too inferior to bring onto the surface and unpresentable, and taking out would only make one lose face. And ones like Jing Wan, who had a good family background, her own conditions further excellent and outstanding, were the most capable of giving them more face, so naturally just wanted to obtain the most.

But now, this person was the core of his eye, the meat of his heart…………

Because of admiring her, having thoughts that one shouldn’t have, it can’t be tolerated; because of benefits and selfish motives, and not because of her as a person, having wicked desires, that was just a crime deserving of a thousand deaths. Li Hong Yuan smiled increasingly alluringly.

Jing Wan retracted her gaze. This walking disaster…………

The three yousi removed the all the things used in the hairpin ceremony, and then, at the western steps, arranged sweet wine.

The Grand Elder Princess indicated for Jing Wan to take her seat. Jing Wan faced the south, standing to the west of the banquet table. When Zhou Ying Shuang offered the wine, Jing Wan turned to face north. The Grand Elder Princess took the sweet wine from Zhou Ying Shuang’s hands, walking before Jing Wan, once again chanting the ode of good wishes, “Sweet wine only good when rich, an excellent offering making the heart joyous. Pay respect and offering sacrifices to determine thy favor. Receiving the good fortune bestowed by the heavens, not forgetting the long life.”

Jing Wan performed the bow, taking the sweet wine. The Grand Elder Princess returned the courtesy. Shortly after, Jing Wan took her seat, sitting kneeling as she sprinkled some wine on the ground, offering wine to the heaven and earth. Her two hands held the wine cup, symbolically touching her lips. Even so, she still tasted some of its flavor, very sweet, a bit like ordinary sweet wine. However, for a family like the Luo family, the materials used naturally won’t be ordinary rice.

Jing Wan had the wine cup placed on the table. Zhou Ying Shuang offered up a small bowl of lustrous and translucent cooked rice. Jing Wan accepted it, taking a small bite and putting it down. Then, facing the Grand Elder Princess, she bowed. After the other party returned the etiquette, Jing Wan got up and left her seat.

Jing Wan walked before Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi, kneeling down to listen to their teachings.

Luo Rong Yan, with hundreds of flavors mixed together, long prepared a mental outline, yet at this time, he was unable to say a single word. A moment later, Luo Rong Yan finally opened his mouth, “Wishing for you to be safe and healthy your whole life, and as long as you are well and everything smooth, that is enough.”

Zhang-shi stood to the side softly sobbing, not saying a single word.

This kind of situation rather still existed, so naturally won’t be denounced by others. Just, Luo Rong Yan, was that teachings? In everyone’s eyes, it was more like expressing his sincere love for his daughter.

Jing Wan was also feeling rather complicated inside. They weren’t qualifying parents, but they also weren’t degenerate parents. At least, this current father, compared to that dad of her past life, was already much much better. Don’t know if it was because she was too disappointed in her past life, that’s why she no longer held extravagant hopes, or because in her childhood she once anticipated, and after discovering that they didn’t possess the potential to be qualifying parents, she just firmly gave up, she already didn’t remember.

(T/N: I do feel Jing Wan is pretty unfair towards her parents in this case. Given that people marry young in this era, in her childhood, her parents were probably still in their teens. To expect them to be perfect parents at that age really is a bit unrealistic.)

In reality, Jing Wan was very clear, bringing about this kind of outcome today, it really wasn’t their one-sided cause as parents. Her not diligently maintaining this relationship was also one of the factors. In the end, as expected, it was still because her past life’s influence on her was too deep. Because she once mutually relied upon her grandma for survival, and she also taught her many many things, in this life, when facing the grandmother that had similarities with her grandma, she just subconsciously wanted to get close to, willing to build a good relationship. And her father, having one wife and many concubines, this bit just ruined her view towards him, perhaps even loathing him in her subconscious mind. If she had used the same attitude towards her grandmother to treat them, unless these two hated her from the bottom of their heart, else it all wouldn’t be like this today.

Even so, Jing Wan still never regretted. She had the memories of another lifetime. Those children that were born as white paper, weren’t those all needing for the parents to put in the effort? That’s why, she simply was never wrong, no? En, it was precisely so.

Oh, this kind of ‘completely having the fault blamed on someone else’ feeling was even quite refreshing.

Jing Wan softly smiled at them. Maintaining this kind of state was enough. Although Luo Rong Yan’s ‘teachings’ were a little different, Jing Wan still went according to the script, “This child although not clever, dares not to not respectfully receive!” She performed another kowtow towards them.

Jing Wang got up, walking to the center, in order, facing the guest of honor, the guests viewing the ceremony, the musicians, yousi, zanzhe and such, performing her etiquette by raising cupped hands. Everyone nodded their head indicating that they’ve returned the courtesy.

Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi got up, walking to Jing Wan’s side, “My daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony has now concluded, this one thanks everyone for the magnificent hospitality.”

The three face the audience together, once again bowing with cupped hands.

The entire process was considered complete.

The other masters of the Luo family came out to take care of the guests. The male guests were led to the front courtyard, and the female guests to the rear courtyard.

It was still some time until the banquet feast, and now was the time to chat and make connections. For the wangyes that needed great amounts of assistance, they especially can’t let go of such an opportunity, not only needing to rope in people, even need to block others from expressing their goodwill. It truly can be considered exhausting all of one’s energy.

Jing Wan pulled over Sun Yi Jia, “To have troubled elder sister-in-law, are you tired?”

“Still fine, it’s nothing.” Sun Yi Jia had recommended herself to be the musician. This was already five months pregnant, so originally the whole family all didn’t agree, but Sun Yi Jia felt her condition was very good. Aside from that bit of morning sickness in the first three months, afterwards, it was all very good. If not for this stomach, afraid no one would think she was pregnant. Moreover, the agenda for the coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t very long either, so there won’t be a problem.

In the end, after inquiring the manor doctor’s opinion, learning that it won’t be a problem, everyone finally agreed. Speaking of which, in the Luo family, probably no one’s qin skills could surpass Sun Yi Jia’s.

Sun Yi Jia herself also very much valued this child. As such, no one suspected that she was just showing off.

The group headed to Elegant Haitang Residence together. The coming-of-age ceremony was already finished, so Jing Wan naturally can’t continue to wear this attire. Especially on her head, just having a single hairpin, no matter what, it was all inexcusable. Never mind that today was considered another one of her big day, even on normal days, she still wouldn’t dress like this.

Zhou Ying Shuang at this time no longer had misgivings, recounting her nervousness, worrying that she’ll make a mistake.

As Yuan Qiao Qiao listened, she patted her chest, “Thank goodness it was you, if it was me, most likely will just lose face.”

Jing Wan helplessly laughed, “How is it that exaggerated?”

“How is it not? You and Yi Jia may not have felt anything, but I once had the same experience as Ying Shuang.” Yuan Qiao Qiao retorted.

Jing Wan and Sun Yi Jia glanced at one another. Seemingly, it was indeed like this. Jing Wan was because in her past life, she’d gotten hammered into shape since childhood following that degenerate father around. And Sun Yi Jia can be considered to have grown up playing in the imperial palace, even getting held by the Emperor before, and acting spoiled with him. The other noble personages, she further couldn’t be more familiar with. As such, how could she be nervous?

“Little sister Wan in the future will be a qin-wangfei. After getting along with her more, when meeting others again, you won’t be nervous anymore.” Sun Yi Jia said with a smile.

“How can this be the same, completely two different matters alright!?”

“It’s not anything major. This kind of thing, it’s better to just experience a few more times. In the future, there’s plenty of opportunities.” Jing Wan patted their arms.

Zhou Ying Shuang and Yuan Qiao Qiao perhaps still didn’t have that deep of an understanding, but Sun Yi Jia was very clear, this was Jing Wan wanting to support them, or perhaps should say, shield them. Girls with family backgrounds like theirs, where it was neither considered high, nor considered low, having a qin-wangfei backing them, after marrying, in the husband’s family, they will indeed be much better off. Even if they don’t have a son, the husband’s family still won’t dare to slight either, and their husband, wanting to do something like pampering the concubine and exterminating the wife, this kind of thing, will further need to reconsider, especially since this was something Jing Wan particularly hates.

Little sister Wan, as expected, was still one with clear likes and dislikes. Although she wouldn’t go as far as ‘wishing to give someone life out of love, and wishing for someone’s death out of hatred’, within the range of her capabilities, she still wouldn’t be stingy in this regard.

Gong mama and them had long prepared for Jing Wan the clothes for after the coming-of-age ceremony, so this while, didn’t need to pick out. Jing Wan very quickly changed her clothes, redoing her hair and makeup.

Sun Yi Jia’s gaze rather inadvertently got attracted by the hairpin(chai) taken down from Jing Wan’s hair. She also instantly thought of the same question as the Grand Elder Princess, “Where are the previously used ji and zan?”

“Third young madam, it’s here.” Qing Zhu had a tray carried over.

Sun Yi Jia extended her hand over, looking at it. As expected.

T/N: I sorta realized as an afterthought but curious if anyone else noticed, for the ceremony, going from the eastern wing to the steps in the west, represent the passage of time, like how the sun rises from the east and sets in the west.