CHAPTER 15 Long Wish

"Your Highness, where are you? Your Highness!"

Yuyu was still searching for the Crown Princess. They had been at the festival for almost an hour. The sky darkened and the stars and moon shone brightly. If anything happens to the Crown Princess, she has to answer to King Xie. Xiaolian was the only heir of the King and Queen. Therefore, she was loved by her parents.

In the middle of the street, there was a dance performance. Yuyu tries to escape from the crowd and go to the street centre. Her guts tell her the Crown Princess might be there.

"Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, madam."

No matter what happens, she must find Xiaolian. They cannot return to Fuzhou without the Crown Princess. After struggling to escape from the crowd, She ended up at the front of the crowd. Her eyes were still looking around. Just a moment later, she saw a young lady with a pinkish robe on the opposite side. Yuyu was very sure, she must be the Crown Princess! Without wasting her time, she ran to get her.

Xiaolian was entertained by the fan dancing performance. She didn't expect there will be a dance show at the festival. All the dancers dance gracefully.

"Your Highness!"

Yuyu calls for Xiaolian. Xiaolian turned around when she heard her name being called and waved to Yuyu when she saw her. The panic maid was panting. Tired of running here and there.

"Your Highness. Please don't leave me again. If something bad happens to Your Highness, I have to answer His Highness."

Still enjoying the dance performance, Xiaolian was half listening to what Yuyu just said. Yuyu held Xiaolian's hands and shook them.

"Your Highness, please listen to me. Did Your Highness know how worried I was just now?"

Xiaolian finally looks at Yuyu. She holds Yuyu's hands and smiles.

"S-sorry Yuyu. I was too excited and forgot about you. I also want to apologize for leaving you behind."

Yuyu shook her head.

"If something happens to me, there is no need to worry about it. What the most important is Your Highness's safety. Anyway, it's too late now. I think we need to return to Fuzhou now. His Highness and Her Highness may worry about us."

Xiaolian agreed and both of them got their carriage. At the same time, Chun Xiao and Zhang Ruyi are also enjoying the fan dance show while waiting for Anli. Anli said he wanted to toilet just now but it is already half an hour and he's still not coming back. Next to them, some men are talking to each other.

"Look! She is my daughter. My daughter is the prettiest lady in the Yan family." Man number 1 speaking.

"Hahaha. Haiya... Can't you see my daughter is there too? Don't you think she is a talented dancer in the group and has beautiful seductive eyes?" Man number 2 speaking.

Zhang Ruyi and Chun Xiao listen to them without saying anything. A few minutes later, Anli comes with two sticks of candies in his hands. Anli wants to call Zhang Ruyi but he stops when he sees the two men talking about the dancers. It looks like Zhang Ruyi and Chun Xiao are listening to them.

"I agree, your daughter has the most seductive eyes in this Suzhou but you see. All these beauties are in the age of marriage now but they're still single." Man number 1 speaking.

"(Cough) You are right, you right. Usually, there will be a selection of concubines from the palace but this year, there is no decree from His Majesty yet." Man number 2 speaking.

Zhang Ruyi gulped and massaged her forehead. Anli saw her reaction but pretended didn't see it. As for Chun Xiao, she slowly came closer to the Emperor and held her sleeve tightly.

"Ah... So are you planning to send your daughter to the palace? Thinking of the concubine selection, the Emperor usually chooses his concubines or palace maid from the dancer's team. It looks like this year our new Emperor isn't interested in ladies." Man number 1 speaking.

Hearing this made Anli want to laugh crazily but he sniffled his laugh and looked at Zhang Ruyi. The Emperor's face and ears are red. He was not sure whether the Emperor is angry or feeling shy.

"Yeah, I want to send my daughter there but I don't think I had a chance. Her sister is only a maid there. I have high hopes for my second daughter. She's pretty, very talented in art, and good at doing house chores. She deserves a better position in the palace." Man number 2 speaking.

