1. The Ceremony of Crowning

"Perhaps... the one who is drunk is me," he mumbled, reaching out to ruffle the top of my head, and laughed heartily, saying, "You are really getting smarter; I can't trick you like this anymore!"

Is that so? His voice was faint, making it difficult to discern any emotions.

I couldn't help but glance sideways at the shadowy figure beside me. With a pair of peach blossom eyes, I wonder what his appearance was like back when he donned the ceremonial crown, with his hair cascading over his shoulders, exuding an enchanting charm and myriad allure

I was so embarrassed that my face turned red: "You little rascal! Is knowing the Five Classics really that impressive? Is attending the Imperial Academy really that remarkable?"

"You really do resemble a child who hasn't grown up yet," he suddenly chuckled, "Lihua, when will you grow up and look like an adult?"

Hmm? I stared blankly at Deng Yu's busy figure, feeling that he seemed quite different today, yet I could not articulate what it was.

There are also postures like mine now, with both legs stretched out, which are even more contrary to propriety. This is called "squatting," and it is not in accordance with etiquette. It is said that when Mencius saw his wife sitting in such a manner at home, he was so enraged that he shouted about wanting to divorce her. Had it not been for the wise counsel of Mencius's mother to mediate, it is likely that his wife would have immediately become a divorced woman

A sense of admiration arose in my heart, yet my lips remained unwilling to concede: "What is so rare about it!"

Even saints are like this, let alone ordinary people

I am full and need to lie down for a while, please return, Doctor Deng! He pulled me back forcefully, and I was drawn into his embrace, a faint aroma of millet wine wafting towards me, "You rascal—"

I pondered over his words and felt that the entrance to the academy is not much easier than the unified examination for graduate studies; the threshold is indeed quite high. Deng Yu can be considered one of the top students in the academy, and such students should be quite favored by the teachers.

You have indeed become smarter! As expected, age is not gained in vain, and meals are not consumed without purpose

What are you in such a hurry for now?" The shadowy figure smiled faintly, "You weren't this concerned yesterday.

Thus, the third time, an additional title of nobility is conferred

On the first day of the third year of the Xin Dynasty, I still spent the day amidst the complex and lengthy sacrificial ceremonies. It is hard to imagine that a modern person with my temperament could have lived for a full four years in the backward era of two thousand years ago

It is truly remarkable! He answered without turning red or panting, "Emperor Wu of Han established the Taixue and set up the Five Classics doctoral degree. At that time, each doctoral degree had only ten students. During the reign of Emperor Zhao, the number of students in the Taixue increased to one hundred; during the reign of Emperor Xuan, it rose to two hundred; during the reign of Emperor Yuan, it reached one thousand; during the reign of Emperor Cheng, it grew to three thousand; and until the establishment of the Xin Dynasty, even after expanding the school facilities, there were only ten thousand students..."

Don't go! As I passed by Deng Yu, he suddenly grasped my hand.

Deng Yu smiled gently and said, "Am I really that mercenary?"

I was desperately thinking about how to explain this new term to him when, unexpectedly, he suddenly burst into laughter: "Do you want to pursue a doctor's degree? A female doctor's degree? The Five Classics: the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, which of these Five Classics do you claim to be proficient in?"

The Han Dynasty had very strict requirements regarding sitting posture. While modern Japanese men may sit cross-legged, in this context, sitting cross-legged is referred to as "fu zuo" and is not permitted in formal occasions. The requirements are the same for both men and women; they must sit upright.

Then, Deng Yu's younger brother, Deng Kuan, accompanied him as he rose to enter the room. When they returned, Deng Yu had changed into a set of dark robes, and he respectfully bowed to all the guests.

After Mr. Deng finished his blessings, he solemnly placed the black cloth cap on his son's head, while a supporter immediately stepped forward to tie the cap's tassel for Deng Yu

Oh. I nodded, "Then congratulations to you."

However, when I got up early the next day to pay my respects to Yin Shi, and he suddenly informed me that Deng Yu had gone on a long journey, it felt as if I had been struck on the head with a blunt object, and my mind immediately began to shift gears.

Any disguise before him will ultimately be destroyed, he possesses the ability to drive me insane

I am already twenty-seven years old, why must I refer to this little brat as a child?

After Deng Yu changed his outfit for the third time and bowed to the guests, he suddenly turned his head and shot a piercing gaze at me. My face flushed suddenly, and he pressed his lips together, smiling thoughtfully.

