Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Soon the day of her coming-of-age ceremony arrived, and the Wen family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere.

Guests arrived at the Wen residence one after another. The men, dressed in brocade robes, discussed poetry and classics with Lord Wen in the main hall, while the ladies gathered in the backyard.

"Fuya, Yunshu has come of age and it's time to arrange a marriage. Do you have someone in mind?" Madam Li asked, holding Madam Wen's hand.

"I'd like to stay a little longer," Madam Wen said with a smile, patting Madam Li's hand.

Thinking of the well-behaved and sensible Liu Yunshu, her eyes were filled with reluctance. "This child has been attached to me since she was little. If she really marries into another family, I will be the one who can't bear to part with her."

Madam Wang, standing to the side, chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her handkerchief. "A woman will eventually marry, Fuya, so don't feel too sorry for her."

As Madam Wang spoke, a look of admiration appeared in her eyes, "But to be honest, with Yun Shu's looks and personality, the eligible young men in the capital would probably be fighting tooth and nail to get her."

At this moment, Princess Ning, who was seated at the head of the table, put down her teacup and gently tapped the porcelain surface with her silver nail guards, producing a crisp sound.

"She's just reached marriageable age, so it's good for her to relax for a while. However, she should choose her partner carefully to avoid any future grievances."

Princess Ning is Lady Wen's aunt and the chief guest who presided over Liu Yunshu's coming-of-age ceremony.

The ladies nodded in agreement, and one after another they chatted about the amusing stories of eligible young men in the capital.

Only Madam Wen's eyes always held a hint of reluctance.

Soon, the auspicious time for her coming-of-age ceremony arrived.

Liu Yunshu, dressed in plain clothes, was helped by two maids to the left side of the altar.

The attendant combed her hair, and after the principal guest, Princess Ning, washed her hands, she added a hairpin to her head and then bowed to her parents.

With the help of her maid, Liu Yunshu returned to the east room, changed into a flowing robe, and went back to the center of the altar.

Princess Ning performed another hairpin ceremony for her and bowed to the chief guest.

She returned to the east room and changed into a pomegranate red dress with gold embroidery, the very one that Madam Wen had chosen for her earlier.

The hem of her skirt was embroidered with lotus scrolls in gold thread, which flowed like flames as she walked, making her skin appear as white as snow.

Her hair was re-tied into a bun, awaiting only the final step of adding a hairpin.

When they returned to the center of the platform, everyone held their breath.

Sunlight fell on her, and the hem of her pomegranate-red skirt shimmered with tiny golden light.

Princess Ning looked at the graceful young woman before her, her eyes filled with admiration.

She raised her hand and took out the coral-red begonia hairpin that Wen Zhimiao had given her from the brocade box held by the maid.

"Shu'er, from now on you are an adult woman. From now on you should know etiquette and be sensible, and you should follow your heart and enjoy happiness."

Princess Ning spoke gently as she lightly placed the hair ornament into Liu Yunshu's hair bun before bowing to the guests.

Princess Ning bestowed upon him a cup of sweet wine. Liu Yunshu offered the wine and drank it. The wine was clear and refreshing, sliding down his throat with a slightly sweet warmth.

Princess Ning bestowed a name upon her, her fingertips gently stroking the begonia hairpin at Liu Yunshu's temple, her voice full of tenderness: "Shu'er's temperament is bright and cheerful, like the radiant begonia in spring, so I bestow upon her the name 'Mingtang'."

Liu Yunshu curtsied in thanks, listened to the elder's teachings, and finally expressed her gratitude to the guests.

Then everyone followed the servants to the banquet.

The banquet was held in the front courtyard of the Wen residence. Red silk was wrapped around the pillars, lanterns were hung high, and even the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus wine.

As soon as Liu Yunshu sat down, several familiar young ladies gathered around her, their fingertips lightly touching the lotus pattern on her skirt.

"Yunshu, your dress is so beautiful! The gold thread embroidery is so exquisite."

Lin Nannan, holding Liu Yunshu's hand, stared brightly at the begonia hairpin in her hair. "Cousin, your hairpin is so pretty!"

Liu Yunshu raised her hand and gently touched the pearl on the hairpin, her eyes curving into a sweet and soft arc.

"My elder brother specially supervised the craftsman to make it a few days ago, saying it was for my coming-of-age ceremony."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Nannan shook her arm enviously, "Cousin is so kind! I want him to pick out a hairpin for my coming-of-age ceremony next time!"

Lin Nannan shook Liu Yunshu's arm, her eyes filled with longing.

After the banquet, Liu Yunshu escorted her close friends to the gate of the mansion before returning to her own courtyard.

While passing through the garden, they encountered Wen Zhimiao and his personal bodyguard Wen Lin, who were about to leave.

"Big brother? Where are you going so late?"

Liu Yunshu looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Wen Zhimiao stopped in his tracks, the moonlight falling on the dark patterns of his moon-white brocade robe, shimmering with tiny sparkles.

"There's an urgent matter at the palace; I need to go."

Liu Yunshu frowned slightly as she looked at the dark cloak he was clutching tightly in his hand. "It's already night, and the palace is far away. Should I have the kitchen warm a pot of ginger tea for you to take with you?"

