Chapter 464: Coming of Age

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation               Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“I can finally go back now. Before I came out, my wife was still pregnant. I don’t know if she’ll give birth to a daughter or a son, but I like both.”

“I don’t think we can go back so soon, right? The Third Prince has been captured and the Dongyue Kingdom has fallen. There are still many things to be resolved. It might take several months.”

“We can wait. As long as we don’t fight anymore and keep our lives, we’ll have time to go back.”

These soldiers had guessed correctly. The news of the Dongyue royal family being arrested and the Dongyue Kingdom falling spread to the Capital. The entire country was in jubilation. The Emperor was overjoyed and immediately sent out an order for a portion of the soldiers to stay behind to reorganize Dongyue and clean up the remnants of the previous dynasty. He ordered the other portion to go to other battlefields and chase out the other invaders.

The fifth month was the day Princess An Ning reached her adulthood. On this day, she would leave the palace to open her residence, and the banquet would be held in the Princess’s Residence.

The banquet this time was extremely grand. Princess An Ning was the Emperor’s most doted daughter. In addition to destroying Dongyue, there was a need to celebrate, so everyone who could be invited to Princess An Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony was invited. The Emperor and Empress were personally present.

Jian Qingqing took the three little ones and went with Annéval. Because there were too many people today, Jian Qingqing warned, “Don’t run around later. Follow me.”

The four of them nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, Sister. We definitely won’t run around.”

At the banquet, guests came and went, and everyone was dressed extremely ceremoniously.

Jian Qingqing first let a few little ones wait in the outer courtyard while she went to Princess An Ning’s boudoir.

Seeing Jian Qingqing, Princess An Ning said happily, “Qingqing! I can finally go and play with you anytime in the future!”

“You’re welcome anytime,” Jian Qingqing said with a smile.

The Empress sat on the stool and pulled her back with a reproachful tone. “I was just about to comb my hair. Why are you running around?”

In this era, a woman’s coming-of-age ceremony required a highly respected elder to help comb her hair. This elder could be her own family or another elder. Combing all the hair at the bottom represented adulthood. At the same time, she had to say some auspicious words.

Jian Qingqing smiled as she watched the Empress gently help Princess An Ning comb her hair. The clan wives besides her smiled and said all kinds of auspicious words. She also couldn’t help but look forward to her coming-of-age ceremony. At that time, Mother Jian would be so happy, but that would have to wait until next year.

After combing her hair, the Empress looked at the excited Princess An Ning and was a little melancholic. “I didn’t expect you to grow up so quickly. The image of you lying on my lap and asking for snacks is still vivid in my mind, as if it happened yesterday. After opening the residence, mother won’t be able to see you often.”

Princess An Ning clung to the empress’s embrace and said coquettishly, “I won’t. I will definitely return to the palace often to see Mother. If Mother misses me, she can also send someone to call me. We are all in the Capital and not far away.”

The Empress tapped her forehead. “You’ll come back often? I’m afraid you’ve been playing so crazily outside that you’ve forgotten about your mother.”

“The Princess is a filial child. The Empress will definitely enjoy a good life in the future,” the other wives said with a smile.

The Empress naturally liked to hear good words. She smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with the few women.

After dressing up, it was soon the auspicious time. Princess An Ning was dressed elegantly and held the Empress’s hand as she walked out.

Jian Qingqing also ran out in advance and stood at the side with a few little ones. When the Emperor and Empress brought Princess An Ning out, they bowed with everyone..