Unlike the Earthly tradition of choosing an auspicious date for a coming-of-age ceremony, this world seemed to place greater importance on filial piety.
Therefore, a regular capping ceremony was typically held on a man's twentieth birthday, signifying his transition to adulthood and the responsibility that came with it, while also serving as a reminder of his parents' nurturing grace. Once the twentieth birthday passed, the significance of an auspicious date diminished, and any day would suffice for the ceremony.
With the attention of the Grand Emperor Yang Zhong and Emperor Yang Jian, preparations for Yang Hong's capping ceremony were expedited, with all arrangements completed within a single day. However, under the tacit agreement of Yang Zhong and Yang Jian, Yang Hong's capping ceremony was not held in the imperial ancestral temple, nor was it a public affair before court officials. Instead, it took place in the Cold Palace, specifically at Yang Hong's Pavilion of Ignored Pleas.
This was twofold: firstly, both emperors wished to conceal Yang Hong's abilities. Secondly, the matter of Yang Hong's inability to cultivate martial arts was of great significance, and they did not want outsiders to know they had begun to pay attention to this prince.
The tenth day of the eleventh month, clear skies, auspicious for weddings and travel; inauspicious for breaking ground or building houses.
It was considered a good day. Yet, Yang Hong's capping ceremony had no relation to weddings or travel, as he was confined to the Cold Palace.
With a self-deprecating smile, Yang Hong went to inspect the vegetable gardens as usual early in the morning. The greenhouses, constructed with glass, were far more effective than the makeshift ones he used to build, allowing several types of vegetables to grow normally, though the yield was significantly less than that of vegetables planted in spring and summer. Afterward, he visited the tea garden to administer spiritual essence to the remaining tea trees, hoping to find another exceptional tea tree. However, he was disappointed. Exceptional tea trees were exceedingly rare.
At the hour of Si (9:00 AM), the Grand Emperor Yang Zhong, Emperor Yang Jian, Empress Dugu Jialuo, and the Grand Court Official of the Imperial Clan Court, Yang Tang, arrived together. Apart from these four, no one else was present; even the Crown Prince was not permitted to attend Yang Hong's capping ceremony, let alone any honored guests or attendants.
"Little Sixth, are you happy? Today is your capping ceremony. After the ceremony, you can marry a wife."
Upon finding Yang Hong pruning branches in the tea garden, the four were taken aback. This Yang Hong truly seemed indifferent to the capping ceremony.
"Hmm~ Greetings, Imperial Grandfather, Father Emperor, Mother Empress, and Grandfather Tang."
Seeing the four, Yang Hong politely paid his respects, as they were all elders.
"Greetings, Sixth Prince."
Grand Court Official Yang Tang nodded slightly in response. Sensing the peculiar atmosphere, he added, "Ahem~ Shall we begin?"
"Very well~ Let us begin."
Both the Emperor and Empress felt a touch of awkwardness, but considering Yang Hong's capabilities, they managed a smile.
"Sixth Prince, please bathe and change into ordinary clothing. Then, proceed to the north side of the courtyard later."
"Alright."
Yang Hong complied and went directly back to his small building to bathe. After all, it was his capping ceremony, the first he had ever participated in. As it was a traditional Chinese ceremony, he felt a degree of anticipation and respect was due.
After bathing, Yang Hong arrived at the prepared venue. A raised platform, an altar, and ritualistic vessels were all in place, awaiting his entrance. Due to the absence of guests, the roles of the welcoming guest and principal guest were omitted. Yang Hong entered the simple ceremonial space alone. Immediately, the waiting court musicians began to play.
Emperor Yang Jian personally approached the high platform and altar, glanced at Yang Hong, then at Yang Zhong and Yang Tang, and said, "Today, my son, Hong, undergoes his capping ceremony. We thank all our esteemed guests for their presence! Now, Sixth Prince Hong's capping ceremony officially begins!"
The address was extremely brief. Normally, a prince's capping ceremony would involve lengthy speeches, but Yang Hong was exceptional, and there were no true guests, so a perfunctory address sufficed.
