An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 34 Coming-of-age Ceremony, Part 1

Ten was an auspicious number. Holding Yun Shang's Coming-of-age Ceremony on October tenth meant that everything would be perfect.

"Luckily the ceremony is being held in late autumn. It's getting much cooler now. I can't even imagine what it would be like to hold such a ceremony in the burning summer heat. Have you looked at the dresses and counted how many layers they have?" Qin Yi groaned about the dresses Yun Shang was going to wear while checking each carefully. It was almost time for the ceremony and everything had to be just perfect. "Princess, there you are. I've got everything you need for the ceremony here. The hairpins, the phoenix coronet, and four matching gowns - one for each part of the ritual. You should wear the top sleeve gown at the end. I'm sure you will looked absolutely stunning in that dress."

Yun Shang nodded but soon lowered her head. She looked rather sad, "It's such a pity that my mother, Lady Jin won't be there for me."

Feeling sorry for Yun Shang, Qin Yi sighed and tried to comfort her, "Princess, I'm sure Lady Jin would have given anything just to see how wonderfully you've grown. You are indeed a great Princess."

The two women sat quietly and held each others' hands. Someone outside cried, "Princess, it's time. Xiu Xin is here. She reports that all the preparations are done and that the guests are gathering at Huazhang Palace. If The Princess is ready, she should leave for the ceremony."

The Coming-of-age Ceremony was held outside Huazhang Palace. Plenty of distinguished guests had been invited to witness the event. Slowly but solemnly, the rite carried on. Yun Shang would go back inside to change into a matching gown after the Master of the ceremony had braided her hair and embellished it with different hairpins. The procedure repeated three times. Yun Shang had changed from a colored dress suitable for little girls to a deeper and refiner color and fabric as the ritual progressed. At the end, she wore an elegant top sleeve gown, which indicated that instead of a child, she should be considered a young woman of marriageable age. Emperor Ning had granted Yun Shang 'Fengyu' as her courtesy name at the end of the ceremony. After receiving her courtesy name, Yun Shang bowed to all guests, and the ceremony was officially considered completed.

After the ceremony, all guests were guided to the Moon Tower on Penglai Island for the following banquet.

Emperor Ning and the Empress were sitting on the seat of honor. Yun Shang, in whose honor the feast was being held, had been seated to their left. To their right sat Luo Qingyan, also known as the famous Prince Jing. Princess Hua Jing's seat had been placed next to Yun Shang.

the maid led Hua Jing to the seat prepared for her, Yun Shang noticed that Hua Jing paused briefly before she sitting down. Then she turned to Yun Shang with an

and lowered her head. "Don't make fun

Yun Shang sensed someone was staring. She looked up and surveyed the hall. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw that it was Prince Jing. His jet-black eyes were fixed on her. She squirmed under his gaze. Yun Shang felt as though he could see through to her deepest secrets.

dancing. After a

has prepared a marvelous embroidery. Since several guests are either good at embroidery or enjoy an embroidered masterpiece, I say we should take a look together." The Empress announced to the guests with a smile. Then she waved at the servants. Two eunuchs

Shang lowered her head. Her lips curled into a sneer.

of art. Yun Shang soon heard whispers from the guests, "How lifelike these lotuses are! From here it seems as though the petals are waving in the breeze. It's absolutely

piece. If I'm right, this kind of technique is usually applied only on Hunan embroidery. As far as I know, Princess Hua Jing is the only one

like she was worried about Yun Shang, and about their secret coming to light. Yun Shang smiled at her, rose from her seat and stepped slowly towards the embroidery. Leaning forward, she observed the piece for quite a while before commenting heartily, "My sister is truly as good at embroidery, as I was told." Then, beaming wider, she turned to the guests in the hall and apologized, "Mother didn't introduce the work clearly. The credit for the embroidery belongs to both, Hua Jing and I. You see, I painted the original pattern and my sister embroidered a copy of my work. As my father always said, a

painting now? I want to see it." Surprised yet delighted, Emperor Ning tapped

around and whispered in Qin Yi's ear. The maid quickly left the Moon Tower. All guests in attendance began whispering as they waited to see why the maid had disappeared.

spent the past seven years at Ning'guo Temple. During my stay there, Master Wu Na taught me how to paint. But I must say that I'm a slow learner.

techniques are indeed great. After seeing the painting, the lotuses seem somehow less alive in her hands. Brother, you know about paintings more than anyone here. Come closer and have a look. What do you think of this painting?" Emperor Ning praised Yun Shang's painting and then told the eunuchs to turn it over to enable the

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