~ THE COMING OF AGE BANQUET ~

Mu Yunyao returned the slip of paper to the Second Madam, “Second Aunt, have you thought of holding the authority of being a househol in charge completely in your hands?”

“Completely… Yunyao, are you trying to .... ....”

“Grandmother is getting on in age. It’s time for her to spend the next few years live healthy life. It’s our filial duty as juniors, don’t you think?” If Second Madam wanted to ensure Su You’s safety, she would definitely become mortal enemies with the Old Madam. Thus, she did not beat around the bush and spoke of her thoughts directly.

A touch of determination flashed in the Second Madam’s eyes. She nodded heavily and said, “That is indeed the case.” Regardless of why the Old Madam was so cruel to the second branch, since she had already laid hands on Su You, it meant that she did not care about the family relationship. Since that was the case, she did not need to consider any further. If she wanted to live in the backyard of the house, she had long since abandoned those senseless kindnesses.

Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded: “Since Second Aunt has made up her mind, we should also arrange some things.”

After the two of them discussed for more than an hour, Mu Yunyao finally left the West Courtyard and returned to Jiyue Pavilion.

Su Qing had just finished preparing the meal. Seeing Mu Yunyao’s unsightly expression, she could not help but worrying and asked, “Yao’er, what’s going on? Is something happened in Ni Yun Fang?”

Mu Yunyao stepped forward and held onto Su Qing’s arm, leaning on her shoulder. “Mother, I did something very impulsive today and almost lost my life.”

“Ah? Why is the matter so serious?”

Mu Yunyao recounted how she had saved the Grand Princess Yi De today and let out a heavy sigh. “Mother, do you think I was too impulsive?”

Su Qing pulled Mu Yunyao to the table, pushed the rice bowl and chopsticks into her hands, “I thought it was something. You didn’t have any impulses, and you did the right thing. The Grand Princess Yi De is different from ordinary people. Since you can save her, then you naturally have to try your best. As you said before, Grand Princess Yi De is very kind to you, so there’s nothing wrong with saving her. If you still feel flustered now, then quickly eat something. When you’re full, you would not panicking.”

Mu Yunyao smiled. Although she was scared to death after the event, she didn’t regret it in the slightest. “Mmm, then I want to eat more.”

Su Qing smiled as she helped her pick up the vegetables. Seeing that she was eating so sweetly, her eyes couldn’t help but be filled with laughter.

Knowing that the Old Madam was still determined to cause trouble at her coming of age, Mu Yunyao quietly waited for news from Ni Yun Fang. Based on her understanding of the Old Madam, she knew that this Old Madam, who had the highest interests of the Su family, would definitely not let go of her credit for spreading the embroidery needle technique.

Since the Old Madam had decided to get rid of her, she would definitely set up a detailed arrangement. The first thing the Old Madam might be to do was to bribe the few apprentices she had taught in Ni Yun Fang so that she could control Ni Yun Fang and continue spreading her needle techniques.

After waiting for nearly ten days, with the help of Shen Binghuai, the Shuntian Manor official, the names of the people who wanted to learn embroidery needle techniques had been handed over. The embroidery ladies, who had come from Jingling City, had already arrived and were placed in a prearranged courtyard. The formal teaching begins only after Mu Yunyao’s coming of age ceremony, but there is no news from the Old Madam.

Mu Yunyao leaned against the window. It was already the middle of October, and the weather had turned cold. The leaves of the Osmanthus Cinnabar dropped to the ground, leaving only branches behind, giving off an inexplicable desolate feeling.

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao came in with clothes in their hands. “Miss, the clothes you will be wearing on your coming of age’s ceremony have been prepared. Please try them out. If there’s anything wrong with them, we will send someone to modify them as soon as possible.”

Mu Yunyao stood up and suppressed the trace of unease in her heart as she followed the two into the room.

Su Qing came back with a hairpin, a barrette, and a hairpin crown. Her face was full of smiles as she said, “Yao’er, quickly take a look at these jewelry. It's really gorgeous and exquisite.”