Man number 1 laughed and patted man number 2 shoulder.

"Hahaha. You have high hopes for your daughter but fate is not on her side. It's too late now and the performance is also almost done. I will leave first." Man number 1 speaking.

After they finished their chatting, Anli spoke to Zhang Ruyi and Chun Xiao.

"They are so funny. Don't you guys think so?"

This time he didn't sniff his laugh. Zhang Ruyi is still silent. Anli stopped laughing and gave Zhang Ruyi one of the candies he bought.

"Bi...Bixia. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Here, take this little bunny. I hope it can cheer you up."

Zhang Ruyi accepted the candy with a cold look and stared at it. Chun Xiao noticed that Anli only bought two candies which means it was only for him and the Emperor. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Anli. "He shows his feelings obviously but the Emperor always treats him like her big brother." She mumbled alone.

Anli turned around to watch the dance performance before it ended. He glanced at Zhang Ruyi for a second without being noticed by her.

"Woah, good performance! They are very talented. Not only can dance gracefully, but they also have beautiful faces with sweet smiles. No wonder most of the previous Emperors liked to take their concubines from the dance team. From their face, I think that one can be a good wife."

He pointed to the lady with pretty eyes and a tender smile on her face. Zhang Ruyi coughed and Chun Xiao chuckled.

"Bixia, let's say if...if Bixia, will Bixia take her as a wife? It is just an example, don't get me wrong." Anli asked.

Zhang Ruyi bites one of the rabbit candy ears.

"I wonder if their attitude is as good as their look. A pretty face with a dark heart is no different from an ugly person. In the palace, everything is in reverse. So, choosing a partner by the look is like choosing a sweet apple by its colour."

Zhang Ruyi was right. Everything is contrasted when it comes to the palace. People will do anything to get what they want.

"It looks like Bixia doesn't choose a partner from random people like how the other emperors do." Anli smiled.

Zhang Ruyi bites the other ears of the rabbit candy. Now her rabbit candy doesn't have any ears. As for Anli, he still hasn't touched his candy yet.

"Choosing a partner is like choosing your future. I don't want to get poisoned by my wife." She gave a simple answer.

The simple answer was enough to make Anli understand. Chun Xiao who has been quiet since a moment ago finally opened her mouth.

"Lord Anli, you only bought two candies but we are three here. I noticed that you haven't touched your candy yet. If you don't want it, you can give it to me."

Anli looked at Chun Xiao. After that, he looked at his bunny candy.

"Nah, this is mine! Sorry, I forgot to buy one for you."

Zhang Ruyi looked at her rabbit candy. She had already eaten the rabbit's ear and now she couldn't see any more ears. Chun Xiao looked like she wanted the candy too.

"Chun Xiao, you can take mine. I already ate the ears but you still can have its head."

Zhang Ruyi handed her candy to Chun Xiao. Chun Xiao was feeling guilty.

"No no no. I-I just kidding. I don't need it."

She refused but Zhang Ruyi still wanted her to take it. The Emperor grabbed her hand and put the candy in her hands.

"Don't worry. My mouth is clean. I only bite the ears so you don't have to worry about the other part of the candy."

Chun Xiao accepted it with a shy face. She only wants to tease Anli but didn't expect the Emperor would do this for her. Anli who saw Zhang Ruyi passed her candy to Chun Xiao was stunned.

"What the hell is that?! She...she gives her candy to the maid?!" He mumbled to himself.

"Chun Xiao, let's return to the palace. I still have a lot of work that need to be done."

Chun Xiao nodded and followed the Emperor. Anli stopped her.

"Chun, Chun Xiao! Wait!"

Chun Xiao stopped and turned around.

"Yes, Lord Anli?"

Anli came closer to Chun Xiao and whispered to her.

"Chun Xiao, do you want to exchange candy with me? Mine is still fresh. I haven't touched them. Look! It still has its ears."

