As the day of the coming-of-age ceremony approached, the An Yuan Earl’s household finally sent over the full set of ceremonial garments.
As Lin Shi had feared, the clothes were clearly half-hearted—at first glance, the styles looked fine, but where real gold and silver should have been used, they had been skimped on. For instance, the large-sleeved long gown should have been made of high-quality gold-woven brocade, but the Ning family had substituted gold threads with yellow thread.
Such tricks would surely make the distinguished guests laugh during the ceremony.
Afterward, the Ning family could always claim it was “an oversight by the servants,” but Lady Lian would still be ridiculed by other noble girls for a long time.
Lin Shi presented the clothes to the matriarch, who was both angry and annoyed, sighing, “Truly, once people are gone, they care little. The An Yuan Earl never considered Lian as his niece.”
She added, “Then we’ll use the set you prepared instead,” secretly relieved that her daughter-in-law had planned ahead.
Lin Shi asked, “And what should we do with the set the Ning family sent?”
The matriarch, never one to avoid confrontation, coldly replied, “Display it together with the other gifts as if it were from a guest. Let everyone see it.”
“I’ll handle it,” Lin Shi answered.
The reason the An Yuan Earl’s household treated Pei Ruolian this way stemmed from family dynamics. The current head of the household was not Ning’s biological brother. Ning had left early, with no siblings remaining, and later, Pei Ruolian’s maternal grandmother also passed away. In such circumstances, the Ning family had no reason to care for Lian and Lan, and would likely have treated them like a hot potato, hoping the Pei family wouldn’t pursue them.
In short, noble households were often tangled in three generations of internal affairs, difficult to fully explain.
On the ninth day of the lunar month, Lian held her coming-of-age ceremony.
The remaining Pei daughters—Pei Ruolan, Pei Ruozhu, and Pei Ruoying—were woken early, dressed, and followed behind the matriarch and Lin Shi to greet the female relatives attending the ceremony.
Madam Huang from the Ning family arrived, apparently expecting some entertainment, her mood cheerful, her face full of smiles.
However, the moment she entered the main hall, she immediately noticed the set of ceremonial clothes she had sent displayed prominently on the Eight Immortals table. Her sharp mind realized at once that she had been outmaneuvered—the Pei family had done this intentionally. Her expression soured immediately.
The matriarch, remaining composed, turned half her body to stand in front of Madam Huang, smiling warmly: “Lian’s aunt, thank you for sending such a fine set of clothes, every piece made of excellent materials… Such fine garments, I couldn’t just hide them away.”
Any guest seeing the satin with yellow threads would immediately understand why the Pei family chose not to use the An Yuan Earl’s gift.
Madam Huang understood the matriarch’s words were cunning. Bound by decorum and unable to claim the moral high ground in front of everyone, she could only reply, “Naturally,” and then slinked aside with a flimsy excuse.
The ceremony began.
An official recited: “The Pei family has a daughter, who now abandons childish pursuits and attains virtue and goodness.”
Then the pre-selected distinguished female guests took turns dressing Pei Shaolian.
First, a plain silk gown; next, a curved-hem deep robe; finally, the large-sleeved long gown—a blue brocade embroidered with clouds and cranes over the shoulders.
Lastly, the matriarch personally arranged her eldest legitimate granddaughter’s hair, placed the gold hairpins and crown, and everything was in order. She then led Lian out to pay respects to the elders.
The ceremony completed flawlessly.
The garments and crown were clearly made with meticulous care. Combined with Lian’s graceful figure, elegant appearance, and innate poise, the attending noblewomen could not help but praise her—remarking that Pei Ruolian was a remarkable young lady of the Jingchuan Earl’s household.
Madam Huang, meanwhile, felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, desperate for the event to end. She had not expected the Jingchuan Earl’s household, despite its declining fortunes, could host such a grand coming-of-age ceremony for their granddaughter.
The distinguished guests, seeing the yellow-threaded satin on the Eight Immortals table and then glancing at Madam Huang, exchanged looks that left her inwardly furious.
Pei Ruolian’s future mother-in-law, Madam Xu, also attended the ceremony. Seeing how much the Pei family valued Lian, and the ceremony’s grandeur, she felt a glow of pride.
A noblewoman whispered to Madam Xu: “This eldest granddaughter of the Pei family—is she betrothed to your younger son?”
Though pleased, Madam Xu did not reveal it openly, replying softly: “Only if the Pei family agrees can it be considered our son’s fortune.” Meaning, the formal proposal and engagement had yet to be finalized after the ceremony.
The other noblewoman complimented her, “Madam Xu has good taste.”
Once the guests departed, Madam Xu stayed to congratulate Pei Ruolian personally. Holding her hand, she smiled warmly: “Miss, today is your coming-of-age ceremony. You are favored by your parents here, respected by your younger brother, and truly blessed. In the future, everything will go smoothly for you, and you will not suffer even a hint of grievance.”
Lian bowed gracefully: “Thank you for your kind words, Aunt.”
