CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 297: COMING-OF-AGE CEREMONY

Zhao Hanzhang’s coming-of-age ceremony was held in the backyard of the county government. All the County Magistrates from the various counties arrived early at Xiping County. To their surprise, the person presiding over her ceremony was not a woman, but Zhao Song.

Zhao Song was hosting a coming-of-age ceremony for the first time. As the auspicious hour approached, he was still asking Zhao Hanzhang, "Are you sure you want me to perform the ceremony for you? Actually, there are quite a few female elders in the family with good fortune."

Zhao Hanzhang said seriously, "But none of them are Fifth Uncle. When Grandfather was alive, you had the best relationship with him. If he can’t witness my ceremony, having you perform it would make him very happy."

Zhao Song’s lips curled slightly, and he felt pleased.

The backyard of the county government was clean and tidy today. Originally, Zhao Hanzhang’s ceremony should have been festive, but since she was still in mourning, and her goal was not to celebrate a birthday but to meet the magistrates from the other seven counties, there was no special decoration in the county government.

However, for Mrs. Wang, this day was nonetheless significant.

Just like the coming-of-age ceremony for men, a woman’s coming-of-age ceremony is the most important day aside from her wedding. Even though it could not be held extravagantly during mourning, Mrs. Wang did not want her daughter to feel too wronged.

Therefore, she ordered that the courtyard be cleaned two days in advance, making sure every corner was spotless. The servants in the county government were also all dressed anew. When County Magistrate Chai and the others arrived, they felt the dignity and solemnity emanating from Xiping County Government.

Seeing the servants moving with propriety, everyone consciously lightened their steps. The guests invited to witness the ceremony paused in their conversation, exchanged glances, and then stepped forward.

They were surprised to find Zhao Ming standing at the door to welcome them.

County Magistrate Chai was prepared for this, so he showed no surprise, but the other magistrates were not as fortunate.

They arrived at Xiping County one after another but had only hurriedly met Zhao Hanzhang. The conversation was brief, so they felt they had nothing to say to the young girl, and consequently, they did not know her well.

Some had met her last year in Yu Yang, but in their impression, Zhao Hanzhang seemed only to be a capable warrior. They did not expect the Zhao Family to value her so much, even having someone of Zhao Ming’s status welcome her guests.

Zhao Ming stood at the door with a subtle smile, greeting them with a bow before stepping aside and inviting them inside.

The guests were led into the courtyard one by one.

The layout of the backyard was generally similar, only differing slightly according to the County Magistrate’s preferences. The ceremony was held in a pavilion within the garden, where guests could watch the ceremony.

Guests arrived in succession, each being attended to graciously. After all, the Zhao Family had a lot of people.

For Zhao Hanzhang’s ceremony, Zhao Ming recruited many members of the Zhao Family, both young men and women, who politely attended the guests who had traveled from afar, with the male guests and female guests standing in symmetrical arrangement.

The young gentlemen of the Zhao Family attended the male guests, while the young women attended the female guests.

Fan Ying and Chen Si Niang were among the invitees, arriving dressed splendidly.

Originally, they were not supposed to be invited, as traditionally speaking, their fate had not been favorable.

One had lost her entire family, and the other was a young widow. Yet Zhao Hanzhang invited them, personally extending the invitation multiple times.

Zhao Hanzhang’s exact words were, "This is not a simple coming-of-age ceremony; my main purpose is to meet the County Magistrates from each county. You are now part of my group and will later be involved in Ru Nan County affairs. You should take this opportunity to meet these magistrates."

The two hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to attend.

Though they were concerned about interrupting Zhao Hanzhang’s ceremony, they hid in a corner without coming forward.

Zhao Yunying, having been instructed in advance, found the two and led them to the front for the female guests, saying, "Third Sister said you are her reliable aids, especially Ying, as you are the descendant of loyalty and righteousness, so you should stand here."

Fan Ying was deeply touched, not to mention Chen Si Niang, whose eyes reddened with emotion.

The auspicious hour arrived, and musicians gently sounded the bronze bell. Zhao Ming then invited the guests on both sides to take their seats.

Servants brought out cushions and placed them on the mats, allowing guests to sit cross-legged while they looked up toward the pavilion above.

Mrs. Wang took a deep breath and, with great respect, followed Zhao Song up to the pavilion. She suppressed her nerves and smiled at the audience, saying, "Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for my daughter, Third Sister. I thank all the guests who have come from afar."

After speaking, she curtsied to the crowd, who stood to return the salute.

Mrs. Wang then smiled and said, "Now the ceremony formally begins; let’s invite the chief guest to preside over the ceremony."

Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, Zhao Song stepped forward.

Even though the atmosphere was solemn, the guests couldn’t help but start discussing, "Is the Fifth Grandfather of the Zhao Family the chief guest?"

"Isn’t the chief guest supposed to be an elder who is highly respected and fortunate? Using Zhao Ming as the usher is one thing, but having the Fifth Grandfather as the chief guest..."

"Look at who is holding the tray behind."

Everyone focused their eyes, and though some did not recognize the person, most did, "Zhao Kuan? Isn’t he the new County Magistrate of Yu Yang County?"

"He’s the new magistrate of Yu Yang County?"

Finally, someone voiced the question in everyone’s mind, "What capability does Third Sister have to make the Zhao Family support her so much?"

Zhao Song knew there would be debates, so he waited purposely for them to settle down before raising his hand to quiet the crowd and solemnly said, "Please, Third Sister, step forward."

The crowd gradually quieted down, craning their necks to look.

Zhao Hanzhang with her hair loose, strode forward from the back. As she moved, her dress swirled like clouds, distinct from the usual elegance and caution seen in women’s coming-of-age ceremonies. Her movements were carefree and straightforward. She smiled at the guests, nodding openly before bowing to Zhao Song, then sat facing west.

Everyone stared wide-eyed.

Zhao Song nodded slightly. The nervous Zhao Yunxin stepped forward, raising her hand slightly, and Ting He carefully carried the copper basin to wash her hands. After washing, she picked up a comb to help Zhao Hanzhang with her hair.

Her hair had been washed earlier in the morning and combed through thoroughly, so it was very smooth. At this point, it was a mere formality, requiring only a few strokes of the comb.

Standing next to Fifth Uncle, Zhao Yunxin expressed her nervousness, managing only three trembling strokes before putting down the comb.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes; originally, for her coming-of-age ceremony, she had agreed with Wang Si Niang that they would be each other’s assistants when they came of age. What a shame...

Zhao Song saw her still sitting motionless and lightly coughed.

Zhao Hanzhang snapped out of her daze, smiled up at him, got up, changed direction, and sat facing east.

Zhao Song then washed his hands, took the hairpin from the tray Zhao Kuan held, stepped forward, removed the hairpin from her head, and recited loudly, "In this auspicious month and moment, may you be adorned with dignity. Honor your virtues and be prudent in your conduct. May you live a long life of ten thousand years and enjoy eternal blessings."

With that, Zhao Song inserted the hairpin for her.

At that moment, even Zhao Song felt somewhat emotional. As he looked at Zhao Hanzhang bowing deeply before him, he seemed to see the young Zhao Changyu, his eyes slightly moist.

For someone as stoic as him to feel this way, Mrs. Wang was even more moved and barely held back her tears.