Lady Meilin is seduced by her green tea brother-in-law everyday-Chapter 393: Jun Mingzhu: Legacy princess.

All members of the Jun family were gathered in the medium sized ancestral hall. It was in the side building, separated from the main house by a door that led to a flower garden which was a place they used to relax or hide away every once in a while.

The family had a bigger hall at their village home in E city where the family farms where. They preferred the one in the royal courts because it was convenient for everyone. And that was why it had been so easy for them to gather quickly on short notice.

Members of the Jun family--five generations, that gathered in the ancestral hall had somber looks on their faces. It almost looked like they had come together to mourn the death of a loved one.

The air was heavy with incense, and silent with respect. A gentle breeze swept through the cool hall whose walls were lined with rose wood. They whispered tales of filial piety and sacrifice that had raised the family to what it was now.

At the far end, out in front was the ancestral altar and above it, many small wooden tablets with identities of dead relatives.

The elders walked into the hall, led by the patriarch himself. A small procession followed him, carrying offerings like wine and paper money. Everyone got to their feet and so did Mingzhu.

She was very confused about what was going on and she watched it all with wide eyes. She wondered where her daddy was. Her small feet tried to carry her outside in search of him but her mother firmly turned her forward.

Mingzhu watched as her grandfather lit the incense and slowly bowed. Others followed, one by one, repeating the same actions. Even her mother walked forward and lit incense after firmly handing her off to her uncle Mingzhe.

And then, Mingzhu was pushed forward gently. She was nervous and uncertain. Her eyes kept darting back to her mother who nodded, assuring her that all was well. She took the incense, handed her by her grandfather. Then she bowed as she had seen others do.

The scent surrounded her and some smoke tickled her nostrils. She wondered what the others whose lips had moved as they bowed had been saying. Were they words of prayer or introductions? If they were introductions, she wanted to tell the ancestors that she was a princess.

So she did, whispering the words to the rows of tablets that appeared to be looking down on her. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

After the incense offering, everyone brought their gifts to the alter. Mingzhu brought her favorite chocolates and the green alien man and a toy gun.

Mei Mei frowned and she looked curiously at her brother who handed her daughter the gifts.

Mingzhe shrugged. The decision to give these things as gifts had been Mingzhu’s. She wanted to protect the ancestors and she thought the green alien man and his gun were perfect for the job. Frankly, he was proud of the girl for giving up something that was personal. Something that she loved so much.

After that ceremony ended, the patriarch read out out some names of the first Jun’s that laid the foundation for the family. He added the names of the ones that were carrying on the legacy.

He looked at Mingzhu and said, "As a Jun, much is expected of you. You must carry on the legacy of the family. It is not just in your name." He leaned down and poked her chest with a finger, right where her heart was. "The family legacy is within you. The blood of our ancestors is inside of you as is their courage, bravery, loyalty and honor. Whether you choose to carry it or not, it lives in you."

Mingzhu felt a shift within her, deep and silent. She was a Jun, not just in name. She had a legacy to honor and carry on.

The ceremony continued with the burning of joss paper and it ended with Mingzhu’s name being added to the family records.

It took an hour and then everyone gathered in the large dining room for breakfast. The solemn looks on their faces were replaced with smiles and laughter. Mingzhu was overloaded with gifts. She was nestled in Mingzhe’s arms, acting like a shy baby.

No matter who tried to steal her away from him, they were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the servants helped Madam Feng and Jingzhe bring in the fruit platters. And they are what caught Mei Mei’s attention. She truly couldn’t tell why they had transported fruit from her house to the ancestral home. There was more than enough fresh fruit in this place to go around and it was all harvested from her mother’s garden or the gardens of the royal palace.

"The pastries and cakes are here." Madam Feng announced. Her eyes were on the fruit trays.

Mei Mei and everyone else like her that was in a state of confusion suddenly felt the fog lifting from their minds as understanding settled in. The fruits were not fruits, they were just pastries that had a very realistic resemblance to fruit!!

There were mangoes, pineapple slices, apples and some abnormal sized cherries. All had filling that tasted close enough to the real fruit and the skin was crunchy or flaky.

Madam Feng was on the receiving end of many appreciative glances all through breakfast. Grandma Jun looked like she wanted to drag her into the ancestral hall and adopt her.

But how could anyone blame her. The woman was a pastry genius?

Mei Mei could not tell if they were having breakfast or a photography session. Half of the people around were taking pictures of the pastries and posting them on line.

"Is this a cheese, yoghurt and cherry cake?" Rize asked she took a bite into one large cherry on an edible branch of three cherries.

Madam Feng’s eyes lit up. "You can tell that there is yogurt in the cherry cakes?"

Rize nodded. "I love yoghurt cakes. They are soft, tangy, sweet and jiggly."

"Like sponge cakes." Jun Yi chimed in, biting into an apple like pastry and moaning.

Mei Mei went around her mother and Su Manchu to pull madam Feng aside for a private word. They did not go far, just close to one of the wide windows where they could see the pets outside, feasting on their own share of breakfast.

Looking outside reminded her that their ancestral home doubled as an animal sanctuary. They had way too many pets at home. Jun Yi’s giraffe was growing quite nicely as was the energetic silver horse!!!

Mei Mei rubbed her eyes. She knew that horse, it was hers! This was a robbery. Someone in the family had stolen one of her horses!

"Daddy." She shouted in dismay. "Come take a look at this."