A faint rustling sound came from the opposite side, and Deng Yu suddenly sprang to his feet, directly crossing the table and approaching with determination

"Lihua, will you marry me?" His chin rested against the top of my head, his deep and melodious voice carrying a seductive power

After today, Deng Yu will be able to inform the ancestral temple that he is marrying and having children

In accordance with the proper age and the decree of the month, all shall be adorned. With brothers present, virtue shall be established. The yellow and aged are boundless, receiving the blessings of heaven

First, the diviner selected an auspicious date, and then notified all the guests three days in advance to attend the ceremony. I am not sure how Deng Yu convinced Yin Shi, but in any case, when Yin Shi suddenly came to tell me yesterday evening that he wanted to take me to the ceremony, I was quite surprised

He remained seated properly on the soft cushion opposite me, leisurely pouring wine for me, his eyelids lowered, focused intently on the task at hand

Although the gender distinctions in the Han Dynasty were not as rigid as those in the Song and Ming Dynasties, the requirements for etiquette were unprecedentedly strict. For instance, when seated at a table, one must sit upright, with the buttocks resting on the ankles, the upper body straight, and the hands placed properly on the knees, akin to the modern Japanese sitting style

I was somewhat dazed, took the ear cup filled with wine from the table, and tilted my head back to gulp down the drink

The crowned one, marries and announces to the temple

What? A doctor's degree? Deng Yu looked at me with amusement

Traveling? Where does he want to go? Isn't it said that bandits are rampant now, and the number of rebels is increasing... The world is so chaotic, what is he going out for?

In the Han Dynasty, a man was considered an adult upon reaching the age of 20 and undergoing the capping ceremony

He lowered his head slightly and continued to read the bamboo slips on the desk: "Hmm, I have conveyed your meaning to him..."

I feel a bit dizzy, pressing my palm against his chest, I push him away: "I probably drank too much... heh."

Moments later, Deng Yu, dressed in colorful attire and with long hair cascading down, emerged. I was taken aback. At first glance, Deng Yu appeared as beautiful as a woman; he was already handsome, and in this guise, he surpassed all ordinary-looking women.

His hands were raised to the level of his eyebrows, with his sleeves covering his face, until he finished the prayer and stood up. Only after completing the entire set of rituals did he lower his hands. At that moment, with a serious expression, Deng Yu seemed to transform from a boy into a man.

In chaotic times, heroes emerge

A wave of emotion surged within me, and the sight of Deng Yu now instilled in me a sense of profound respect

He was already on guard and quickly withdrew his hand. When the chopsticks in my hand fell, their direction slightly deviated, piercing through the entire chicken: "Stingy person, is your family so poor that you can't even afford a chicken?" I bared my teeth at him, spearing the chicken with my chopsticks and immediately biting into it, "Then what are you still foolishly dreaming about marrying and having children? I think you might as well skip the coming-of-age ceremony, lest you admit that you are getting old and no one wants you..."

I extended my right hand to press down on the plate of braised chicken in oil, glaring at him fiercely: "Does the lack of results have anything to do with this chicken?"

When I went there, it was still early in the day, but the ancestral hall was already crowded with people. In the crowd, I spotted Deng Chan's elder brother, Deng Chen, who appeared to be in charge, while Deng Yu's father stood beside him, looking even more like a guest than he did.

Sure. I readily agreed, tearing off a piece of dried beef with my hands and stuffing it into my mouth to chew. "As long as you let my elder brother agree to let me go out, I have no objections."

"If it weren't for coming to this godforsaken place, I would have surely been able to obtain my doctor's degree this year..." I muttered through clenched teeth, filled with resentment

I felt a chill as I looked at the cold smile at the corner of Yin Shi's lips, my emotions in disarray. In my memory, Wang Mang was overthrown not long after he declared himself emperor, and the Xin dynasty was merely a fleeting moment in history. From a broader historical perspective, the Eastern Han succeeded the Western Han, and the realm of the Han was destined to belong to the Liu family.

Hehe. I chuckled foolishly, pretending to be confused as I waved my hand, not looking at his expression, "Are you joking? Haha, I won't fall for your tricks, you want to tease me again..."

"Good! Good!" Father Deng laughed heartily, "Let us take 'Zhonghua' as the courtesy name."

"It is not that you are a petty trader, but rather that you have too many schemes in your mind, twisting and turning..." I waved a finger in front of his eyes, making a clicking sound.

I am not yet psychologically prepared for this. Even if I am destined to live in this space-time for the rest of my life, even if I can never return to my original path, I am still not psychologically ready to accept the arrangements of fate, to get married and have children here

Mr. Xu Ziwei, a senior official in the court, holds a doctorate in the Book of Documents. I see that you have a copy of the Book of Documents in your room; may I ask you to share its profound meanings with me? He looked at me with a half-smile, his amber eyes sparkling with a cat-like cunning light. He stood up, adjusted his attire, and bowed to me, saying, "Allow me to listen attentively to the teachings of the first female doctorate of the new dynasty."

