Above the Galaxy
Chapter 152 - 114, Coming of Age Ceremony!

Chapter 152: Chapter 114, Coming of Age Ceremony!

"The Melody of Dawn" offered a sense of rebirth, hope, and vibrant life.

Just like the rising sun, about to burst forth with dazzling brilliance.

And like a fledgling growing wings, soon to leave home just like its ancestors.

Surrounded by a procession of court female officials, tonight’s protagonist, Princess Xiu Xue of the Phoenix Empire, finally made her appearance.

Dressed in a delicately elegant white princess gown, with pleated details at the chest for a layered look. The waist was cinched, highlighting her soft, slender figure. The lower part was fluffed, resembling a white mermaid with her tail spread out.

On her head, she wore a small crown interspersed with blue and white diamonds, looking elegant and stately, yet full of nobility.

Bright eyes, white teeth, naturally beautiful.

Graceful in bearing, stunning in charm.

Indeed, "peach blossoms that are lovely and radiant," and also "with a thick manner and distant intentions, pure and real, with delicate skin and well-proportioned flesh"...

Fine light makeup, casual flowers hinting at spring. A closer look shows all is fine, and everyone says she has a willowy figure.

At this moment, all eyes were on her alone.

She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and the most esteemed.

Without equal.

Phoenix exchanged smiles with each person she made eye contact with, thanking them for attending her coming-of-age ceremony. When her gaze fell on Tang Fei and Little Fatty, she playfully winked.

"Now, please allow Princess Xiu Xue to deliver her coming-of-age speech," the etiquette officer began to preside over the evening’s proceedings.

Led by the etiquette officer, Phoenix walked to the lectern prepared in advance.

Those beautiful eyes once again surveyed the surroundings, and with a crisp, melodic voice, she said, "Thank you all for attending my coming-of-age ceremony, but I really wish this were just a birthday party..."

"Birthday parties come every year, and they are much more relaxed and simple. Singing happy songs, eating delicious food. Laughter and cheer, free and easy."

"The phrase ’coming-of-age ceremony’ is filled with a sense of ritual. If it’s done this year, it can’t be done next year... anything ritualistic makes things feel more formal, more strict, more careful, afraid that I might say something wrong, do something wrong..."

"But, we only have it once in a lifetime, so it must still be taken seriously... From today, I am of age. I am still me, yet it seems I am not."

"From now on, I will no longer be a naive little girl, but I will demand strict adherence to an adult’s way of thinking and lifestyle. I’ll say what I should say, do what I should do. Be a good daughter to my father and a good princess to the Empire."

"Of course, such a life sounds a bit too boring. So, I will occasionally be mischievous, might even get drunk with friends, go to dangerous places, love whom I wish to love..."

Phoenix raised her right fist high, as if taking an oath: "I will be the coolest princess in the history of the Phoenix Empire."

The applause roared.

"Princess Xiu Xue is so adorable, definitely the coolest princess..."

"Just with this coming-of-age speech, she already is..."

"This coming-of-age speech is completely different from previous princesses’, not dull at all..."

"Princess Xiu Xue really dares to speak out, going to dangerous places, loving whom she wishes to love..."

"What does ’loving whom she wishes to love’ mean? Could it be that the person she likes does not align with the royal family’s interests, so she couldn’t help but cry out in public? Is it a tearful accusation against arranged marriages?"

"What’s there to guess? She’s a princess; of course, she can love whom she wishes... With her looks, which man could possibly match her?"

"Exactly because she is a princess, it’s not so easy... How did we end up on this topic?"

"Are they talking about Tang Fei? Isn’t she rumored to be involved with that young refugee from the Old Land? The royal family surely wouldn’t agree, right?"

-------

"Brother, Sister Phoenix is really cool," Little Fatty couldn’t help but praise as he watched Phoenix on the stage.

"Yes," Tang Fei nodded.

To make such a statement at such a solemn event was indeed a brave act.

Tang Fei could tell, and many others probably understood as well.

This speech only expressed one attitude: that my life must have my own stance.

What? Were father and daughter shouting across the void to each other?

Probably not. If that had been her intention, she wouldn’t have had Sheng Xinhua take care of him and Little Fatty earlier.

So, this was purely an opportunity, using her coming-of-age ceremony to make a statement to the outside world. How I was before might still be how I will be in the future, so don’t expect too much from me...

Is that roughly the idea?

"Now, please allow Zhong Sinian, the Eldest Princess, to conduct the crown-raising ceremony for Princess Xiu Xue," the master of ceremonies announced the next part of the coming-of-age ceremony.

The so-called crown-raising ceremony is where one or several respected elder women replace the ordinary crown on the princess’s head with the Phoenix Dance Crown.

This task is usually performed by the Little Princess’s mother, signifying a perfect inheritance...