Chun Xiao looked at her candy and thought for a while. She then gave Anli a naughty smile.

"Lord Anli...what do you mean? Huh? If you want to get a kiss from Bixia, why not you just ask her by yourself?"

Anli scratched his head and gave Chun Xiao a sour smile. He was stuttering.

"A-haha. W-what are you talking about? I only feel bad and I want to be a gentleman. I want to give you this new one and I'll take that one."

Chun Xiao lifted her candy and played with Anli.

"You want this? Do you want? Open your mouth and say ahh..."

Anli feels annoyed but still does what Chun Xiao asked him to do.

"Tch...fine! AHH...!" He opened his mouth.

Chun Xiao pointed the candy into Anli's mouth but she quickly pulled her hand again. Anli gets shocked for a while.

"Chun Xiao! You!"

Chun Xiao cannot do anything but giggle.

"Oh, if I'm not mistaken, Bixia never kissed anyone before. More specifically, she never falls in love. So,..."

Chun Xiao didn't finish her words but came closer to Anli and whispered to him.

"This is Bixia's first kiss. Even though it was an indirect kiss, it is still considered a KISS..."

Anli gulped. He steps backwards and turns around covering his mouth with his hand. His ears are red. Chun Xiao found out that the Deputy General is cute when he is embarrassed.

"W-what are you talking about?"

Anli still pretending not to understand what Chun Xiao trying to say. At the same time, Zhang Ruyi is already inside the carriage and waiting for Chun Xiao to come in.

"Why she's too late? What is she doing?"

Zhang Ruyi lifted the curtain and looked for her maid. She then saw Chun Xiao still with the Deputy General. They were still chatting.

"Hmmph...Maybe I need to wait for them to finish their talk."

She pulled the curtain and leaned on the seat. While waiting, she closed her eyes to get a short nap. Back to Chun Xiao and Anli, Chun hasn't finished playing with the Deputy General.

"Lord Anli. Do you think I don't know why you want to exchange candy? Since this is Bixia's first kiss, although it is just an indirect, it is precious and I don't want you to have it."

Chun Xiao spun in circles around him while playing with the candy. Anli tried to grab it but failed.

"Since you know the reason why I want the candy, it has nothing to do with you. You are a girl. Now, give it to me!"

Chun Xiao put the candy inside her mouth and smiled at Anli.

"Oh? Lord Anli wants it? Dream about it! It is already inside my mouth and the kiss is mine!" She giggles.

Anli is so frustrated.

"Chun Xiao! You!"

"Lord Anli. You made Bixia wait, I need to go now. See you again!"

Chun Xiao left Anli with a big smile on her face. For a second, she turns around and gives Anli last words before she enters the carriage.

"Lord Anli, you can have this kiss in your dream tonight!"

"Tch...Chun Xiao, you gay!" He shouted

In Fuzhou, the Queen was worried about Xiaolian. She was still sitting on the bench outside the mansion, waiting for her daughter to return home. King Xie saw his worried wife and came to her.

"Fei, why are you still here? It is cold outside. You might catch a cold."

The Queen named Fei sighed. She was still looking at the main entrance. King Xie sits next to her wife.

"Are you worried about Xiaolian?"

Queen Fei was still silent.

"Fei, you don't have to worry about her. Even though her health condition is not good, she's strong."

Queen Fei smiled and leaned her head on King Xie's shoulder.

"I know our daughter is strong. I'm happy that she has good martial arts skills. She can protect herself if in danger."

King Xie stroked her wife's hair.

"She is but she easily gets tired. Although she is strong, her health limits her potential. But I believe that she is fine." He replied.

Queen Fei sighed again.

"I hope for her a good future but I don't think anyone wants to make her a wife with her health condition. As a mom, that is the only thing that I want for my beloved daughter. A good husband to accompany her for the rest of her life."

