On the fifth day of the fifth month, Shiyiniang finally understood why the Jiang Family had only “heard whispers” about it.

The Grand Matriarch had invited the wife of Marquis Yongchang Huang, the wife of Marquis Zhongshan Tang, the wife of Count Zhongqin Gan, the wife of Marquis Weibei Lin… and even the wife of the Heir Apparent of Marquis Zhennan had come — the wife of Marquis Zhennan had already passed away from illness, and all the household affairs, large and small, were now managed by this Heir Apparent’s wife who spent most of her days bedridden. Yet she had not invited the wives of Elder Liang or Elder Chen.

In other words, nearly all the mistresses of the noble and aristocratic households in Yanjing had gathered, while not a single female relative of the court officials had been invited.

The Grand Matriarch stroked her head and said, “Today is your auspicious day. Those who come merely to watch the spectacle — we simply won’t invite them. We’ll only invite those who truly wish to celebrate with you.”

At this moment, Shiyiniang was dressed in a lake-blue right-front-fastening jacket, seated on the luohan daybed in the eastern room of the small hall behind the main hall of Marquis Yongping’s residence.

She had risen early to wash and bathe, changed into a plain sky-water-green Hangzhou silk dress, and sat here accompanied by Nanny Du, waiting for the coming-of-age ceremony that was set to begin at the hour of chen.

Shiyiniang smiled and nodded.

A young maidservant came in to announce: “Old Madam Zheng has arrived!”

“You sit for a moment — the coming-of-age ceremony is about to begin.” After giving her a few instructions, the Grand Matriarch rose to greet the guest.

Shiyiniang reached into her sleeve and took out her pocket watch to check the time.

It was still a quarter of an hour before the hour of chen.

Hupo helped Shiyiniang straighten her clothing, then muttered under her breath, “I wonder who the Grand Matriarch asked to be the attendant? That day she was even asking after Fourth Young Aunt’s illness!”

A coming-of-age ceremony required a virtuous and talented female elder to serve as the Principal Guest, who would insert the hairpin for the young woman. It also required a Presiding Officer to hold the tray, and an Attendant to assist the Principal Guest in performing the rites — this person was typically the young woman’s close friend or sister. Since the Grand Matriarch had invited only the mistresses of noble households, naturally the Attendant’s status should be as high as possible. Although she knew many people in Yanjing, those who could truly be called close friends… she could not think of a single one. As for sisters — Fifth Young Miss had married a provincial scholar, Twelfth Young Miss’s prospective match was a collateral branch of the Marquis Zhennan’s family. Only Fourth Young Miss stood out, with a husband who was an Exploration Flower laureate and a close imperial attendant, but her health was poor. It seemed there was no suitable candidate among them either.

Shiyiniang could not think of anyone the Grand Matriarch might have chosen to serve as her Attendant.

The two of them were still talking when a commotion broke out outside, mingled with warm and cheerful laughter. Although this hall was called the small hall, it actually spanned five bays — they were seated at the far eastern end, too distant to make out the words.

“I wonder who has arrived?” Hupo said softly. “Such a lively stir.”

Everything had been arranged by the Grand Matriarch — Shiyiniang had no idea either.

“It must be another lady from some household,” she said with a smile. “It was just as lively when the wife of the Heir Apparent of Marquis Zhennan arrived earlier.”

Hupo nodded.

Whenever there was movement outside, she would always go to take a look.

“From what Third Young Madam Huang was saying, the wife of the Heir Apparent of Marquis Zhennan hadn’t made a public appearance in two years. It’s only natural that people were a little startled to see her.”

Hupo was still speaking when the sound of sheng and bamboo flutes rose from the west.

Nanny Du walked in, her face radiant with joy: “Madam, the coming-of-age ceremony is about to begin.” She then continued, “In a moment, after the Grand Matriarch has finished speaking, you will walk out, face south, bow in greeting to the assembled guests, then turn to face west and sit properly on the rattan mat. Once the Attendant has combed your hair and the Principal Guest has washed her hands, you will turn to face east and sit upright, waiting for the Principal Guest to insert the hairpin. The Attendant will then step forward to gently steady it, and you may rise. At that point, the guests will bow to offer you their congratulations. Then you will return here to the eastern room, where the Attendant will help you change into a plain garment and skirt.”

The Grand Matriarch had accompanied her to the small hall the previous night to rehearse the proceedings.

Shiyiniang smiled and said, “Nanny Du, rest assured — I remember it all.”

As she spoke, she walked to the curtain.

