After crossing, I was forced to hold on to my thighs and build a kingdom

The main hall of the Dingbei Palace was solemn and dignified. The spacious hall, which used to only have a few people, was now filled with male and female guests who came to watch the ceremony.

Dingbei King Su Changshan was dressed in a dark suit and a seven-beam crown, and walked slowly with an octogenarian who was also dressed in a suit of the same color.

The old man's hair and beard are all white, and his weather-beaten face is full of wrinkles, but his slightly dim eyes still inadvertently reveal a hint of his former wisdom.

This is Cui Bingyi, the imperial tutor of the previous emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty and the former head of the Cui family, a century-old prestigious family in the northern border.

Supported by two younger members of the Cui family, Old Master Cui entered the main hall. Everyone looked at this highly respected old man with admiration.

The male heads of each family bowed respectfully to Old Master Cui, and the younger generations were also pulled by the ears by their family members to give them a temporary lecture on the great achievements of this old man who had not been seen for a long time.

The late emperor was taught by him personally. The late emperor treated him with respect as a father-in-law, and the two of them got along well for decades after that.

It was not until the death of the late emperor that the old tutor left the capital and returned to his hometown in the northern border to spend his remaining years in peace. However, the story of the late emperor and his relationship as master and disciple is still widely circulated today.

It is really a pleasant surprise that King Dingbei can invite this old man to be the guest of honor today.

Although Old Master Cui was old, he was still clear-headed. He smiled and nodded to everyone who saluted him along the way. He was very approachable and did not put on any official airs.

Wang Chang, the former Minister of Rites and current head of another prominent family in the northern border, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Old Master Cui, repeatedly greeting him: "My son Xuguang, I wish you all the best!"

He is the princess's husband, Princess Yunshan of Prince Dingbei's Mansion, the brother-in-law of Prince Dingbei Su Changshan, and the person who assisted Old Master Cui in the ceremony of crowning the prince of Dingbei today.

Old Master Cui gave the middle-aged man a false helping hand and smiled lovingly at him, "Nephew, get up quickly! Time flies! In the blink of an eye, your father has been gone for almost ten years!"

The old man sighed and asked, "Chang'er, are my sister-in-law and brother-in-law in good health? Are the children at home okay?"

"Uncle Lao greets you. My mother is in good health, but the children are very naughty." Wang Chang stood up with a smile.

"What's the big deal if a child is naughty? Naughty children are smart. You were even more naughty when you were little, but now you have grown into such a steady and polite person, haven't you?" Old Master Cui joked bluntly.

Everyone in front of him is a junior, and he can talk to anyone, no matter who they are.

As expected, the usually reserved Wang clan leader, who was over forty years old, could only smile bitterly and nod: "Uncle is right."

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Chang got down to business: "Today is a great day in Cheng'an. Knowing that you, my nephew, will be the guest of honor, I have the audacity to take the position of sponsor and assist you."

"Okay, okay, I feel more at ease with you, Chang'er, here today!" Old Master Cui stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

He already knew who the person praising him was, and he still smiled heartily after hearing Wang Chang's respectful words.

How many people don’t like respectful and polite younger generations?

The Binzans have all arrived, and the maids have placed all the ceremonial objects and clothing that have been prepared in advance in the appropriate places.

Xu Chunquan, the deputy general under King Dingbei who served as the exorcist, lit incense in the incense burner that had been prepared long ago and waited respectfully beside the washroom.

Wang Chang went forward to wash, wiped his hands with a towel, and stood beside the incense table waiting for the main guest to take his seat.

The musicians enter the music hall to play, and the three deacons place their trays in order.

The Crown Prince Su Cheng'an was waiting quietly in the east room wearing his fine robes, and the musicians stopped playing.

Wang Chang stepped forward and saluted loudly, "The three abdications have begun. Please invite the crowned prince, Su Cheng'an, to attend."

Old Master Cui faced the east, bowed to Su Cheng'an, and invited him to take a seat.

After Su Cheng'an saluted Old Master Cui, he sat down in the center.

After Old Master Cui went to the washroom to wash his hands, he returned to the hall.

Wang Chang sang loudly: "I am crowned for the first time."

Old Master Cui walked down the steps and took the black cloth crown that had been prepared long ago from the official waiting on the side.

