Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 829: Hairpin Ceremony and Building a School (2)

Chapter 829: Chapter 829: Hairpin Ceremony and Building a School (2)

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On the third day of the third month, a long string of firecrackers broke the quiet of the early morning, waking people like Mrs. Wu, Aunt Cai, Mrs. Zhou, and others from their sleep. They hurriedly got up, dressed and swiftly got themselves ready before grabbing the gifts they had prepared the day before and rushing towards the Mo Family’s residence.

Apart from Mo Yan, everyone in the Mo Family had gotten up unusually early. Before the sound of firecrackers began, they had already sorted out all the ingredients for today’s feast and placed them in the courtyard, washed what needed washing and chopped what needed chopping. Even the youngest, Shengsheng, was sitting on a small stool, washing one bright red radish after another.

This time, the guests the Mo Family invited were more numerous than for any previous occasion, not because the Mo Family wanted to show off, but rather because the village heads from the nearby villages had heard about the event and requested to come and observe the ceremony.

For a girl’s coming-of-age ceremony, the more guests to witness it, the better. The Mo Family had no reason to refuse, so they sent out invitations to several village heads. As for the folks from the village, there was no need to mention them. Every household that had no issues with the Mo Family said they would come to watch. It didn’t matter to them whether there was a meal provided or not; just being able to witness such a lively and grand event was enough to give them something to boast about in conversations in the future and bring honor to their faces.

Today was also a joyous occasion for Xiao Ruiyuan. He came to the Mo Family’s house alone at an early hour, while the go-betweens, the betrothal gifts, and the engagement letter would arrive later with Chu Heng.

In Great Chu, when a man and woman enter into marriage, they must follow their parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words, unless, of course, it is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor.

In normal families, the day their children get engaged, the parents of the groom must visit the bride’s home to show respect. However, Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei couldn’t wait for Xiao Ruiyuan to remain unmarried for life because only then would the title of the Hou Mansion have a chance to fall on Xiao Ruiqing’s lineage. So, how could they possibly come to the Mo Family in person?

Knowing the thoughts of these two, Xiao Ruiyuan did not inform them of today’s engagement. However, the absence of the groom’s parents on the day of engagement would not look good for the bride’s family, as it gives off a sense of impropriety.

Therefore, Chu Heng stepped up once more without hesitation, to represent the engagement with his identity as Xiao Ruiyuan’s older brother. Being the Crown Prince of a Country, he was more than able to offset the unfavorable impression caused by the absence of Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei, and his presence might even add ’authority’ to the engagement beyond what Xiao Xiong and Lady Wei’s presence could have provided.

Mo Qingze stood at the entrance of the courtyard to welcome guests, with Xiao Ruiyuan, conscious of his position as a future son-in-law, standing behind his future father-in-law and alongside his two younger brothers-in-law to greet the arriving guests.

The villagers passing by were not blind. Seeing this scene, they didn’t need any further explanations. When they faced Mo Qingze, they congratulated him knowingly twice as much, and their gazes towards Xiao Ruiyuan changed, becoming less reverential and more casual.

Before long, invited guests from the Han Family, Liu Family and others arrived together. Upon dismounting their carriages, they were surprised to see Xiao Ruiyuan standing in the line to welcome them.

Xiao Ruiyuan, unfazed, moved forward with Zhenzhen and Yun Zhao to greet everyone with a salutation befitting a younger family member, "Your nephew greets Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, Uncle Han, Aunt Han!"

"This..."

Everyone simultaneously looked towards Mo Qingze, their expressions quite extraordinary, not sure whether to stand still and waive Xiao Ruiyuan’s courtesy, or whether to return the gesture. After all, Xiao Ruiyuan was a First Rank official in the court, and with a status not lower than his, it would be proper to pay him respect.

The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward, but Mo Qingze, seeming oblivious, patted Xiao Ruiyuan on the shoulder, very naturally saying, "Look at you, scaring the elders. Why don’t you invite them inside quickly and make amends with a pot of good tea?"

"Yes, your nephew will do so at once!" Xiao Ruiyuan respectfully agreed, not at all offended. On the contrary, he appreciated Mo Qingze’s casualness, which made him feel a sense of closeness, softening his usually stern face with a touch of warmth.

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