I laughed along with him spontaneously, but only I knew how awkward and helpless that smile truly was

Li Hua! The shadowy figure stood up from behind the desk, casually took a scroll, and waved it in front of me. "Zhong Hua has his own cultivation; what about you? Shouldn't you also begin your cultivation?"

He broke into a smile, his eyes and brows revealing an indescribable joy: "You should eat a little less," he said, pulling a plate of braised chicken in sauce towards himself, teasingly mocking me, "Are you not aware that since the beginning of the year, locusts have become a disaster? Nanyang County is likely to suffer a total loss this year.

I struggled with my right arm but could not break free from his restraint. In a fit of anger, I slammed my left hand on the table and grabbed a pair of bamboo chopsticks, thrusting them forcefully towards the back of his hand.

"Lihua." The silent shadow consciousness suddenly broke the silence.

I glanced sideways at the handsome guy across from me. In just three or four years, he has grown to resemble a green onion even more... Ah, no, correction, it should be a daffodil.

Early in the morning, I was dragged out the door. I had thought I was going to Deng Yu's house, but unexpectedly, the ox cart made a turn, and instead, we were heading towards Deng Chan's house.

Yin Shi led me to a seat in the corner and then knelt beside me with a serious expression on his face. Although there were many guests in the ancestral hall, there was not a single sound; it was so quiet that only the faint sound of breathing could be heard.

"I am undeserving of such praise." Deng Yu hurriedly returned the gesture.

Father Deng washed his hands at the steps, then returned to stand on the western steps, took the black cloth cap, and walked in front of Deng Yu: "On this auspicious day of the first month, you are to begin your coming of age ceremony. Abandon your youthful aspirations and follow the path to virtue. May you enjoy longevity and good fortune, and may you be blessed with great happiness." The term 'Yuan' refers to the beginning, and 'Yuanfu' specifically denotes the cap worn on the head.

This posture is truly too ambiguous, and I awkwardly lean back, trying to subtly avoid such intimacy: "It's nothing, it's inevitable when eating..."

I was filled with rage and humiliation, bending my knees and lifting my leg, ready to kick him. He nimbly got up, evading my attack, and gracefully returned to his seat

You little brat! You are the one who is still wet behind the ears! I pointed at him indignantly

After the Three Crown Ceremony comes the Sweet Crown Ceremony. At the banquet, Deng Yu diligently offered toasts to his father and the guests, busily moving about like a spinning top, leaving me with no opportunity to speak with him.

With a sly smile in her phoenix eyes, a hint of teasing glimmered in her gaze, but it was fleeting: "Don't you have anything to say to your brother?"

I set down the oil chicken and got up from the mat. ... The identity of Deng Yu as a graduate student reminded me of my university days, my dream of pursuing a master's degree ... . ... For a moment, I felt downcast and lacked enthusiasm.

That day I was a bit tipsy, and as I was leaving, Deng Yu pulled me aside and said something to me. I responded casually, but I didn't hear a single word; all I wanted was to go back and sleep soundly.

Deng Yu knelt on the mat, with his hands clasped and hidden in his sleeves. He raised his hands to his forehead, bowing respectfully with a deep bend at the waist. When he stood up, his hands remained level with his eyebrows. After completing the bowing gesture, he then proceeded to kneel down.

I furrowed my brows and cast him a puzzled glance

By the time I finally regained my composure, Deng Yu's hair had been neatly arranged and tied with silk by his admirers. Three officials stood at the first, second, and third levels of the hall steps, each holding a wooden table, on which were placed a black cloth cap, a leather cap, and a ceremonial cap respectively.

I stretched and extended both legs straight out in front of me

Ah? I exclaimed in astonishment

What?

I cheerfully lifted the ear cup filled with wine before me and took a gentle sip. The wine was millet wine brewed last autumn, rich and mellow, with a faint, delicate fragrance.

I have truly never considered this issue, or rather, I am still evading some facts that one should face while living in this era. In fact, as early as after I came of age, my intuition had already begun to seek out potential suitors for me. I was not completely unaware of this matter, but as long as my intuition does not confront me with the final truth, I would rather act like an ostrich, pretending to know nothing.

What? I blinked my eyes, didn't hear clearly.

I haven't reacted yet. Yin Shi suddenly stood up, took off his ear cup, and walked straight to Deng Yu, saying, "In this case, congratulations to Zhonghua."

Logically speaking, this kid's brain is truly problematic; he has a face that rivals an embroidered pillow, yet his mind is filled with anything but reasonable straw. Why can't I win against him just once? Is it really the case that aside from resorting to violence to subdue him, I have no other means to deal with him?

