Chapter 49
And so it came to the last day of the Imperial Grace Festival, the very day Mo Duoya had announced she would visit.
Rao Ke was at her usual spot, selling ice cream balls and specialty cold drinks.
"Mm, I'd like a double-cream ice cream, and a glass of preserved-plum lemonade."
The familiar voice made Rao Ke look up instinctively, and she saw a figure wrapped tightly in a black cloak, with only a pair of eyes exposed.
The cloaked figure winked playfully at Rao Ke, who couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, just a moment, please." Rao Ke scooped the ice cream first and handed it to the cloaked person across from her.
The cloaked figure took it, then pulled down the face covering, revealing a familiar face.
Mo Duoya casually took a small spoonful and put it in her mouth; the wonderful taste made her smile with satisfaction.
"How did you sneak back?" Rao Ke asked quietly as she handed the cold drink to Mo Duoya.
Mo Duoya smiled as she took it, then pulled the mask back up and said softly to Rao Ke, "I'll wait for you at the town center."
Rao Ke nodded, and Mo Duoya slipped away silently with her things.
Rao Ke glanced at the remaining ice cream on the stall and estimated that it would probably be sold out in about half an hour.
Xue Jiali was mixing cold drinks on the side, casually looked up at Rao Ke's struggling figure, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Hello, here are your ice cream and cold drink." After handing the items to the last customer, Rao Ke gave the car keys to Xue Jiali.
"I'm going to meet a friend; you go back first," Rao Ke said to Xue Jiali, and then prepared to leave.
Xue Jiali nodded, then watched Rao Ke's departing back for a while before lowering his head to tidy up.
Rao Ke took a winding path and arrived at the town center.
By now, the town center was already surrounded by knights. As soon as Rao Ke walked in, she saw Laiensi waiting at the entrance.
Laiensi's eyes lit up the moment he saw Rao Ke. He quickly ran over and welcomed her inside.
"Her Majesty is waiting for you in the VIP room on the second floor," Laiensi said as he led Rao Ke in, then left to attend to his duties.
Rao Ke followed Laiensi's instructions and went up to the VIP room on the second floor. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Mo Duoya seated at a wooden table handling official business, with Ai Huike and Ailier at her side.
"You're here." Mo Duoya put down the documents in her hand and smiled at Rao Ke.
Rao Ke wasn't shy; she casually grabbed a chair and sat down in front of Mo Duoya.
"Why did you come back so secretly?"
"Secretly? I didn't want to cause a stir and create unnecessary trouble. That would be bad," Mo Duoya said with a somewhat ungraceful eye roll.
Rao Ke nodded in understanding.
"Tonight is the last day of the Imperial Grace Festival, isn't it? I will make an appearance at the banquet," Mo Duoya said with a smile.
"Then I'll look forward to your grand entrance."
Mo Duoya chatted with Rao Ke as she handled her official business, and somehow the conversation drifted to the play "The Little Mermaid."
Rao Ke shook her head helplessly. "You're still thinking about that. Well, Miss Alice is still at the villa; let me ask for you."
Rao Ke took out her Astrolabe and contacted Kalisa, asking her to inquire about Alice and Hamansi's wishes.
After a moment, Kalisa replied that Alice and the others were more than willing.
Rao Ke wasn't surprised, after all Mo Duoya was now the most noble person in the Human Empire; no matter what, the Puppet Theater Troupe wouldn't refuse.
"It's all set for you. Come with me to the fifth-floor theater to watch it in a bit." Rao Ke waved her Astrolabe at Mo Duoya.
Mo Duoya smiled softly upon hearing this. "Then I thank KeKe. Wait a moment, let me finish these documents."
Seeing the thin stack of files on Mo Duoya's desk, Rao Ke went to the long sofa and started reading a novel.
Just as she reached an interesting part and was about to turn the page, Mo Duoya called out to her.
"Let's go, I'm done."
Rao Ke exited the app and stood up. "Let's go."
A carriage was waiting outside the town center. Rao Ke and Mo Duoya got in, and they found that despite its plain exterior, the interior was extremely luxurious.
The carriage drove steadily to the entrance of KeKe Shop. To ensure Mo Duoya's safety, they took a secret passage to the fifth floor of the shop.
