Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Deep Love of Gong Yumicro! Hua Jinzhi's Coming of Age Ceremony (5)

Finally, the carriage stopped at Prince De's residence. A eunuch's announcement prompted everyone inside to kneel promptly.

"Welcome, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress!"

Three chairs were placed in the center of the courtyard: Emperor Longyi and Empress Hua Waixuan took their seats, and the third was naturally for Leng Jiu.

Emperor Longyi dismissed the formalities, exchanged pleasantries with Prince De, and then ordered the gifts to be brought in.

With everything in place, it was a matter of waiting for the right time to begin the coming-of-age ceremony.

Leng Jiu felt someone's gaze on her. Looking towards the front, she saw Gong Yumicro. However, he wasn’t looking at her but was casually sipping wine. Although seated with other ministers, his white attire stood out sharply, just like his distinct presence, out of place in these surroundings.

Focusing back on her teacup, she could still sense his presence, frustratingly aware of her heightened sensitivity.

"The time has come!"

As the official presiding over the ceremony announced, everyone’s attention sharpened, and the coming-of-age ceremony commenced.

Hua Jinzhi was dressed in bright red-gold, a change from his usual attire. His outfit today was intricately designed, adorned with various elaborate patterns, clearly a garment of meticulous craftsmanship, not meant for everyday wear. Despite the grandeur of his clothing, it couldn't overshadow his natural charm.

His hair was simply tied up, unadorned by any ornaments. He walked confidently, his gaze briefly passing over Leng Jiu, a smile playing on his lips, as he knelt before Prince De, "Father!"

Prince De looked at him with a continuous smile, feeling immense joy in seeing his son grown into such a graceful young man.

"The crowning ceremony begins! The first crown!"

While girls receive only one crowning in their ceremony, boys have three. The first is done by the father, the second by an esteemed guest, and the third is more informal. Prince De took a red-gold crown and carefully placed it on Hua Jinzhi's head.

"The second crown!"

Prince De turned to Emperor Longyi, bowing, "Your Majesty, may I ask for your assistance?"

A tray was brought forward, holding a jade crown decoration. Emperor Longyi picked it up and inserted it into the center of the red-gold crown, enhancing its splendor with the addition of jade.

"The third crown!"

Empress Hua Waixuan stood up. As the Empress and Hua Jinzhi's sister, she was the natural choice for this final part of the ceremony.

However, as Hua Waixuan prepared to place the final hairpin, Hua Jinzhi dodged her, "The Empress Dowager is present!"

Hua Waixuan paused, her expression turning awkward, "How could the Empress Dowager perform this ceremony?"

Ignoring her, Hua Jinzhi looked towards Leng Jiu, "May I humbly request the Empress Dowager to bestow the final honor?"

All eyes turned to Leng Jiu. Although it was unconventional, given her status as the Empress Dowager, her participation in the ceremony would not diminish the dignity of Prince De's heir.

Under everyone's gaze, Leng Jiu suddenly smiled, "I did wonder why His Majesty sent so many gifts. It seems the purpose was this!"

Ziyu opened a small box containing a red-gold jade hairpin, which appeared to match Hua Jinzhi’s crown as if part of a set. Hearing Leng Jiu’s comment, everyone assumed it was prearranged by the Emperor.

Leng Jiu took the hairpin, walked towards Hua Jinzhi, and, under his intense gaze, bent slightly to insert the jade hairpin, completing the third part of the ceremony. She smiled teasingly at him, visible only from his angle, "Congratulations on reaching adulthood, Master Hua."

Hua Jinzhi's face flushed at her teasing smile, feeling awkward yet undeniably joyful.

"The ceremony is complete!"

Leng Jiu stood upright, ignoring Hua Waixuan, and returned to her seat. The imperial decree was then announced by Eunuch Qu: from this day, Hua Jinzhi would be the heir to Prince De, eventually inheriting the title.

"Congratulations! Congratulations!"

As the decree was issued, everyone came forward to offer congratulations, whether sincerely or not. Who wouldn’t want to curry favor with the first noble family of the Fengyu Dynasty?

The banquet tables were round, but Emperor Longyi, Hua Waixuan, and Leng Jiu had separate tables, each with specially prepared meals.

Hua Jinzhi, holding his cup, went around toasting. The ministers seized the opportunity to ingratiate themselves. When they were busy toasting the Emperor, Hua Jinzhi approached Leng Jiu with two cups, a sulky yet proud expression on his face, but unable to hide his smile, "At least you have some conscience!"

Seeing his expression, Leng Jiu chuckled and teasingly asked, "Since our Master Hua is now an adult, has Prince De prepared any beautiful companions for you tonight to enjoy the pleasures of adulthood?"

Hua Jinzhi’s face reddened, annoyed, "None of your business!"

He placed a wine cup in front of her, "You haven't had a drink with me yet!"

Leng Jiu filled both their cups with wine, then, lifting her cup, added, "Master Hua, oh no, I mean Prince Hua, do I still need to offer congratulations?"

Hua Jinzhi glared at her, "Drink!"

After Leng Jiu finished her drink, Hua Jinzhi snatched away her cup and left, leaving her speechless over his fuss about a mere cup.

Ziyu, recovering from her shock once Hua Jinzhi was far away, leaned in close to Leng Jiu, "Empress Dowager, how could you drink from the cup the Prince handed you?"

Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Should I not have?"

Ziyu, alarmed, exclaimed, "Don't you know? In Fengyu, men can choose a partner on their coming-of-age day. They have a pair of 'Union Cups' made for this occasion. If a man fancies a woman, he offers her one of these cups. If she accepts and fills it with wine for them to drink together, she agrees to help him celebrate his adulthood. If she is of high status, she could become his wife; if not, she becomes a concubine or a lesser wife!"

Leng Jiu suddenly realized, "No wonder I found it strange. He brought an empty cup, and it was so finely made!"

Ziyu, exasperated, "Empress Dowager, that's not the point!"

"What's done is done, what else can I do?"

Ziyu: "But..."

"What’s there to 'but'? Just pretend you didn’t see it!"

Ziyu felt helpless, but that was all she could do. Fortunately, the place was crowded, and hopefully, not many saw the incident. Unfortunately, her hopes were naïve. Even if others didn’t see, two men who were watching closely did – Gong Yumicro and Leng Yue!

Gong Yumicro clenched his cup in disbelief when Leng Jiu drank, while Leng Yue crushed his cup, furious either at her action or something else.