Chapter 114: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony!

The melody of the "Dawn Sonata" evoked a sense of rebirth, hope, and vibrant vitality.

It felt like the rising sun, on the verge of blooming with dazzling radiance. It was like a fledgling bird sprouting wings, about to leave its home just as its ancestors had before it.

Surrounded by a procession of court ladies, the protagonist of the evening, Her Royal Highness Princess Zhongyu Xiuxue of the Phoenix Empire, finally made her entrance.

She wore an exquisite and elegant white princess gown. The bodice was pleated, creating a layered effect, while the cinched waist highlighted her soft, slender silhouette. The lower half of the dress was voluminous, resembling the tail of a white mermaid in full bloom.

Atop her head rested a small crown adorned with white and blue diamonds, lending her an air of elegance and grace, yet brimming with regal majesty.

With eyes as bright as stars and teeth as white as pearls, her beauty was a gift of nature. Her poise was unmatched, a beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms. She was the very embodiment of the verses: "A peach tree young and tender, its blossoms glowing bright," and "Her bearing refined, her spirit true; her skin like jade, her form perfectly cast."

Her makeup was light and subtle, like spring flowers in a quiet garden. Every detail was refined; even the onlookers murmured of her willow-like grace.

In that moment, all eyes were fixed upon her. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and the most noble. There was no exception.

Phoenix smiled and nodded at everyone she met, thanking them for attending her coming-of-age ceremony. When her gaze fell upon Tang Fei and Fatty, she gave them a playful wink.

"We now invite Her Royal Highness the Princess to deliver her coming-of-age address," the master of ceremonies announced, beginning the evening's proceedings.

Guided by the protocol officer, Phoenix walked to the podium. Her beautiful eyes swept across the room once more, and she spoke in a clear, melodious voice: "Thank you all for coming to my coming-of-age ceremony. Honestly, I would have preferred it to be a birthday party."

"Birthday parties can be held every year, and they are much more relaxed and simple. You sing happy songs, eat delicious food, and laugh freely without restraint."

"The term 'coming-of-age ceremony' is heavy with ritual. It is something you do once, and never again. Anything involving such ceremony makes people feel more formal, more rigid, and more cautious—terrified of saying the wrong word or making the wrong move."

"But, since it only happens once in a lifetime, one must take it seriously. From today on, I am an adult. I am still me, yet it feels as if I am no longer who I was."

"From now on, I am no longer an ignorant, naive little girl. I must demand more of myself, using the mindset and lifestyle of an adult. I will say what I ought to say and do what I ought to do. I will be a good daughter to my father and a good princess to the empire."

"Of course, that kind of life sounds a bit too boring. So, I will still be mischievous at times. I might even get drunk with my friends, visit dangerous places, and love whoever I wish to love."

Phoenix clenched her right hand into a fist and raised it high, like a vow: "I will be the coolest princess the Phoenix Empire has ever seen."

Thunderous applause erupted.

"Princess Xiuxue is so adorable; she truly is the coolest princess."

"Just for this speech alone, she already is..."

"This coming-of-age speech is completely different from previous princesses; it wasn't boring at all."

"Her Highness Xiuxue is truly daring—'visit dangerous places, love whoever I wish to love'?"

"What does 'love whoever I wish to love' mean? Does the person she likes conflict with the interests of the royal family? Is that why she couldn't help but shout it out in public? Is this a tearful accusation against arranged marriages?"

"Why speculate? She is a princess; of course, she can love whoever she wants. With looks like that, what man could possibly be worthy of her?"

"Exactly because she is a princess, it isn't that easy. Why are we talking about this?"

"Are they talking about Tang Fei? Isn't there a scandal about her and that refugee boy from the Old Lands? The royal family surely wouldn't approve, right?"

"Brother, Princess Phoenix is so cool," Fatty said, looking at Phoenix on the stage, unable to hold back his praise.

"Indeed," Tang Fei nodded.

To make such a statement at such a grand occasion was, in truth, an act of great courage. Tang Fei could hear it, and he suspected many others understood it, too. This speech conveyed only one attitude: that her life would be lived on her own terms.

Was this a silent exchange between father and daughter? Probably not. If that were the intent, she wouldn't have had Sheng Xinhuai look after him and Fatty earlier. So, this was purely an opportunity to make a statement to the world: I am who I was, and I likely will remain so—don't have too high expectations of me. Was that the message?

"We now invite Her Royal Highness the Grand Princess, Zhong Sinian, to perform the coronation rite," the master of ceremonies announced.

The coronation rite involved one or more respected female elders replacing the princess's ordinary crown with the "Phoenix Dancing in the Nine Heavens" crown. This task was usually performed by the princess's mother, symbolizing a perfect inheritance.

