Chương 681: 5 sons crowned

The sixth princess clung to the fourth princess's arm and flipped to the back, where she saw a drawing of herself squatting on the ground, looking silly. Her eyes narrowed into slits.

She pouted, "Dad! You drew me ugly! Your eyes are all slits!"

"I'll draw you something nice next time." Liu Ce pinched her cheek.

"We'll trade you food, one drawing for one plate."

The sixth princess immediately changed her tune, her eyes crinkling with laughter: "Well... well, ugly it is then! Father, draw a few more! I want to show them to Mother! Let her know how well Father Emperor paints!"

A soft laugh rippled through the side hall. Zhen Jiang smiled and said to Zhen Dao beside her, "His Majesty's painting skills are even better than those of the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works. Mei'er is truly blessed."

Zhen Dao nodded, his eyes full of tenderness as he watched the Fifth Princess skipping and jumping around: "It's good that Ran'er wants to learn medicine. For a girl, having a skill to rely on is better than anything else."

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling warmly on the children's smiling faces.

Looking at the six chattering girls in front of him, Liu Ce felt his heart melt.

so good.

Their own children don't have to be bound by social norms, they don't have to think only about getting married and raising children, they can learn what they want to learn and do what they want to do.

..................

Time flies, and four years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In early March of the fifteenth year of Shenwu, the spring chill had just receded, and the peach blossoms in Luoyang City were already budding, while the grass at the foot of the palace walls was sprouting green shoots.

The Imperial Clan Court chose an auspicious day for the coming-of-age ceremony of the five princes. This year, the five boys were exactly twenty years old, so holding the ceremony together would be more lively and save the expense and trouble of holding it five separate times. (In the Eastern Han Dynasty, coming-of-age ceremonies were typically held between the ages of 13 and 16.) The day before the coming-of-age ceremony, the five princes, dressed in black court robes, went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to fast.

Crown Prince Liu Chen, being the eldest son, was required to personally inform his ancestors.

He stood before the ancestral tablet of Emperor Gaozu, holding the prayer text, his voice steady: "Your Highness, Chen, now twenty years old, respectfully follows the ancestral rules to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony. Inheriting the legacy of our ancestors, safeguarding the land of the Han Dynasty, cultivating virtue and character, assisting the nation and bringing peace to the people. May you accept this offering."

The four younger brothers behind him stood ramrod straight, not daring to breathe.

The Second Prince Liu Heng was still thinking: After the coming-of-age ceremony, and two more years of internship, the first branch of Da Han Tong can be opened. First, it will be opened in Luoyang, then in Chang'an, and the third step will be to go directly to Chengdu and open up the Shu Road trade route.

The Third Prince Liu Yao thought to himself: "I've been fasting for three days, not even allowed to eat meat. My mouth is so bland, I'm dreaming about chicken legs. After the coming-of-age ceremony, I absolutely have to go out for a good meal and order a table full of meat!"

The fourth prince, Liu Yong, stood the straightest, like a soldier at attention, thinking to himself: "Finally, I've graduated from military academy after four years. Next month, I'll report to the Central Theater Command and work hard under Uncle Zhao so I can become a general soon."

The Fifth Prince Liu Yan was the calmest, his eyes fixed on the ground as he calculated in his mind: the spring wheat was growing well this year, and the yield per mu of the newly cultivated varieties was expected to increase again. He would have to go to the experimental field later to check the soil moisture.

The coming-of-age ceremony was held in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony Hall on the east side of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The hall was neatly arranged: red felt was laid out in the hall, and there were a coming-of-age ceremony mat and a wine ceremony mat. The guests sat facing south, and there were three sets of crowns and hats... a black cloth crown, a leather cap, and a wine cap, which were arranged in order on a lacquered plate.

Next to them were wine vessels with gold foil "Fu" characters pasted on them, which were shiny and clearly prepared by the Imperial Household Department.

The guests were all important officials of the court: Cai Yong, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui... They were all dressed in court robes, with solemn expressions, and sat upright in their seats. Even Cheng Yaojin, who was usually the most talkative, was unusually quiet, and his beard was neatly combed.