Since Phoenix’s mother had passed away early, it was her aunt Zhong Sinian who conducted the crown-raising ceremony.

"I’ll do it," a regal voice announced.

Afterward, large numbers of palace guards streamed in and then dispersed to either side.

Zhong Daolong, clad in a black suit, accompanied by the Eldest Prince, Zhong Tianque, was slowly walking toward Zhong Yu and Xiu Xue.

"Your Majesty," all the dignitaries in attendance bowed in greeting.

As Tang Fei held onto Little Fatty and imitated the others’ bows, he couldn’t help but raise his head secretly to take a closer look at Zhong Daolong.

Is this Phoenix’s father? The King of the Phoenix Empire?

One of the most influential people on this planet?

He looked quite ordinary, neatly dressed and rather handsome...

Hmm, is he smiling at me?

Zhong Daolong casually waved his hand and spoke, "Please, no need for formalities. I wasn’t planning to come out today. I know my presence makes everyone tense, perhaps unable to enjoy their drinks or fully have fun... I’m well aware of that."

Zhong Daolong’s approachable words drew a burst of laughter from the crowd.

"Would the King like to have a drink?" someone bravely shouted.

"Yes, with the King here, we’re even more cheerful..."

"Seeing the King makes this trip worthwhile... tonight is truly complete..."

...

For many, the sole purpose of their attendance was to see Zhong Daolong.

What could the Phoenix Princess offer them? But the presence of Zhong Daolong made this banquet significant.

If they could take this opportunity to make connections or get recognized by him, it would be greatly beneficial for their future...

Zhong Daolong nodded and said, "Since I’m out here, I certainly intend to share a drink with everyone. But before that, I’d like to speak a few words to Phoenix."

The hall fell instantly silent.

Most people present were astute, knowing when to stir up the atmosphere and when to stay quiet and listen.

Zhong Daolong approached Phoenix, looking at her with a face full of affection.

After a long, long time, his eyes suddenly reddened.

"You look so much like her," Zhong Daolong’s voice was hoarse as he said, "You look just like your mother."

"Dad..." Phoenix’s heart felt sour as she moved forward to grasp Zhong Daolong’s large hand.

Her mother had died shortly after she was born.

Her memories of her mother were very vague, but in her mind, there was always a faint shadow, a subconscious voice telling her, "This is mom, this is mom..."

As she grew older, she watched the images her mother had left behind over and over again, slowly piecing together a vivid image.

It looked familiar, yet it was actually strange.

Usually, father and daughter seldom mentioned her, as if that person was taboo in the family.

Mentioning her would plunge everyone into speechless silence.

But today, her father not only brought it up but also mentioned that she resembled her mother...

"Mom," that word was a gap in her memory and also a floodgate for her tears.

Phoenix’s heart ached instantly, her nose turned sour, and tears involuntarily flowed down.

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

"Originally, your mother should have conducted this crowning ceremony, but unfortunately, she has long been gone. I arranged for your aunt to replace her... I hope she can stand here on behalf of your mother to complete this sacred and solemn ritual..."

"But just now, sitting at the back, I felt so restless. I kept thinking, how wonderful if your mother were here... How sad must you feel in your heart at such an important moment not having your mother?"

"So I told your elder brother that I must come out, I must watch over you, I must crown you... In the history of our Phoenix Empire, no King has ever crowned his own daughter..."

"While at the back earlier, I heard you shouting about wanting to be the coolest princess in the Phoenix Empire... I may not be the coolest King of the Phoenix Empire, but then I’ll do what I can..."

"I’ll crown our dear Princess Xiu Xue. I’ll be the first King in the history of the Phoenix Empire to crown his daughter..."

"Daddy..." Phoenix dove into Zhong Daolong’s arms.

"Silly girl, you mustn’t cry..." Zhong Daolong lightly patted Phoenix’s shoulder and said, "We’ve just said that you’re to be the coolest princess... Crying doesn’t look cool at all."

"I just want to cry..." Phoenix’s eyes were watery, and her voice choked as she said, "I look cool even when I cry..."

"Good, my daughter looks cool even when crying, anyone who says otherwise, I’ll have their heads chopped off..."

"..."

Phoenix suddenly looked up at her father.

"Hahaha, Daddy was just joking," Zhong Daolong, looking at Phoenix’s swollen eyes, laughed and said, "It’s my precious daughter’s birthday party, why wouldn’t I make a lighthearted joke to cheer her up? Surely no one took it seriously?"

"Such things mustn’t be said..." Phoenix cautioned.

"Alright, I’ll listen to my daughter," Zhong Daolong nodded but then added with a serious and sincere expression, "However, as your father, there’s one promise that will never fail, and that is, wherever you face injustice, Daddy will help you reclaim it many times over."

"The King does not joke lightly, his word is his bond."