He walked steadily to Su Cheng'an, who was standing in the center, straightened his appearance, and recited a blessing and admonishment: "On this auspicious day of the month, you are now wearing your first clothes. Let go of your childish ambitions and cultivate virtue. May you live a long and healthy life and enjoy great happiness."

Afterwards, Old Master Cui knelt down at the table, solemnly put a black cloth crown on Su Cheng'an, and then stood up.

Su Cheng'an then stood up as well, and Old Master Cui bowed to him.

Wang Changli sang: "He who wears the crown wears straight and deep clothes."

After Su Cheng'an kowtowed in thanks, he returned to the east wing, took off his colorful robe, and put on a straight-hem long robe that matched his black cloth crown.

After changing his clothes and tidying up his appearance, he walked back to the hall with a solemn expression and showed the guests that the "One Plus Gift" was completed.

Old Master Cui washed his hands again and went to the hall to help Su Cheng'an adjust the silk scarf on his head.

He took the leather cap from the official, walked back to Su Cheng'an, straightened his appearance, and then recited a blessing and admonition: "In this auspicious month and auspicious day, I will wear your proper attire. Respect your dignity and be virtuous. May you live a long life and receive eternal blessings."

After the blessing, Old Master Cui changed Su Cheng'an into a leather crown, and Wang Chang came up behind him to tie the straps on both sides of the leather crown for Su Cheng'an.

Old Master Cui bowed to Su Cheng'an and gestured for him to go back to the east wing to change clothes. Su Cheng'an thanked him and returned to the east wing.

After changing into the leather hat, he walked back to the hall and showed it to the guests to indicate that the "additional gift" was completed.

Then, following the above process, he urged the old man to wash his hands, took the imperial crown from the official, and returned to Su Cheng'an.

He straightened his appearance and recited the blessing and admonition three times: "In the right year, in the order of the month, all are blessed. Brothers are here to complete your virtue. Huangdi has no boundaries and receives the blessing of heaven."

After the blessing, Old Master Cui put on Su Cheng'an's leather crown and Wang Chang assisted Su Cheng'an in tying the straps on both sides of the crown.

Old Master Cui bowed and gestured to go home to change clothes again.

After Su Cheng'an kowtowed in thanks, he returned to his room to change into his official robes, and walked out of the room for the third time to complete the "three-plus ceremony" to the guests.

After the third crowning ceremony was completed, Old Master Cui blessed Su Cheng'an with the sweet wine that had been prepared long ago.

He bowed to Su Cheng'an and invited him to take his seat.

After Su Cheng'an took his seat, the patron saint, Wang Chang, came out from the east room holding a wine cup. Old Master Cui took the cup and walked to Su Cheng'an's seat at the front of the wine banquet, saying, "The wine is so sweet and rich, and the recommendation is so fragrant. I bow and accept the offering, and it will bring you good luck. May you receive the blessing of heaven and live a long and arduous life."

Su Cheng'an sat down, holding a cup in his left hand, and taking dried meat with his right hand and dipping it in meat sauce, performing a food offering ceremony to thank his ancestors for making such good food and to show that he did not forget his roots.

He used a small horn spoon to scoop out sweet wine from the cup and poured it on the ground as a sacrifice. He then offered sweet wine to his ancestors three more times to thank them again.

Finally, he stood up and sat down at the west end of the table. He took a sip of the sweet wine. After drinking it, Su Cheng'an stood up and left the table. He bowed to Old Master Cui to express his gratitude. Old Master Cui also bowed back in return.

After the wine ceremony was completed, Su Cheng'an came before Princess Du, paid his respects to his mother, and thanked her for raising him. Princess Du returned the greeting with tears in her eyes with the ceremony of adulthood.

Su Cheng'an bowed to Princess Du and she bowed back.

After that, Su Cheng'an returned to the hall again, waiting for Old Master Cui to choose a name for him.

Old Master Cui offered another congratulatory message: "Now that the rituals are complete, on an auspicious day in the month of your birth, I will announce your name. Your name will be Kong Jia, a gentleman of good character. It will be suitable for you. May you be protected forever, and be called Yizhi."

After taking the name, Su Cheng'an first thanked Old Master Cui, then thanked his uncle Wang Chang, and then paid a visit to all the elders. Then the grand ceremony of coming of age was completed!