Yi Xin as a concubine

In Xin Baoer's courtyard.

The eldest lady was welcomed by Xin Baoer and sat down at the main seat. She also lovingly took Xin Baoer's hand and asked her to sit down next to her.

The eldest lady glanced at Mama Qi, who understood and called the maids waiting outside the door.

Five or six maids came in one after another, each holding a tray with colorful clothes and gorgeous jewelry on it.

"These are all the clothes you will wear on your coming-of-age day. You have tried them on before and they have been altered twice to suit your size. Fortunately, the day has come, otherwise if you had lost more weight, you would have had to have them altered again.

You haven't seen those pieces of jewelry yet, I've prepared two sets, take a look and see which one you like. We'll use the one you like tomorrow, and you can keep the other set for later."

The maids put down their clothes and jewelry and left obediently.

Xin Baoer stood up and walked to two trays filled with jewelry. On the two trays were hairpins, hairpins and hairpins. The difference was that the ones on the left were all made of jade. The white jade was crystal clear, and the texture was simple and exquisite, which was what Xin Baoer liked.

The one on the right is a gold hairpin inlaid with gemstones. The gold hairpin is engraved with simple and elegant twined flower patterns, and the inlaid sapphires are gleaming like the deep sea. It is obviously a rare and top-quality product.

Xin Baoer looked at the two sets of jewelry and felt a little confused for a moment. The jade jewelry was clear and simple, while the gold jewelry was luxurious and elegant. She liked them both very much, but when it came to matching them with the ceremonial gowns, especially the last set of gorgeous dresses, it seemed a bit simple to match them with jade jewelry. But she was afraid that the luxury of the gold jewelry could not match her temperament.

Although all the people attending the coming-of-age ceremony were her family, she still didn't want to embarrass herself in the spirit of adapting to local customs as this important moment only happens once in a lifetime.

Seeing that she was frowning and looking indecisive, the eldest lady also stood up and walked over.

"What's wrong? But you don't know how to choose?" The eldest lady asked in a gentle voice.

"Mother, the simple jade ornaments seem a little thin with the dress, but I'm afraid the gold ornaments can't support it."

Xin Baoer lowered her head feeling guilty as she spoke. She was too thin, with only a few lines on her face. She did not look dignified, noble or elegant at all.

The eldest lady looked at her daughter carefully. Due to several consecutive illnesses, her face, which originally had some baby fat, was now very thin. If it weren't for her good bone structure, she would not be a beauty at this moment.

"I had some flesh on my body originally, but now it looks a little thin. Both sets don't seem to fit me anymore. What should I do? These jewels are specially made, and it's too late to order a new set."

The eldest lady was at a loss for a moment. It was already evening, and she had no idea where to buy anything, let alone make it.

Xin Baoer felt bad seeing that her mother was anxious with just a few words from her. Just as she was about to say that she could use the jade set, she heard the voice of Master Xin.

"What's wrong? Don't you like these?"

"I hope my father is well!" Xin Bao had no choice but to shut up and quickly bow to his father.

The eldest master helped his daughter up and looked at his wife inquiringly.

"The hairpin was ordered a long time ago, but now Bao girl is too thin and her temperament has changed, so it is a little inappropriate. It's also my fault that I didn't take it out for a look earlier." The eldest lady blamed herself a little.

"Mother, how can I blame you? It's Baoer's own fault. I will try to gain weight in the future." As he said this, he held his face and puffed up his cheeks. He was so adorable.

This made the old couple laugh.

"Then it seems that I came at the right time." Master Xin was very pleased to see that his wife and daughter got along well with each other and that the mother was loving and the daughter was filial.

Like a magic trick, he took out a small box from behind and handed it to Xin Baoer.

Xin Baoer looked at the box, then looked at her father and mother, and opened the box under their encouraging gazes.

The white jade is shining brightly against the backdrop of the setting sun. The hairpin is carved with water ripples, and peach blossoms are blooming on the head of the hairpin. There is a hint of red light in the stamens, just like blooming spring flowers. It is beautiful, vibrant and breathtaking.

Xin Baoer looked at the eldest lady, who was also smiling at her. They both saw satisfaction in each other's eyes, very satisfied.

"This 'Spring Peach Blossoms' is a perfect match for our precious girl. It's worth it for your father to spend so much effort to get it.

I thought about how I had to beg and plead to buy it from that person, and how I was laughed at for a long time. But seeing that my daughter likes it, it was worth the embarrassment.

The ninth day of the eighth lunar month is Xin Baoer's fifteenth birthday, and also her coming-of-age day.

