The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 135

Chapter 135: The Imperial Decree of Marriage and the Beginning of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Xiao Xian’s coming-of-age ceremony was chosen to be held in a manor on the south bank of the Qinhuai River, behind Wu Yi Alley. This was also a piece of land bestowed upon Xiao Xian by the Emperor Chen Xu. Now, Xiao Jinyu and Xiao Xian had ordered people to build a residence here, named Xiao Residence, adjacent to the residence of the Chenjun Xie Clan.

Xiao Xian noticed that every time Xiao Jinyu arrived at the gate of the Xie family residence in Wu Yi Alley, she would stop for a long time, as if reminiscing about something, but he never asked, for fear of breaking the existing peace and tranquility.

Since this young lady returned to Jiankang, almost everything she had done was beyond his expectations and shocked him.

She was indeed different from the other noble ladies in Jiankang. She was never afraid or apprehensive. She could confront Princess Yunyin head-on, could scheme to kill Prince Shixing, and could even look directly at the Emperor’s majesty and speak out to admonish him!

She was so arrogant, aloof, conceited, and even frivolous!

But when she calmed down, she would become extraordinarily lonely, quiet, and gentle.

When facing him, she only ever showed a gentle and calm side, never showing weakness.

“A’yu!”

Seeing her standing in the courtyard early in the morning, Xiao Xian couldn’t help but feel pity in his heart and walked to her side.

Her contemplation broken, Xiao Jinyu also turned around, meeting Xiao Xian’s gaze.

“Uncle Xian!”

“Are you thinking of your mother?” Xiao Xian asked.

Xiao Jinyu nodded and smiled.

“Yes, I also thought of many people and many things. I suddenly feel that it’s good to be alive. There’s a home to return to, relatives to remember, and friends to meet. Life is precious in its comfort. How can one be bound to official duties thousands of miles away to seek fame and fortune?”

Saying this, she looked at Xiao Xian, “Uncle Xian, no matter what happens in the future, A’yu hopes that you will prioritize the family, prioritize your own safety, and live well. Everything else is secondary!”

“Naturally!” Xiao Xian replied, adding, “You too!”

Speaking of this, Xiao Xian’s voice choked up a little, and he suddenly asked, “A’yu, have you decided to leave Southern Chen?”

She had said that she wouldn’t leave before he officially became the head of the Xiao family.

But this coming-of-age ceremony, she wanted to rectify the name of this direct branch of the Xiao family. What about after the name was rectified?

Xiao Jinyu was silent for a moment, then looked up at Xiao Xian again.

“Yes!” she answered decisively, “I want to make you, Uncle Xian, the rightful head of this generation’s direct branch of the Lanling Xiao Clan at this coming-of-age ceremony…” She looked at Xiao Xian with a smile, “There’s one more thing I need to discuss with you, Uncle Xian…”

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Before the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Jinyu went to the room where Princess Yunyin was confined. Seeing that the woman who had been insane and out of control for five days had finally calmed down, Xiao Jinyu called out, “Chen Jianchen, after five days of confinement, have you finally calmed down? Since you’ve calmed down, let’s have a good talk!”

“Xiao, Jin, Yu!”

Princess Yunyin abruptly raised her head and saw the girl walking in the sunlight, like a deity looking down at her from above, making her appear even more insignificant, humble, and ridiculous.

“No, what did you just call me?”

“Princess Yuhua, Chen Jianchen, this is your real name, isn’t it?”

Princess Yunyin’s eyes immediately showed fear.

“How do you know? No, how could you know? Who are you?”

“Who I am is not important, Chen Jianchen. You were originally engaged to the son of the Wang family, but you were in love with Han Zigao and insisted on marrying him. Why did you later scheme against my mother and Han Zigao?”

Mentioning this, Princess Yunyin couldn’t help but sneer.

“Why? Wasn’t I fulfilling their wishes? Since they were in love, wasn’t it good of me to fulfill their wishes?”

A cold irony was uttered, followed by a look of regret and fear.

“No, what does this have to do with me? What does this have to do with me?”

“Are you trying to trick me? Are you trying to trick me?”

“Xiao Jinyu, what exactly are you trying to do? You’ve locked me up for five days. What exactly are you trying to do? Aren’t you afraid of the world criticizing you for being unfilial and disrespectful? Aren’t you afraid of my imperial brother sentencing you to death?”

Xiao Jinyu smiled disdainfully.

“Chen Jianchen, I told you before, you can’t wield a knife without knowing how to use it. You never consider your own abilities, but you always want to use the sharpest knife. Now you’ve cut your own hand, and you’re still so stubborn.”

“Do you think your imperial brother will disregard the royal family’s reputation for you?”

“If you hadn’t done something that damaged the royal family’s reputation, why would you have changed your appearance and identity to marry into the Xiao family? Do you really think you hold an extremely important position in the hearts of your two imperial brothers, or have immeasurable value?”

“Then you might as well think carefully now, how much value do you still have?”

How much value do I still have?

Princess Yunyin lowered her head. Now, the personal troops she had in her hands had fled, and the evidence of her collusion with Prince Shixing was still in the hands of this wretched slave…

“Think carefully. If you can atone for the mistakes you’ve made, you might be able to accumulate virtue for your son and let him have a good ending. Otherwise, Prince Shixing’s fate…”

Xiao Jinyu didn’t finish her words and called two personal guards to take her away.

She didn’t know where Xiao Jinyu would take her, but the words echoed in her mind along the way:

Prince Shixing’s fate… her son…

This wretched slave… was threatening her!

