CHAPTER 14 Moon Cake Festival

Zhang Ruyi was in court, handling some documents. It has already been three days but the files still as high as a mountain. Sitting there for a whole day made her back pain and it was boring to face the same faces on the court. She needs some fresh air and some rest. She wanted to watch the blue sky and blooming flowers, listening to the chirping birds.

She looked at the Ministers one by one. Some of them were sleepy, and some were playing with their fingers. Minister Pei tried to catch mosquitoes flying around his head in search of blood. Meanwhile, Minister Han had fallen asleep and only woke up when Minister Pei's elbow pushed him when he tried to slap a mosquito that landed on his face.

"I'm bored and feel tired. The Ministers inside this court with their old faces make my head ache more and more." She mumbled.

Zhang Ruyi finally got up from her seat and walked slowly to go to the entrance of the court. Staying there for another hour would have paralyzed her legs.

"Ahem! I want to get some fresh air. Please arrange the files on my desks and send them to my study room. Secretary Zhan, can you?"

Zhang Ruyi ordered the Imperial Secretary, Zhan Ruo to move all the important files to his study room. She will continue to do her work after having some fresh air outside.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhan Ruo took all the files and sent them to Zhang Ruyi's study room. There were too many files and Zhan Ruo had to make three rounds to send them to the study room.

"Haiyaa...there are a lot of documents. My bones may crack if I need to do this every day." He talked to himself.

Although she was already outside the court, her body still feeling tired. Her head was dizzy and her legs feel weak. She needs more rest before continuing to work again. Who knows being an Emperor was also tiring. A lot of files and documents need to be settled. As the Emperor of the Su Empire, she had to handle all unsolved problems from all the countries under her rule.

"Maybe I need to go back to my chamber and take a short nap. I'm exhausted now."

The young Emperor was very tired as she fallen asleep once she tossed her body onto her bed. Realizing the Emperor was sleeping at this early hour, Chun Xiao was pretty sure she must be too tired.

"Today is the Moon Cake Festival. Suzhou Street must be full of delicious food. Bixia should indulge herself sometimes. I better prepare a good robe for her now."

Chun Xiao finish her cleaning duty as fast as she can. She needs to help the Emperor to get changed for the Moon Cake Festival. Even if the Emperor doesn't want to go, she will force her to go. Talking about good robe, Zhang Ruyi doesn't like to wear bright-colored clothing. She prefer to wear black or dark robes. Hence, there was not much choice for her to dress. Even wearing dark-colored clothing, doesn't make Zhang Ruyi looked like an old man. It even makes her looking more like a strong man. However, for young people like her, it was better to wear something bright to show her youth.

Her cleaning duty is done. Now it was time to prepare the Emperor's outing robes. The Moon Cake Festival in Suzhou Street will be held on this evening. It might be cold later so she needs to wear something thick that can help her to stay warm. After searching for too long, she finally found the best robe for the Emperor.

"Got it! I think this one is fine. Bixia should add some bright color robes. Her wardrobe is full of black and dark colors clothes."

Chun Xiao took out the dark brown robe with golden floral designs and hung it in front of the mirror. She just have to wait the Emperor to wake up from her sleep. While waiting for her to wake up, Chun Xiao collected some herbal remedies. She will add herbal remedies to the Emperor's water bath.

Zhang Ruyi finally woke up. She got up from her bed, stretched her body, and yawned. Suddenly, her eyes caught the dark brown robes next to her wardrobe.

"Does Chun Xiao prepare it for me? What for?" She questioned herself.

A moment later, Chun Xiao entered the chamber and saw the Emperor has already woke up. With a big smile on her face, she greeted the Emperor.

"Greetings, Bixia. Bixia, you're awake! Come take your bath. I already prepared an herbal bath to freshen up."

With a clueless face, Zhang Ruyi followed her maid. She was still not fully awake.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Zhang Ruyi suddenly stopped.

"Bixia?"

Zhang Ruyi scratched her head with a half-awake face.

"Chun Xiao, slow down a bit, please. My eyes are still sticky. I can't see the way."

* * * * * * * * * * *

It finally a Moon Cake Festival. Xiaolian was ready to go. Last year, she celebrated the Moon Cake Festival on Fuzhou Street. This year, she wanted to go to Suzhou. She never comes to Suzhou's Moon Cake Festival before. This will be her first time. Yuyu will accompany her. Xiaolian wore a light pink robe and put on a white jade lotus hairpin on her head. She looked like a fairy from heaven with long straight black hair and light pink lipstick on her lips.

"Your Highness looks gorgeous with this dress and makeup."

Yuyu praised Xiaolian's beauty. She is indeed beautiful with light makeup.

"Thank you. You make me blush."

Yuyu lead Xiaolian to the carriage. They need to go now or they will miss the festival. Since it was their first-time celebrating Suzhou's Moon Cake Festival, they were very excited.

* * * * * * * * *

"We are done! Bixia is now ready for the moon cake festival." Shouted Chun Xiao in joy.