Grand Emperor Yang Zhong, acting as the officiant, stepped forward, washed his hands, and took his place on the western steps. Yang Hong emerged, walked to the center of the area, faced south, and bowed to the observing guests. However, the only "guest" was Yang Tang, the Grand Court Official, making the scene somewhat comical. He then sat in a formal kneeling posture on the ceremonial mat facing west. The Grand Emperor combed Yang Hong's hair and then placed the comb on the southern side of the mat.
Yang Tang, as the principal guest, stood up. The Empress, as the host, rose to accompany him. After washing and drying their hands on the eastern steps, they exchanged bows and returned to their respective seats.
Next, Yang Hong turned to the east and sat formally. A palace maid offered a headcloth, which Yang Tang took. Holding the rear of the cloth with his right hand and the front with his left, he approached Yang Hong and recited the congratulatory verse loudly.
"In this auspicious month and day, your first robe of adulthood is donned. Cast aside your childish thoughts, and embrace your mature virtues. May your longevity be auspicious, and your blessings be abundant."
He then knelt (his knees touching the mat) and placed the headcloth on Yang Hong before rising and returning to his original position. Yang Zhong came to adjust Yang Hong's headcloth and led him back to his small building to change into a deep robe with a sash that matched the headcloth.
After emerging from the room clad in the deep robe, sash, and headcloth, Yang Hong returned to the high platform and performed a formal kowtow to his parents, facing them. This first kowtow expressed gratitude for his parents' nurturing. Although he felt a sense of resistance, considering he was still alive due to the lingering kindness of these two, Yang Hong bowed.
Then, Yang Tang reappeared, placed a cap on Yang Hong's head, and loudly recited another congratulatory verse.
"In this auspicious month and day, your attire is adjusted. Respect your bearing, cultivate your virtue. May your lifespan be ten thousand years, and may you receive eternal blessings."
Yang Hong changed into another set of clothes, a robe and sash that matched the cap. Yang Tang then placed a ceremonial hat on Yang Hong and recited another congratulatory verse.
"In the first month of the year, and the auspicious day, your robes are donned. With brothers present, your virtues are perfected. May your life be boundless, and may you receive Heaven's favor."
Yang Hong changed into his official attire, befitting the hat. His official attire was a set of pale purple princely ceremonial robes, exquisitely crafted and opulent. This was his first set of princely ceremonial robes, and perhaps his only one.
Following this were the three bows, the presentation of ritual wine, and the ritualistic drinking. Yang Tang himself picked up the ritual wine and, standing before Yang Hong's mat, recited a congratulatory verse.
"The sweet wine is plentiful, the offerings fragrant. Receive the sacrifice, and establish your good fortune. Embrace Heaven's grace, and live a long life."
Yang Hong bowed in thanks, accepted the ritual wine, and Yang Tang bowed in return. Yang Hong took his seat, poured some of the wine onto the ground as an offering, then symbolically touched his lips with the wine before placing it on the table. A palace maid then presented food, which Yang Hong took and symbolically ate a small portion.
Next came the part Yang Hong had been anticipating – the bestowing of his courtesy name. He was eager to know what Yang Zhong and Yang Jian would name him. Yang Tang, the functional character, reappeared.
Yang Tang: "The rituals are prepared, on this auspicious month and day, your courtesy name is announced. May your name be fitting and noble, suitable for a distinguished young man. May it be honored and protected forever, bearing the name: Ya Du."
Yang Hong: "Though I am not wise, I dare not neglect it day or night."
Hearing his courtesy name, Yang Hong paused, then recited his response according to the ritual. "Ya Du?" In his heart, Yang Hong scoffed. "Magnanimity? Tolerance?" If it weren't for appearances, Yang Hong suspected Yang Jian would have given him those other two names. Were they trying to make him forgive them? They had discovered his abilities and were now acting in a self-serving manner. Looking at the capping ceremony with only one principal guest, the Grand Court Official of the Imperial Clan Court, Yang Hong felt like laughing. With such a narrow-mindedness, how could they expect him to possess magnanimity? Yang Hong once again witnessed the shamelessness of royalty.
Afterward, due to the lack of guests, there were no banquets, thank-you gifts, or farewell ceremonies. Grand Court Official Yang Tang recorded Yang Hong's courtesy name in the clan genealogy and then hurried away. He too had perceived the disharmony in the atmosphere.