Chapter 36 - You Look Beautiful

The festival was tomorrow, and he was already sweating profusely. Helping to hang lanterns all around the village was a hard task. He was on the roof attaching a long red banner, signifying the mid-autumn festival. Smiling to himself, he felt a sense of familiarity with his past life. When he was Bai Lan, this festival was his favorite. The colors, the lights, the feeling of togetherness was something he envied and wanted. There had always been something… strong in his heart every year during the festival.

He would hike up the hill nearby and stare out to the village, watching the lights and celebration. He would always find himself smiling and looking at the moon. It was strange, but he felt the safest and the most peace  in his boring life.

But now…

He finished the tie and looked over to the other roof where Wang Li was.

Now he had a home, people who loves him… he had Ah Li, his husband.

Silver eyes looked toward him and the blonde smiled. He saw his lover whispered into his closed palm before opening it. Emerald eyes widened as a shining white butterfly, with red lining, flew toward him. Reaching his own palm out, he watched as the butterfly touched his palm before landing on his shoulder, beneath his ear.

"Ah Yue," he heard the king's voice and he looked over at the smiling man in surprise, "You look beautiful."

Flattered, he giggled against his palm before wondering if he could also send a message through the insect. Repeating the movement of the king's, he held the butterfly in his palm and whispered.

"My husband," he said softly looking at the man in blue, "I thank you, but you are the most beautiful in this world."

He opened his palm and the messenger flapped its wings. He watched the white butterfly leave a stream of glitter in its path toward his lover. Ying Yue observed the beautiful face to see a soft laugh escape those thin lips. They both looked at one another and he really wanted to jump over to join his husband, but Chu had called to him. Looking at the blue haired female, he nodded and turned back to see the raven-haired male nodding to him. Leaving Wang Li with a smile, he climbed down thinking about how his king would be surprised.

'Ah Li,' he bit his bottom lip as a smile spread across them, 'I cannot wait for you to hear my song for you.'

Ying Yue had been practicing as much as he could without any suspicion. He did sacrifice his time in training, meditating, and studying, but it was worth it. The song he made was perfect. It embodied everything he felt for Wang Li and he hoped he does not forget which string to pluck and where. Everything will go right. He had to believe that.

"Sir Yue," Chu bowed lightly, "We are almost done," she said looking around, "I feel like we are missing something though…" she tapped her chin.

"Oh, do we have fireworks?" He questioned and Chu tilted her head.

"Fireworks?" She looked at the blonde.

'Do they not have that here?' Ying Yue wondered, but the brightening of purple eyes answered his question.

"That's right!" The blue haired girl clapped her hands, "I'll check in with Ah Shen and see if he has the ingredients for them."

"I can go," he offered, "I was going to help him prepare the mooncakes."

"Oh, that would be great Sir Yue," Chu nodded, "Make plenty. The villagers would be able to eat them tomorrow, so make plenty!"

"Alright," he let out a laugh and waved goodbye. Heading back to the palace, he felt something land on his shoulder. Glancing at it, he noticed the butterfly from earlier and smiled.

"Ah Yue," his husband's voice sounded, "I will return tonight. Do not work too hard. I love you."

His heart swelled with the confession as he pretended it was for him and not his first wife, not Sheng Shui. Holding the butterfly in his hands, he smiled.

"You as well my husband. I love you. Come home safely," he whispered and let the butterfly fly off.

Watching the insect go, the blonde entered the palace and headed to the kitchen. Entering it since the door was opened, he saw Shen moving quickly from one area to the other. One young man taking care of meals and desserts. He felt guilt gnaw at him, so offering himself is the right thing to do.

"Ah Shen," he spoke up and the white-haired boy glanced at him with a nod, "Do you need help?"

"Do not worry I-" the young man started.

"Just let me do something," he dropped his shoulders with a sigh, "I know you are working hard. I don't know much about cooking, but I can help as long as you tell me what you need."

Purple eyes stared at him before Shen told him to knead the dough. Smiling, the blonde went to the large dough and did as the young man instructed. Rolling it out, fill it with lotus paste, fold the dough, and repeat. Both men worked quietly in the heated kitchen, but neither minded. When Ying Yue was finished with the rest of the dough, he turned to Shen who had already laid the finished mooncakes on a metal sheet.

"Are there more mooncakes you need to make?" He asked the young man.

"These are good for now," Shen turned to him and bowed, "Thank you Sir Yue."

"You don't need any other help?" His blonde brows lifted in surprised.

"Not at the time," a small smile showed on the young face and Ying Yue blinked again, wondering if this was enough.

"Alright then," he smiled, "Oh, Ah Chu wanted to know if you have ingredients for the fireworks."

Shen thought about it before nodding, "She can grab it later today. I will tell her."

Ying Yue nodded and bid farewell as he walked out of the kitchen. Stretching his arms above his head, he headed to the girls' room with a grin.

'Neither Chu nor Hien are here because they are setting up,' he told himself as he quickly slid the door opened, 'and Yun had gone to the market for supplies.'

Closing the door, he went to the wardrobe hoping to find an outfit for the festival tomorrow. He wanted to look his best when he played in front of Wang Li.

'Sheng Shui,' he said determined, 'I will definitely win his heart.'