Chapter 107 – The Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Everyone knelt under the dark, oppressive sky, their voices hushed and their demeanor solemn. Xie Yi was exceptionally relaxed as he said, “Rise. Today, I had originally intended to play chess with Wu Yinghou, but I heard that he was going to perform Xu Shizi’s coming-of-age ceremony. Since I have nothing pressing today, I decided to come and observe the ceremony.”

Xu Anlin was so agitated that his face turned bright red. “My entire family has been blessed by your imperial grace. Your boundless kindness is like an ocean, and we would gladly lay down our lives to repay your majesty for such unprecedented generosity…” His eyes welled up with tears.

Xie Yi waved his hand slightly. “Rise. No need for formalities. I am in plain clothes today, not wanting to make a grand entrance and disturb the peace. Therefore, there is no need to publicize this event; otherwise, the censors will start chattering again.”

Wu Yinghou stepped forward to help Xu Anlin up. “Why don’t you welcome His Majesty inside?”

Everyone moved indoors. Originally, the main hall was set up with seats for guests of honor. Wu Yinghou bowed and smiled as he reported to the emperor, “Your Majesty, I was supposed to be the guest of honor, to perform the coming-of-age ceremony for the Duke of Jing’s heir. Now that Your Majesty is here, how could I dare to overstep my bounds? The Duke of Jing is also a distinguished minister. May I humbly request that Your Majesty take on the role of guest of honor during the ceremony.”

Everyone was somewhat taken aback. Among the audience, there were several students who were close friends with Xu Chun, including He Zhiqiu. He Zhiqiu understood immediately. Without the emperor’s consent, how could Wu Yinghou dare to boldly invite the emperor to perform the coming-of-age ceremony for a low-ranking junior? This performance had been prepared long ago. Wu Yinghou as the guest of honor was just a ruse; the true guest of honor to perform the coming-of-age ceremony for Xu Shizi’s was the emperor from the very beginning.

What a display of imperial favor! But compared to when the emperor demoted him due to the banned book incident, and the passionate love poem that was originally written for Xu Shizi’s mysteriously appeared on the emperor’s desk, not to mention when the emperor ordered him to secretly investigate the case involving Xu Guteng’s mother and caught a glimpse of the emperor’s deep affection. Every single incident demonstrated how much Xu Chun was favored by the emperor.

He watched as the emperor indeed smiled and said, “Since we have met on this auspicious day, it must be fate. Heaven’s will is clear; I shall perform the coming-of-age ceremony for Xu Chun.”

Everyone bustled about hurriedly. The emperor sat on the seat of honor, Shen Mengzhen stood beside him as the assistant, a crimson prayer mat was laid out on the ground, and the musicians all took their positions at the foot of the steps, playing solemn and harmonious music.

Xu Chun bowed and then went into the inner chamber to change his clothes.

Duke of Jing Xu Anlin personally held incense, first paying homage to heaven and earth, then to the emperor, and finally to his ancestors. He made an offering, saying, “In this fortunate month and auspicious day, I will place a cap on my son Xu Chun’s head. May he bask in imperial grace above and follow ancestral will below. May he remember his roots and respect his forebears, humbly accepting the blessings of heaven and receiving endless fortune and happiness.”

As the music played, a ceremonial official walked in small steps to lead Xu Chun out to the incense table.

Xu Chun wore black robes, his hair already styled in a topknot as he knelt on the seat.

Xie Yi looked at him, his features lowered in obedience, his posture heroic and upright, his spirit clear and his bones refined. His heart filled with joy. He washed his hands in the basin of gold beside him, then slowly walked up the western staircase, standing in front of Xu Chun. Su Huan presented a tray with the black silk cap. Shen Mengzhen praised, “On this auspicious day, may the cap signify adulthood. May filial piety and friendship be strengthened, and blessings and happiness abound.”

The music rose as Xie Yi held the black silk cap with both hands and placed it on Xu Chun’s head, straightening it. Xu Chun raised his head slightly, meeting Xie Yi’s gaze. The music stopped.

The ceremonial official led him to the side, into the crimson canopy. When he emerged, he had changed into a leather cap, a dragonscale sword hanging at his waist. He knelt back onto the seat again to perform the second stage of the coming-of-age ceremony. Su Huan presented a tray with a white deerskin cap. Shen Mengzhen praised again, “This ceremony is held, the guest honors virtue. Respect and caution in manner, a model for the people.” Xie Yi once again placed the leather cap on Xu Chun’s head.