Early in the morning, just as the sky was getting light, Xin Baoer was pulled out of bed by Mother Lin.

Lancao took a handkerchief and helped the young lady clean her face. When she put the warm handkerchief on her face, she felt all the dormant pores open up, and Xin Baoer finally woke up.

After rinsing her mouth, she sat on the dressing stool, looking at the blurry figure of the woman in the bronze mirror, and a sense of timidity rose in her heart for no reason.

I have been here for more than half a year. Although my space for activities has become smaller, with only one acre and three mu of land in this mansion, my heart has become more open and my life has become more enjoyable. It is no longer the stagnant state of my previous life.

She should be thankful that her life in her previous life stopped at the age of 28 and she did not experience more vicissitudes; she should be even more thankful that she could come to the Xin family. Although there are many restrictions and unfriendly attitudes towards women here, she should be content to be able to walk with her head held high.

"Miss, do you think it's okay?"

Lancao helped Xin Baoer comb her jet-black hair into a loose hanging bun, which would make it easier for Madam Zhengbin to untie the bun and comb her hair again and put on a hairpin.

"Well, thank you Lancao, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Lancao is not very old, one year younger than Xin Baoer, but she is in good health and eats well at the Xin family, so she looks older than Xin Baoer.

Now that she had received the praise from her master, her little face flushed and she worked even more efficiently. In no time she had dressed Xin Baoer in the dress she usually wore to meet guests.

Xin Baoer turned around in front of the bronze mirror again, then smiled with satisfaction.

"From today on, in this alien world, she is an adult and can do many things."

After a simple meal, she took Mother Lin and Lancao with her, followed by a maid sent by the eldest lady to help. The maid was holding the clothes and jewelry she would need for the day.

In early September, the chrysanthemums in the chrysanthemum garden bloom in groups of three or five. Among the green leaves, the chrysanthemums of various colors are blooming gorgeously, and the flower buds are also full and round, which makes people happy to see.

"It seems like it's time for chrysanthemum tea!"

The first and second wives, who were walking towards them, twitched their lips at the same time.

Xin Baoer was surrounded by people and entered the east wing, waiting for the time to come to start the coming-of-age ceremony.

When the time came, Xin Baoer, supported by Lancao, went out of the room again under the excited and loving gaze of Mother Lin.

She walked all the way to the prepared area in the chrysanthemum garden and sat down facing west in front of all the family members. Then she saw the eldest sister coming over with a kind-faced and smiling woman and handing the person to Xin Ling'er who was waiting on the side.

Xin Ling'er was her sister's sponsor today and she was dressed very elegantly.

The old lady is the eldest sister Xin Feng'er's mother-in-law, Zhu Li, who is in her fifties and has a kind face. She is the main guest of honor today.

Zhu Li gently removed Xin Baoer's pearl hairband, took down her bun and re-combed her hair into a woman's style.

Taking the hairpin from Xin Ling'er, he inserted it into Xin Bao'er's hair, saying, "On this day and month, you will wear your first clothes. Give up your childish ambitions and follow your virtues. May you live a long and healthy life and enjoy great happiness!"

After listening to the admonition, she returned to the east room amid the congratulations of her relatives, changed into her first set of ceremonial clothes of the day, and completed the first step in her growth.

After coming out again, Xin Baoer solemnly bowed to her parents and thanked them for raising her.

Zhengbin came over again to remove Xin Baoer's hairpin and replaced it with a hairpin, while reciting the meaning: "In this auspicious month and day, I will wear your clothes, respect your dignity, and be prudent and virtuous. May you live a long life and receive blessings forever!"

Xin Baoer bowed again to thank Zhu Li for her kindness today, and went back to the house to change into a second set of beautiful hairpin dress that showed her youthful beauty.

Xin Baoer sat back in her original place, and Zhu Li gently removed the hairpin on her head again and replaced it with the gorgeous jade hairpin named "Spring Peach Blossom" prepared by Master Xin.

"In the right year, in the order of the month, all are blessed. Brothers are present to complete their virtue. Huangqi has no limit, and receives the blessing of heaven."

After Zhu Li's gentle admonition, Xin Baoer finally changed into the last set of ceremonial dress of the day, a long-sleeved dress that symbolized the elegance and grace of a young girl.

The gorgeous dress makes the girl look even more peaceful and gentle, and her every move carries the power to soothe people.

The girl bowed towards the ancestral hall, solemnly and respectfully.

After this bow, today's coming-of-age ceremony was completed.