Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 169: Get on the carriage and return to the palace

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, her eyes full of pride. "Yes, Guard Li. This Mid-Autumn Festival, of course, we must make good preparations."

"Each of these mooncakes is meticulously crafted by us. The fillings are carefully selected, and the crusts are repeatedly kneaded. We hope that the emperor and the people in the palace will be satisfied with their food."

"This wine is also made from the newly bloomed osmanthus flowers this year. It has a fragrant aroma and a mellow taste."

Xiaoyu brought Li Junxian to the place where the gifts were piled up. She was wearing a simple and elegant moon-white robe today, with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, and a light blue gauze dress on the outside.

She pointed at the gifts and said, "Guard Li, here are eleven boxes of square mooncakes for the emperor. Each one is carefully made by us, with rich fillings and a variety of flavors."

"There's also a box of seven stars accompanying the moon, which symbolizes good luck and is a special token of appreciation. And there's a box of five-jin (15-pound) large mooncakes, which took a lot of thought to make."

Li Hao nodded and said, "There are still thirty grapefruits. These grapefruits are big, juicy, sweet and sour, and they are perfect for eating during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Yuyu jumped up and down: "There are also twenty apples, all carefully selected, big and red, symbolizing peace."

"Three roast ducks and three salt-baked chickens, both are our Zuixianlou signature dishes, and they taste amazing."

"There are still twelve bottles of beer, to change the emperor's taste." As he said that, Xiaoyu took out a piece of paper with words written on it and handed it to Li Junxian.

"Jun Xian, here is another list with the names of the emperor's senior ministers, including Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, and Li Jing."

"Please give the note to the Emperor. According to what is written on the paper, send each of them a box of mooncakes and a pomelo. This is also a small token of our appreciation."

Li Junxian took the paper and looked at it carefully. He was wearing silver armor that shone in the sunlight. He clasped his fists and said, "Madam, don't worry. Junxian will definitely live up to your trust and deliver these gifts safely."

Xiaoyu stepped forward, her eyes full of kindness: "Junxian, you are also familiar with us. We have all seen your dedication to the emperor."

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We've prepared this box of square mooncakes, a pomelo, a roast duck, a salt-baked chicken, and a bottle of beer especially for you. You must accept them."

Xiaoyu was wearing a lavender skirt and a white gauze cloak. The breeze blew, and her clothes fluttered.

Yuyu jumped up and down beside him and said, "Brother Li, this mooncake is so sweet and delicious, you must try it."

Yu Yu was wearing a pink chest-length skirt, and the two buns on her head swayed with her movements, which made her look very cute.

Li Hao also smiled and said, "Brother Li, you work so hard every day. These roast duck and salt-baked chicken are our Zuixianlou's signature dishes. Take them back and enjoy them."

Li Hao was dressed in black and looked heroic.

Li Junxian quickly declined: "How can I do that? You are too polite. Serving the Emperor is my duty."

Xiaoyu stuffed the gift into Li Junxian's hand and said, "Don't refuse. You are loyal to the emperor, and we respect you. This is just a small token of our appreciation."

Li Junxian looked at Xiaoyu's family's sincere expressions and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I'll accept it. It's hard for me to refuse your kindness."

As he spoke, he took the things Xiaoyu handed over. The box of square mooncakes was beautifully packaged and tied with a red ribbon. The grapefruit skin was smooth and shiny, the roast duck and salt-baked chicken exuded an enticing aroma, and the beer bottle gleamed in the sunlight.

"Come on, brothers, help move all these things onto the carriage." Li Junxian called to the guards behind him.

The guards acted quickly. They carefully loaded the gifts for the emperor and the ministers onto the carriage one by one. Every movement was cautious. After all, these gifts carried Zuixianlou's full blessings to everyone in the palace.

Li Junxian jumped onto the carriage and saluted towards Xiaoyu's family. "Thank you for your generous gift. I will return to the palace to report. See you later!"

After saying that, he raised the whip, and the carriage started slowly, heading towards the palace.

The wheels rumbled, leaving two shallow ruts on the stone road, which gradually moved away.

Xiaoyu's family stood there, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the street, their eyes full of blessings.

Gurgle, gurgle, the wheels of the carriage turned rhythmically on the cobblestone road, and each round carried a load of gifts and deep friendship towards the palace.

Li Junxian sat steadily in front of the carriage, holding the reins lightly in his hands, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

The silver armor on his body shone in the sunlight, adding a touch of solemnity to this special gift-giving journey.

Inside the car, the mooncakes, fruits, roast duck, salt-baked chicken and beer were all neatly arranged without any shaking.

As the carriage moved forward, the street scene outside the window unfolded and receded like a scroll, and the laughter of the people could be heard from time to time.

The carriage rumbled to a stop at the gate of the imperial palace. Li Junxian jumped off the carriage nimbly and landed steadily on the ground.

The silver armor on his body made slight sounds as he moved, and became more dazzling under the sunlight.

He first nodded slightly to the guards at the palace gate, then turned to the guards in the carriage and said, "Brothers, we're here. Be careful moving."

The guards got off the carriage in an orderly manner and began to carry the gifts. Li Junxian walked in front, leading everyone into the palace.

The eleven boxes of square mooncakes were carried steadily by soldiers in groups of two.

The box containing the seven stars and the moon looks particularly exquisite in the sunlight, and the box of five-jin mooncakes is even more eye-catching.

Grapefruits and apples are piled together, exuding a fruity aroma. The aroma of roast duck and salt-baked chicken also drifts in the air, while the beer is carefully held.

After a while, they arrived in front of the palace where the emperor was.

Li Junxian stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and saluted: "Your Majesty, I have brought the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts from Zuixianlou."

The emperor was originally talking to the eunuch beside him. When he heard the voice, he raised his head slightly, with an expectant look in his eyes: "Present it quickly."

The emperor looked at the gifts being brought in one by one and couldn't help but exclaimed, "Wow, so many!"

He stood up and walked down the steps, his eyes full of curiosity and joy.

The emperor first walked over to the eleven boxes of square mooncakes, examined them carefully, and said with a smile, "Look at the packaging, it's so exquisite. I'm sure these mooncakes must taste great."

Then he saw the box of Seven Stars and the Moon, and his eyes lit up even more: "Oh, this Seven Stars and the Moon is unique, and the meaning is good. Zuixianlou really put a lot of thought into it this time."

When the emperor saw the large mooncake again, he patted it gently and said jokingly, "Such a large mooncake is enough for me and everyone else to share."