Xu Chun bowed and retreated, returning to the crimson canopy. When he emerged, he wore black robes and vermilion trousers, kneeling down for the third time. Shen Mengzhen slowly praised, “The cap is placed thrice, the ceremonial robe is adorned. Reverence for gods and service to the supreme, forever securing the imperial realm.”

Beside him, Wu Yinghou saw Su Huan present the square cap. It had twenty-four ridges and twelve attached cicadas, decorated with emerald feathers. As a descendant of a vassal king, he recognized it at once. Although it resembled the cap worn by feudal lords, it was actually the cap that reached the heavens. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but look at the emperor.

When he heard Shen Mengzhen’s praises, he vaguely felt that they seemed to be those typically given to a prince. However, considering that Xu Chun was the heir of the Duke of Jing and would one day inherit the dukedom, it was understandable. The emperor relied heavily on Xu Chun, which he knew. But the coming-of-age ceremony was already a great honor. Why was the emperor using the cap that reached the heavens and the jade gui?

The emperor was only twenty-nine years old, while Xu Chun was twenty. Regardless, the emperor could not possibly have a prince of Xu Chun’s age!

His mind was full of doubts, but his expression remained gentle and composed, revealing nothing.

Xie Yi’s face was calm, his eyebrows solemn. He personally held the cap to place it on Xu Chun’s head, then took a crystal-clear jade gui from the tray and handed it to Xu Chun.

Xu Chun was confused. This wasn’t the originally agreed-upon process. He took the jade in his hand, looking somewhat lost as he glanced at Shen Mengzhen, who stood still. Then, he saw the eunuchs holding trays with tall wine cups approaching all the guests.

Xie Yi took a tall wine cup from the tray held by Su Huan beside him and personally handed it to Xu Chun. He only saw Shen Mengzhen loudly praise, “Fine wine recommended, fragrant and fragrant, receive this great blessing, may it prosper for a hundred generations.”

Xu Chun watched as Xie Yi held another wine cup and drank it in one gulp, then he also drained the cup.

All the guests also drank their cups empty.

The music below grew louder, solemn and harmonious. Only Wu Yinghou knew that it was “Joyful Thousand Springs,” the music used in the imperial family’s coming-of-age ceremonies. And the presentation of the gui earlier was something only done during the investiture of a princely title.

Shen Mengzhen then led Xu Chun down the steps, standing westward and kneeling again. Xie Yi looked dignified and solemn, personally proclaiming the imperial edict, “Love the virtuous and care for the people, following propriety and righteousness. Do not be excessive or arrogant, forever preserving wealth and nobility.”

Xu Chun looked up at him. Xie Yi’s eyes, like lustrous black glass, stared at him, suddenly carrying a hint of a smile. Perhaps he found Xu Chun’s bewildered, dazed appearance somewhat adorable. He spoke gently, “Go pay your respects to your mother and elders.”

Only then did Xu Chun come to his senses, his face slightly flushed as he got up. Guided by Shen Mengzhen, he descended from the western staircase, turning eastward and leaving the ancestral temple. Indeed, Lady Sheng was already waiting outside, her eyes red-rimmed. He paid his respects to Lady Sheng and personally presented sacrificial meat to his mother. Lady Sheng returned the bow gracefully, tears welling up in her eyes as she accepted the sacrificial meat. Xu Chun then bowed to dismiss Lady Sheng. Afterward, he returned to the hall and bowed to the Xu clan relatives, uncles, cousins, and others who had attended the coming-of-age ceremony.

After paying respects to all his elders, he returned to the hall. Xie Yi was still standing there, so he went forward to bow again. This was the final step, bowing to thank the guest of honor for the successful completion of the coming-of-age ceremony.

However, Xie Yi slowly said,

“On this fortunate month and auspicious day, I hereby announce your new name.

It shall be Yuanlin, may you always cherish it.”

This was the emperor personally granting a new name, Yuanlin.

Shen Mengzhen and Wu Yinghou both pondered upon hearing this name. Although the Duke of Jing was muddled, he also knew that the emperor granting a name was extraordinary. He hurriedly pulled Xu Chun down to kneel, thanking him, “We, your subjects, thank Your Majesty for your immense grace!”

Xie Yi smiled slightly, glancing at Xu Chun, who was still staring blankly at him. He thought, That name ‘Siyuan’ was really quite unlucky. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to change it. ‘Yuan’ means ‘first,’ as noble as I am. ‘Lin’ comes from the dream omen. My ‘Yuanlin,’ boundless blessings and longevity.