Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 532 - 368 Coronation Ceremony

Gu Chengyu toasted each of the officials present one by one, and then picked a few straightforward ones to chat briefly. The honorary banquet approached its end with everyone harboring their own thoughts.

Today’s banquet made it impossible for Gu Chengyu to abstain from drinking, even if he wanted to. Although most dared not toast him due to Xia Qing’s imposing presence, Gu Chengyu was still valued by the Emperor, or else he wouldn’t have received a personal courtesy name. Therefore, there remained twenty or thirty individuals who dared to clink glasses and converse merrily with Gu Chengyu regardless of Xia Qing’s power.

Gu Chengyu, reeking of alcohol and carrying thirty taels of plaque silver, returned to the mansion with Ye Zhiqiu in a carriage.

Tomorrow, Gu Chengyu must report to the Honglu Temple to learn court assembly, banquet, and sacrificial rites, and to receive his official title. The following days would be busy, so Gu Chengyu returned home, washed up, and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, Gu Chengyu and his companions went to the Honglu Temple. After two days of studying the rituals, the ceremony was considered complete. After tomorrow’s coming-of-age ceremony, the day after, Gu Chengyu would attend the ceremony at the Meridian Gate to receive his official uniform.

On April 27th, the coming-of-age ceremony was held.

Since Mr. Gu and the others were far away in Jingyuan Prefecture, the responsibility for this ceremony was entrusted to Liang Zhirui. Gu Chengyu had already communicated the details of the ceremony to Mr. Gu and obtained their consent.

Gu Chengyu did not invite many people to today’s coming-of-age ceremony. Only classmates, a few contemporaries met in the Capital, three senior brothers, and Jiang Mingyuan were present, which was a small gathering.

The honoree was Gu Chengyu himself. The hosts had to be male relatives, but with no Gu Family members in the Capital, Gu Chengyu could only overlook this aspect.

The principal guest, responsible for officiating the coming-of-age ceremony, was none other than Liang Zhirui, a respected elder.

The assistant, responsible for helping the honoree comb his hair and change clothes, was selected to be Sun Xian, who was both a senior brother and brother-in-law, making him a fitting choice.

There were three attendants, responsible for presenting the headdress. Gu Chengyu naturally chose Zhu Pang, Ye Zhiqiu, and Zheng Lun, as these were the few close associates he had.

Other attendees included the three senior brothers and their families, as well as Jiang Mingyuan and several contemporaries. Compared to other noble sons, Gu Chengyu’s ceremony was scantily attended. His family was not in the Capital; otherwise, the entire clan would have been invited for such an important occasion.

The ceremonial instruments and clothing were long prepared by Gu Chengyu. He had written to Mr. Gu half a month ago, asking Uncle Gu to notify the ancestral hall.

Some preliminary rites were beyond Gu Chengyu’s reach, necessitating a simplified process. Although crucial, the urgency called for compromise, as holding the ceremony in advance was already uncustomary, so simplicity was the decision.

The ceremony location was naturally the Gu Mansion, with the second main hall arranged for ablution and towel draping, akin to a temple. A chamber was sectioned off in the hall’s northeast corner. Gu Chengyu’s official uniform due the next day required him to wear a scholar’s gown as a substitute for the formal garment.

The black silk robes, deep garment, sash, shoes, comb, and brush were all displayed on a table in the eastern chamber’s east side, with the north being the primary position. Wine cups and plates were similarly arranged north of the ceremonial attire. The turban, hat, and crown were each placed on trays, covered with a cloth, and set on a table below the western steps.

Once everything was arranged, and with attendees present, the ceremony commenced at the designated hour.

"Chengyu! Everyone is here, and it’s time, let’s begin!" Sun Xian informed Gu Chengyu, who was dressed in just an undergarment (in place of a child’s attire), that the guests had arrived.

Gu Chengyu smiled, "Thank you, Brother Sun."

Once Sun Xian exited, and Liang Zhirui and the others were ready, the ceremony was announced to start.

Liang Zhirui performed a bow to Gu Chengyu, who stepped out of the room to stand to the right of the mat, facing it. Sun Xian then took the comb and brush, placing them on the left of the mat, stood up, and stood to the left of Gu Chengyu. Liang Zhirui then bowed to Gu Chengyu, who knelt on the mat.

Sun Xian knelt on the mat like Liang Zhirui, advanced to comb, tie the hair, and apply the brush. The guest descended the steps, the host also did, washed hands, bowed to the guest, ascended, and resumed position.

The officiant, Gu Wan, presented the headdress with a tray. The guest descended one step, received the crown, composed himself, and faced Gu Chengyu, proclaiming, "Auspicious month and day, to begin wearing the ceremonial attire, abandoning childhood desires, pursuing virtues, wishing longevity and prosperity, to welcome blessings." Then knelt to place the crown on Gu Chengyu.

Sun Xian knelt with a towel, Liang Zhirui received it, applied the towel, rose, resumed position, and saluted Gu Chengyu. Gu Chengyu went to the eastern chamber, removed the four layers of clothing, changed into a deep garment, tied a broad belt, put on shoes, exited the room, composed himself, and stood facing south for a long time.

The coming-of-age rituals were intricate; without Gu Chengyu’s parents, many steps were omitted.

At the naming stage, Liang Zhirui recited, "With rites complete on this auspicious day, we announce your courtesy name. This affectionate name is fitting for a noble youth, to be cherished forever, henceforth known as Jinyu."

Gu Chengyu responded, "Though I am not quick, how dare I not strive day and night."

Then, he bowed to Liang Zhirui, who returned the gesture and resumed position.

Final instructions were omitted, Gu Chengyu offered bows to all attending guests in thanks, and after their responses, the ceremony was completed.

Relieved, Gu Chengyu invited guests to the flower hall for tea.

"Now that you have conducted the coming-of-age ceremony, you are naturally an adult. Henceforth, you must be cautious in speech and action, avoid recklessness," Liang Zhirui advised, summoning Gu Chengyu to his side. Gu Chengyu, being so young to hold such a ceremony, was rare in the Dayan Dynasty.

"Yes! I will remember your teachings!" Gu Chengyu bowed again to Liang Zhirui before going out to attend to the guests.

On the 28th, at the Meridian Gate, Gu Chengyu was conferred the sixth-rank court crown, robe, insignia, belt, and boots. Henceforth, he became a true sixth-rank official.

The next day, the top scholar led the scholars to the court assembly, with Gu Chengyu to present a Thanksgiving Letter today.

This Thanksgiving Letter took Gu Chengyu two days to draft satisfactorily. Xia Qing was opposed to him, and most at court knew this. Once in officialdom, it certainly wouldn’t be easy; thus, one must seek backing. In the imperial court, whose support could be more substantial than Xia Qing’s?

Of course, it would be the Emperor! As long as Gu Chengyu secured favor with the Emperor, he need not worry about future advancement. Therefore, he devoted considerable effort to ensuring the Thanksgiving Letter satisfied the Emperor.

Officials entered through the Meridian Gate, with civil and military officers aligning by rank through the Left and Right Gates. Normally, Gu Chengyu’s rank would not permit attending court, but today, presenting the Thanksgiving Letter, he joined the officials.

Entering the Left Gate, Gu Chengyu glanced at the central imperial road, reserved for the Emperor, notably wider than their Left Gate.

Inside the gate, Gu Chengyu stood with the officials in rank order, waiting for the whip’s signal. Only then could they orderly cross the bridge, advancing to the Danbi steps.