Coming-of-age ceremony

"It may sound harsh, but that's the truth," Zhao Ruxi said defiantly.

Lady Zhu sighed helplessly, "Are you really not going to get married and stay an old maid for the rest of your life? Not to mention the loneliness of a cold bed and no one caring for you when you're old; just the pointing fingers and gossip from the world are unbearable."

Zhao Ruxi scratched her cheek. "It's not that I don't want to get married, it's just too early. I'm only fifteen."

Seeing that Lady Zhu was about to speak, she quickly raised her hand as if to swear. "I'll wait until I'm eighteen. I promise I'll get married before I turn eighteen, okay?"

It's basically a delaying tactic.

Lady Zhu didn't want to talk about this topic anymore; in the end, she would just get angry and die.

She said irritably, "Then what about my coming-of-age ceremony?"

Zhao Ruxi leaned on her mother's shoulder, hugged her arm, and said coquettishly, "Mother, I really don't have the time or energy to deal with this. I'd rather write ten articles than put on a smiling face and talk nonsense to others. It's exhausting."

Lady Zhu sighed.

If Zhao Ruxi is tired, then she's even more tired. To organize a banquet, she has to start working on it half a month in advance.

"Besides, we've separated from the third branch of the family and signed a severance document. If we hold a banquet, we definitely can't invite them; even if we do, they won't come, and we'd be asking them for it. If they don't come, people will inevitably ask, and our family's affairs will become the talk of the town."

Lady Zhu's expression changed.

Zhao Yuankun harbored deep hatred for Zhao Ruxi and the Earl of Suiping's Residence. He was content as long as Zhao Ruxi and the Earl of Suiping's Residence were unhappy. Given his nature, he would definitely try to sabotage Zhao Ruxi's coming-of-age ceremony and damage Zhao Ruxi reputation.

Once Zhao Ruxi comes of age, she will need to discuss marriage. If a bad reputation were to spread at this time, it might affect her marriage plans.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "But we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Even if we don't have a grand banquet for your coming-of-age ceremony, we still need to have a small one. We need to hire people to be the chief guest, the officials, and the master of ceremonies. Last time I went to the Duke of Wei's Residence to pay my respects for the New Year, the Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence even said that she wanted to be your chief guest."

"Those who come are all trustworthy relatives and friends. Even if your third uncle and aunt cause trouble, we're not afraid of it getting out."

Having been in the Great Jin Dynasty for a year, Zhao Ruxi was no longer completely ignorant. She knew the importance and etiquette of the coming-of-age ceremony.

The principal guest must be a virtuous and elder woman. The Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence is a good person, and since she brought up this matter, she must be invited to be the principal guest.

In addition, Xiao Ruotong also greeted her, saying that she must come to her coming-of-age ceremony. Zhao Ruyu had also told her last time that she would be her attendant at her coming-of-age ceremony.

Given how much Grand Princess Shangde values her, it would be inconvenient for her to come in person, but she would definitely send Madam Cui instead.

Such an important event as her coming-of-age ceremony would surely have been attended by her master and fellow disciples.

Thinking this through, she said, "Then let's have a small banquet."

"Alright," said Lady Zhu, "Leave this to me, you don't need to worry about it."

Zhao Ruxi couldn't worry about it; she was too busy every day. In the end, Lady Zhu had people from the silk and jewelry shops come to Zhao Ruxi's home to take her measurements. After dinner, Zhao Ruxi spent some time getting her measurements taken, and then went to do her homework.

Those who wanted to attend the coming-of-age ceremony also contacted her in advance. When Zhao Ruxi returned home, she told Lady Zhu that Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu had sent out invitations to them.

Finally, it was decided that the Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence the principal guest, Zhao Ruyu would be the official in charge, and Xiao Ruotong would be the announcer.

Xiao Ruotong was willing to help her good friend with her hair-pinning ceremony, but considering her divorced status, she declined, saying that she would only attend as an observer.

However, since Zhao Ruxi came to the Great Jin, Xiao Ruotong was the only close friend she had made. She didn't care about that and insisted that Xiao Ruotong be the best friend.

The Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence mansion is a blessed woman, so Xiao Ruotong's act of praising her wouldn't cause any problems. Zhao Ruxi insisted, and Xiao Ruotong also valued their friendship, so she finally agreed.

Busy times pass quickly, and Zhao Ruxi's coming-of-age ceremony finally arrived.

The Old Madam of Duke of Wei's Residence brought her two daughters-in-law and three granddaughters. The two uncles and aunts from the Zhu family also brought their daughters.

Zhao Ruyu, Zhao Ruzhu, and Zhao Ruxin, who had recently married, all returned with their husbands and children.

Xiao Ruotong was naturally present, as were the Xu Family family of four and the Zhao Yuanliang family.

In addition, Kang Shilin and his three senior brothers, accompanied by Zhao Yuanxun, also came to attend the ceremony.

After Zhao Ruxi bathed and changed her clothes, she sat comfortably in the east room. Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu welcomed the guests in and began the elaborate coming-of-age ceremony.

The Old Madam Duchess of Wei approached Zhao Ruxi, reciting a blessing. "On this auspicious day of this month, you begin your coming-of-age ceremony. May you cast aside your childish ambitions and embrace virtuous conduct. May you enjoy longevity and abundant blessings."

She took the comb from the plate Zhao Ruyu was holding and began to comb Zhao Ruxi's hair and put on her hairpin.

After the hairpin ceremony was completed, Xiao Ruotong stepped forward to help with the hairpin placement.

Zhao Ruxi bowed in return, took the ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) from Zhao Ruyu's hand, and went to the east room to change.

At this moment, a servant ran to Lady Zhu's side and whispered a few words in her ear.

Lady Zhu's expression changed immediately. She gave a few instructions to Matron Ruan, Matron Ruan quickly left.

Sure enough, Lady Su was standing outside the gate of the Earl of Suiping's Residence.

Lady Su was no longer the vibrant beauty she once was. She had become extremely thin, her face haggard, and her expression weary. Before Matron Ruan came out, she was leaning against the maid. Upon seeing someone come out of the door, she immediately straightened up.

"What brings Third Madam Zhao here?" asked Matron Ruan. The two families had severed ties, so she added her surname before her address to show her distance.

When Lady Su saw that it was Matron Ruan came out, she was not surprised.

She smiled wearily. "Today is Miss Xi's coming-of-age ceremony, and I've come to observe."

"But I seem to remember that our two households have severed ties, haven't they?" Matron Ruan looked at her with a half-smile.

Lady Su sighed, her face filled with worry. "That was just men acting on impulse. Blood ties cannot be severed. As Miss Xi's coming-of-age ceremony, I, as her aunt, must attend no matter what."

Matron Ruan stared at her for a moment, then gestured to the side, "Please come in, Third Madam Zhao."

Lady Su was quite surprised.

She assumed that the Earl of Suiping's Residence would definitely not allow her to enter. According to Zhao Yuankun's plan, she would have to make a scene at the gate, ruin Zhao Ruxi's reputation, and also affect Zhao Ruxi's coming-of-age ceremony.

Judging by the timing, this is the time for Zhao Ruxi to express her gratitude to her parents for raising her. Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu will have to come out to deal with this matter, which will affect Zhao Ruxi's coming-of-age ceremony, and the guests will also be talking about it.

Unexpectedly, the Earl of Suiping's Residence did not prevent her from entering.

She entered the room, looked at the familiar scene, and felt a mix of emotions.

As she walked past the screen wall, several strong female servants suddenly rushed out from the side and seized the maids and servants that Lady Su had brought with her.