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The coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled for early afternoon. Before it officially began, Xiao Yuan suddenly remembered something and called Xiao Jinyu to her room. She took out a silk-wrapped object and placed it in front of Xiao Jinyu.

“Grandmother thought about it and decided to give this to you. You decide how to handle it.”

Xiao Jinyu opened it and saw a bright yellow, gold-trimmed imperial decree with the seal of Emperor Wen of Chen, Chen Qian.

“With three colors as auspicious signs, great happiness gathers. The General of the Right Guard, Han Zigao, is known for his integrity and righteousness in the court and among the people. Lady Xiao, A’luan, is a descendant of a prestigious family, well-versed in etiquette and virtuous. … Now, by imperial decree, I bestow upon you marriage, and promote Lady Xiao, A’luan, to the position of Palace Attendant. I hope you two will work together with one heart and one mind, serve our country with respect, and do not disappoint my expectations!”

This was an imperial decree of marriage! So this was the imperial decree Han Zigao had spoken of obtaining!

Unexpectedly, Emperor Wen also promoted Xiao Luan to the position of Palace Attendant in this decree. Did this mean she was to serve as an official in the Chen Dynasty?

There were women officials in the Northern Dynasties, but there had never been any in the Southern Dynasties.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinyu asked, “Grandmother… did he give you this imperial decree? Then why did you…”

“I hated him before. I always felt that he was the one who harmed my A’luan, that he was not worthy of my A’luan. But now… none of that matters anymore. Child, no matter who he is, what kind of person he is, he is your father. This is an unchangeable fact. I can’t let your identity be criticized forever!”

After saying this, Xiao Yuan hugged her and sobbed softly.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

Xiao Jinyu said softly, comforted Xiao Yuan’s emotions, and then took the imperial decree. She asked someone to take Princess Yunyin to a manor behind Wu Yi Alley, where the coming-of-age ceremony would be held.

At that time, the garden, with its bamboo groves and ancient trees, was already filled with people. There were noble young masters in elegant attire, as well as many scholars from humble backgrounds who came to observe the ceremony! This was a bit unexpected for her!

Looking around, the young masters of the Zhu family, the Kong family, and even Lu Sheng, who had once mocked Xiao Xian, had also come here.

Seeing her gaze fall upon them, Lu Sheng bowed from afar, and the two from the Zhu and Kong families followed suit, feeling rather awkward.

At this moment, someone called out behind her, “Lady Xiao, long time no see, I trust you are well!”

Xiao Jinyu looked towards the voice and saw Xu Ling. When their eyes met, Xu Ling was momentarily dazed.

“It’s strange. I always feel that you resemble someone, Lady Xiao. Although your appearances are different, your spirits are similar…”

The image that flashed in Xu Ling’s mind was that of Xie Zhen, who dared to speak out and admonish the Emperor. He regretted not having the chance to interact with her and didn’t know where she was, so he couldn’t help but sigh.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and raised her hand in a salute.

“Thank you for coming to observe the ceremony, Minister Xu. This is an honor for our Xiao family!”

“You’re too kind, Lady Xiao. Speaking of which, when the Lanling Xiao Clan was at its peak, the nobles of Jiankang all interacted with them. I also served as an official in the Southern Liang Dynasty and deeply admired Crown Prince Zhao Ming. Young Master Xiao Xian is also a talented and outstanding individual. It is my honor to be invited to perform the capping ceremony for him as his teacher!”

Hearing the words “capping ceremony,” Xiao Jinyu looked up in surprise.

Xu Ling smiled and said, “It seems you don’t know yet, Lady Xiao. Your uncle has invited me to perform the capping ceremony for him!”

The capping ceremony for men was usually performed by an elder of the clan, but Xiao Xian’s biological father had passed away, and his nominal father…

Xiao Jinyu didn’t have time to think too much and said, “Then thank you, Minister Xu! Please, Minister Xu.”

Xu Ling nodded and laughed heartily, walking towards the ancestral temple in the garden.

As soon as Xu Ling left, Li Mi’s hearty laughter came from behind him.

“Lady Xiao is personally welcoming guests here!”

Seeing that it was Li Mi and Cui Heng, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but smile.

“I just arrived too. It’s not exactly personally welcoming guests, but since it’s you two, it’s worth a personal welcome!”

Li Mi laughed heartily again and exchanged a few pleasantries with Cui Heng. They also walked towards the Xiao family ancestral temple where the coming-of-age ceremony would be held.

Xiao Jinyu was about to walk into the garden when Prince of Lanling arrived with Lu Yu.

The two looked at each other from afar and smiled.

When they reached her, Prince of Lanling didn’t know what to say for a moment, so Lu Yu spoke for him, “You look very beautiful today, Lady Xiao. Do you have anything to say to my Prince?”

“Yes, but not now.”

“Oh.” Lu Yu couldn’t hold back his curiosity, “What can’t be said now?”

Gao Changgong glared at him coldly, stopping him from asking further.

At this moment, the envoys from the Zhou state, Yuwen Hui, Yuwen Zhi, Dugu Shan, and even Yuwen Xun, walked towards them.

“How could we not be invited to the coming-of-age ceremony of Young Master Xiao of Jiankang? We hope you don’t mind us coming uninvited, Lady Xiao!”

Of course, Xiao Jinyu wouldn’t say anything. Guests were always welcome. She smiled and invited the Zhou envoys to enter and take their seats, while she continued to wait at the entrance.

“Lady Xiao, are you waiting for someone?” Lu Yu asked curiously.

Xiao Jinyu nodded. At that moment, she finally saw Xiao Jian arriving!