117 HAIRPIN CEREMONY

IN XING, when girls turned 15, they often undergo a coming of age ceremony.  A hairpin ceremony was held to symbolize their entry to adulthood.  A hairpin would be pinned on the girl's beautifully arranged hair and that would signal that she was now ready to be a wife to a man.  Not many could afford a grand hairpin ceremony.  Mostly, only girls from distinguished families could have one.  

There were two steps to the hairpin ceremony.  The girl's hair would be gathered up onto the top of her head into a bun, then the hairpin would be inserted into her hair.  

Inside the Fenghua Palace, the Empress was standing in front of an eight treasure style couch.  The seventh princess was wearing a very elegant robe and was standing below her.  On the sides, there were noble married women and their daughters attending the ceremony.  Among them was Aurum.  She was sitting beside Madame Lin.