The Old Zhou family’s troubles were unknown to Wufu and the others. With Mid-Autumn Festival just a couple of days away and having just hunted a deer from the mountain, she decided not to go back up but instead to stay home obediently.
At home, Wufu was not idle, attending to the preparation of the Deer Paste and carving the jade she had brought back from the Hundred Treasures Silver Building, requests that Shopkeeper Lin had already made twice.
However, no matter how much Shopkeeper Lin urged, Wufu still worked at her own pace. After all, they had agreed that time didn’t matter and that good craftsmanship required patience. To create fine pieces, one must put in effort.
The festive day of the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived in the blink of an eye. Early in the morning, Madam Zhou began preparations for the offerings followed by preparing holiday foods, with Hongyu and Liu Jin busily helping along.
In the evening, with the moon full and bright, they set up a table laden with various fruits and a box of mooncakes, along with chestnuts and other offerings for the Lady of the Moon, and lit incense and candles.
Madam Zhou, with sincere devotion, bowed several times, murmuring prayers that voiced wishes, all of which were for her family’s health and other well-being.
Wufu, with keen ears, also heard her asking the Lady of the Moon to ensure her own safety, health, and harmony, and to provide her with a satisfying and suitable future husband, which softened Wufu’s heart.
This stepmother was too soft-hearted and kind, sometimes stubbornly unclear, but her motherly love was certainly not feigned.
"You all come and pray to the Lady of the Moon as well, with sincere hearts," Madam Zhou called to Wufu and the others.
Wufu casually clasped her hands and bowed three times, but Hongyu and Liu Jin, not only bowing with devotion, even kowtowed, which made her laugh.
After paying respect to the Lady of the Moon, Madam Zhou cut the mooncakes, and everyone sat on little stools to share them.
The mooncake was too sweet for Wufu, who only had a small piece before giving up and drinking strong tea instead.
"Don’t drink so much strong tea tonight, or you might not be able to sleep later," Madam Zhou warned her.
Wufu replied with a smile, "Mother, when have I ever had trouble sleeping?"
She could sleep anywhere when she wanted, and if she didn’t, she could stay awake no matter what.
Madam Zhou thought about it and realized it was true, so she let her be, but still cautioned, "Just be careful of swollen eyes tomorrow."
Wufu responded with a smile.
Hongyu, while eating the mooncake, suddenly started to choke up.
Everyone was startled and quickly asked, "What’s wrong? Are you choking?"
Hongyu shook her head, wiped away her tears, and smiled, "I’m just happy. It’s been many years since I’ve had such a delicious mooncake."
With that, Liu Jin also grew quiet and after a while, he said, "Me too."
Both came from different and unfavorable backgrounds. Hongyu, although she had relatives, was largely ignored by her family, who were focused on mining jade; she often lived a lonely life.
As for Liu Jin, he followed his mother, and his father was a good-for-nothing who often resorted to hitting and scolding, leaving them with a hard lot in life.
Now, they both sat securely, eating sweet mooncakes and marshmallows, with meat to eat every day. Compared to their past lives, it was a world of difference. How could they not be moved?
"Look at you two, getting so excited over a mooncake. The good days are still to come, as long as you stand firm by me," Wufu said with a smile.
Liu Jin said, "Having these days, all thanks to Miss, I bow to you and the mistress." With that, he knelt and knocked his head on the ground several times in a kowtow.
Hongyu also followed with a few kowtows.
Madam Zhou hurriedly helped them up, scolding gently, "What are you doing kowtowing like that? If you like it, just eat more," and she stuffed another piece of mooncake into their hands.
Wufu joked, "If you two stick with me with all your heart, I will naturally not let you down, and there will be plenty of meat to go around. Otherwise..."
They both knew what she was implying and immediately showed their loyalty.
Madam Zhou, watching from the side, sighed with relief and contentment.