Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 142 Coming-of-Age Ceremony - Part 1

Springtime beauty is shrouded in mist in the secluded boudoir; the embroidered chamber is quiet and the sun lingers.

But time waits for no one; from childhood to adulthood, only fifteen springs and summers have passed.

Early in the morning, Yunyi Courtyard was bustling with activity. The maids, dressed in the autumn clothes just issued by the general affairs office, swept the courtyard spotless, and everyone's face was filled with joy. Aunt Mei led her people out of the embroidery building and all the way to the back room, where she spoke with Steward An of the small kitchen.

Last night, it wasn't Hua Yan who was on duty. She carried a colorful garment into the embroidery tower, followed by several second-class maids carrying copper basins, handkerchiefs, towels, and other toiletries. The group tiptoed up to the second floor, just as Meng Zhu opened the door.

Hua Yan nodded to Meng Zhu, entered the room first, and after bowing to the Second Miss, said:

"It's still early. Mama Wei has told us that the guests are scheduled to arrive around 7 a.m. today. Miss, you can go to Fu'an Residence to greet the guests after you've finished getting ready and having breakfast."

According to custom, the ceremony was held in the old lady's courtyard. The head of the family and Madam Yun, along with Tang Lin, greeted the guests at the gate of the mansion, while the second young lady only needed to wait outside the gate of Fu'an Residence in the back.

The second young lady, still half-asleep, nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Ruizhu suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said, "This servant just went with Aunt Mei to the embroidery room to check again, and there is no problem with the hairpin ceremony clothes."

As they spoke, several second-class maids methodically arranged the copper basin and scented soap, while two maids tidied the embroidered bed. Several senior maids, including Hua Yan, helped the second young lady wash her hands and face, while Mingyue carefully dipped a small brush in tooth powder and waited by her side.

After the maids brought her fragrant tea, the second young lady rinsed her mouth and then bowed and carried the items away.

Hua Yan then stepped forward. Before the hair-pinning ceremony, her hair should be styled into a double bun, signifying her status as a young girl. After the hair was styled, Meng Zhu lightly applied a thin layer of powder to her young lady's face, and then applied the face cream sent by Yong Bao Lou.

Ruizhu took out two red gold pearl-encircled earrings from her dressing case. After glancing at them, the second young lady shook her head and pointed to the purple jade hibiscus earrings next to her.

"This earring was sent to the Second Miss by the eldest young master a few years ago when he was at Lushan Academy," Hua Yan said after Ruizhu put it on the Second Miss.

The second young lady touched her earlobe, then got up and let Ruizhu help her put on her colorful clothes.

"My brother is so thoughtful. It's kind of him, a man, to go to the jewelry store to choose the items."

Hua Yan nodded, and the imperial decree for the marriage was issued today. The second young lady felt relieved wearing the earrings her brother had given her.

Yesterday evening, the brother and sister sent their maids away and talked for a long time in the study. Hua Yan didn't inquire, but she noticed that the eldest young master looked lonely when he walked out of the courtyard.

"Wan'er has grown up and can now beat her brother by half a point in chess."

When the second young lady and Hua Yan saw her off, Hua Yan also heard such a sentence.

The deep mansion of the prince's residence stands between the brothers, making it seem as if every meeting thereafter would be one less.

After serving the second young lady breakfast, Aunt Mei was still worried and went over the process of the coming-of-age ceremony again before leaving.

The second young lady smiled and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Mei. Mengzhu said it several times last night. I also attended the coming-of-age ceremonies of my eldest sister and several other sisters from Lin'an a few years ago. There won't be any mistakes."

At the coming-of-age ceremony, the second young lady wore a light yellow dress when she left home. The dress was decorated with various floral patterns embroidered on the collar, cuffs, and hem. Later, at the ceremony, the eldest young lady of the Marquis's mansion, who would be the "master of ceremonies," would help the second young lady change out of the dress and put on three layers of hairpins.

Once the hairpin ceremony is complete, the colorful dress will be shelved, signifying the passing of the second young lady's youth.

With each layer of hairpins added to her body, the "principal guest," Old Madam Su, would say auspicious words as she added the hairpins to the second young lady, formally announcing her adulthood and that she could marry and become someone else's wife.

At 3:45 AM, Hua Yan hurriedly led Meng Zhu to the mansion gate, while Aunt Mei, along with Rui Zhu and Ming Yue, escorted the second young lady to Fu An Residence.

At the gate of the Tang residence, Tang Xian wore a deep-colored robe and a black cap, while Tang Lin wore a ceremonial cap signifying his official rank and a dark blue robe. Madam Yun stood behind her husband and son, also dressed in a deep-colored robe.

All three had solemn expressions.

(A shenyi is a garment consisting of a top and a bottom that are connected, and is generally worn on formal occasions.)

Among the arriving guests, Yun Qian, the head of the Yun family and also Madam Yun's uncle, was the first to arrive. Yun Qian was serving as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue at the time. Madam Yun brought her two daughters with her, and Madam Yun hurriedly greeted them with Wei Mama and the steward of the inner quarters.