The five princes were arranged in order of seniority: Crown Prince Liu Chen, Second Prince Liu Heng, Third Prince Liu Yao, Fourth Prince Liu Yong, and Fifth Prince Liu Yan.

They were all dressed in dark robes with plain sashes around their waists, and had not yet put on jade pendants. They stood straight, and their youthful spirit was impossible to hide, like five tall and straight poplar trees.

The ceremony was presided over by Liu Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Clan.

Liu Yu is almost seventy years old this year. His hair and beard are all white, but he is full of energy and walks with a brisk pace.

Holding the black cloth crown, he walked up to the five princes and loudly recited the blessing:

"On this auspicious day of this month, you will begin your coming-of-age ceremony. Cast aside your childish ambitions and embrace virtuous conduct. May you live a long and blessed life, enjoying great fortune. As the Han Dynasty is renewed, never forget the importance of investigating things."

After reading the text, he crowned the five princes one by one.

When Liu Yu was giving the crown prince Liu Chen a boost, his hand was steady and his eyes were full of satisfaction. This child had been like his father since he was a child, steady and reliable.

When adding the crown to the Second Prince's head, Liu Heng subconsciously straightened his chest, afraid that the crown would be crooked.

When adding the third prince, Liu Yao was tall, so Liu Yu had to stand on tiptoe. He sighed inwardly: This kid is just like his father when he was young, broad-shouldered and burly. He looks like a good candidate for martial arts.

When it came time to add the fourth prince's rank, Liu Yong stood motionless, like a javelin. Liu Yu nodded: "This kid is cut out to be a soldier. He didn't waste his time at military academy."

When adding the filling to the Fifth Prince's food, Liu Yan lowered his head slightly, cooperating perfectly, gentle and mild, just like his personality, never vying for anything.

After the crowning was completed, Liu Yu took two steps back and looked at the five spirited princes, suddenly feeling dazed.

He recalled that twenty years ago, also at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he personally bestowed the crown upon Liu Ce.

Back then, Liu Ce was just a teenager, but his eyes already held a unique light.

Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. The boy from back then has become an emperor who reigns over the world, and even his sons are about to undergo coming-of-age ceremonies.

Time waits for no one... Liu Yu quietly wiped the corner of his eye, feeling both bittersweet: the Liu family has a worthy successor, and the ancestors can rest assured.

The second-tiered leather cap, also known as the military cap, was overseen by Li Jing, the Minister of War.

Li Jing, dressed in military attire with a sword at his waist, walked with a powerful stride, his boots clicking on the gold bricks.

He held the leather cap, his voice booming, and even his congratulatory words were revised to be more forceful:

"Add leather caps, and military affairs will be carried out. Defend the borders and guard the land, never Don't forget the glory of our ancestors. The iron cavalry of the Han Dynasty will crush the shifting sands."

When adding the title to the Crown Prince's title, Li Jing said solemnly, "Your Highness, the heir apparent must also know about military affairs; one cannot be ignorant of warfare."

Liu Chen bowed and said, "Thank you for your instruction, Minister Li."

When adding the ingredients to the Second Prince's plate, Li Jing said with a smile, "You're good at business, but you should also know a bit about military affairs. Otherwise, what will you do if you encounter bandits on the trade routes?"

Liu Heng chuckled: "Nephew, I'll remember! From now on, all escorts for merchant caravans will be assigned according to the Ministry of War's regulations!"

When giving the medicine to the Third Prince Liu Yao, Li Jing gave him a second look and patted him heavily on the shoulder:

"You didn't waste your time in Zhuozhou, kid... Here, take this leather cap. When you go to the borderlands, don't embarrass us old folks."

"Don't worry, Uncle Li!" The Third Prince patted his chest loudly.

"I'll bring back all the grapes from Rome for you to make wine! You can drink your fill!"

"Rome is too far, let's deal with the Kushan Empire first." Li Jing snorted, but couldn't help but curl his lips upward.

This kid has a fiery temper, he's daring and aggressive, he's a good prospect.