As Phoenix's mother had passed away young, her aunt, Zhong Sinian, was tasked with the rite.

"Let me do it instead," a majestic voice echoed through the hall.

Following this, a large number of palace guards filed in and split to both sides. Zhong Daolong, dressed in a black suit and accompanied by the eldest prince, Zhong Tianque, walked slowly toward Zhongyu Xiuxue.

"Your Majesty the King," all the guests bowed in unison.

As Tang Fei pulled Fatty along to mimic the bowing, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhong Daolong. Was this Phoenix's father? The ruler of the Phoenix Empire? One of the most powerful men on the planet? He looked quite ordinary, refined and handsome.

Wait, was he smiling at him?

Zhong Daolong waved his hand dismissively and said, "There is no need for such formalities. I hadn't intended to come out. I know that my presence makes everyone nervous—afraid they can't drink or enjoy themselves properly. I have at least that much self-awareness."

Zhong Daolong’s approachable words drew laughter from the hall.

"Will the King have a drink with us?" someone bold enough shouted.

"Yes, with the King here, we can enjoy ourselves even more!"

"To see the King is worth the trip. Tonight is now perfectly complete..."

For many, they had come specifically for the chance to see Zhong Daolong. What could Princess Phoenix offer them? But with Zhong Daolong present, the significance of the banquet changed entirely. If they could use this opportunity to build a connection or simply become a familiar face, it would be of great help to their future.

Zhong Daolong nodded and said, "Since I am here, I will certainly have a drink with you all. However, before that, I would like to say a few words to Phoenix."

The hall fell silent instantly. Most of those present were shrewd enough to know when to stir up the atmosphere and when to stay quiet and listen to matters of the heart.

Zhong Daolong walked up to Phoenix and looked at her with eyes full of tenderness. After a long, long time, his eyes suddenly turned red.

"So like her, so very like her," Zhong Daolong said, his voice hoarse. "You look exactly like your mother."

"Father," Phoenix felt a surge of heartache and reached out to take Zhong Daolong’s large hand.

Her mother had passed away shortly after she was born. Her memories of her were actually very vague, yet there was always a faint shadow in her mind, a subconscious whisper telling her, *this is mother*.

As she grew up, she watched the footage her mother left behind over and over again, slowly piecing together a vivid image. It looked familiar, but in reality, it was a stranger. Usually, the father and daughter rarely mentioned her, as if she were a family taboo. Whenever she was mentioned, everyone would fall into a heavy, wordless silence.

Yet today, her father had brought it up himself, noting the resemblance.

*Mother*—that word was both a gap in her memory and a floodgate for her tears. Phoenix's heart ached, a sourness rose in her throat, and she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Zhong Daolong reached out to wipe her tears, smiling as he said, "When your mother and I married, she wore a white wedding dress very similar to this one. Seeing you reminds me of her."

"This coronation rite should have been performed by your mother. Unfortunately, she left us long ago, so I arranged for your aunt to take her place. I hoped she could stand here in her stead to complete this sacred and solemn ritual."

"But as I sat in the back, I felt uneasy. I kept thinking, how wonderful it would be if your mother were here. At such an important moment, with your mother absent, how lonely your heart must be?"

"So I told your eldest brother that I had to come out. I had to come out to watch you, to perform the coronation for you myself. In the history of the Phoenix Empire, no King has ever performed the coronation for his own daughter."

"Just now, while I was in the back, I heard you declaring that you wanted to be the coolest princess the Phoenix Empire has ever seen. I may not be able to be the coolest King in the Phoenix Empire, but I can do what I can."

"I will perform the coronation for our little Princess Xiuxue. I will be the first King in the history of the Phoenix Empire to crown his own daughter."

"Father!" Phoenix threw herself into Zhong Daolong’s arms.

"Silly child, no crying," Zhong Daolong gently patted Phoenix's shoulder. "I just said you wanted to be the coolest princess. You don't look very cool when you're crying."

"I want to cry," Phoenix said, her voice choked with sobs. "I'm still cool even when I cry."

"Fine, my daughter is cool even when she cries. I'll have anyone who says otherwise dragged out and beheaded!"

Phoenix looked up at her father in shock.

"Hahaha, I’m only joking, my dear," Zhong Daolong said, looking at her swollen eyes with a laugh. "It's my precious daughter's birthday party; what's wrong with telling a joke to make her happy? Surely no one would take that seriously, would they?"

"You shouldn't say things like that," Phoenix warned.

"Very well, I will listen to my daughter," Zhong Daolong nodded, then added with sincere earnestness, "But, as your father, I have one promise that will never expire: no matter where you are wronged, I will help you exact retribution a thousand times over."

"As the King, my word is law. I mean what I say."