bookrebus Chapter 3 Jiang Luan's Coming of Age
Chapter 3 Jiang Luan's Coming of Age
After instructing the servants on the time of noon, he served tea to Jiang Zhi.
Jiang Zhi's expression relaxed slightly, and her slender fingers unconsciously caressed the porcelain cup.
She asked, "Oh right, has my elder brother been to Zuiyu Tower recently?"
He nodded silently at noon, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
Jiang Zhi paused, his brows furrowing slightly, his expression grave.
In his previous life, his elder brother Jiang Shuyue was given a slow-acting poison by Liu Shi when he was young, which caused him to walk with a limp. Liu Shi then staged a play, having Jiang Zhi deliver pastries to him, in order to sow discord between Jiang Shuyue and Jiang Zhi.
Later, he was deceived by Liu and became a dissolute playboy, spending every night in brothels.
He stole money from his mother's shop and gave it to one of the top courtesans at Zuiyulou.
Later, it was because of this woman that he offended the son of an official and ultimately died tragically in prison.
Knowing that her father would not send away the only male heir of the Marquis's mansion, Lady Liu had no choice but to resort to this plan, while she herself was sent far away.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi's palms unconsciously started to sweat.
Every time Jiang Shuyue stole money, Liu would cover for him, and he naively thought that Liu was a kind mother.
Little did they know that this was all part of her conspiracy.
First, they plotted to make him steal money, then they plotted to get him imprisoned.
Her only brother was thus ruined by Lady Liu.
In this life, she will personally expose the true face of the Liu family!
I can't let my brother die at her hands again.
Jiang Zhi raised his gaze and strode towards the desk. "At noon, grind the ink."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Deliver this letter at noon..."
He nodded at noon, took the letter, and went out.
Jiang Zhi sighed. The day after tomorrow would be Jiang Luan's coming-of-age ceremony.
Listening to what Gu Yuan said before his death, he had considerable conflict with the person he was intimate with in his previous life.
If we could join forces with them...
-
Before her coming-of-age ceremony, Jiang Zhi stayed indoors in her own courtyard, refusing to see anyone.
Soon, the day of Jiang Luan's coming-of-age ceremony arrived.
At this moment, the main hall of the Marquis of Zhenyuan was bustling with activity.
Marquis Zhenyuan and Lady Liu were in the main hall welcoming the distinguished guests who had come to attend Jiang Luan's coming-of-age ceremony.
Most of them were elders in their families, and some were famous women in Kyoto known for their talent and virtue.
Others were famous noblewomen from Kyoto.
After most of the distinguished guests had taken their seats, melodious music filled the front hall...
"Master, Madam, His Highness Prince Jing and His Highness Prince Xuan have arrived," the servant hurriedly stepped forward and said.
Hearing the sound, everyone in the hall looked outside and saw Prince Jing, dressed in a dark blue robe and casual clothes, with a black sash around his waist, slowly entering from outside, holding a folding fan.
Beside him stood Prince Xuan, dressed in a crimson cross-collar robe.
Marquis Zhenyuan hurriedly went to greet him.
"My daughter is coming of age today. We are honored by the presence of His Highness Prince Jing and His Highness Prince Xuan. We apologize for not being able to greet you properly."
Prince Jing laughed and said, "Marquis Zhenyuan, there's no need to be so polite. I've come today on behalf of my mother to present the coming-of-age gift to the Second Miss."
The coming-of-age ceremony is a pretense; the important thing is the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. A few days ago, Jiang Zhi's uncle returned in triumph, adorned with meritorious service. If he could marry Jiang Zhi, it would be even more beneficial for him to ascend the throne.
"Your Highness Prince Jing, Your Highness Prince Xuan, please take your seats." Lady Liu greeted Prince Jing and Prince Xuan with a smile in her eyes and led them to their seats.
Turning around, he saw the old lady of the Guangde Marquis's mansion entering the main hall with Pei Shangdao's help.
"Grandmother, be careful."
Pei Shangdao carefully helped his grandmother into the main hall, his gaze sweeping over the entire space.
Pei Shangdao lowered his head, a faint glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes.
When Liu saw Pei Shangdao and the old lady of Guangde Prefecture arrive, she smiled from ear to ear and quickly stepped forward to help the old lady Pei to her seat.
"Madam Pei, please take a seat."
Madam Pei looked at Madam Liu with a kind expression, took her hand, and patted it gently.
“The second young lady has come of age, and I have come with Shang Dao to see her.”
"Second Miss, you've grown up to be a young lady in the blink of an eye."
A smile appeared on Liu's face as she intently gazed at Pei Shangdao, looking quite satisfied.
