After entering the east room, Yu Xiang took off her original overall then put on a quilted skirt and a specially made luxurious brocade robe. After that, she drank a cup of light wine and ate one mouthful of meals before she slowly came out again. The Crown Princess had long stood in the hall and smiled faintly when she saw her approaching. She took off the common-patterned crownâs hairpin that Madam Fan had put on her, opened the small box held by a court lady kneeling beside her and took out the lotus-shaped jade crownâs hairpin followed by another unparalleled exquisite crown embellishment to put them on her hair.
Yu Xiangâs head was hanging low but her eyeballs were rotating around. One moment she looked at the amiably smiling Crown Princess, next at her gratified expression Grandmother and the pitch-dark eyes elder brother before she glanced to the side where both the Ninth Princess and Fan Jiao Jiao were restlessly twisting around before the uncertainty she felt in her heart completely replaced by joyfulness.
Without doubt, she also did not miss the envious hatred of Yu Miao Qi and Lin Shi at the sight of her wearing such an extravagant crownâs hairpin.
While her imagination was running wild, the Crown Princess opened her mouth gradually, âThe wine is praised while the food is fragrant. With added togetherness, longevity served is boundless. Bearing the Heavenâs favor will warrant a lasting prosperityâŚâ A huge part of the congratulatory speech was obtained from the Crown Princessâ contemplation but the thoughts amongst the blessings were indeed heartwarming.
The rim of Yu Xiangâs eyes reddened slightly. As she could not kowtow due to the inconvenience of her legs, she could only overlap both her hands flat against her forehead and made a symbolic bow, âYu Xiang will be sure to undertake the kind thoughts of Crown Princess Niang-niang with reverence!â
The Crown Princess smiled and patted her shoulder while the guests successively displayed the rejoiceful expressions. After the ceremony, the Ninth Princess and Fan Jiao Jiao hastily beckoned her to sit with them. Yu Miao Qi, who had been waiting for a long time, went forward with bated breath and let Madam Fan help put on the ordinary crownâs hairpin for her. Standing in the same place, the Crown Princess put her smile away while her expression became indifferent and estranged.
This body language was immediately perceived by the guests at the banquet. Although they did not say anything, they knew clearly in their hearts â the Crown Princess was only here for Yu Xiang and did not have any deliberations for the Second Young Miss of the Marquis manor.
Yu Miao Qi felt embarrassed and resentful but she did not show any on her face. With the help of her maidservant, she entered the east room to change her skirt and brocade robe. Yu Xiang was talking to Fan Jiao Jiao and the Ninth Princess in a low voice at first but after a short while, she felt a burst of pain in her lower abdomen that became more and more intense. By the time Yu Miao Qi came out, it became unbearable.
This sort of painful sensation was very familiar and Yu Xiang vaguely recalled that her first menses came on her 15th birthday in her previous lifetime. This was really ⌠even after a change of body, it was indeed alarming when certain details still coincided as if she did not revive in a new guise but undergoing the past experiences in this life.
It if was another day, Yu Xiang would surely not restrain herself but today was different. Today is her coming-of-age ceremony. Even if half of it was scrounged away by Yu Miao Qi, it was still the only one coming-of-age ceremony that belonged to her. So, she must endure it to the end.
It was fortunate her legs were crippled that she did not have to stand up and entertain the guests, so no one would notice her skirt soiled by the menses which was truly lucky in the midst of bad.
Yu Xiang endured with gritted teeth and thought so while trying to enjoy herself despite her suffering.
At the same time, Yu Miao Qi came out fully dressed from the east room. Walking gracefully and composedly, she then knelt down in front of the Crown Princess with an expectant look. With a smile that did not reach her eyes, the Crown Princess took off the ordinary crownâs hairpin from her head and picked up a red jade bead crownâs hairpin prepared by Lin Shi.
