After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

"What kind of hairstyle would you like, young lady?"

Xia He picked up the ebony comb and gently combed her black hair.

Xiao Ran said calmly, "Let's go with the peony bun hairstyle."

Xiahe and Chuntao exchanged a glance upon hearing the girl's request. In their memory, the girl usually disliked complicated and fussy hairstyles. Whether for everyday life or banquets, the girl believed that all attire should be simple. On ordinary days, she would simply tie up her black hair and insert a simple wooden hairpin.

In the past, the two women had often nagged the girl, saying that with such a good foundation, she was suited to elaborate dressing up. But the girl would always just smile and shake her head, not caring at all.

But today, the young lady actually wanted to style her hair into such an elaborate updo?

"What, is it not allowed?" She looked up at Xia He's face in the mirror.

Xia He snapped out of her daze and beamed with joy: "Okay, of course! This servant will comb your hair for you right away, Miss."

As its name suggests, the peony bun is a hairstyle where the hair is styled into the shape of a peony. The outer layer of hair in the bun is as light and graceful as peony petals, giving the wearer an air of elegance and lightness.

Xia He's skills were indeed excellent; she combed it out in no time. However, upon closer inspection, it was different from the peony bun popular in the capital. She combed the outer bun into small braids and coiled them on top, instantly giving it a touch of girlish charm.

Since Xiao Ran didn't have her ears pierced when she was a child, Xia He chose two simple pearl clip-on earrings, which were small, exquisite, smooth and beautiful, and elegant from a distance.

After everything was finished, Chuntao helped Xiao Ran change into her old clothes.

"You're so pretty, young lady!" Chun Tao exclaimed with a smile.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Xiao Ran realized it had been a long time since she had seen herself so serious; the last time was at her wedding to Jiang Shaorong in her previous life.

Suddenly, a maidservant outside urged them to hurry up, as the guests were waiting.

Xiao Ran was then led to the east room, where Shen You was also invited to be the assistant. Since she didn't know how to do hair, Xia He did it for her.

The hall was already properly set up. The incense table was in the center, on which were placed a wine cup for sweet wine, an exquisite comb, and the hairpin symbolizing adulthood—a warm white jade hairpin with gold trim, a black cloth crown, and a white deerskin cap.

Xiao Mu and Madam He sat upright in the main seats, their expressions solemn, yet somewhat uneasy. But that solemnity didn't seem to stem from their daughter's coming-of-age ceremony; rather…

Lady He glanced at Empress Rong, who was standing to the side.

Originally, she had invited the renowned Lady Ning, but somehow the Empress heard about it and volunteered to be the honored guest.

And they also brought... Mrs. He glanced at the congratulatory gifts on the counter.

Who could receive so many congratulatory gifts for their daughter's coming-of-age ceremony? It's almost comparable to what the princesses in the imperial palace receive.

As the auspicious time approached, Xiao Ran took light steps and slowly walked out of the east room to the center of the hall.

She stood facing south, her posture upright, like a bamboo shoot in spring. The Empress stepped forward, picked up a comb, and gently combed Xiao Ran's hair. The comb slid from root to tip, each stroke seemingly carrying a gentle, flowing tenderness.

"Today, I bestow upon you your first crown," the Empress said softly, then placed the black cloth crown on Xiao Ran's hair, murmuring, "Abandon your childish ambitions, and follow your virtuous ways."

Xiao Ran lowered her head slightly, even though she had experienced it once in her previous life.

But she knew that from this moment on, the ignorance of childhood—no, it should be said, the ignorance of her past life—was gone...

They will all fade away.