By: Kia Lam

Huei Bing Liu was alive and buzzing with customers that evening. The full moon shone in all its glory, basking the land and inhabitants below it in a silvery glaze. The owners, Lieu Qing, Lieu Hong, and Jin Suoa were up to their heads in serving their customers as Zi Wei, Er Kang, Xiao Yian Zi, and Yong Qi entered the restaurant. Upon seeing Zi Wei, Xiao Yian Zi broke into smiles and ran towards her.Huei Bing Liu was alive and buzzing with customers that evening. The full moon shone in all its glory, basking the land and inhabitants below it in a silvery glaze. The owners, Lieu Qing, Lieu Hong, and Jin Suoa were up to their heads in serving their customers as Zi Wei, Er Kang, Xiao Yian Zi, and Yong Qi entered the restaurant. Upon seeing Zi Wei, Xiao Yian Zi broke into smiles and ran towards her.
"Zi Wei!! Zi Wei!!" she shouted.
They embraced each other tightly.
"Xiao Yian Zi! I’m so happy to see you!!"
" Zi Wei! It’s been so long!"
Both Yong Qi and Er Kang stared at the girls incredulously, and then broke into laughter. Er Kang clapped Yong Qi on the back and smiled.
"Yong Qi, congratulations! Good to see you again." Er Kang said earnestly.
"Thank you! Congratulations to you as well!" replied Yong Qi.
Jin Suoa had just returned from serving one of her customers when she saw Zi Wei.
"Little Mistress!" she cried as she ran towards Zi Wei.
"Jin Suoa! My good Jin Suoa!" cried Zi Wei as they embraced.
Lieu Qing and Lieu Hong looked up from what they were doing to see what all the noise was about, and seeing their friends, hurried over to congratulate them.
"Er Kang! Yong Qi! Congratulations to you both!" said Lieu Qing.
"Yes! My how pretty and happy your wives look!" said Lieu Hong.
Xiao Yian Zi turned and grabbed the hands of both Jin Suoa and Lieu Hong.
"Ah!! Jin Suoa! Lieu Hong! How are you two?" she asked wildly excited. Without waiting for them to answer, she sauntered over to Lieu Qing and patted him heartily on his back.
"Lieu Qing!! How are you? So happy to see you!!!" she then turned and faced the whole group. "So happy to see ALL of you again!" she shouted happily.
Everyone smiled and Lieu Qing, aware of the strange stares that were upon them, quickly took action.
"Everyone must be starving! Let’s find a table to eat and talk!" he suggested.
"Good idea!!!" cried Xiao Yian Zi.
They walked to a nearby round table and sat down. Just then, Xiao Jian and Qing Er walked in, talking happily to each other. They spotted the group and hurriedly walked over.
"Er Kang, Yong Qi, congratulations!" said Xiao Jian.
"Xiao Jian! Qing Er!" exclaimed Zi Wei.
"Come! Sit down and join us." Said Lieu Qing heartily.
"It’s been so long since we last met together and had a hearty meal." Zi Wei said after Xiao Jian and Qing Er sat down.
All nodded in agreement and laughed heartily. Xiao Yian Zi suddenly jumped up, holding a cup of wine in her hands.
"A toast! To all of us! To live in peace and harmony!" she exclaimed.
"To live in peace and harmony!" the others echoed.

***

A light could been seen through the doors of the chamber of the concubine Hui Fei. Shadows moved about. One could see the silhouette of young man in his mid twenties serving tea to the other silhouette, an older woman, wearing the Manchu headdress of the royal family. The other silhouette sat down beside the older and they began to drink.
"It’s been a while since the last full moon appeared." Remarked the old woman.
"Yes."
"It’s been a while since you have paid your respects to your Huang A Ma and Lao Fu Yei." She remarked again.
"Yes."
"If you plan to become the next emperor you must have the will to make that possible. One first starts by paying respect to your elders." Said the concubine.
"What is the use, revered mother? I am not the crown prince. It does not make a difference anymore." Replied the younger sullenly.
"That is not the demeanor of a future emperor of the Middle Kingdom. It does not matter if you are not the crown prince. That is just a name. Take your grandfather, YongZheng. He was not the crown prince, yet your sire Kang Xi chose him to rule when he was dying on his deathbed. Most argue it was supposed to be the fourteenth A Ge, but that is just an "Old Wives Tale." You are the first born of the emperor therefore you have an advantage above the others. Make the most of it."
"I doubt if Huang A Ma even knows if I exist. Yong Qi is his favorite. He is far more capable than I will ever be." Said Yong Ming with contempt.
"That is not so. Your Huang A Ma only thinks so. Show him what you are capable of and his view will surely focus on the other end of the spectrum. I agree his view has been tinted with love and not capability. That is not how the emperor should view this matter as. Go and prove him wrong my son." Commanded the concubine.
"As you wish, revered mother." Replied Yong Ming, bowing low. There was a light in his eye as they narrowed and glinted evilly.

***

The group of friends could be seen walking down a moonlit path, talking and laughing gaily. The couples walked hand in hand and were enjoying each other immensely. The carriage was pulled by the horses, which were plodding steadily behind their masters. As the group reached the palace gates Xiao Yian Zi ran and hugged Zi Wei.
"Zi Wei, come spend the night at the palace. Shu Fang Zai seems so empty without you." pleaded Xiao Yian Zi.
Zi Wei smiled and said reassuringly, "Xiao Yian Zi, I can’t. I am married to the Fu clan. Don’t worry, we’ll see each other everyday, it’ll be as if old times. Ok?"
Xiao Yian Zi was about to protest that it was not as if like old times, just then Yong Qi grabbed her hand.
"Everybody, thank you so much for coming tonight! It was wonderful and we must do it again sometime. Alas, it is getting late, and we should rest. Good night!" he said.
"Good night! See you tomorrow!" replied Er Kang and Zi Wei. They mounted their horse and rode off.
"Good night!" said Xiao Yian Zi. "See you all tomorrow!"
"I had a great time tonight." Qing Er said to Xiao Jian.
"As did I." He replied.
"But, it’s getting late. I must go and take care of Lao Fu Yei tomorrow. Good night." Said Qing Er said softly, smiling.
"Good night." Xiao Jian said, returning her smile.
She watched him leave until his figure was no longer visible, then turned and walked quietly into the palace. Yong Qi and Xiao Yian Zi followed behind and they exchanged farewells. Staring up at the sky, Qing Er smiled and sighed contentedly, and thought, happy events always occur on a full moon. Yet, she seemed constantly happy these weeks, and they all started when she first bumped into Xiao Jian on the two Ge Ge’s wedding night. I wonder if there’s something I’m missing here… she thought.

***

Arriving back at the Fu Residence, Er Kang led the horse to the stable to feed it, and the couple walked into their chamber. Zi Wei had her hands folded into his and she smiled, enjoying his warmth on this cool night. They sat down on their bed and Er Kang took her hands into his. He gazed into her eyes.
"This is our first night as husband and wife." He said quietly.
Zi Wei nodded, her cheeks getting redder at the thought.
Er Kang smiled and drew her close. He kissed her deeply, and the couple embraced.
The candle was blown out, and the only light present on this evening was the moon, shining brightly on the world below it.

End of Book 4