Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 34

Ten was an auspicious number. Holding Yun Shang's Coming-of-age Ceremony on October tenth meant that everything would be perfect.

"Luckily the ceremony is being held in late autumn. It's getting much cooler now. I can't even imagine what it would be like to hold such a ceremony in the burning summer heat. Have you looked at the dresses and counted how many layers they have?" Qin Yi groaned about the dresses Yun Shang was going to wear while checking each carefully. It was almost time for the ceremony and everything had to be just perfect. "Princess, there you are. I've got everything you need for the ceremony here. The hairpins, the phoenix coronet, and four matching gowns - one for each part of the ritual. You should wear the top sleeve gown at the end. I'm sure you will looked absolutely stunning in that dress."

Yun Shang nodded but soon lowered her head. She looked rather sad, "It's such a pity that my mother, Lady Jin won't be there for me."

Feeling sorry for Yun Shang, Qin Yi sighed and tried to comfort her, "Princess, I'm sure Lady Jin would have given anything just to see how wonderfully you've grown. You are indeed a great Princess."

The two women sat quietly and held each others' hands. Someone outside cried, "Princess, it's time. Xiu Xin is here. She reports that all the preparations are done and that the guests are gathering at Huazhang Palace. If The Princess is ready, she should leave for the ceremony." The Coming-of-age Ceremony was held outside Huazhang Palace. Plenty of distinguished guests had been invited to witness the event. Slowly but solemnly, the rite carried on. Yun Shang would go back inside to change into a matching gown after the Master of the ceremony had braided her hair and embellished it with different hairpins. The procedure repeated three times. Yun Shang had changed from a colored dress suitable for little girls to a deeper and refiner color and fabric as the ritual progressed. At the end, she wore an elegant top sleeve gown, which indicated that instead of a child, she should be considered a young woman of marriageable age. Emperor Ning had granted Yun Shang 'Fengyu' as her courtesy name at the end of the ceremony. After receiving her courtesy name, Yun Shang bowed to all guests, and the ceremony was officially considered completed.

After the ceremony, all guests were guided to the Moon Tower on Penglai Island for the following banquet.

Emperor Ning and the Empress were sitting on the seat of honor. Yun Shang, in whose honor the feast was being held, had been seated to their left. To their right sat Luo Qingyan, also known as the famous Prince Jing. Princess Hua Jing's seat had been placed next to Yun Shang.

When the maid led Hua Jing to the seat prepared for her, Yun Shang noticed that Hua Jing paused briefly before she sitting down. Then she turned to Yun Shang with an exaggerated smile and complimented, "Dear sister, you look fabulous today."

Yun Shang blushed and lowered her head. "Don't make fun of me, sister."

Right at that moment, Yun Shang sensed someone was staring. She looked up and surveyed the hall. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw that it was Prince Jing. His jet-black eyes were fixed on her. She squirmed under his gaze. Yun Shang felt as though he could see through to her deepest secrets. She stared back at him inquiringly, however, he simply raised his cup at Yun Shang, took a gulp, and looked away.

The rest of the banquet carried on like any other royal feast. It began with dancing. After a few songs, the female performers stood down as the music had gradually become softer than before.

"May I have your attention please? Today, is my daughter's Coming-of-age Ceremony. I heard that Shang'er has prepared a marvelous embroidery. Since several guests are either good at embroidery or enjoy an embroidered masterpiece, I say we should take a look together." The Empress announced to the guests with a smile. Then she waved at the servants. Two eunuchs carried the embroidery work out.

Yun Shang lowered her head. Her lips curled into a sneer.

Carefully, the eunuchs placed the masterpiece on an easel set before dramatically removing the cloth that covered the work of art. Yun Shang soon heard whispers from the guests, "How lifelike these lotuses are! From here it seems as though the petals are waving in the breeze. It's absolutely beautiful."

Hearing the comments, Yun Shang looked up and saw a few women standing in front of the embroidered lotuses, studying the work earnestly, "Neat stitches and delicate coloring. It is truly a exceptional piece. If I'm right, this kind of technique is usually applied only on Hunan embroidery. As far as I know, Princess Hua Jing is the only one who could perform Hunan techniques in such an exquisite manner. I'm really surprised that Princess Hui Guo is as good as her sister. Hmmm .. the final stitch looks exactly like Princess Hua Jing's. I presume that both of you must have learned from the same master?"

Yun Shang felt nothing but disgust and disappointment when she saw the person's flirtatious smile. Putting on her polite smile, Yun Shang turned to Li Luo, "The thing is, when I was little, my sister used to come to me, crying, saying that the Grand Tutor was too harsh and sometimes punished her. I began to detest him even though I had never really met him. I was afraid that I would be punished as well, for I'm not as smart as my sister. Scared of being punished, I begged my mother to not send me to the Grand Tutor. Luckily, mother doted on me and didn't reject my request. When after I arrived at the Ning'guo Temple, Master Wu Na was the complete opposite. He is a gentle person. He never forced me to learn. Instead, he took me to see the running river in the valley, and taught me to feel the gentle breeze. He is absolutely magical in the way he narrates things. His stories were much more interesting. That's when I started to learn."

Hardly had Yun Shang done talking when a older man staggered out of the crowd and kneeled before Emperor Ning, "His Majesty, I've never punished Princess Hua Jing."

"You are the one that refused to learn. And yet you blame Princess Hua Jing for your shortcomings. Shame on you." Li Luo moaned. Although he was quiet, his voice was quite audible. Yun Shang heard every single word.

It seemed that she was not the only one. Even Emperor Ning had heard. He frowned and was about to speak up when a cold voice cut in. "There is only one simple way to find out. I suggest that Princess Hui Guo paint again in front of everyone here..."

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