The coming-of-age ceremony was grand and complicated. One had to change clothes several times in one day, and each time one changed clothes, one had to do one’s makeup again.

In the ceremony of coming of age, the woman who puts the hairpin on the girl is called the Zhengbin ^[1]chief guest. Generally speaking, the Zhengbin should be an elder female with outstanding moral character.

The Crown Princess was Su Ying’s biological gūgū ^[2]father’s sister and had a noble status, so it was natural for her to be the Zhengbin.

For Su Ying, having the Crown Princess of the current dynasty as Zhengbin at her coming-of-age ceremony was a very honorable and dignified happy event.

What made her even happier was that her biǎogē, the Imperial Grandson, also came today…

Su Ying was wearing a wedding dress, with light makeup on her face, looking elegant and graceful. When she caught a glimpse of the young man beside the Crown Princess, her pretty face flushed slightly, making her look particularly beautiful and moving.

After watching the ceremony for a long time, Ling Jingyan lost her patience and quietly tugged at Ling Jingshu’s sleeve: “Ah Shu, my feet are almost sore after standing for so long.”

There were many people in the inner hall, and during the hairpin ceremony, the chanting needed to be loud. Ling Jingyan kept her voice as low as possible, avoiding drawing attention from others.

However, this is not a good time to chat.

Ling Jingshu held Ling Jingyan’s hand and whispered to comfort her, “Just bear with it for a while.”

Ling Jingyan hummed and said nothing more.

Ling Jingshu’s gaze fell on Su Ying again.

Su Ying’s coming-of-age ceremony was so grand and magnificent, and the Crown Princess came specially to be the Zhengbin. It was likely not just to support her maternal family! The Imperial Grandson had reached the age to choose a consort for marriage. The Crown Princess was particularly picky about the girls who appeared around the Imperial Grandson (such as her). It was obvious that she already had a suitable daughter-in-law in mind.

Now it seemed that the candidate must be Su Ying.

Su Ying was outstanding in both appearance and talent and had a gentle temperament. She was also the zhínǚ ^[3]daughter of brother of the Crown Princess and was indeed the best candidate for the Imperial Grandson’s Consort position…

Ling Jingshu’s thoughts were wandering when she was suddenly met with a pair of cold and deep eyes.

There was now a complex and indescribable light flashing in those eyes which had never been fluctuating.

Ling Jingshu lowered her eyes almost immediately, avoiding the Imperial Grandson’s slightly scorching gaze.

His mother was deliberately making things difficult for her just now. She must be very angry because she was so arrogant. The Imperial Grandson sighed secretly, and the words that King Yan said flashed through his mind inexplicably.

A gentleman loves a beautiful lady. What should you do if you are so reserved all day and the girl you like is snatched away by someone else?

…

After the coming-of-age ceremony was over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the same time and then came forward one by one to congratulate and bless the girl.

Su Ying seemed to have matured a lot in just half a day, and her every move became more humble and gentle.

The Imperial Grandson, who had been silent the whole time, also took two steps forward. His expressionless face softened in a rare moment: “Su Biǎomèi, today is a good day for you to celebrate your coming-of-age. Congratulations.”

The two were biǎo xiōng and mèi ^[4]maternal male cousin and female cousin who is younger than him ​​who grew up together and were familiar with each other, so their relationship was naturally different from that of others.

Su Ying’s eyes flashed with joy and happiness, and she said softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The Imperial Grandson curled his lips and said, “Just call me biǎogē. You used to call me that when we were little. Why do you feel so distant now?”

Su Ying blushed slightly and changed her tone to call him biǎogē.

Although she often went in and out of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Su Ying didn’t have many opportunities to see her biǎogē. Especially in the past two years, as she got older and there were differences between men and women, the opportunities to meet each other became fewer and fewer.

Today was her coming-of-age ceremony, and she secretly hoped to see him.

Unexpectedly, he really came today…

Su Ying felt a strange emotion in her heart, and a blush passed across her fair face.

The Crown Princess saw this scene and couldn’t help but raise the corners of her lips.

This was the most suitable couple made in heaven!

Su Ying was her zhínǚ, and she had watched her grow up. She was a top choice in both appearance and talent, elegant and gentle. Compared to Jiang Rongyue, she naturally preferred Su Ying as her daughter-in-law.

Judging from Ah Yao’s reaction, he clearly had some feelings for his cousin Su Ying. If she had found a chance to tell Ah Yao about this in private, he probably wouldn’t have objected.

Even if Ah Yao was really fascinated by Ling Jingshu, he should know that with the Ling family’s family background, Ling Jingshu was absolutely not qualified to be the main wife. If Ah Yao really insisted, at most she would give in and let Ling Jingshu marry as a concubine.

It was not too late to train her properly after she got married.

As the Crown Princess thought about this, she felt more relaxed.

…

After having a sumptuous and exquisite lunch at the Su Mansion, he stayed in the inner house of the Su Mansion for a while.

With the Crown Princess, Changping Gōngzhǔ, and others present, Su Ying had no time to get away. After seeing the Crown Princess off, Su Ying returned to the courtyard with an apologetic look on her face, and smiled at everyone, “I’m really sorry for everyone today. I haven’t had time to talk to you all.”

“Sister Su, that’s too polite.”

Jiang Rongyue took over the conversation playfully: “Today, the Su Mansion is full of distinguished guests. The Crown Princess personally served as your Zhengbin, the Imperial Grandson came in person to congratulate you, and Changping Gōngzhǔ and Anya Gōngzhǔ are also here. It is only natural that you are busy. How can we blame you.”

These words may sound insignificant at first, but upon closer inspection, they had a subtle sour taste.

The girls present exchanged knowing looks.

The Imperial Grandson was a noble and handsome young man, and many daughters of noble families wanted to become the Imperial Grandson’s Consort. Among them, Jiang Rongyue and Su Ying were the most outstanding in terms of talent, appearance, and family background, and were also the strongest opponents in the competition for the Imperial Grandson’s Consort.

In terms of family background, Jiang Rongyue was slightly better, but in terms of talent and appearance, Su Ying was more outstanding.

Girls from lower-class families could marry the Imperial Grandson as concubines. But Jiang Rongyue and Su Ying would never be concubines. They would either marry off in style as the Imperial Grandson’s consorts or leave the stage in disgrace.

Today, the Crown Princess made a grand gesture to serve as the guest of honor at Su Ying’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the meaning behind this was self-evident.

No wonder Jiang Rongyue felt jealous.

Su Ying seemed not to hear the sourness in Jiang Rongyue’s words, and smiled slightly, “Sister Jiang, please don’t laugh at me now. In more than a month, it will be a good day for your hairpin ceremony. I don’t know how lively and grand it will be then. Of course, my gūmǔ and biǎogē will not be absent, and maybe even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will go!”

The words were spoken gently, without any hint of anger.

But if you consider it carefully, the last sentence was clearly a counterattack against Jiang Rongyue.

My gūmǔ was indeed partial to me, but my gūfù was more partial to the Duke of Ying’s Mansion!

Jiang Rongyue was choked by the sound of neither soft nor hard and soon laughed again: “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince needs to rest and recuperate, how could he leave the mansion easily? Sister Su, please stop joking.”

Ling Jingshu watched coldly and couldn’t help but laugh secretly.

Two unmarried girls were vying for the favor of the Imperial Grandson. She wondered how the Imperial Grandson would feel if he knew…

(End of this chapter)