Peace Order

Chapter 1706 - 57: Prince Qin’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Nan Hanwen didn’t know how to respond.

He had a subtle feeling, unsure whether Qu Hanxiu had brought him here today to openly enjoy free dumplings without having to pay, or if there was something he wanted to discuss.

Looking at the old man in front of him, who was displaying his extraordinary skill with dumplings, he felt that such an old fox is truly like a thousand-year-old fox, each one more cunning than the other.

Indeed, given the court environment filled with royal family infighting and aristocrats in Central State, it is impossible for someone from an ordinary background to reach his current status and reputation without some ability.

He surely possesses his own skills and charm.

Even though anyone with ability and background would still find it difficult to ask Yan Daiqing for money at this critical moment.

Qu Hanxiu confidently said:

"I won’t leave an infamous legacy because of this."

"But I will be remembered through the ages."

"Hahaha, don’t underestimate an old man who has spent his whole life seeking a reputation! A person should focus on their expertise, and in this field, I am far superior to you." Qu Hanxiu laughed heartily, stood up, patting Nan Hanwen’s shoulder, and left gracefully.

Nan Hanwen remained silent for a long time, sighing deeply: "Perceiving intricate details in simple things..."

"Such skill truly befits the name of a scholar."

Yet soon, he caught a faint whiff of meat, his expression froze, noticing an oily stain in the spot where the old man had patted him, realizing that just now when the old man patted his shoulder as if to encourage him,

he was actually using his shoulder to wipe oil off his hands.

He quickly found that the whole table was cleared of snacks, and the shop assistant was already there waiting for the bill, saying the elderly gentleman mentioned earlier that the debts of five days of dining would personally be settled by Mr. Nan.

Nan Hanwen looked at the bill, his cheeks twitching:

"Old rascal!"

...

Qu Hanxiu, with confidence and composure, presided over Prince Qin’s coming-of-age ceremony, dignified and solemn, with the sound of bells spreading, carrying hints of the golden age, officials and nobility stood solemnly beside, Qilin-patterned banners covering the sky, and the entire city’s populace came.

Only Qu Hanxiu’s voice was heard, slowly and calmly chanting the "Prince Qin Ode," which he had pondered for today. After that, the three armies entered the battle formation music, the world sang Breaking Formation Music, the heavens and earth harmonized, and the mountains responded.

According to etiquette and procedure, they shouted "Your Majesty Prince Qin," yet despite the battle formation music and Breaking Formation Music being played multiple times, and the bells reaching their conclusion, Prince Qin still hadn’t responded and still hadn’t appeared.

Yan Daiqing and others who knew the general situation were aware of what was happening, but to most of the populace and Qilin Army soldiers involved in the coming-of-age ceremony, it was puzzling.

They whispered among themselves, their eyes betrayed confusion.

Where is His Majesty Prince Qin?

Why is there no coming-of-age ceremony?

Wasn’t today supposed to reveal news of His Majesty Prince Qin?

They certainly didn’t doubt Prince Qin, but regardless, they came here with fervent blessings, making time for this in advance; many even came from other realms such as Jiangnan, the Western Regions, and the southwest.

They knew in advance about Prince Qin’s coming-of-age ceremony.

These people, based on the distance from their residences to this place, left in advance, riding donkeys, using bamboo rafts, or just relying on their legs, spending a long time crossing vast distances just to be here.

Arriving at Prince Qin’s Jiangnan, to once again see the young man of the past, to bless his coming-of-age ceremony, seeing the young monarch who has step by step changed their lives with an awe-inspiring demeanor.

They also carried the expectations of their elders, eager to see if the person spoken of in legends, said to potentially create a Taiping era, had him when they arrived, their desire was immense, and the slightest frustration now became apparent.

The light in their eyes dimmed slightly.

Nan Hanwen’s eyes drooped slightly, noticing the change in these people’s eyes, seeing only bewilderment, a sense of helplessness, and uncertainty about how to apologize to the elders upon returning.

Almost all of them were carrying the Qilin flags made in their villages.

And they made it from the town’s collective fabric.

But at this moment, those Qilin cloud-patterned flags were halted before being unfurled, and the movements of individuals, subtle and individual changes in emotions were not noticeable.

However, when so many people simultaneously experienced such emotional changes, it subtly transformed into a torrent.

Suddenly Nan Hanwen understood Qu Hanxiu’s meaning.

He understood the description of Prince Qin stepping onto the surging tide; what it meant was that the absence of Prince Qin was of concern not due to the criticisms from scholars but due to the people’s regrets and disappointments.

Yet the elderly man wearing the Ministry of Rites’ ceremonial attire was unperturbed, merely proclaiming: "Despite the absence of His Majesty Prince Qin, let the music play; let the army perform the battle formation music; let the Qilin Army strike the earth with their weapons; let the bell music convey the sound of the king’s majesty."

Qu Hanxiu’s orders were succinct yet perfectly timed.

The bell’s melody continued smoothly, exuding a sense of dignity and solemnity, while the Qilin Army soldiers raised their spears, tapping them lightly on the ground, combining the military’s killing intent with the monarch’s authority.