Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 133: To Clear Your Name

"Ayu, she is a princess after all. Is it really okay for us to keep her locked up like this?"

Xiao Yuan was a little scared, fearing that the whole family would be implicated in disaster again.

"No, it's not sixteen years ago. After Emperor Wen's policy of earthwork was implemented sixteen years ago, the sacrifice made by my mother created a lot of value for the Chen family. Princess Yunyin's value to the Chen family is about to come to an end.

What's more, we have evidence of her collusion with King Shixing!"

After Xiao Jinyu said this, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, convinced.

"What we need to do now is to hold a ceremony for Uncle Xian, inviting celebrities from Jiankang, prestigious people, and even scholars from poor families to attend the ceremony. At this ceremony, we will restore the reputation of our Xiao family's direct lineage!"

After hearing this, Xiao Xian looked at Xiao Jinyu in shock.

"The coming-of-age ceremony? To give our lineage a proper name?"

Xiao Xian was a little surprised and confused.

Xiao Jinyu nodded and smiled, "If my calculations are correct, Uncle Xian should be coming of age this year, but I don't know Uncle Xian's birthday yet."

"It will be five days later. Five days later will be Xianlang's birthday. All these years I... I actually forgot about it..." Xiao Yuanshi continued.

Thinking about how she had been crazy for the past decade and had not fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother, Xiao Xian must have never had a proper birthday party, and in the blink of an eye, he had come of age!

From a child who was ignorant of the world at a young age, to a handsome young man now!

"In the blink of an eye, I've become an adult!"

Xiao Yuan was deeply moved and burst into tears.

"Great, we are going to hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for Uncle Xian! It will definitely be very lively then..."

A Yuan jumped up happily, which gradually relaxed the slightly stagnant atmosphere and filled it with warmth and liveliness.

"I'm afraid, given the current situation of our Xiao family, there won't be many people willing to come to watch the ceremony!" Xiao Xian smiled bitterly.

"Who said that? Aren't we human beings?"

Following this joking voice, Li Mi and Cui Heng walked in from outside the courtyard. Seeing the courtyard full of soldiers standing with swords in their hands, they only showed a little surprise, and then regained their composure.

"It is an honor for both of us to have the opportunity to watch the coming-of-age ceremony of Xiao Xian of the Xiao family of Lanling!" Cui Heng also raised his hand and saluted and said.

"And us! My prince will also be the guest of honor!" Lu Yu continued.

Li Mi turned his gaze to Xiao Jinyu again: "Young lady, you are really smart and resourceful! You did a great job this time. If there are such things in the future, you must call me, Li Mi!"

"I have to thank Mr. Li and Mr. Cui for their great help this time!" Xiao Jinyu said with a smile.

At this time, Xiao Xian suddenly asked, "Ayu, this year is also your coming of age, right? Has your mother ever held a coming of age ceremony for you?"

"I……"

Xiao Jinyu fell silent, and the scene of Xiao Luan combing the original owner's hair immediately emerged in her mind. At that time, the ice and snow had just melted, and a few branches of wintersweets were swaying in the cold wind outside the window. Xiao Luan stared at the bunches of plum blossoms in a daze. The silver light cast an invisible mist on her gentle and beautiful face.

"My Ah Yu is about to reach the age of 15. The ceremony is the most beautiful moment in a girl's life. The noble ladies of the aristocratic families will begin to discuss marriages, but Ah Yu... what can Ah Niang give you?"

Xiao Luan didn't say anything else at that time. He just pinned an exquisite hairpin he had made himself on Xiao Jinyu's bun, and then hugged her tightly in his arms.

"Why don't I give you a name first, Changqing! I hope my Ah Yu can always be brave, cheerful, and clear-headed, fearless of all hardships, and able to protect herself!"

Xiao Jinyu felt a little sad: So this is the meaning of the word Changqing. Xiao Luan only hopes that his daughter can live happily and have the ability to protect herself!

The phoenix beside my ear had already said, "Don't ask. Your aunt passed away before your brother Qing reached his 15th birthday. However, your aunt has already given your brother Qing a nickname and prepared a hairpin..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent. Xiao Yuanshi felt as if her heart was being stabbed by a knife and she couldn't help crying out loud.

When Gao Changgong looked at Xiao Jinyu, a hint of pity and pain appeared on his face.