Wen Zhimiao lowered her eyes and saw the genuine worry in her eyes. Her cool voice softened a little: "No need to trouble yourself, I'll be right back."

Just as he was about to turn around, Liu Yunshu gently grasped his wrist.

Her fingertips were warm, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus wine she had just tasted from the banquet, which seeped into her skin through her clothes.

"Then be careful on your journey. I'll have the servant prepare a heater at the door for you when you return."

Liu Yunshu looked up at him, the moonlight falling on the begonia hairpin in her hair, the pearls reflecting a shimmering light that made her eyes look like they were filled with stars.

Wen Zhimiao was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly, "Okay."

Liu Yunshu gave him a dignified bow, then winked at him, "Was Yunshu's bow dignified enough?"

Before he could answer, she released her grip and took two steps back, her skirt swirling like a sunset, a mischievous smile in her eyes.

"Brother, hurry up, the palace gates will close if you're too late."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards his own courtyard.

Wen Zhimiao watched her leave, a gentle smile flashing in her eyes. Yun Shu had grown up.

"Let's go."

As he spoke, he walked towards the door, with Wen Lin following closely behind.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After her coming-of-age ceremony, Liu Yunshu rarely encountered Wen Zhimiao.

During the day he was busy teaching at the Imperial Academy, and in the evening he would just return home when summons from the palace would often come suddenly, sometimes so he didn't even have time for dinner.

Meanwhile, Liu Yunshu was pulled in by Madam Wen to learn about household management.

"Xiao Ba, when was the original owner's identity discovered?"

After taking a bath, Liu Yunshu sat in front of the dressing table and let Biyan comb her wet hair, her fingertips unconsciously caressing the begonia hairpin on the dressing table.

"Master, three months after the original owner's coming-of-age ceremony, the real daughter went to the capital to find her relatives. She was accidentally seen by Madam Wen's distant cousin, who looked extremely like Madam Wen, and that's how..."

Liu Yunshu's eyes flickered. "Searching for relatives? Where are the original owner's parents?"

"The original owner's father suddenly passed away from an illness a few months ago. Overwhelmed with grief, Liu's mother also passed away after being bedridden for half a month. The true daughter, Liu Qingqing, was left with no one to rely on, which is why she came to the capital to find her relatives."

Liu Yunshu paused, her gaze falling on her reflection in the bronze mirror. "Three months... that's enough time to get something done."

"Big Brother, given your current status, it will be very difficult for Wen Zhimiao to fall in love with you, especially since he only sees you as a younger sister right now."

Liu Yunshu smiled slightly at the bronze mirror and gently tapped the mutton-fat jade pendant on the dressing table with her fingertips.

"That's why I need to create opportunities to change his perception of my sister." Liu Yunshu twirled the jade pendant halfway between her fingers, the mirror reflecting the cunning in her eyes.

"As far as I can remember, he was assassinated not long after he went to Huguo Temple to pray for his parents."

She turned to look out the window, where moonlight streamed through the window and onto the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows that made her heart itch.

"Xiao Ba, what exactly was the date of that assassination attempt? Have you figured out who the assassin came from?"

"Master, it's on the third day of next month! In the original story, the assassin was sent by the Third Prince. Because Wen Zhimiao refused to submit and often spoke out against his proposals in court, the Third Prince was afraid that he would become an obstacle to his succession in the future. So he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to pray at Huguo Temple to create an 'accident' to get rid of him."

Liu Yunshu's fingertip stopped on the jade pendant, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes: "The third day of next month... perfect, this is a good opportunity."

During dinner, while everyone was present, Liu Yunshu coaxed Madam Wen, "Mother~ My brother is going to Huguo Temple to pray for blessings tomorrow, and I want to go with him too."

Madam Wen paused, her hand holding the chopsticks still, and looked at Wen Zhimiao with a questioning look in her eyes.

Wen Zhimiao had just scooped up a spoonful of soup when she heard this and looked up at Liu Yunshu, her brows furrowing slightly: "The mountain road to Huguo Temple is rugged, and we need to get up early tomorrow, so you should stay home and rest."

Liu Yunshu immediately put down her chopsticks, leaned forward with her hands on the edge of the table, her eyes full of grievance: "But I also want to pray for my parents' well-being~"

Then she turned to her father and said in a coquettish tone, "Dad~ you see, my brother always won't let me go. I heard that the maple leaves on the back mountain of Huguo Temple are in full bloom. I want to pick some to make bookmarks, and I can also add some incense for you and Mom, asking them to bless our family with peace. Isn't that a good thing?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, and she gently shook her father's arm.

Mr. Wen doted on his youngest daughter, and her shaking softened his heart. He put down his wine glass and smiled:

"Shu'er is right. Praying for blessings is all about good intentions, and the more people there are, the more sincere they are. Zhimiao, take more guards with you tomorrow and keep an eye on things along the way."

Wen Zhimiao paused slightly in her hand holding the soup spoon, but ultimately did not refuse. She simply said, "We'll leave at dawn tomorrow. If you're late, I won't wait for you."

Liu Yunshu immediately sat up straight, a wide smile spreading across her face: "I promise I won't be late!"