Nanny Du stepped forward to smooth out the hem of her skirt.

The sound of sheng and bamboo flutes outside fell silent.

Inside and outside the hall, not a sound could be heard. The Grand Matriarch’s voice rang out with composed solemnity, clear and distinct.

“Having entered the Xu household, one becomes a wife of the Xu family. Today, I stand in for the girl’s own family to preside over Shiyiniang’s coming-of-age ceremony. Today is also the Dragon Boat Festival — I am deeply grateful to everyone for making the journey and gracing us with your presence.” She paused briefly, then announced that the coming-of-age ceremony had officially begun.

The music of sheng and flutes rose and fell.

Nanny Du lifted the curtain, and Shiyiniang walked in with a composed and dignified bearing.

Then she was utterly startled.

Standing in the position of Attendant to the west was Madam Gan, whose features were graceful and beautiful.

Seeing Shiyiniang’s stunned expression, Madam Gan smiled at her in silence.

For some reason, Shiyiniang felt her eyes grow a little moist.

She blinked hard several times, then knelt with graceful composure on the snow-white rattan mat at the center of the hall, facing west.

Madam Gan stepped forward to comb her hair.

Shiyiniang caught sight of Twelfth Young Miss, whose lashes were glistening with unshed tears, and also of Luo First Young Madam, Madam Zhou, and Lin First Young Madam — all smiling warmly. She returned their smiles, feeling a deep and tranquil peace settle over her heart.

Madam Gan finished combing her hair and set the comb down, facing south. Then a young manservant came running in.

Everyone turned to look.

The manservant bowed respectfully and announced: “Eunuch Lei has arrived!”

Everyone rose to their feet. They watched as Eunuch Lei, dressed in his blue official robes, walked in with a broad smile.

In his hands he carried a carved red-lacquer tray, covered with a deep crimson zhang velvet cloth.

“Her Majesty the Empress offers her congratulations to the wife of Marquis Yongping on the occasion of her coming-of-age ceremony.” He glanced at the assembled imperial consort ladies who had prostrated themselves on the ground, paused briefly in his speech, then continued: “She bestows a white mutton-fat jade five-bats ruyi hairpin.”

The Grand Matriarch led Shiyiniang in expressing their gratitude for the imperial favor.

Someone laughed and said: “Since Her Majesty the Empress has specially bestowed a hairpin upon the wife of Marquis Yongping, I think today’s coming-of-age ceremony ought to use this very hairpin!”

Shiyiniang turned toward the voice and saw a pair of delicate hands, so well-tended they were even more fair and supple than a young girl’s.

Who else could it be but Princess Fucheng!

Eunuch Lei heard this and said with a smile, “The Princess’s suggestion is most fitting.” He added, “As it happens, Her Majesty instructed me to stay and witness the ceremony before returning, so that I might describe the coming-of-age ceremony for the wife of Marquis Yongping to Her Majesty. When she learns that this hairpin was used in the wife of Marquis Yongping’s ceremony, who knows how delighted she will be!”

Princess Fucheng smiled graciously: “In that case, please take the seat of honor, Eunuch. You are the Principal Guest today.”

Watching Princess Fucheng and Eunuch Lei play off each other so harmoniously, Shiyiniang was moved.

She had guessed that the Grand Matriarch might invite Princess Fucheng to attend the ceremony — or even to serve as the Principal Guest — but she had not expected that Her Majesty the Empress would choose this moment and this form to bestow a hairpin upon her. Nor had she expected that Princess Fucheng would cooperate with Eunuch Lei to add such splendor to her coming-of-age ceremony.

Shiyiniang’s eyes reddened. She clasped the Grand Matriarch’s hand and softly called out, “Mother.”

What was her own standing, her own place in the world?

The second wife of Marquis Yongping — a concubine-born daughter of the Luo Family.

If not for the Grand Matriarch, how could Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Fucheng, with their exalted status, have elevated her in such a manner?

She gazed at the Grand Matriarch, her lips parting and closing, unable to speak for a long while.

For the first time, she felt the utter inadequacy of words.

The Grand Matriarch only smiled and patted her hand, then stepped forward to take Princess Fucheng’s hand: “May I trouble the Princess to perform the first-addition rite for our Shiyiniang.”

Princess Fucheng nodded, and together with the Grand Matriarch, descended the eastern steps to wash their hands.

Shiyiniang knelt again on the rattan mat, while the others in the room returned to their seats.

The coming-of-age ceremony continued.

