Ling Jingshu and Ling Jingyan looked at each other in silence for a moment, then suddenly laughed at the same time.

Ling Jingyan seemed to be relieved of some heavy shackles. She whispered, “Ah Shu, I know this is my Father and Mother’s fault. They hope you can climb up the social ladder and then benefit from it. You must be unhappy when you know this. Just calm down for the sake of me, my elder brother, and his wife, and don’t bother with them.”

“After all, this is your lifelong event. If you really don’t want to, write a letter home quickly. Otherwise, Grandma and Uncle will believe what my parents said…”

Ling Jingyan’s sincere expression made Ling Jingshu feel warm inside.

“No need to rush to write back.” Ling Jingshu smiled faintly and calmly interrupted Ling Jingyan: “Grandmother will decide for me on this matter.”

She suffered from a strange disease that prevented her from getting close to men, so she couldn’t even talk about marriage. As long as Old Lady Ling wasn’t too old and confused, she wouldn’t dare to think about it at this moment.

Before leaving Dingzhou, Old Lady Ling had already told Sun Shi about this matter. Sun was only looking forward to using her niece to get close to the rich and powerful, and she didn’t really take this matter to heart at all!

There was a hint of sarcasm in Ling Jingshu’s eyes.

It was difficult to say these words to Ling Jingyan.

Ling Jingyan was quite surprised to see Ling Jingshu speak so confidently, and could not help asking, “Ah Shu, if you can marry the Imperial Grandson, it would be a good marriage you would never ask for. How can you be sure that Grandma would not have this idea?”

Old Mrs. Ling’s desire to revitalize the family was no less than her father’s!

Ling Jingshu refused to answer the question and changed the subject casually: “Forget it, let’s not talk about this. We are going to visit the Su family tomorrow. Auntie must have prepared the present for the coming-of-age ceremony!”

Ling Jingyan widened her watery almond eyes and protested: “Hey, please stop changing the subject. You must be hiding something from me.”

Did she think she was stupid? How could she not see Zuo Guyan’s obvious mistake?

Ling Jingshu restrained her expression and looked at him seriously: “Yan tángjiě, you are right. I did not tell you something important. However, this matter is of great importance, so I cannot tell you at this moment. When the day comes when I can tell you, I will never hide it and will tell you first. Now please stop asking, okay?”

Ling Jingshu spoke very frankly and sincerely.

Facing those sincere, frank, and clear eyes, Ling Jingyan’s slight unhappiness in her heart disappeared immediately: “Okay, if you don’t want to say it, I won’t ask.”

After a pause, she continued, “Anyway, I don’t like what my parents are doing. I’m on your side.”

Ling Jingshu felt warm in her heart and smiled.

…

The next day, at Su Mansion.

For young girls, the coming-of-age ceremony was a very important ceremony.

On this day, the elder female relatives of the family were invited to come to the house, and girls of the same age were also invited to come to pay their respects. The Hairpin ceremony also meant that the girl had grown up and could get married.

Early marriage was popular at that time, and most girls got married at the age of fifteen or sixteen. If a girl was still unmarried after the age of eighteen, she would be regarded as an old maid who could not get married. For a young girl, the Hairpin Ceremony would become the most grand and glorious memory before getting married.

Even ordinary families would do their best to prepare for their daughter’s coming of age day, not to mention a wealthy family like the Su family.

The Su Mansion opened the main gate to welcome guests early in the morning, and there was a constant stream of distinguished guests visiting.

Ling Jingshu, Ling Jingyan, and Jiang Shi arrived at the Su residence at 9:00 a.m.

This was the time when there were the most guests. Fortunately, the Su Mansion had been prepared. The housekeeper who was in charge of welcoming guests came forward politely and attentively. After receiving the gift list, she led Ling Jingshu and others to the inner house of the Su Mansion.

The housekeeper asked a maid to go in and pass the message and then accompanied Ling Jingshu and the other two to wait outside the hanging flower gate.

Ling Jingshu looked around calmly.

The Su Mansion was not as majestic as the Crown Prince’s Mansion, nor as luxurious and exquisite as the Changping Gōngzhǔ’s Mansion. However, as a family of scholars with a history of a hundred years, it also had a profound heritage.

Many guests were coming and going, but everything was arranged in an orderly manner without any sense of chaos. This alone was enough to make people admire it.

After waiting for a while, the little maid came hurriedly over and whispered a few words to the housekeeper.

The housekeeper smiled and said, “The Second Young Lady’s boudoir is not far ahead. Please follow me in.”

Ling Jingshu responded with a smile, “I’ll trouble you to lead the way, Mama.”

The housekeeper smiled and said some polite words while leading the three people into the inner house. After walking along a long corridor and turning two corners, they arrived at Miss Su’s courtyard.

At this time, the coming-of-age ceremony had not yet officially begun, and Su Ying was sitting upright in her boudoir.

There were many young girls in the room, talking and laughing in low voices, and there were several familiar faces, all of whom had appeared at Changping Gōngzhǔ’s banquet.

Third Miss Jiang was also among them.

After Ling Jingshu and the other two came in, Su Ying happily stood up to greet them: “I’ve been waiting for you since early in the morning, and now you’re finally here.”

No matter how much truth there was in the words, such warm words were always pleasant to the ear.

Ling Jingshu smiled and replied, “Today is your coming-of-age day, so there’s no reason for us not to come earlier. It’s just that we wasted a lot of time on the road, and the streets outside the Su Mansion were crowded with carriages from various mansions. We almost couldn’t squeeze in, and we were so anxious that we were sweating all the way!”

The speech was humorous and interesting, making everyone laugh.

Jiang Rongyue waved at the three people repeatedly: “I have reserved seats for you, come quickly and sit down to talk.”

With a room full of young women, it was quite lively with everyone chatting away.

Soon, another distinguished guest arrived.

“Miss, Changping Gōngzhǔ and Anya Gōngzhǔ are here.” The maid came to report hurriedly.

The Su family was originally a family of scholars, and after the emergence of the Crown Princess Su, their reputation grew even more. The two most distinguished Gōngzhǔ of the Great Zhou Dynasty actually came to Su Ying’s coming-of-age ceremony.

The Gōngzhǔ arrived, Su Ying could not lose her manners, and hurriedly got up and walked out of her boudoir to greet them. Everyone followed Su Ying out to greet them.

Ling Jingshu naturally stood at the back.

Su Ying was the undisputed protagonist today. There was also the show-loving Changping Gōngzhǔ and Anya Gōngzhǔ who she had only heard of but never seen… On such an occasion, it was better to keep a low profile.

“Greetings to Changping Gōngzhǔ and Anya Gōngzhǔ.” Su Ying smiled and bowed.

Changping Gōngzhǔ was wearing a gorgeous and complicated palace dress, with delicate makeup and a charming and beautiful look. Her eyes were full of charm and she smiled sweetly, “Quickly, don’t be polite. Today, we two sisters are here to celebrate your coming-of-age ceremony, so please don’t be so polite.”

Su Ying thanked her and stood up straight.

Ling Jingshu saluted with the others, and when she looked up, she quickly glanced at Anya Gōngzhǔ.

(End of this chapter)