Bo, Bo... doctor's degree, ah...

In such a posture, if I were in front of Yin Shi, I would not dare to do it even if it meant my death. Only Deng Yu, from my initial pretense to gradually revealing my true self, he surprisingly did not even furrow his brow. Gradually, my courage grew bolder, and now I can feign a somewhat submissive demeanor in front of anyone, but only with him, I reveal my true nature, even wishing I could perform a spinning kick to send him flying out of the room.

Is it true that Deng Yu is no longer the little rascal in my eyes?

I have studied for four years, yet I still cannot adapt to this painful sitting posture

Such a future, to be intertwined with someone for a lifetime, through life and death, is truly too illusory and too terrifying for me

A burst of laughter broke the awkward atmosphere between the two of us.

After wearing the cloth crown, it is now the leather cap. Deng's father gave his blessings according to the ritual: "In the auspicious month and day, you should wear this attire. Respect your dignity and be virtuous. May you live a long life and receive blessings forever."

I stared at him from every angle, unable to figure him out. Unconsciously, I drank half a cup of Shaoxing wine. I lightly patted my slightly flushed face and said in a muffled voice, "Speak up if you have something to say! Fart if you need to! And remember to use the outhouse when you need to take a dump!"

I'm busy holding on to my composure: "No, it's nothing."

A heart pounding, I'm sure I'm not drunk, I still have some alcohol tolerance, just... ... I can only pretend to be confused now.

Ah! I accidentally choked on a sip of wine and quickly grabbed a handkerchief to cover my mouth tightly. My chest vibrated as I coughed.

The male coming-of-age ceremony, also known as the adult ceremony, is governed by numerous rules and is characterized by its elaborate rituals

He left Xinye, traveled around, and it will probably take a long time to adjust...

What are you thinking about? Deng Yu sat across from me, slowly ladling wine from the wine vessel

The final destination is not Deng Chan's home, nor Deng Yu's home, but the Deng family ancestral temple.

Deng Yu bowed again, and then returned to his room to change his attire

What happened?" He lifted his eyelids and glanced at me.

I have never seen Deng Yu approach a task with such seriousness and a lack of humor; the images that flash through my memory are all of him with a playful and smiling demeanor

His face was covered in oil... He knelt on one knee in front of me, gently wiping the corner of my mouth with a silk handkerchief

I lifted the chicken up and forgot what I was going to say next, staring blankly at him. What is this kid planning to do? With a serious expression on his face, has it been too long since he last got beaten up and now he's itching for it?

In fact, you need not worry that Zhonghua will suffer losses; he is an exceptionally intelligent person. A man's ambitions lie in the four corners of the world, and only in chaotic times can heroes emerge! After all, Zhonghua is still young; allowing him to go out and gain experience will be beneficial rather than harmful to him

I kept my head down and remained silent, my palms sweating nervously. Deng Yu has been good to me these past few years, and I can't say that I haven't noticed. If he doesn't push me to a dead end today and say something unforgivable, I don't want to ruin our relationship. After all, aside from any romantic feelings, he is a decent friend.

When the smooth silk fabric glides across my cheeks, my face suddenly feels slightly warm.

I shot him a glance; it's not the first or second time I've been taken in by him and made a fool of. Even the dullest person, after being tricked multiple times, will eventually become aware of it, won't they

Hero... I murmured to myself, lost in thought.

Of course it matters! He smiled broadly, grasping my wrist with his left hand while leisurely tearing off a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and placing it in his mouth. "Nanyang County is experiencing a poor harvest, and many people will go hungry. You should eat less; it can save a lot of chewing."

This year ... ... I turned twenty

Getting Married! Marriage! In Ancient Times?

I am thinking, you secretly bring food and drinks from home to provide for me, and you always have something to ask of me, never allowing me to eat for free

No wonder the male aesthetics flourished during the Han Dynasty; the term "duanxiu" was indeed coined by Emperor Ai of Han. It turns out that it was simply the result of too many handsome men!

I naturally understand what he is thinking, and I hurriedly shook my head: "No, cough... elder brother is overthinking."

Jumped in shock suddenly, I thought I was speaking very quietly, but I didn't expect his ears to be so sharp that he could hear even this.

Perhaps

Over the past four years, I have transformed from my original boisterous nature into what others perceive as a gentle and virtuous woman, and this is largely due to the influence of the great demon Yin Shi. Under his oppressive policies, Liu Ji occasionally comes to enlighten me, sharing some principles of being a good wife.

In a few days, I will be having my coming-of-age ceremony. Would you come to witness it? he asked sincerely, lifting his head.