Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 909: The Gift

Gu Jinli heard the birds chirping and laughed, opened the window, looked at the cat at the root of the window, and said, "What are you doing here so early? The coming-of-age ceremony won’t start until two hours later."

The coming-of-age ceremony in Great Chu, like the hairstyle ceremony, is generally held in the morning, and it is customary to host it at a specific time. Her ceremony, being simple and with most attendees living in the house, was scheduled precisely at the proper time.

Qin San Lang stood up, looking at Gu Jinli dressed in inner garments with long hair draped over her shoulders, blushing slightly: "...I came to give you a gift."

"Gift?" Gu Jinli looked at his hand, observed a long-shaped small box, and asked curiously, "What gift are you giving me? Now? I thought you would wait until evening to give it to me."

Qin San Lang gripped the box tighter, replied: "There is a gift for the evening too, but this one is for now."

Gu Jinli, even more curious, didn’t wait for him, took the box directly, opened it, and saw a pearl hairpin wrapped in gold thread inside.

The pearl had two beads, in a quite special color, surprisingly tinted with red: "Drunken beauty."

Drunken beauty, the elegant name for red pearls, is the finest among pearls.

Gu Jinli was astonished: "Where did you find them? Such luck, two beads of this size and the same color, some people spend their whole lives without finding one."

Qin San Lang was very pleased to see her delighted: "Picked last year, had over a dozen, chose the best and roundest two to make a hairpin for you."

At this point, he paused before continuing: "I made the hairpin myself and even engraved something."

Though not as intricate as what the Silver Building craftsmen can make, it represents his full intention. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Engraved something?" Upon hearing this, Gu Jinli raised the hairpin and brought it to the oil lamp inside the room. Under Qin San Lang’s guidance, she finally noticed the engravings on the pearl’s base.

Two characters, one was ’Li’ from her name, and the other was: "Your name?"

Qin San Lang nodded: "Yes."

His intention was clear, thus more nervous. Carefully addressed her: "Xiao Yu, use this hairpin for your coming-of-age ceremony, please?"

Gu Jinli glanced at him, smiling: "But the hairpin for the ceremony was prepared by my mother long ago."

Qin San Lang’s heart skipped a beat. Was she...rejecting him?

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock on the door, Xiao Ji shouted from outside: "Young Master, hurry and bathe, you can’t sleep in today."

"Understood, I’m dressing, will be out shortly." Gu Jinli answered Xiao Ji, turned to Qin San Lang: "You hurry, I need to prepare."

Qin San Lang stood still, just gazing at her, pain gathered in his eyes: "Xiao Yu..."

Gu Jinli had never seen him like this, suddenly felt an ache, rushed to stand on tiptoes, tugging at his collar: "What are you thinking? I accept the hairpin, including the evening gift, remember to give me."

After finishing, she released his collar, closed the window with a bang.

Qin San Lang didn’t leave immediately but recalled her recent words...he was right, she didn’t mean to reject him and agreed to meet him in the evening.

His mouth slowly curved upward, a smile spreading across his face, he spoke through the window: "Prepare well, I’ll leave now, see you in the evening."

Gu Jinli wanted to cover her face, urging him: "Hurry up, my mother will be here soon."

Qin San Lang responded, agreed, didn’t linger further, and left shortly.

Soon after he left, Mrs. Cui came with Gu Jinxiu to help her prepare incense for the bath.

This was the most serious bath Gu Jinli had ever taken, with strict procedures throughout, if not for the screen, Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu wouldn’t have been able to enter, she would’ve wanted to yell long ago.

After bathing and washing her hair, she was starving, asked Mrs. Cui: "Mother, where’s my breakfast, I’m hungry."

Give me a bite, for this coming-of-age ceremony, she started eating vegetarian dishes three days ago, forgetting the taste of meat.

Yet, today’s breakfast was even harsher, just a bowl of clear water with a piece of caramel.

Gu Jinli blinked, glaring at this bowl of water like at an enemy: "Mother, our family hasn’t gone bankrupt, right? We still have food, right?"

Adding: "Complaining about no meat before was wrong, I was mistaken, now vegetarian seems good."

So give me vegetarian food, I don’t mind anymore, don’t give me plain water for breakfast!

Mrs. Cui responded: "No, you can’t eat before the ceremony ends, need to drink sweetened water, it’s the rule."

Gu Jinli had no choice but to drink the water, having something to drink was better than nothing.

Mutter in her heart: Had I known I’d drink plain water today, I should’ve asked Brother Qin to sneak some food for me.

After she finished, Mrs. Cui took the bowl, while Gu Jinxiu brought a mat, placed it on the eastern floor, gestured to her: "Xiao Yu, kneel here, you can rise once the guest of honor arrives."

Gu Jinli was reluctant, urged by Mrs. Cui: "Don’t throw a tantrum, go and kneel, Mother needs to greet guests."

Worried, she instructed Xiao Ji to watch her, not allowing her to rise midway, must kneel properly.

Gu Jinli took the opportunity to "threaten": "I’ll kneel, but I must use this for the ceremony hairpin."

She gave Qin San Lang’s pearl hairpin to Mrs. Cui.

Mrs. Cui was astonished upon seeing it: "Where did you get such a precious hairpin?"

It’s a pearl hairpin, red pearls at that, such good items aren’t easily obtained.

Gu Jinli: "Brother Qin gave it."

With that, Mrs. Cui was overjoyed, immediately agreeing: "Alright, use this for the hairpin, San Lang is truly kind, you must cherish this blessing."

Gu Jinli was indignant: "I’m kind to Brother Qin too, caring very much."

"Just making him grilled fish, how good could it be?" Mrs. Cui teased, advised further: "Alright, you kneel, Mother and your sister are leaving. This is a crucial matter for your future."

Knowing the Great Chu people believed this, to reassure Mrs. Cui, she agreed: "Understood, Mother, you may go."

After the departure of Mrs. Cui and others, she knelt in the room for almost an hour, until Mrs. Jiang arrived.

Then followed the extremely complicated coming-of-age ceremony procedures, Gu Jinli became dizzy from the numerous rituals, transforming curiosity into frustration!

Clearly her birthday, why must she be so exhausted?

Fortunately, whenever she could hardly bear it, Qin San Lang gestured for her, allowing her to persevere.

As the pearl hairpin was inserted into her bun, she turned to look at Qin San Lang among the attendees, witnessing his joyful and radiant smile.

Perhaps his smile was too good, she couldn’t help but return it, he was stunned for a moment, face blushed, smile even more vivid.

In the years of snow and flowers, for every change she made, he was by her side, this feeling...was wonderful.

"Ceremony complete!"

With one word, the ceremony completed, Gu Jinli transformed from a bun-haired girl into a real young woman.

She was very happy, finally...could go to eat, starved!

Qin San Lang was happier, his little fish finally grown up.