High-class maid

"Oh, okay."

Shantao puffed out her cheeks and said resignedly.

Ever since Xing'er stopped working at the Minister's residence, Shan Tao has always been the last to know about her affairs. Sigh, if only she could leave the residence herself. Shan Tao thought about the rumors she'd heard in the residence these past few days; perhaps by this time next year she would already be a free person.

After exchanging a few words, Madam Wang entered with Granny Shang, chatting and laughing.

"Oh, isn't this our Xing'er? It's been so long since I've seen her, and she's grown into such a beautiful young woman, even prettier than her mother! She's truly surpassed her mother!"

No sooner had Granny Shang stepped into the room than she began praising Xing'er, showering her with compliments as if they were free.

"Auntie, thank you for coming all this way. I am very grateful."

As Shen Xing'er spoke, she stood up to bow.

"Oh dear, since you call me Auntie, you mustn't be so formal with me. Today is your big day, how can I let you bow to me? Quickly sit down properly."

Granny Shang reached out her hand, pretending to help her up.

Shen Xing'er didn't stand on ceremony and sat down as usual.

Musical instruments filled the courtyard, and people consciously went inside. Shen Kun coughed lightly, then walked to the east steps and said...

"Today, my daughter Shen Xing'er is celebrating her coming-of-age ceremony. Thank you all for coming. Now, the coming-of-age ceremony for my daughter Shen Xing'er will officially begin."

After saying this, he paused for a moment, then continued, "Please, the host, enter and greet all the guests!"

Zhang Yuzhu was the first to come out, washed her hands in a basin in the courtyard, and stood in the west.

"The village head is actually a supporter? How did the Shen family manage to curry favor with him?"

"I don't know either. The young master is usually quiet, yet he has the ability to get the village head to be his assistant."

"In this way, our Nanshan Hall has found a good backer. Let's see which fools in the capital dare to cause trouble in our shop."

The managers of Nanshan Hall became more and more enthusiastic as they talked.

"Cough cough."

Master Hou coughed lightly, interrupting their conversation.

"There are many people, so be careful with your wording."

Master Hou rolled his eyes at them and whispered a reminder.

"Come out, come out."

Someone in the crowd whispered something, and several people looked towards the west wing at the same time.

Shen Xing'er was dressed in a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). Although simple, it was not plain at all. The flower buds on the hem were embroidered with pearls, and even the cuffs were sealed with shiny silver thread. It was truly understated, luxurious, and sophisticated.

Shen Xing'er entered the courtyard, facing south, and first bowed to the guests. Then, facing west, she sat on the mat. Zhang Yuzhu took a peach wood comb and combed her hair a few times before placing the comb on the south side of the mat.

Then the eldest princess got up, washed her hands in the basin, and stood in front of Shen Xing'er, saying: "On this auspicious day of this month, you will begin your coming-of-age ceremony. May you abandon your childish ways, follow your virtuous ways, live a long and blessed life, and enjoy great fortune."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shan Tao stepped forward with a tray. On the tray were a handkerchief and a hair stick. The princess picked up the hair stick and gently inserted it into Shen Xing'er's hair.

Shen Xing'er stood up, and everyone bowed to her in congratulations. Then, Shen Xing'er went back inside to change into a second set of ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

After putting on the second set of ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), she clearly looked more like an adult, and the clothes and hairstyle matched her better.

"It's true that wealth makes people rich; who could tell that the Shen family used to be servants?"

The neighbors watching the commotion from the doorway whispered among themselves.

They had initially been quite critical of the Shen family living here, but now that they had curryed favor with the Princess and so many prominent figures from the capital were attending the coming-of-age ceremony, the neighbors' opinions changed, and they were no longer so resistant.

Shen Xing'er walked into the courtyard and respectfully bowed to Shen Kun and his wife.

"Thank you, parents, for raising me!"

The eldest princess washed her hands again, and Shan Tao came up with a tray. The eldest princess picked up a hairpin from the tray and then said loudly...

"On this auspicious month and day, you should wear your finery, show respect for your dignity, cultivate your virtue, and live a long and prosperous life."

Next, the eldest princess removed the hair ornament from Shen Xing'er's head and replaced it with a hairpin. After the same process, Shen Xing'er went back to her room and changed into her third set of clothes, which was also the most luxurious one.

A deep robe with curved hem.

Wang and Shen Kun's eyes reddened. For some reason, seeing their daughter wearing this outfit made them feel like they couldn't hide it anymore and finally had to admit that she was an adult.

Even Song Wenyang was infected by the atmosphere. He stared intently at Shen Xing'er, as if trying to imprint her appearance in his mind.

Shen Xing'er bowed again.

After the complicated procedures were completed, Shen Kun said to the Princess, "I wonder what name the Princess has given Xing'er?"

Originally, in the Qin Dynasty, women were given a courtesy name only when they reached adulthood, signifying that they would become adults. The person who gave the courtesy name was usually a respected elder.

Since the eldest princess was appointed as the officiant for the coming-of-age ceremony, the task of choosing the first character was naturally entrusted to her.

The eldest princess smiled and nodded, then said, "I hope you will embody gentleness and beauty, and no matter what happens in the future, always remember to be calm and serene. Let your name be Wan Ning."

"Wan Ning, beautiful handwriting."

"The Princess is indeed very knowledgeable, her voice is so beautiful."

"Yes, I hope my Tiger Girl can receive a name from the Princess."

Everyone in the crowd was praising it, and even Shen Xing'er herself was very satisfied with the word.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

A sharp sound broke the whispers of the crowd, and without thinking, everyone knelt respectfully on the ground.

Although no one spoke, everyone was whispering among themselves: one princess wasn't enough, now there's an emperor too?

"The Shen family members receive the imperial decree."

"Eunuch Su said loudly."

He glanced at the crowd and immediately spotted Song Wenyang kneeling among them. No wonder he wasn't going to the palace today; he had come to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony!

The Shen family members made their way through the crowd and knelt before Eunuch Su.

"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

Now, there is Shen Wanning, daughter of the Shen family, virtuous and gentle, with exceptional talent and learning. Today she comes of age, and to avoid wasting her youthful years, the Imperial Clan Court is hereby ordered to select a suitable husband for her. It is heard that Song Wenyang, the second son of the Song family, is from a prestigious family and is the son of a high-ranking official. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and his talent and virtue are truly comparable to hers. He has long admired Shen Wanning's beautiful appearance and wishes to marry her. I hereby issue this decree to congratulate her.

He was specially granted twenty household servants, sixty pieces of gold and pearl jewelry, twenty bolts of embroidered python robes, sixty bolts of various colored silks, sixty sets of clothes for all four seasons, and six sets of agarwood wardrobes.

Admire this. "

"This humble subject kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!"

Shen Xing'er, no, Shen Wan Ning, felt like she had struck it rich! So many rewards! And they were imperial gifts! How prestigious this must be! It seems the Emperor still owes his beloved eldest son something.

The shock in everyone's hearts could not be amplified any further. When exactly did the Shen family get to know so many powerful and influential people?