Although this red jade was of high quality, it eventually fell very short compared to the imperial green jade that Yu Xiang wore just now. Not mentioning how unsightly Lin Shiâs expression was, even several guests showed questionable expressions. It seemed the Second Young Miss was indeed brought up outside and not as favored as the Third Young Miss. It was also true that the pair of Third Young Missâ legs were maimed for All Commander Yu. So, no matter how gentle and lovely this Second Young Miss is, she still canât compare to the affection of both the siblings who have gone through life and death together.
Yu Miao Qi felt even more humiliated yet her expression was quieter and calmer as she lowered her head slightly to allow the action of the Crown Princess. However, Yu Pin Yan, who was sitting in the main seat got up suddenly and walked towards Yu Xiang. Reaching out to take her into his arms, he explained, âMy Younger Sister is not feeling well, I will take her back to her room to rest first. Please excuse me.â
The crowd turned to look and noticed that Yu Xiangâs complexion was indeed ghastly pale with her lips chapped while her forehead was actually covered in fine sweat even on a cold day which she evidently was very sick.
The Crown Princess waved her hand hastily, âBring Xiangâer back quickly. Someone, take Bengongâs card to go get the imperial physician!â
A court lady hurriedly went out with her skirt lifted while Old Madam could not sit still anymore and about to follow with her walking stick but her arm was pulled by Lin Shi who pleaded in a low voice, âMother, Qiâerâs jiji ceremony is not over yet. How will others look at her if all of you leave?â
Old Madam hesitated for a moment before she finally sat down slowly but she still felt anxious and uneasy that her complexion was ghastly. The Crown Princess lost her interest too. After putting on the crownâs hairpin, she hastily said a few congratulatory words and it was over. The Ninth Princess and Fan Jiao Jiao were like two grasshoppers. If it was not for Madam Fan and Min Shi holding their shoulders back, they would have jumped out to find Yu Xiang long ago.
At the same time, Yu Xiang who was lying on her elder brotherâs shoulder stammered, âElder Brother, can you carry me in a different position?â Wouldnât his sleeves be stained using this posture of carrying a child? And for the first time, he actually wore white today which would simply be too garish once red was to appear on the white!
Complying, Yu Pin Yan changed the posture to princess-carried and his steps became even more rapid, âDoes your stomach still hurt? Donât be afraid, the imperial physician will be here soon.â
âIâm not sick, so donât invite the imperial physician.â Yu Xiang begged with a long face as she grabbed her elder brotherâs lapels.
âItâs so painful that youâre sweating cold sweat and you still say youâre not sick.â Yu Pin Yanâs tone was grave where hurriedly stepped into the small courtyard of the west wing. He then let Tao Hong and Liu Lu help draw the bed curtain up as he leaned over and about to place his younger sister on the bed when her hands that hooked around his neck simply refused to let go and came down while a layer of blush rose up on her pale face.
âStop fooling around and lie under the blanket. Look at you shivering from the cold.â Yu Pin Yan found her somewhat funny and annoying.
Feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed, Yu Xiang really wished she could dig a hole to squeeze herself in with the thought of her menses staining her elder brotherâs sleeves. She gritted her teeth and asked, âElder Brother, donât you usually like to wear black, why didnât you wear it today?â If you would have worn that, would I still lean on your body and not dare to get down?
âDidnât you say you like to see Elder Brother in white, so I wore to show it you today. Be good, quickly go lie and cover with the quilt. Liu Lu has stuffed some hot-water bottles inside, so itâs very warm. Your stomach wonât hurt anymore once it gets warm. Elder Brother will stay to accompany you.â Coaxing her at the same time, Yu Pin Yan bent over to put her down.
âNo, first pad it with a black cotton cloth.â Yu Xiang closed her eyes with a death-defying expression, âIâm not sick but having my first menses. Make haste to pad with a cotton cloth so it does not dirty up the mattress.â
The wordsâ first menses were spoken vaguely by her but it still entered the ears of Yu Pin Yan without impediment, causing him to stiffen.
Tao Hong and Liu Lu were dumbfounded. After a moment of dazedness, one went to get the cotton cloth and the other went to burn the plant ash. Yu Xiang opened her dewy eyes and stared at her elder brother with shame and disgruntled.