A month before the lunar new year starts, the entire mansion is buzzing will noise of servants setting up the decorations. The birds are chipping everyday as to join in the excitement.
While everyone is busy with the decoration, i am busy with my homework. Just three days ago, i asked my dingbat if i could visit the night market. He agree with conditions that i copy some books for practising my writing and play the GuQin for him to hear how much i have improved. I agree so therefore will do my best. I can hear the servants are setting up the fireworks and testing it. Even they served me some cakes and tea, i will not stop copying. At least till the end of the paragraph, the brush is set to rest and i can take a quick break.
After awhile, the dingbat comes home smiling and laughing with his merry man. As much as i dislike him, i don't think he is a baddie. However he can't be compare to Cheung'er. He don't have the patience nor the politeness of Cheung'er. He catch me staring at his direction. As quick as i could, i begining to write my way through this book. I have another book awaiting for me. Why did that two authors wirte so much. Such a hassle!
Two days later, i present my homework to him. He took a glance at some pages that i had copied. He nods and agree to keep his promise but of course i have to bring his men along with me. Naturally i agree and happy run off to inform granny Li that im allowded to go the the night market. With the help of my maids and granny, i pick up a pink dress and a white coat for my night outing. I got my two maids to follow along. Granny Li can't go as her leg is not feeling good with the cold outside. When i step out of the room, two guards appear. They are assign to follow wherever i go tonight.
Outside the night market is buzzing with selling the new year goodies. There are stalls selling decorations too. Every shop is fill with people going in and leaving with good in their hands. There is joy in the air even thought it is still snowing. Walking through the streets, The candy stalls are the busiest. They are surrounded with people who are rushing to buy the sweet taste of happiness. While the children are jumping around asking their parens to buy candy figure of animals. The man managing the stall is smiling from ear to ear.
I stop at a cake stall. tasted a few and buy a few. I ask the two guards who are following us to taste the cake too. At first they rejected i complained and later one of them obliged and chew it.
"How is it? Its tasty right?"
"Yes madame."
"Told you not to address me as madame outside. Call me Miss or Missy or Yu'er. Understand?"
"Missy there is kites selling over there."
My maids and i walk over to the kite stall. There are many different designs. Some for the day time. The others are for the night. While selecting, i feel something odd behind me. I turn around to be that dingbat is standing there look at what i am doing.
"Are you getting those?"
"Yes. Can't i? Why are you here? Are you suppose to attend to your official work?"
" Hmm, finish them. I got nothing to do. Decided that i should come along to see what the night market is offering that can make you diligently copy those two books without making faces at me. "
I want to talk back but i hold them back as not to create a scene. I selected a few kites without designs and pay for it. I pass them all to dingbat to carry them. While i walk with my two girls infront to the the next few stalls.
For two days, i painted the day and night kites the designs that i wanted them. I dance around the room to show Granny Li. As always she is smiling and nodding her head.
"Did you sent the letter out to little sister?"
"Yes, i did. It should arrive at the Su mansion on the eve of Lunar new year. "
"Wish i can sent one of the kites to her as well. She will like it, right Granny Li?"
She nod and put them up to dry.
The day before the eve of Lunar new year, an invitation from the palace arrived in the mansion. We have to go the palace for prayers as well as to stay till the second fay of the new year.
"Don't talk too much when you are at the palace. Walk behind me. Don't stare at others. Don't ..."
"i know. I have been attending those parties without you when your away. i will be fine."
We arrive for dinner. The tables are set for royal couples and if they have children They will be sitting behind them. The crown prince and crown princess sit side by side on the right side of the emperor and empress. The hall is fill with laughter and drunk men. I just sit there not talking much as per dingbat's request. Eat my dinner without complaints. There are women dancing while the dinner is going on. The princes all got up and drink in a corner with the crown prince. While the wives of the princes, most of them are gossiping they way. I am totally bored with he performances.
Till a sword is swing infront the hall towards the emperor.