Next came the Marquis of Huai'an's residence. There were quite a few people from the Marquis of Huai'an's residence. Tang Xian looked at the three carriages approaching from afar and couldn't help but show a satisfied expression. The Marquis of Huai'an had brought his wife, son, and two daughters to visit.

Today, Tang Yu'er was serving as the 'Praiser', so after getting off the carriage and greeting Tang Xian and the others, Madam Yun instructed Hua Yan and Meng Zhu to take Tang Yu'er to Yunyi Courtyard to change and prepare.

At 1:15 AM, the Tang residence was already boiling like water, with the sounds of men and women chatting and laughing coming from the front and back courtyards.

When Hua Yan brought the eldest daughter of the Marquis's mansion, who had changed her clothes, to Fu'an Residence, the second young lady was already surrounded by female relatives. Several young ladies from the Tang family, led by the eldest young lady Tang Qingshuang, were orderly welcoming people inside.

When the old lady Su, dressed in a dark purple pheasant-patterned noblewoman's gown, walked to Fu'an Residence with the help of her maids, it was the first minor climax of the coming-of-age ceremony.

Not only was Old Madam Su blessed with good fortune, but she was also a first-rank noblewoman, highly respected in the capital. Being able to invite Old Madam Su as the honored guest would earn the Tang family a higher regard from outsiders.

The old lady had already received the news beforehand, and with Suwen and Guangbai's help, she personally went to the door to greet them.

After exchanging pleasantries, the guests took their seats in the hall.

The second young lady, like a puppet on strings, stood facing south on the east side of the hall, at the behest of Madam Wei. Tang Xian stood on the east side of the hall, while Madam Yun sat on the west side. The principal guest, Old Madam Su, stood to the east of the incense table.

After Tang Xian's speech, Hua Yan, accompanied by a group of maids, brought in a washbasin. The eldest daughter of the Marquis's mansion led the second daughter to place their hands in the washbasin to wash, and then dried them with a towel. This was the ablution ceremony, symbolizing the washing away of worldly dust and entering adulthood with a clean body.

After the second young lady returned to her original position in the hall, Hua Yan and Rui Zhu, together with Tang Yu'er, immediately draped a Shu brocade cross-collar narrow-sleeved Confucian skirt over her shoulders. Meng Zhu gracefully stepped forward with a tray in hand, and Old Madam Su began to add hairpins to the second young lady's head with a smile.

This is one of the most important procedures in the coming-of-age ceremony, and everyone is solemn and attentive.

"On the auspicious day of the month, you will start to add Yuanfu. Abandon your young ambitions, follow you and become virtuous. The test of longevity is only Qi, and you will be blessed."

Grandma Su's voice was soft and gentle, unhurried and seemingly possessing a soothing power. With a smile, she picked up the wooden hairpin and, after Tang Yu'er had untied the second young lady's double buns, inserted the hairpin into the second young lady's hair, a gesture known as 'first addition'.

When the 'addition' was presented, the second young lady was wearing a deep robe with a meander pattern and curved hem. The golden phoenix hairpin that was presented on the plate was the prize from the poetry gathering that day, bestowed by the Princess. Mr. Lin in the hall looked at the second young lady with gentle eyes.

Tang Yu'er removed the wooden hairpin from the second young lady's head, and Old Madam Su inserted the hairpin into her hair bun. She recited a blessing: "On this auspicious day and month, you are dressed in your finery. May you be dignified and virtuous. May you live a long and healthy life, and forever enjoy good fortune."

All eyes were on the phoenix hairpin, and everyone praised it. They had learned beforehand that the second young lady would be entering the Prince of Jin's mansion as a concubine. Only the Marquis of Huai'an and Minister Yun knew about it. The two exchanged a glance, then nodded at the second young lady, both of them nodding in satisfaction.

"In the proper time of the year, in accordance with the order of the month, all are dressed in their finest clothes. All brothers are present, thus fulfilling their virtues. May they live to a ripe old age and receive the blessings of Heaven."

The "three additions" refer to the jade hairpin, and the second young lady, dressed in a solemn ceremonial robe, received blessings from everyone. Tang Lin's eyes welled up with tears. His final words of blessing were: "Your brothers are all here to help you achieve your virtues. May you live a long and healthy life, receiving blessings from heaven."

After the coming-of-age ceremony came the wine ceremony. The second young lady bowed to Old Madam Su according to the rules. Old Madam Su stepped forward to help the second young lady up and bestowed upon her wine. The second young lady accepted it and shyly touched her lips with it.

Tang Xian was unusually nervous. He and Madam Yun were momentarily dazed. The fifteen years that their daughter had grown into adulthood were also fifteen years that they had painstakingly planned and were now realizing their plans step by step. Their daughter was dazzlingly beautiful, but every frown and smile made him and his wife feel a sense of loss.

Finally, Tang Xian took a deep breath, stepped forward and bowed, "Please, Madam Su, give Wan'er a courtesy name."