Chapter 516

Inside the mansion, a sea of people bowed down; Li Shimin, accompanied by Empress Changsun, walked over calmly, and only when they reached the front did he calmly say:

"Alright, rise. Today I have come together with the Empress to witness the Duke of Wei's coming-of-age ceremony; just like you, I am a guest, so do as you please."

"We thank Your Majesty, Empress!"

Upon hearing this, everyone rose and then reseated themselves.

But those who could come here were no fools; they had already understood Li Shimin's implied meaning.

The remark "just like you, I am a guest" was telling them not to confuse priorities—today the most important thing is Chen Yan's coming-of-age ceremony.

At that moment, Chen Yan sat upright in honor's seat in the main hall; Li Shimin and Empress Changsun entered, and he rose slightly, bowing.

Then he smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Empress, I thought you two wouldn't come today."

Li Shimin replied unhappily, "You must be saying I wouldn't come? Guanyin Maid can usually find time; do you think I can't come because I have to attend court?"

Having his thoughts exposed, Chen Yan felt a bit embarrassed: "Actually I thought it wasn't necessary to trouble you to come specially; after all, my courtesy name was already chosen by my mother while she was alive—today is just a formality to let everyone witness it."

"You once said a son-in-law is half a son; you married two of my daughters, which, rounding up, makes you practically my son—so why now do you say it's not necessary to trouble me to come?" Li Shimin said with a half-smile.

"Or are you saying you don't regard your father-in-law as a father?"

Chen Yan's eye twitched; this was a bit awkward to respond to.

Empress Changsun interjected, "Er Lang, please sit first; the auspicious time is approaching, don't delay it."

After saying that, she gave Chen Yan a strange look, feeling that he didn't really want Li Shimin to come over.

Li Shimin was just joking; knowing the time couldn't be delayed, he and Empress Changsun sat down under Li Lizhi's arrangement.

Immediately after, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong, Du Ruhui and other close friends of Chen Yan likewise brought their wives in.

Being closely related, they could witness Chen Yan's coming-of-age ceremony inside the main hall.

But after everyone sat down, the same doubt that had arisen with Cheng Chu Mo and them surfaced again.

Logically, as the auspicious time approaches, the chief guest and assistant should have appeared by now; why haven't we seen anyone yet?

Everyone looked at each other, glancing around, momentarily at a loss.

Even Li Shimin and Empress Changsun had begun to frown.

By now, everyone present understood that none of those seated were the chief guest; so who exactly is that person?

Why hasn't he come?

Is the occasion really that grand?

Li Shimin felt displeased and was about to speak when a commotion suddenly came from outside.

Before they could make sense of the situation, Li Yuan and Li Chengqian arrived in full dress.

Everyone was startled and hastily rose to salute.

"Please rise, no need for excessive ceremony."

Li Yuan let out a slight sigh: "I'm getting old, I woke up a little late today, but fortunately we haven't missed the timing. Xiao Sui An, are you ready?"

Chen Yan nodded, indicating he was ready.

On the other side, Empress Changsun finally understood why Chen Yan seemed reluctant to let Li Shimin come over—it was because Li Yuan was coming.

Li Shimin, meanwhile, secretly felt relieved that he hadn't said too much just now; otherwise, after finally easing his relationship with Li Yuan, it might deteriorate again.

Next, Li Yuan, together with Chen Yan and Li Chengqian, went out to guide the guests up to the hall and take their seats.

Li Yuan naturally served as the chief guest, while Li Chengqian acted as the assistant; this was Li Yuan's specific request after returning to Chang'an, conveyed through a messenger.

That is why Chen Yan changed his original plan to invite Cheng Yaojin.

At this moment, Qing'er served as the officiant, laying out the three sets of headgear of different ranks (the black-cloth cap, the leather cap, and the jeweled cap), and also prepared mats, wine vessels, combs, hairpins, and so on.

When the auspicious moment arrived, Li Lizhi, Gao Yang holding Xiao Sui An, and Li Shimin and others quietly watched as Li Yuan walked behind Chen Yan, gently tying his hair and placing the black-cloth cap on him, symbolizing his ability to provide food and clothing.

Li Yuan whispered softly, "On an auspicious day of the lovely month, we begin to add the primary garment."

"Abandon your youthful aspirations, follow your mature virtue."

"May longevity and good health bring you blessings."

These are the blessings, also a necessary procedure; Chen Yan still had to go out, offer a cup to all the guests, likewise demonstrating his initial capping.

Of course, this is only the beginning; the whole set of procedures is quite tedious and troublesome, yet it is something men of their status must undergo.

When Li Yuan bestowed the third addition—the jeweled cap—on Chen Yan, Chen Yan went inside to change into the most elaborate jeweled-cap attire and the reddish-brown knee covering, then emerged to display it.

From this point on, Chen Yan was no longer a boy, but a true adult!

What remained was to pay respects to parents and relatives; but since Chen Yan's parents had passed away, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun took on that role.

In the Tang dynasty, only those two could stand in for them; no one else had the qualification.

This is also why Li Shimin set aside his morning audience today and came together with Empress Changsun.

Finally, Chen Yan entered the Chen family ancestral hall, formally paying respects to his forebears; the family gained a new adult, who is currently the sole adult.

Gazing at the two highest spirit tablets, Chen Yan remained silent for a long time.

He had finally reached this point—married, fathered a daughter, undergone the capping ceremony; henceforth he would officially become 'Chen Zi An'; if they could see it, they would surely be pleased, right?

"Zi An, don't think too much."

Empress Changsun approached, her voice still gentle: "You have completed the capping, you are now of age. As the sole male descendant of the Chen family, the family's bloodline rests entirely on you; strive hard, and make the Chen family flourish."

Chen Yan's mouth twitched.

Those words sounded just like urging him to have children.

"Come on, Xiao Sui An." Li Yuan walked over, patted him, "Let's go out and have a few drinks with the guests, entertain them, then we'll sit down as a family for a meal."

"Such an opportunity doesn't come often."

Li Shimin's spirit was shaken; he hurriedly signaled with his eyes for Chen Yan to agree quickly.

In a private setting, having the whole family sit down together for a meal—wouldn't that be the perfect opportunity to ease relations?

These days Li Shimin worries about nothing much, except this matter with Li Yuan, which worries him to the point of losing his hair.

Obviously, after the incident of Empress Changsun's longevity banquet, the father‑son relationship seemed much better than before; he later also sought out Li Yuan, but the two of them, while together, had nothing to say, each remained silent, and finally each went their separate ways.

Chen Yan rolled his eyes inwardly, said nothing, gave a brief glance at his own bearing, and then went out to attend to the guests.

As he looked at one table after another of guests, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he immediately displayed a proper smile.

Today is not only his coming‑of‑age banquet, but also signifies his formal entry into the Chang'an Court, stepping into the vortex of power.