In the hall, only the soft sound of splashing water could be heard.

The Presiding Officer brought out the carved red-lacquer tray holding the silk kerchief and garments. Eunuch Lei placed the white mutton-fat jade five-bats ruyi hairpin bestowed by the Empress on top.

Princess Fucheng walked to stand before Shiyiniang and recited the ceremonial blessing aloud: “In this auspicious month and on this fortunate day, the first adornment is placed upon your head. Lay aside the ways of childhood and embrace the virtue of womanhood. May your years be long and full of blessing, and may great fortune be yours.” She then knelt and picked up the comb that Madam Gan had earlier set down, making a few symbolic strokes through Shiyiniang’s hair.

The Presiding Officer knelt gracefully, and Princess Fucheng took up the jade hairpin just bestowed by the Empress and inserted it into Shiyiniang’s hair.

Only then did Shiyiniang realize that the one serving as Presiding Officer in her ceremony was Fifth Madam — the Countess of Danyang.

Her bearing was grave and composed, her movements refined and measured, conveying a kind of weighty beauty.

Shiyiniang had no time to reflect further — Madam Gan had already stepped forward to gently adjust the jade hairpin.

She rose slowly to her feet and received the bowing congratulations of Madam Zhou, Lin First Young Madam, Luo First Young Madam, and the others. She then followed Madam Gan back to the eastern room.

“Are you tired?” Madam Gan asked as she helped Shiyiniang change into the plain garment and skirt.

Shiyiniang shook her head.

“Thank you,” she said in a low voice, genuine and heartfelt, her voice tinged with emotion. “I never imagined…”

“Although I am not your sister,” Madam Gan said with a smile, “I am still your close friend, am I not!”

Shiyiniang nodded again and again.

Madam Gan said no more, lowering her head to help Shiyiniang arrange her attire with focused attention.

Shiyiniang then turned to express her gratitude to Fifth Madam, who had been holding the tray nearby.

Fifth Madam’s brow arched slightly. She glanced at Madam Gan, then said with a smile, “Mother asked me to help serve as Presiding Officer.”

Even if it was out of deference to the Grand Matriarch, Shiyiniang was equally grateful.

To maintain one’s grace before the greater occasion — that in itself was admirable.

She smiled and nodded to her, then followed Madam Gan to the main hall to pay her respects to the Grand Matriarch.

This was the first formal bow after the hairpin had been inserted, signifying gratitude for one’s parents’ loving upbringing.

Seated in the chair of honor on the left was Luo First Young Madam; the Grand Matriarch sat in the second chair of honor on the right.

“Your mother is feeling unwell,” the Grand Matriarch said with a smile. “An elder sister-in-law is like a mother — let your eldest sister-in-law stand in her place.”

Shiyiniang acknowledged this with a respectful “yes,” knelt, and kowtowed. She then sat upright on the rattan mat, facing east, and performed the second-addition rite and third-addition rite. Finally, she changed into a right-front-fastening jacket of deep crimson base embroidered with bright blue interlocking coin-and-gold-thread brocade floral medallions, paired with a bright blue twenty-four-panel Hunan silk skirt, and came out to pay her respects to all the guests, completing the coming-of-age ceremony.

“Another year older!” Madam Huang laughed warmly as she looked at her.

Shiyiniang smiled and offered her thanks.

“We must return to the palace to make our report,” said Eunuch Lei, rising to take his leave.

But Princess Fucheng smiled and said, “I intend to impose upon you for a little while longer.”

“We would be most delighted, most delighted,” the Grand Matriarch said with a smile. She and Shiyiniang accompanied Eunuch Lei to the main gate before inviting the assembled ladies to take their seats in the flower hall beside Dian Chun Hall in the inner courtyard.

Nanny Du had long since arranged a banquet, and a small stage had been set up in the flower hall for excerpts from opera.

“How charming,” said Princess Fucheng, pointing at the small stage with a laugh. She turned to Fifth Madam: “Was this your husband’s idea?”

Fifth Madam smiled and took Princess Fucheng’s arm: “Nothing ever escapes your eye.”

Princess Fucheng nodded, glanced at Shiyiniang, then at Fifth Madam, then turned to the Grand Matriarch and said, “What blessed fortune you have!”

She was referring to the harmony between the two sisters-in-law, no doubt.

The Grand Matriarch smiled and nodded.

Shiyiniang sensed a gaze that had been resting steadily upon her.

She turned her head and met Madam Qiao’s eyes — their expression shifting and unreadable.

—