Mu Yunyao stared blankly for a moment. She carefully sized up the jewelry on the tray, “Were these prepared by Second Aunt?”

“That’s right, they were just delivered from outside the residence. Your Second Aunt is really considerate.”

Mu Yunyao picked up a hairpin and carefully examined it, feeling that it was a bit strange.

“Eh? I didn’t notice it earlier, but the pattern on this hairpin, could it be a cat?” Su Qing was slightly surprised. This hairpin was especially small and delicate, and on it was a small animal made from Yellow Jade. Although it was small and exquisite, the animal pattern was especially lifelike. It even used a blue gem to make the eyes. It looked cute and innocent, making people unable to let go of it.

Mu Yunyao gently caressed the cat on the hairpin. She felt that this hairpin wasn’t something that the second aunt made for her. After all, it was normal to have some flowers and blossoms on the hairpin, but it was not normal to make a cat!

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like it was done by the Fourth Master Ning. He had even named his own parrot Goose!

Su Qing was a little hesitant. “Should I go ask Second Sister-in-law?”

Mu Yunyao held the hairpin in her hands, “There’s no need to go through all that trouble. Second Aunt has been busy these past few days, and perhaps she sent something wrong. I think I like it very much, so I will keep it.”

“Good, it’s good as long as you like it. It’ll be your coming of age ceremony tomorrow. I heard that the host was hired by your second aunt, is Lady Chu, the Elder Min’s wife. The Elder Min is the elder of two dynasties. This Old Lady Chu is also one of the Emperors’ first rank titles. Her talent is high, her character is virtuous, and she’s expressly difficult to invite.

“I’ve also heard of Old Lady Chu’s reputation. She is indeed worthy of the word precious.”

“Yes, we just need to wait for the day to come. I hope everything goes smoothly.” Su Qing clasped her hands together and chanted Buddha’s blessing, causing Mu Yunyao to laugh.

On the 15th of October, the sky had already turned dark early in the morning. Mu Yunyao woke up early and opened the window to look at the sky outside. She couldn’t help but frown. “The sky don’t make a beautiful view today.”

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao were also worried. “Miss, do you think it will not rain today? If I had known that the weather was bad today, I would have delayed the posting for a few days.”

Mu Yunyao smiled, and she didn’t mind much, “Let it be.”

If the Old Madam really make a move today, then the coming of age ceremony would be a mess, and it would not go smoothly. Once they left the Su family, they could just pick a good day to make up for it.

Although the weather was not good, the ladies and madams who received the post arrived at the Su family’s residence on time.

The changes that had occurred in the Capital in the past few days were rather huge. These female relatives were also aware of many things that the Emperor had done, including the rewards he had bestowed upon Mu Yunyao. After the dissemination of the embroidery needle technique finished, it was possible that Grand Princess Yi De would take the opportunity to recognize Mu Yunyao as her granddaughter. In the future, her identity would definitely be out of the ordinary.

The coming of age ceremony etiquette was rather complicated as the Old Madam ordered a big event, so the banquet was set in the front courtyard.

As the host, Su Qing was about to head to the front courtyard with Su Zhiyuan and the Second Madam to welcome the guests. Mu Yunyao and Su You finished bathing and went to the east wing of the front yard to sit down and wait.

Su You’s eyes were bright, her cheeks were slightly red, and her tone filled with unconcealable excitement: “Little Little Sister Yunyao, don’t you feel happy?”

Mu Yunyao raised her head. Seeing Su You’s appearance, she couldn’t help but smiled slightly, “Of course, I’m happy. After we turn 15 today, we can put our hair down and can be considered adults.”

Su You nodded heavily and looked at Mu Yunyao with gratitude in her eyes. “That’s right. I used to think about trying harder to get well every time I got seriously ill. No matter what, I have to wait until I reached adulthood and participate well in the coming of age ceremony so that Father and Mother would be happy before I died. I thought there was no hope. Fortunately, I met you.

“Even without me, Second Uncle and Second Aunt would have kept you safe and sound.”

Su You shook her head, apparently disapproved of Mu Yunyao’s words, but she didn’t say anything more.