Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 694 - 692

Chapter 694: Chapter 692

Xiao’er was stunned by Yang Liu’s words.

She had never thought that the Empress would be her guest of honor.

Xiao’er was overwhelmed with gratitude - grateful for the Empress who humbled herself, and grateful for Shangguan Xuanyi, who always did his utmost to give her the best things and the greatest respect!

Mrs. Liu, seeing Xiao’er in a daze for the first time, gently tugged at her sleeve: "Stop daydreaming, it’s time to meet the Empress."

Xiao’er came back to her senses and walked out with Mrs. Liu.

Other ladies and young girls naturally followed them quickly.

The Empress, the eldest Princess, the Sixth Prince, the Fifth Princess, Princess Ranhui, the wife of the second prince, the wife of the Fourth Prince, the mother of the Crown Prince — they all, led by the Empress herself, entered surrounded by hundreds of bodyguards and maids.

In this procession, the individuals of the highest status from throughout the kingdom were almost all gathered together. The sparkling jewels and overwhelming grandeur of the moment nearly blinded everyone present.

The phoenix had descended, the highest honor of them all.

Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu led everyone to kneel in respect: "Long live the Empress, may she live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

The Empress stepped forward to help Mrs. Di up: "Mother, there’s no need for such formality. Everyone, please rise! Today I am here to be the guest of honor for the Lady of Rui’an County; there is no need for such ceremony."

It really was for the Lady of Rui’an County to be the guest of honor! Everyone’s feelings of envy, jealousy and resentment disappeared in the moment, replaced by deep admiration!

The Lady of Rui’an County was too outstanding. She could command the respect of the Empress as guest of honor at her coming-of-age ceremony; there was no second person in the world who could claim such an honor!

The eldest princess was very tactful and helped Mrs. Liu up as she was about to kneel down. This was the Marquis Shengping Mansion, thus in the presence of the Empress’s mother. Naturally, the Empress must help her own mother. This was proper filial piety. They were here today to honor the lady of Rui’an County. As Mrs. Liu was the hostess, sparing her the ritual is a favor and a gesture of respect to the family of Marquis Shengping.

Shangguan Xuanyi walked up to Xiao’er and helped her up: "Quickly rise, the ground is cold."

Everyone: "But isn’t it March? The ground has warmed up, what do you mean by ’the ground is cold’?"

The Sixth Prince’s affection for the Lady of Rui’an County really has no limits.

"Yes, the ground is cold, the girl shouldn’t catch a chill. I’m still waiting for you to marry Rui’er soon and give me a chubby grandson."

"May the Empress Mother’s auspicious words come true," Shangguan Xuanyi immediately responded, acting as if he was eagerly waiting to marry the Lady of Rui’an County home.

Xiao’er pretended to be shy and lowered her head, thinking to herself: These mother and son are too much.

The eldest princess laughed and said: "Just in time, it’s an auspicious hour. Empress, hurry up and perform the coming-of-age ceremony for the lady of Rui’an County! Once she’s of age, she can get married."

"That’s why I brought the betrothal gifts along today."

Chests of gold, silver and jewels, exotic treasures were then brought in one by one, quickly filling the vacant space in the courtyard. Everyone made way for these valuable chests.

The girls stared at these gifts, their eyes wide open, awestruck.

The Lady of Rui’an County is too blessed. Any of these items, casually selected, would be worth a fortune!

Lin Miaoyan and Mrs. Lin were also present today with her maternal grandmother. She looked at the betrothal gifts on the ground and then at the Sixth Prince, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.

Such glory, such respect, why wasn’t it given to her?

After Shangguan Xuanyi’s betrothal gifts were presented, the entire courtyard was filled.

Then a servant came to report: "Madam, the Crown Princess of the Nangong Country has sent gifts for the two ladies for their coming-of-age and wedding."

"Let them bring it in quickly," Mrs. Liu replied when she heard this.

"But there is no space left in the courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu felt a sense of unease: "Are there many gifts?"

"More than a dozen chests."

Everyone: "..."

Mrs. Liu was a bit stunned, the gifts received from this coming-of-age ceremony were enough for her to live on for a lifetime!

Xiao’er quickly arranged for the items in the courtyard to be stored in the warehouse.

Aunt Rong spoke up at this point: "Early this morning, Marquis Zhongyong Mansion and Lai Mansion sent many gifts. Plus, the gifts from Young Master Zhuge, the Second Prince’s Mansion, the Fourth Prince’s Mansion and other guests, the warehouse is already full."

Xiao’er: "..."

It was full so quickly? Her warehouse, although not particularly large, was not small either!

"First move the Sixth Prince’s betrothal gifts to Xiao’er’s courtyard, the rest of the coming-of-age gifts to my courtyard, and later we’ll inventory and store them." Mrs. Liu quickly made a decision.

Shangguan Wanru sent over a dozen boxes of gifts, most of which were valuable western knickknacks.

She also wrote a letter to Xiao’er stating that since they lived far apart, it would be troublesome to send additional dowry gifts when Xiao’er married. Since they would soon be nearby, it was simply easier to send everything over now.

If she hadn’t been pregnant, she pledged that she would definitely return in person to attend Xiao’er’s wedding.

Without Shangguan Wanru’s warm and soft embrace, Xiao’er felt quite uncomfortable.

"The auspicious time has come, get a move on!" Aunt Rong reminded them.

Indeed, they could not wait anymore, and so everyone took their places and the ceremony began.

A coming-of-age ceremony presided over by the Empress herself was prestigious but also the most complicated.

While others kept their ceremonies simple, Xiao’er’s was filled with pomp and grandeur!

After all the hustle and bustle, Xiao’er and Yun’er were utterly exhausted!

Both thought to themselves: "Thank goodness a person only has one coming-of-age ceremony in their lifetime, otherwise, we would die of exhaustion."

Finally, after the ceremony, after eating and sending off all the guests, Xiao’er returned to her courtyard, closed the door, and planned to relax in the space’s hot spring to alleviate her tiredness.

As soon as she closed the door, Shangguan Xuanyi appeared. He hadn’t left at all, but had just avoided everyone and secretly snuck into Xiao’er’s room to wait for her.

"Why didn’t you accompany the Empress back to the palace?"

"I have important business to attend to."

"What important business?" Xiao’er saw that he seemed mysterious, and asked.

Shangguan Xuanyi took out a brocade box from his sleeve pocket, to reveal a ring. He walked in front of Xiao’er, knelt on one knee and said earnestly, "Girl, would you be willing to marry me?"

Xiao’er couldn’t help but tear up; she was deeply moved.

She had mentioned to him that when western men propose, they kneel, as a way to show their sincerity.

She hadn’t expected that he, who had dismissed it at the time, would do this today.

In this era, it is generally believed that there is gold beneath a man’s knees, and they do not kneel lightly!

As a prince, Shangguan Xuanyi usually only bowed with a fist when he greeted the Emperor and Empress. When has he ever knelt down to anyone before?

He was showing her through his actions that he was willing to lower his status, lower his self-esteem, just to love her.

Thinking of this, she quickly went over to him and said, "Get up quickly, there’s no need for this!"

Shangguan Xuanyi remained unmoved: "You haven’t agreed yet!"

Xiao’er’s face turned red, but she still solemnly nodded, "I’m willing! Very willing!"

Shangguan Xuanyi stood up with a smile, a smile that was more brilliant than the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard.

He then held Xiao’er in his arms, lowered his head to kiss her tearful eyes, then her nose, and finally her tempting lips, and he lingered on and on.