Little Pei Shaohuai happened to witness this scene. Hearing these words, he realized that even these heavy, formal rituals had their purpose.
Lin Shi had spent an entire month preparing the ceremony, ensuring everyone knew how much the Earl’s household valued Pei Ruolian—that she was a treasure of the family.
When a daughter’s natal family shows her value, her future mother-in-law is more likely to respect her.
Without that recognition from her natal family, how could a non-blood-related mother-in-law show regard?
But nothing is absolute; each matter stands on its own.
Pei Ruolian’s maternal aunt, Ning Shi’s younger sister, had traveled all the way from Baoding Prefecture.
Back in the rear courtyard, the aunt embraced Lian and Lan, crying at the sight of Lian fully grown and dressed so splendidly for her coming-of-age ceremony. She said with relief, “Your mother was unfortunate in life, but if she could see your elegance today, she would finally be at ease.”
She sincerely thanked Lin Shi repeatedly: “You have worked so hard; the girls are fortunate to have a mother like you. Even my own daughters wouldn’t be so well cared for.”
Lin Shi replied modestly: “It’s my duty, and the girls are obedient and clever, cherished by the matriarch.”
With Pei Ruolian now of age, Xu family chose an auspicious day to propose, following the previously arranged plans.
The two families discussed matters amicably, full of joy.
The formalities of name inquiry, engagement, and so forth need not be detailed here.
During the presentation of the bride price, the Xu family sent eighty-eight sets of gifts, jostled along the way, leaving no doubt that every set was genuine. Passersby could not help but gather to watch.
The Pei and Xu families agreed that the wedding would take place after Xu Zhan took the imperial examination the following year.
With the wedding date set and the bride price received, it was time to consider Lian’s dowry.
The entire Earl’s household was present.
The matriarch first praised Lin Shi for organizing the coming-of-age ceremony so well, then discussed the wedding with Madam Xu, also ensuring everything was in order. She said, “You have managed the household these past months admirably. Now, it’s time to consider Lian’s dowry. I think it’s best for you, as her mother, to oversee it.”
Lin Shi was not surprised, replying: “As before, I will handle it, and you can give guidance from behind.”
Lian rose, approached Lin Shi, and bowed: “Thank you for your efforts, Mother.”
“All in the family,” Lin Shi replied.
She continued: “In the next few days, I will draft a list. If anything is unsuitable, we can add it item by item.”
The matriarch nodded: “Do as you see fit.”
Lin Shi, having long prepared for this task, quickly made her lists. At night, while coaxing Ying and Huai to sleep, she whispered to the children:
“I’ve spent a lot these past months, running about and working hard… but I’ve gained a lot.”
“Before, your grandmother kept all the household assets to herself. I didn’t even know how many shops or acres we had. Now, at least, I have an understanding of the Earl’s household.”
“These are all prime locations, yet why aren’t they profitable? I’ll need to consult your eldest uncle for advice.”
“I’ve been in the Earl’s household for six years and never received any posts, yet last month I received two invitations. Huai, isn’t that interesting? Though just for tea, I met several ladies.”
“With Lian marrying so splendidly, our Pei family’s reputation improves, giving more leverage for Ying’s future marriage prospects.”
Lin Shi spoke casually, but Pei Shaohuai recognized her greater ambition—she wanted to stabilize the Earl’s assets and connect with influential women.
Being a child, Huai soon fell asleep while mumbling in agreement: “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm…”
A few days later, Lin Shi presented several lists to the matriarch, the patriarch, and Pei Bingyuan.
After they glanced through them, she explained her reasoning:
“For Lian’s dowry, the bride price from the Xu family naturally accompanies her. This is the first part.”
“The properties left by her biological mother—shops and paddy fields—cannot be decided lightly by me. It’s best the matriarch makes the final decision.”
“I have two small shops in the southern city, one selling cloth, one selling medicinal herbs. Business is decent. This will be a gift from Huai to his eldest sister, included in the dowry. Additionally, since Lian calls me ‘Mother,’ I must live up to it, so I’ll add 2,000 taels of silver. This is the third part.”
These two contributions matched or exceeded what Ning Shi had left for Lian.
Everyone in the hall looked up simultaneously. With these contributions, the Earl’s household need not add anything more—the dowry was sufficient.
Pei Shaohuai realized that the household could not really offer much more; maintaining basic appearances was all they could afford. His mother had resolved the household’s immediate difficulties.
The matriarch nodded repeatedly: “You are generous and decisive. I can trust this household to you in the future.”
The hall’s atmosphere was very warm.
After all discussion, Aunt Shen, sitting at the edge, spoke. She had servants bring some items forward: “These belonged to the late Mistress Ning when serving her household. Let Lian take them as a small addition, as a token.”
By “Mistress,” she meant the deceased Ning Shi.
A servant presented two square trays: one with miscellaneous jewelry, the other with silver, about two hundred taels in total.
By Shen’s monthly allowance, she had likely saved for a long time to gather this much.