Chapter 626

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Time flies; in the blink of an eye, the day of Qianqian's coming-of-age ceremony has arrived.

At this moment, the Wangfu is like a sea of extraordinary liveliness, everyone immersed in joy and busyness.

Especially An Wangfei, she is simply busy like a spinning top, her feet barely touching the ground!

Although over the past half year, all matters great and small within the Wangfu have long been managed by Shangguan Xingyu, today is after all the important day of the family's precious little daughter — the coming-of-age ceremony; as her mother, how could she not exert her utmost effort?

Thus, from finalizing the guest list and sending out invitations, to arranging every detail, not a single thing was done without her personal involvement.

And Shangguan Xingyu was equally serious and responsible, implementing every matter in place, and asking An Wangfei to give final review and approval.

As for Qianqian herself, she completely need not worry or toil over this. She only needs to make a dazzling appearance tomorrow in her most beautiful and moving posture.

Early the next morning, the sky had just turned pale with dawn, and An Wang had already finished morning court and returned home.

At this time, Shangguan Xingyu had also begun to busy herself tirelessly.

Regarding Qianqian's upcoming coming-of-age banquet, she has always harbored worry, fearing any oversight or mistake might occur.

Because this event is the first matter since Qianqian married into the Wangfu to be entirely entrusted to An Wangfei for handling;

and it is heard that the Emperor will also come to attend the ceremony, therefore there must not be the slightest omission or error.

Precisely because of this, Shangguan Xingyu, whose mood was extremely uneasy and anxious, was unable to sleep all last night, and this morning she rose even earlier, impatient to check whether all preparations were proper and without mistake.

In comparison, Qianqian could rest assured and sleep a while longer.

Originally, An Wang personally went to the Bureau of Astronomy to calculate and learned that this coming-of-age ceremony should formally commence at noon. Since the time was still early and there was no need to rush, Qianqian simply stayed in bed and continued sleeping soundly.

However, although the sky outside was not yet fully bright, the entire courtyard was already clamorously noisy, voices boiling — clearly everyone had already begun busily bustling about various tasks.

Faced with such a noisy environment, Qianqian ultimately still found it difficult to fall asleep, so she turned over, got out of bed, dressed, and finished washing up.

Afterward, her personal maid Mantou served Qianqian into the bathroom to soak and cleanse, and after bathing carefully used a dry towel to wipe her head full of beautiful hair dry.

Immediately after, Qianqian casually picked up a picture album, lay on her side on the bed, and flipped through it with relish.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Shangguan Xingyu finally arrived at Qianji Yuan with hurried steps. Shangguan Xingyu said to Qianqian: "Qianqian, let's go wait at the Front Hall."

Hearing this, the corners of Qianqian's mouth curled up slightly, indicating agreement. Afterward, she followed closely behind Shangguan Xingyu and stepped into the incomparably spacious Front Hall courtyard. Qianqian's long-awaited coming-of-age ceremony will also be held here grandly.

Yesterday, Shangguan Xingyu had already ordered the servants to erect a magnificent high platform in the center of the front courtyard, and arrange exquisite tables and chairs on it.

These tables and chairs will be where An Wang and his wife sit once things begin. Opposite the tables and chairs stands a small, exquisite cushion.

Starting from the cushion, a wide red carpet spreads all the way to the Gate entrance, like a brilliant rainbow, adding several points of festive and auspicious atmosphere to the entire courtyard.

Not only that, both sides of the path are also filled with all kinds of colorful, gorgeously blooming flowers.

These beautiful flowers were all specially dispatched by Shangguan Xingyu this morning to be moved here, the purpose being to ensure they remain brilliantly eye-catching at all times.

To the east of where Shangguan Xingyu stands, there is a Dongxiang Room.

At this moment, Shangguan Xingyu is leading Qianqian toward that direction, while softly saying: "The honored guest will arrive shortly; this person you have probably never met. She is Father King's own elder sister, that is, the currently highly revered Pingyang Chang Princess.

So, when you meet her later, you must remember to address her respectfully as 'Aunt'!

Pingyang Chang Princess has devoted her whole life to her consort alone; the two loved each other deeply and together raised a son and a daughter — she can be called a winner in life.

Since the Emperor ascended the throne, Pingyang Chang Princess chose to retire to the countryside and live a carefree life like idle clouds and wild cranes, occasionally taking her family to travel and relax.

Just when war broke out last year, their family happened to be vacationing in Dongying Guo, thus escaping disaster.

Perhaps it truly fulfills the saying 'the older one gets, the more one cherishes the past'; in recent years Pingyang Chang Princess has come to value family affection more and more. Thus, about half a month ago, she sent a letter to the current Emperor, expressing her intention to end her wandering life and return to the capital to settle down and live out her old age.

And their family of four only arrived at their destination the day before yesterday. Originally, according to the initial arrangement, the honored guest for you would not have been this Pingyang Chang Princess, but a few days ago Father King suddenly changed his mind, because Huang Bobe felt that Pingyang Chang Princess has had a blissful marriage and harmonious family all her life; having her serve as this wedding's honored guest could not be more suitable — not only to ask for a good omen, but also carrying a profound and beautiful meaning.

In this way, this is presumably the first time in your life meeting this legendary Pingyang Princess! Of course, it is also my first time meeting her, but Mother Consort has met her, so don't worry! Once the ceremony formally begins later, if Pingyang Chang Princess has any instructions or requests, you just need to follow them accordingly; absolutely do not be too restrained and flustered!"

Shangguan Xingyu chattered on all the way; before long, the two of them had already arrived at the Dongxiang Room entrance.

Only to see Shangguan Xingyu softly instruct: "You wait here for a moment; if anything comes up, just send Mantou to find me. The other guests are probably also arriving one after another right now! I have to go with Mother Consort to welcome guests!"

Qianqian smiled and said to Shangguan Xingyu. Shangguan Xingyu gently replied: "Alright, Elder Sister-in-law go be busy; you've worked hard!"

Shangguan Xingyu smiled and nodded, saying: "Not hard at all." Then she turned and left, her steps light, and soon disappeared from sight.

At this time, An Wangfei was already standing at the entrance, warmly welcoming every arriving guest. Seeing this, Shangguan Xingyu hurriedly quickened her steps and walked over. An Wangfei saw her daughter-in-law come over, her face showed delight, and she hurriedly took Shangguan Xingyu's hand, introducing the guests before them one by one, and intentionally or unintentionally pushed Shangguan Xingyu into the middle of the crowd, hoping this Shangguan Xingyu could also show her face before the noble young ladies of various families.

Su Muchun was not on duty today; he and Shangguan Peilin and others arrived at An Wangfu one after another. And Yan Si, Yan Wang, and Yan Jie were also instructed by An Wangfei to come out and welcome male guests; at this time Yan Jie was talking with Su Muchun.

Suddenly, a burst of clear and pleasant horse hoofbeats came from far to near. Everyone looked toward the sound, and saw a magnificently decorated, brilliantly shining carriage slowly driving toward An Wangfu. Exquisite patterns were carved on that carriage, and red silk curtains hung at the windows, appearing exceptionally imposing and extraordinary.

And the two horses pulling this carriage were actually two sweat-blood horses, entirely fiery red, their coats smooth and lustrous like brocade! You must know, such a high-specification carriage, perhaps only the current Emperor has such treatment.

Thus, everyone present simultaneously became tense, especially An Wangfei and Shangguan Xingyu, who watched the carriage gradually approaching in the distance with solemn expressions.