It makes King Xie feel sad when the Queen voices her wish. Of course, he also wants Xiaolian to be happy and wants someone who can take care of her after he and her wife are no longer breathing. Because of Xiaolian's disease, most people think she will bring a jinx to their generation.

"It is my wish too. We can't stay by her side all the time. I hope the Gods will hear our heart's voices."

* * * * * * * *

"Your Highness, are you sleepy?"

"Hmm..." Replied Xiaolian

Xiaolian rubbed her red eyes and yawned a few times. It's almost 1 hour since they left Suzhou. Yuyu covered the Crown Princess with a white mantle.

"We will arrive in Fuzhou in a few minutes. Your Highness can sleep for a while."

Although feeling sleepy, the Crown Princess doesn't want to close her eyes. Xiaolian forces herself to stay awake.

"Your Highness doesn't want to sleep?"

Xiaolian shook her head.

"We need to beware since it is dark now. Maybe there will be bandits everywhere." Said Xiaolian.

Yuyu took out a small package from her sleeve and opened it. There were two Suzhou Savoury Pork Moon Cakes inside the package. It was already cold but still edible. She passed one of the mooncakes to the Crown Princess.

"Your Highness, I only bought these moon cakes. It may be cold now but it is still delicious."

Xiaolian accepted the mooncake and have a bite of it. It was indeed cold but it still delicious.

"Could it be because I was missing from your sight so you only managed to buy these for yourself?"

Yuyu smiled shyly and lowered her head.

"My goodness! I'm so sorry Yuyu. You must be panicked."

"Haha. Don't worry Your Highness. I'm indeed worried but after I found Your Highness, I felt relief."

Xiaolian leaned her head on Yuyu's shoulder.

"Yuyu, I promise I will not make you worry again next time. How did you know I was in the middle of the street?"

"Your Highness promises me? Then I will remember that. Actually... It's just my instinct that Your Highness must be watching the dance performance. Oh and, I felt bad for the guy with candies because I accidentally hit him. I was too rushed."

Xiaolian sat straight. Her face turned out to be serious and her eyes are looking straight at Yuyu's eyes.

"A guy with candies? Is he a seller or a customer?"

Yuyu was in puzzles. The Crown Princess's reaction shocked her.

"I-I think,...he is a customer. He bought two candies from the candies stall."

It make Xiaolian to remember something. Xiaolian's memory recall: Accepting a cat head candy shape.

Yuyu held the Crown Princess's hand and broke her reverie.

"Your Highness is there something wrong?"

Xiaolian shook her head.

* * * * *

Zhang Liang entered his carriage, sat down, and puts his hand on his forehead. Tianqi followed him from the back with a wrinkled face. The Prince was just fine this morning but suddenly feeling not well. This is unusual. In the carriage, they sit facing each other. Tianqi took a look at the Prince sometimes, wondering what inside his mind.

"Y-Your Highness. Did something bother you? I think Your Highness is just fine this morning."

Zhang Liang gave him a sharp glance. Tianqi gulped. The stare was enough to kill his soul. He turned around and covered his mouth with his hand.

* * * * *

Zhang Ruyi woke up when the carriage started to move. Chun Xiao was now inside the carriage and eating the bunny candy.

"Both of you finally finished chatting. I wonder what you guys were talking about. I waited until fallen asleep." She started the conversation.

"Bixia, sorry to make Bixia wait. It was the Deputy General's fault!"

Zhang Ruyi lifted her eyebrows.

"Oh? I'm curious."

Chun Xiao pulled the candy from her mouth and looked at it.

"The Deputy General wants to exchange candy with me. Humph! He doesn't want to give me his candy but wants to exchange it with Bixia's candy!" She mumbled.

Zhang Ruyi was stunned for a while.

"Ah? So the whole conversation was just about exchanging candy?"

Chun Xiao nodded and put the candy inside her mouth again.

"Uh-huh but I don't want to give him. So I tease him instead. Hahaha."

Zhang Ruyi shook her head.