“What the old lady says is true. If there is anything that has not been taken care of properly, please feel free to let me know.”
Madam Pei nodded with a smile, "There are many guests today, Madam, please go ahead and attend to your duties."
Guests came and went, sitting around the ornate tables, sipping tea and chatting. Jiang Shuyue also arrived at the front hall.
Jiang Shuyue, whose leg injury had not yet healed, walked in with a limp, which immediately sparked murmurs among those present.
"This must be the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, but he's a cripple."
"It's such a pity that the Marquis of Zhenyuan was born with a disability."
The whispers were so soft that neither the Marquis of Zhenyuan nor Lady Liu could make out what they were talking about, but they could guess what they were discussing just by looking at them.
Marquis Zhenyuan sighed softly.
During the banquet, a lady dressed in scarlet clothes looked at Madam Liu.
"Madam Jiang, I heard that there is a young lady in your household who has just returned from Liangzhou. She is stunningly beautiful, and none of the ladies outside have ever seen her."
"Which young lady is present here?"
It doesn't matter how beautiful this young lady is; having a meritorious uncle is enough to make her fawn over.
Madam Liu smiled with her head lowered, appearing as a kind mother.
Her tone was unusually gentle, "There are many guests today, so Zhi'er must dress up nicely. They're almost here."
No sooner had Lady Liu finished speaking than a young girl walked in from outside the door.
The girl was dressed simply in a light blue robe, but the dark green belt around her waist accentuated her slender waist, making it appear as if it could be encircled by a single hand.
Her skin was very fair, and with just a touch of rouge and lipstick, she was already stunningly beautiful.
Her eyes were clear and bright, and a slight smile played on her lips.
"This is Zhi'er." Madam Liu's expression changed as she composed herself and introduced her to everyone present.
Why is Luan'er dressed so brightly for her coming-of-age ceremony?
"Zhi'er, come and greet Prince Jing and His Highness Prince Xuan."
Jiang Zhi parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious: "Greetings to Prince Jing, Prince Xuan, and all the ladies."
"So this is Miss Jiang," one of the ladies remarked, sizing her up. "She is indeed strikingly beautiful."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhi lowered her eyes and said with a smile, "Thank you for your praise, Madam."
After saying that, he slowly sat down in the seat next to Madam Liu.
At this moment, although Liu Shi had a smile on her face, her fingers were already deeply embedded in her palms.
All the ladies, young women, and young men focused their attention on Jiang Zhi and began to whisper among themselves.
"Isn't this rumored young lady incredibly vulgar?"
"Now that I see it, it doesn't look like it at all."
"..."
Listening to everyone's comments about him, Jiang Zhi remained calm and composed. He poured himself a cup of tea, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a burning gaze directed at him from not far away.
Jiang Zhi looked up, and their eyes met. Her clear eyes were reflected in his dark gaze.
His calm gaze instantly turned slightly cold, and his heart involuntarily tightened.
Memories of her past life flashed through her mind. To avoid arousing suspicion, she calmly withdrew her gaze from the Prince Jing's face, her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
Prince Jing did take a liking to Jiang Zhi.
The group moved into the meticulously arranged courtyard, where more than a dozen tables were set up.
Everyone sat down at the table and waited for the coming-of-age ceremony to begin.
As the appointed time approached, the servants shouted:
The auspicious time has arrived!
Marquis Zhenyuan rose and addressed the guests, saying, "My daughter Jiang Luan is coming of age today. Thank you all for coming. The coming-of-age ceremony will now begin. Please welcome my daughter to enter and pay her respects to everyone."
Inside the room, Jiang Luan finished bathing and changing her clothes, and sat waiting for her coming-of-age ceremony to begin.
Upon hearing the sound, she got up and entered the main hall.
All the guests looked up at Jiang Luan, who was indeed beautiful, with a delicate cherry blossom, eyes like autumn water, and rosy cheeks.
Standing before Jiang Luan, Madam Liu combed and styled her hair, her smile radiant with satisfaction.
Her daughter is about to grow up.
At this moment, a glass of fruit wine was placed on Jiang Zhi's table. The maid smiled and said, "Miss, this is fruit wine prepared for you by Madam."
Jiang Zhi nodded, picked up the wine glass and pretended to drink, but actually poured it all into his sleeve.
It felt a little sticky and uncomfortable.
Looking at Jiang Luan on stage in her finest attire, Jiang Zhi lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them.
She didn't have a coming-of-age ceremony, but she didn't want one.
Because, at her coming-of-age ceremony, her mother will not be the one to put a hairpin on her head.