Chapter 126.2: Coming-of-age
Chapter 126.2: Coming-of-age
After all, Xiao Liulang’s background had been investigated by Wu Yang. He was just an orphan from another place. He lost his father at an early age and his mother raised him with his older brother, but his mother and older brother died one after another, leaving him alone in the end.
He fainted at the entrance of Qingquan village and was rescued by Gu Jiao. Later, they became husband and wife, and he also changed his household register as a resident of the village.
He was greatly appreciated by Dean Li, who also unilaterally declared him as his own direct disciple.
He never responded to this, but it was only after he became Dean Li’s disciple that his grades improved by leaps and bounds.
He was only at the bottom of the class at first. Who would have thought that in less than a year, he would pass the provincial exam and become Jieyuan?
An Junwang smiled faintly, “Dean Li and my fourth uncle were among the top four talents in the capital at the beginning, but my fourth uncle has always been unconvinced. He questions why Dean Li ranks above him? Now there is an answer.”
Was it really Dean Li’s work though? Why did Wu Yang think that this Jieyuan Xiao was really not that simple?
However, Wu Yang didn’t say these words. He still knew his own Junwang’s temper. He was resourceful and far-sighted, but at the same time he thought too highly of himself and didn’t think anyone in the world could be smarter than him.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 18th of the tenth month. Today, the autumn weather was clear and refreshing, with beautiful clouds above the sky and gentle breeze.
The Marquis Estate was already bustling before dawn.
Today wasn’t only Gu Jinyu’s birthday, but also her coming-of-age ceremony.
Marquis Gu originally meant to ask Gu Jiao and Gu Yan to go back to the estate so they could celebrate their birthdays together, but the pair of brother and sister relentlessly refused.
Gu Jiao had no thought of going back because she didn’t regard herself as a person of the Marquis Estate while Gu Yan didn’t go back because there were few people in the entire estate who really welcomed him.
His grandmother only had his three older brothers in her heart. He was a sick child with bad luck, so she didn’t like him since he was a child.
As for his three older brothers, when he was a child, he naively thought that they were really his brothers. But after being beaten up several times, he realized that he and them could never be a family.
Gu Jinyu’s background was only known to the masters of the estate and some of their trusted subordinates. Outsiders didn’t know that Gu Jinyu was the daughter they carried back wrongly, nor did they know that the mother and son, Yao shi and Gu Yan, had also returned to the capital.
Just like in previous years, the only birthday celebrant was Gu Jinyu, this one daughter, and people didn’t question it.
Yao shi gave her present to Gu Jinyu last night, and then she went to the Imperial Academy district early the next morning to accompany the twins on their birthday.
Gu Jinyu was disappointed about her absence but she couldn’t care anymore later because there were too many surprises for her today.
Imperial Concubine Shu couldn’t come to the Marquis Estate because there were matters in the palace and she was too busy dealing with them. She asked the Fifth Prince to come in her stead.
The Fifth Prince also brought the imperial decree of the Emperor with him, officially conferring the title of County Princess Hui upon Gu Jinyu. [T/N: Hui means intelligent.]
This was the first time someone from the Marquis Estate received the title of county princess. Everyone felt proud. Old Madame Gu also felt she was given a lot of face. She, along with others, knelt down and thanked the Emperor for his favor.
“Grandmother.” Gu Jinyu helped Old Madame Gu up.
Old Madame Gu patted her hand with relief, her eyes full of doting, “I always knew you’re a competent child, that’s why His Majesty conferred you as County Princess Hui. This title shows His Majesty’s appreciation of you!”
This title was a compliment to Gu Jinyu’s intelligence!
Gu Jinyu gave her a salute of gratitude, saying, “All thanks to Grandmother’s teaching. Grandmother has taken care of me by her side since childhood and this granddaughter owes all her present knowledge to Grandmother. Grandmother didn’t favor one over the other just because I am a woman, inviting so many excellent teachers for me. Without Grandmother, Jinyu wouldn’t have received this title of County Princess Hui!”
Old Madame Gu was very delighted to hear this.
It was true that Old Madame Gu was quite fond of Gu Jinyu, but she still couldn’t compare to three direct grandsons in her heart. Those teachers were in fact invited by Marquis Gu, and Old Madam Gu just did not object.
However, Gu Jinyu was willing to put this credit on her, which showed her filial piety.
Unlike that wild girl who grew up in the countryside. She had been in the capital for so long and yet she didn’t even know how to kowtow in greeting before her.
It was a pity that Gu Jinyu wasn’t their own, and they were still separated by a layer of belly in the end.
“Congratulations to Old Madame, congratulations to the County Princess!” Concubine Ling presented her own well-prepared gift.
Gu Jinyu didn’t like Concubine Ling in her heart, but she knew that the Old Madame was fond of Concubine Ling so she wouldn’t slap her face here.
She personally received Concubine Ling’s gift and said, “Thank you, Aunt.”
Concubine Ling took out another present, saying, “This is from your eldest brother. He can’t leave the military camp and asked me to send you the present first.”
Gu Jinyu was aware that this was actually prepared by Concubine Ling herself, but she wasn’t disappointed. One couldn’t get fat in just one gulp. It would take time for his eldest brother to change his attitude towards her. She had already seen the signs, and she believed that in time, her eldest brother would accept her from the bottom of his heart!
Gu Jinyu’s coming-of-age ceremony proved to be grand. Many influential individuals in the capital came to attend, even the Director of Studies of the Imperial Academy!
In the Imperial Academy, the Director of Studies was an official position second only to the Chief. There were two Directors of Studies in the Imperial Academy and the one who came today was the Director called Lord Zheng!
The Young Chief had passed away, and the Old Chief had resigned and left the capital. There had long been a talk in the capital that this Lord Zheng would be the next Imperial Academy Chief!
Gu Jinyu felt greatly honored that all the grievances she had suffered in the villa for this past half year dissipated.
She truly belonged to the capital, the capital was where she should be at. Here, she could shine!
If the arrival of Director Zheng made Gu Jinyu feel greatly honored, then the next character could be said to bestow glory to the entire Marquis Estate.
The other party turned out to be a trusted aide of the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess actually sent Gu Jinyu a coming-of-age gift!
Gu Jinyu simply didn’t know what to say.
The Crown Princess was the future Empress, which ranked second only to the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince. Even Imperial Concubine Shu dared not act pretentious in front of her. Such a powerful figure actually sent someone to attend her coming-of-age ceremony?
Gu Jinyu was extremely flattered!
The eunuch said with a smile, “Congratulations to County Princess Hui. The Crown Princess said that if County Princess Hui has leisure time, she could go to the East Palace for a stroll and accompany the Crown Princess to play chess to pass the time.”
“I will!” Gu Jinyu respectfully replied.
The eunuch raised the horsetail whisk in his hand and smilingly said, “It’s getting late. The Crown Princess is still waiting for this servant to return and report the completion of the task.”
“Let me see eunuch off!”
“It’s alright. County Princess Hui should stay here.”
After the eunuch left, both Old Madame Gu and Marquis Gu only felt incredulous. They actually even established connections with the Crown Princess overnight?
But to say that they established connections with the other party might be a bit of exaggeration. Nine times out of ten, the Crown Princess sent a present only in consideration of His Majesty’s face.
In any case, this action was enough to give them a prominent image in the capital.
“Jinyu didn’t let this grandmother down.” The last trace of ill-feeling that Old Madame Gu originally had towards Gu Jinyu for not being her blood granddaughter vanished this instant. What did it matter if she wasn’t her own?
Those who grew up in the Marquis Estate would be the one to represent the face of the Marquis Estate in the future.