Zhang Ruyi was stunned. She looked at Chun Xiao and blinked her eyes.

"Ah? Do you mean we will go to the moon cake festival on Suzhou Street?" She asked.

"Exactly. Bixia was too busy and tired these few days. Bixia also always stresses. I think Bixia needs some space to be relaxed."

Zhang Ruyi slapped her head.

"Urgh...I still have some documents that need to be done but you bring me to have some fun?" She mumbled.

"Bixia,...don't be overworked. It's not good for your health. I want to go to the moon cake festival but I have no friends to accompany me. That is why..."

Zhang Ruyi sighed.

"Okay. I will come with you."

Chun Xiao was so happy. To warm herself, Chun Xiao brought her winter mantle for the festival. It was not winter yet but the night breeze on Suzhou Street can blow your bones.

They got in the carriage and leave the palace. The festival will not wait for them. The street should be crowded with people now. It will be difficult to park their carriage if the street was full.

They arrived just in time, the festival had just started and the streets were not yet full of people. Chun Xiao got out of the carriage with a happy face. She went to one of the stalls and suddenly saw Anli. He was here too! Since the Deputy General was here, they can celebrate the festival together. She wanted to surprise him so, she walked slowly to approach him from the back. Realizing Chun Xiao was acting weird, Zhang Ruyi tried to see who her maid just saw. In front of them, there was Anli who was busy choosing a moon cake flavor. Suzhou not only sells its famous Suzhou's Savory Pork moon cake but also some flavors like sweet red beans, yams, mushrooms, etc. They were all delicious and if you are a fan of moon cake, you will have a great time on Suzhou Street during this festival.

"Oh? So the Deputy General is here too? What a coincidence." Zhang Ruyi spoke to herself. Next to her, there was a stall selling chestnuts. She bought some and tossed them to Anli. As a sharpshooter, her target never misses. The chestnut hit straight to Anli's right shoulder. Anli complained of pain before he turns around. Chun Xiao's plan was ruined by Zhang Ruyi.

"Ouch! W-who?!"

Chun Xiao stopped and closed her eyes when Anli turned around. She bite her lips. "Oh gosh, who ruined my plan?!" She mumbled alone. Zhang Ruyi comes close with a cross hand.

"Me. Do I hit too hard just now? I'm sorry." Zhang Ruyi stifled her laugh.

Since it was the Emperor, Anli do not have anything to say. He joined them with a small smile on his face.

"What a coincidence, Bixia. It does hurt but since it was Bixia, it doesn't hurt anymore." He was trying to flirt with the Emperor.

Chun Xiao gave him a sarcastic glare. She then finally sighed hard because Zhang Ruyi ruined her plan.

"Bixia ruined my plan. I saw him and wanted to surprise him. Who knows Bixia will cut my way."

Zhang Ruyi lifted her eyebrows and gave her a naughty smile on her face.

"Oh? I think both of you need a space. I should go somewhere else then."

Both Chun Xiao and Anli looked at Zhang Ruyi and stopped her.

"No!" Said them.

Zhang Ruyi whistled and walk away. They chased her from the back.

* * * * *

Just like Suzhou, Changan Street also celebrates the Moon Cake Festival. Many stalls sell a variety of moon cake paste. Zhang Liang and Tianqi were walking in the street and they stopped when Zhang Liang saw a couple inside a dumpling restaurant. The male was feeding her partner and they looked so happy. It reminded him of something.

"Liang, say ahh..."

Zhang Liang turned around. His face was blushing.

"Are you shy? Hahaha. Just eat it. If you don't eat it now, it will be cold."

Zhang Liang picked a chopstick and took one of the dumplings and blew it.

"I can eat by myself."

The girl sighed. Noticing that she was unhappy, Zhang Liang pointed his chopsticks at the girl's mouth.

"If you want me to eat the dumpling, eat this first. Open your mouth." He said.

The girl opened her mouth and ate it with a smile on her face. For Zhang Liang, it was the most beautiful smile he ever seen and he didn't want to lose it.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you okay?"

Tianqi broke his reverie. He quickly left the dumpling restaurant.

"I...I'm feeling not well. I want to go home now." He said.

* * * * * * * * *

Xiaolian walked too fast and made Yuyu leave behind. She tried to chase the Crown Princess. Now the street was full of people and it was difficult to find the Crown Princess.

"Oh my...where is the Crown Princess?"

She walked and walked and hit Anli by accident.

"Your Lord, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hit Your Lord!"

Anli turned around with two sticks of candies in both of his hands.

"No worries. Miss, you look in hurry. Please be careful next time."

Yuyu nodded.

"I will. I'm indeed in a hurry because I was separated from my master. She walked too fast and I was left behind. Sorry again." She curtsied.

Anli smiled while nodding his head. Yuyu continued to chase the Crown Princess. Anli watched the girl leave from afar.

"She looks familiar but I don't know where I've seen her."

His thought doesn't matter. He wanted to go back to Zhang Ruyi and Chun Xiao.