The atmosphere in the hall stagnated again, and there was a sense of sadness and sorrow!

"How about, after Mr. Xiao's coming-of-age ceremony is over, we can hold a coming-of-age ceremony for the young lady, then?"

"Great, great!" A Yuan clapped and cheered.

Xiao Xian also cast an inquiring look at Xiao Jinyu, and only after Xiao Jinyu nodded and said yes did he let out a bright smile.

"However, we still have to invite a very important person to Uncle Xian's coming-of-age ceremony."

"Who?"

"Xiao Jian!"

……

When Princess Yunyin did not return for one day, Xiao Jian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He called all the servants in the yard and questioned them all, only to find out that the woman had actually gone to Jianxi Hutong with her private soldiers!

This stupid woman!

Xiao Jian was so angry that he ran to Jianxi Hutong outside the mansion. The manager hurried back and bumped into him.

"Master, there is news about the Madam!"

"What news?" Xiao Jian asked nervously.

The steward handed a letter to Xiao Jian. Xiao Jian opened it and found it was an invitation.

There was only one sentence written on it: "Five days later, Xiao Xian will hold his coming-of-age ceremony. Please come and watch the ceremony! I will also leave the lady of the house here as a guest. Don't worry!"

What does it mean? Being a guest? Is it a real visit or a fake visit?

Xiao Xian had actually reached adulthood, that child! That child who was intelligent, kind, and knowledgeable enough to rival his father!

What a pity! It's not his child!

But...didn't they split up? Why did they invite him to the ceremony? Could it be that after so long, she had forgiven him?

No, that's impossible. Does that mean that woman Xiao Yuan has woken up?

She's awake, so now they all know his true identity. Is he going to take back everything he's worked so hard for over the years?

No, it's impossible! Absolutely impossible!

"I want to see His Majesty! I want to see His Majesty!"

Xiao Jian rushed to Taicheng, but the newly appointed Minister of the Interior said that the emperor would not see anyone recently.

After the death of King Shixing, Chen Xu suspended court for two days and at the same time liquidated the King Shixing's followers, including Chen Bogu, the Prince of Xin'an.

On the grounds that he failed to supervise Prince Shixing, Chen Xu dismissed Chen Bogu from his post as Shizhong, confiscated his property, and ordered him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion.

The imperial court has once again undergone a new round of purges, and many official positions have been vacant since then. Now the State of Chen is in urgent need of a large number of talents to enhance its national strength.

Fortunately, this debate with Buddhism was not in vain. There were more than 27,000 Buddhist temples in the entire Southern Dynasties, and more than half of the monks have returned to secular life and handed over their land.

Such a result made the Minister of Revenue Jiang Zong very happy. When he presented the memorial to the emperor, he exaggerated his own great achievements.

Xu Ling, who was standing by, could not bear to watch and said, "The reason why your majesty's new policy was implemented so smoothly is because of the help of Mr. Xie. Someone who is so good at debate and dares to speak out should be a role model for our court officials!"

"It's a pity that this boy is already under the command of Lanling King. Otherwise, he would have been recruited to serve as an official in our Chen Dynasty!"

This debate with Buddhism once again made Xie Zhen famous, but his whereabouts was a puzzling mystery. It was rumored that after the debate in Miaofa Temple, Xie Zhen seemed to have disappeared and never appeared again. Even the embassy where Lanling King was located could not find him!

Some people say that this person might be a hermit like Xie Taifu in the Jin Dynasty, and might be singing and traveling somewhere.

A few days later, many noble families received an invitation. It was Xiao Xian's coming-of-age ceremony, and all the major noble families in Jiankang were invited to attend the ceremony!

At the same time, Queen Liu Jingyan also received a letter, which said: The Queen’s promise will be fulfilled in due time!

So Empress Liu drafted a letter and asked the eunuch to deliver it to the spy commander Shi Jiaguan in person, and at the same time requested Chen Xu:

"Your Majesty, I have never asked you for anything. This time, Xiao Xianlang is getting crowned, and I want to go with Your Majesty to watch the ceremony!"

"This is also the promise I made to that young lady on behalf of Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to fulfill this promise to repay her for saving Your Majesty!"

While Chen Xu was wondering, Liu Jingyan added:

"That young lady also said that she wanted to make a deal with Your Majesty during this coming-of-age ceremony! I only hope Your Majesty... can handle it impartially when the time comes!"