Chapter 368

Chapter 368

They all thought and guessed that today's ceremony would be hosted by Old Madam Qin, and did not expect that the emperor and empress would come in person today, let alone Empress Wei to be the guest of honor for Qin Jiu, and the second princess of Xinan as her other guest of honor.

This was truly a great honor!

This coming-of-age ceremony would be the talked of the town for years to come.

Qin Jiu sit into seiza position on a rattan mat facing west, and the ceremony was carried out in an orderly manner with the assistance of her companion and maidservants.

Empress Wei looked at her niece with a smile on her face as she chanted the congratulatory in a loud voice. "On the auspicious day of the moon, we will begin to add the first Yuanfu. Abandon your young ambition and follow your virtue. The longevity of your life will be auspicious, and you will be blessed."

Qin Jiu performed every step of the coming age ceremony with great familiarity, and although she knew that this sentence came from the "Etiquette - Scholar's Crown Ceremony", which was a must say greeting at a coming age ceremony, however, when she listened to Empress Wei's gentle recitation with her own ears, she couldn't help but feel warm inside.

She knew it was her aunt's deepest blessing to her.

Empress Wei picked up a comb and gently combed Qin Jiu's hair twice, she then picked up a bamboo hairpin from the tray in Yun Jiao's hand and inserted it into Qin Jiu's bun, followed by Princess of Xinan.

Qin Jiu gently smiled at Empress Wei and was about to get up when a commotion broke out in the hall. Surprised, someone looked out of the hall and shouted.

"Imperial County Wang!"

Gu Zezhi?!

Inside the main hall, everyone, including Qin Jiu, looked out of the hall in unison.

In the courtyard outside, golden sunlight poured down, and a young man in a purple robe strode towards this side, it was Gu Zezhi.

Qin Jiu's eyes widened as she watched Gu Zezhi approaching, and when he gets closer, she could clearly see his handsome face was covered with fine beard, and black shadow around his eyes. The whole person was covered in dust.

Everyone knew that Gu Zezhi had gone to Minzhou to quell the chaos, so seeing him right now made most of the young ladies and women in the hall shocked, even the Empress was stunned. Why was Gu Zezhi here!

Gu Zezhi was ordered to go to Minzhou to quell the rebellion, similarly, as the commander of the army, without the emperor's permission, he was not allowed to return to the capital without permission.

Realizing this, Empress Wei quickly came back to her senses and looked at the emperor.

She knew that the emperor must have known in advance that Gu Zezhi was returning to the capital and had deliberately kept it to himself. She couldn't help but give the emperor a scornful look.

Which the emperor just laughed.

Qin Jiu couldn't help but stood up from the rattan mat, her gaze was firm as her throat slightly tightened and felt her heart was drowning in sweetness like honey.

Gu Zezhi, he's back!

For her coming of age ceremony, he came all the way back!

Gu Zezhi looked at the bamboo hairpin on her hair, and faint smile bloomed on his face as his eyes swirling charmingly. Fortunately, he came back just in time!

All the guests exchanged glances with different expressions plastered on their faces, and one thing was similar on their expressions, envy. Third Miss Qin's fate was said to be unfortunate, her parents both died, and Marquis title that was supposed to be inherited by her eldest biological brother was instead given to their Second Uncle. Moreover, it was not only until a year ago that she came from the countryside, when she was first brought back to the capital last year, although everyone didn't underestimate her verbally, they inevitably looked down on her inwardly.

And the outcome? In just over half a year, this Third Miss Qin has actually gained a firm foothold in the capital. The empress, and empress dowager like her, her future mother-in-law also liked her, and obviously her future husband also thinks highly of her.

Looking at Gu Zezhi's worn out appearance, he obviously rushed to the capital, only for his fiancé's coming age ceremony!

As the saying goes, priceless treasures were easy to get but lovers were rare.

This Third Miss Qin really has good marriage, and it was not an exaggeration to say that she was the pet darling of heaven.

In contrast, the former capital's pearl Qin Xin was now reduced to a lowly concubine, which was saddening.

After Gu Zezhi sat down, the ceremony continued.

Once the initial ceremony was done, Qin Jiu and Yun Jiao returned to the side hall together, then changed into their plain clothes before coming out again to salute Old Madam Qin and the guests.

Following that was the ritual ceremony, Empress Wei put on a golden phoenix with inlaid southern pearl on Qin Jiu that has golden tassels hung from the phoenix's mouth shined brightly and dazzlingly.

At this time, Qin Jiu couldn't help but look at Gu Zezhi again. She knew that the hairpin used in the ritual ceremony was not this one, most likely it was Gu Zezhi who had prepared this.

Two pair of eyes looked at each other, Gu Zezhi's pupils burning brightly making Qin Jiu's heart slightly tremble.

After the second part of the ceremony, Qin Jiu then changed into a more intricate dress giving more emphasis to her body curve, the color of this dress was also brighter and even more eye-catching than the last dress she wore. After the last part of the ceremony, she then changed to her last dress of the ceremony, the cheongsam with ceremonial robe.

Everyone's eyes fell on Qin Jiu with amazement in their eyes.

She was wearing a bright red lotus ceremonial robe with large lotus flower of various colors scattered on the floor-length dress, looking like a goddess. Red, pink, white, and purple were lifelike, as if countless lotus flowers were blooming in full swing on her skirt, with every step taken, the blooming lotus flowers seemed to be swaying with the wind, gradually giving life to them.

On her bun was nine-winged golden phoenix inlaid with southern pearls which was personally put on by Empress Wei, a tassel spewed out from the phoenix's mouth that swayed brightly whenever she moves her head, setting off her apricot eyes as bright as a cold star, and in the midst of her gaze, her beauty was breathtaking.

Empress Wei's eyes were slightly moist as she looked at Qin Jiu in daze, overlapping her sister's shadows on her and inwardly said to herself: Sister, can you and brother-in-law see this in heaven? Your daughter is so beautiful!

Wish to win a heart, and never leave each other.

Empress Wei's eyes moved to Gu Zezhi who was not far away, and the corner of her lips curled up thinking, Xiao Jiu have got such a desirable husband, her future would certainly be good!

In the hall, there was silence and a solemn festive atmosphere.

After listening to the lecture and giving thanks, the rite of maturity was completed.

The guests came forward to congratulate Old Madam Qin and Empress Wei with a bow, all beaming with joy.

***