Chapter 835: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 835: Stunning but Lonely (4)
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Chu Heng and the Crown Princess were seated in the front row, followed by Xiao Ruiyuan, Yan Junyu, the Liu couple, and Han Zhiyun. As for Madam Han, as the chief guest, she was waiting in the adjacent room. Once the coming-of-age ceremony began, she would step out to offer her congratulations to Mo Yan.
As the auspicious time approached, the chatter in the room gradually quieted. Under Mo Qingze’s signal, the ritual coordinator, Yang Bao, straightened his clothes and stood at the center. After bowing to the others, he raised his voice, saying, "Heaven and Earth created all things, and all things thrive and endure, for family and country, with ancestral glory and honor. My parents passed on to me, the family’s duties. We celebrate today’s coming-of-age ceremony. This is the beginning of the rite of passage—please, bring the one who is to be honored into the main hall!"
As the music signaling the start of the ceremony played, Mo Yan, accompanied by Xin’er, slowly emerged from the East Room.
The guests eagerly watched the door, and soon, a slender figure in light green appeared. As she drew closer, everyone’s eyes were drawn to her, captivated by the fresh and graceful sight of Mo Yan. As she walked, all eyes were focused solely on her.
Under countless astonished gazes, Mo Yan, her expression solemn, stepped over the threshold, slowly making her way toward Mo Qingze. As the ritual coordinator offered his respects, she bowed reverently to her father and then turned to bow to the guests in attendance.
She then stepped back, kneeling on the mat laid out for the coming-of-age ceremony, awaiting the ritual of the hairpin.
After cleansing her hands, Liu Tinglan took a peachwood comb from the tray held by an assistant and approached Mo Yan. She gathered Mo Yan’s dark hair, tying it into a flowing cloud knot atop her head.
Mo Yan rose and, after exchanging respectful bows with Liu Tinglan, returned to the East Room with Xin’er to change into the simple, unadorned dress for the initial hairpin ceremony. Once again, under the admiring gazes of the guests, she knelt on the mat.
The ritual coordinator raised his voice: "Please, the honored guests, begin the hairpin ceremony!"
As soon as he finished, Madam Han entered the room, her hands cleansed. She took the cloth and hairpin from the tray, kneeling before Mo Yan. In a solemn tone, she recited the traditional blessings: "On this auspicious month and day, you begin your coming-of-age. Abandon your childhood dreams, and follow the path to virtue. May you have a long life filled with happiness, blessed with all good fortune."
After reciting the words, Madam Han gently wrapped the cloth around Mo Yan’s hairpin and secured it.
Mo Yan stood, bowed to Madam Han in gratitude, and then, as the ritual coordinator offered his respects, she knelt on the mat in front of Mo Qingze, saying, "Father’s love and care, I will never forget; Father’s teachings, I will always keep in my heart!" She then bowed deeply, touching her forehead to the ground in a formal gesture of thanks.
Seeing his daughter in her new gown, Mo Qingze was overcome with emotion. Memories of her childhood rushed into his mind, and he was unable to contain his tears. Quickly blinking them away, he rose and, regardless of ceremony, pulled Mo Yan into an embrace, helping her stand.
Next, the second part of the ceremony was completed smoothly, and as Mo Yan donned a bright red ceremonial gown for the third part, the guests gasped in awe. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her, mesmerized by her majestic and elegant bearing, which rivaled even the highest-ranking noblewoman present, the Crown Princess herself.
"Earlier, I always thought Yan girl was pretty, but I never imagined that just a change of clothes could make her so captivating. Truly astonishing!"
"Yes, just look at her demeanor. She’s not from an aristocratic family, yet she carries herself with such grace. It’s all thanks to Mo Xiansheng’s teachings. If I could send my son to study there, I’d do it without hesitation. To raise a daughter like Yan girl, I’d be happy to wake up from a dream!"
"That’s right! There’s no harm in reading more books. Look at Mo’s children—they’re all excellent. All credit to Mo Xiansheng’s teachings!"
...
As the guests marveled at Mo Yan’s beauty and grace, the previously quiet room filled with whispers of praise, all for Mo Yan and her family.
Even Chu Heng and the Crown Princess, who had seen many beautiful women, were stunned by Mo Yan. They had never seen someone who combined beauty and grace so effortlessly. If they didn’t know her past, they would never have believed that such a radiant woman came from a common family.
Amid the praise, Xiao Ruiyuan’s smile deepened. His eyes were fixed on the woman in the red gown, never once leaving her. He had often imagined what his beloved would look like in the ceremonial gown he had carefully chosen for her, but no fantasy could compare to the shock and awe of seeing her in person. The bright red of her gown was now etched into his heart, and he could hardly wait for the day when she would wear the most beautiful wedding gown, and he would hold her hand forever.
Yan Junyu, however, stared at the newly crowned woman, his expression distant. A deep sense of sorrow stirred in his heart, his grip on his jade fan tightening to the point where it almost snapped.
This scene didn’t escape the notice of Da Ni'er, who had been watching Yan Junyu closely. Her face turned pale as she witnessed the shift in his emotions.
(The End of This Chapter)
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