The fifth floor wasn't yet open to the public, so it was empty, except for the library beside the theater, which was still shrouded in mist, indicating it was under renovation.
Mo Duoya curiously asked, "What's that going to be?"
Rao Ke glanced over and casually replied, "A library."
"A library?" Mo Duoya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of books will it have?"
"Yes, it has all kinds of books. If you can think of it, it's there, and there are even many famous works and plays you've never seen," Rao Ke deliberately teased.
Mo Duoya became even more interested and smiled at Rao Ke. "Then you must invite me when it opens."
"Of course. Having Emperor Mo Duoya grace the occasion would be my honor," Rao Ke teased, and was immediately lightly smacked by Mo Duoya.
Because the Human Emperor of the empire was present, the actors of the Puppet Theater Troupe were a bit nervous, but fortunately, all went well, and the play ended perfectly.
"A very good script," Mo Duoya nodded approvingly. Ailier immediately left to deliver the rewards.
"I'm glad you like it." Rao Ke checked the time. "Alright, it's almost time for the banquet to start."
Mo Duoya nodded and stood up to return to the town center to prepare, while Rao Ke went directly back to the adjacent villa.
Because No. 7 Wandering Town didn't have a large population, the banquet was arranged in the town's banquet hall.
To attend this banquet, Rao Ke gave all store employees the night off, and the whole group went to the celebration in high spirits.
Inside the banquet hall, lights were brilliant, and the long tables were laden with all kinds of food and drinks.
Rao Ke led her employees to a corner to eat and drink. The townspeople could tell Rao Ke didn't want to be disturbed and wisely kept their distance.
Soon it was time for Mo Duoya's entrance. After three chimes, Mo Duoya appeared in a simple yet elegant golden gown.
Her entrance immediately drew everyone's attention.
A moment of silence fell over the crowd, followed by thunderous cheers.
Mo Duoya smiled gracefully and spoke into the microphone, "Long time no see, everyone."
The residents of No. 7 Wandering Town responded with warm applause and cheers.
Mo Duoya knew today was a celebration, so she didn't give a flashy speech. She chatted briefly and ended with, "Everyone, celebrate freely today!"
Rao Ke took several photos with her Astrolabe and sent them to Mo Duoya. "Looking sharp!"
Mo Duoya received the message, glanced at it, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Honestly..."
Mo Duoya's schedule was tight; after attending the banquet that evening, she had to return to the imperial capital immediately.
This time, when Mo Duoya returned to No. 7 Wandering Town for the Imperial Grace Festival, most of the ministers had opposed it, but Mo Duoya remained firm, so she came anyway.
"I'm leaving. See you later." Mo Duoya stood at the foot of the carriage and said goodbye to Rao Ke.
"Goodbye. I'll come find you in the imperial capital when I have time." Rao Ke smiled lightly as she bid farewell.
Mo Duoya boarded the carriage, and Rao Ke waved to her.
The carriage moved forward slowly and drove off onto the dark road.
Rao Ke watched the carriage grow smaller until it disappeared completely, then turned to see her employees waiting nearby.
"Let's go. The banquet's over; we should head back too."
The next morning, Hamansi and Alice came to say goodbye to Rao Ke.
They had stayed at KeKe Shop for too long, and Hamansi had already received messages from the troupe urging them to return.
"We've imposed on you for so long, so we've come to take our leave," Hamansi said with a bright smile at Rao Ke.
Rao Ke replied, "It's no imposition. You've given us wonderful performances."
The two chatted for a while. When Hamansi stood up to leave, she joked with Rao Ke, "If you have any good scripts in the future, feel free to contact us at the Puppet Theater Troupe. We can absolutely perform your script to perfection."
"Alright." Rao Ke smiled and agreed.
Alice rose and bowed deeply to Rao Ke. "Thank you so much for letting me perform in this play. It means more to me than words can express."
Rao Ke quickly supported Alice. "It's nothing. You should thank the playwright. And you truly performed the little mermaid flawlessly."
"Thank you." A faint smile appeared on Alice's face.
Watching the two leave the room, Rao Ke took out her Astrolabe and contacted Kalisa, asking her to see off the Puppet Theater Troupe members later.
"Beep beep—"
Rao Ke picked up the Astrolabe and saw a message from Afra, asking if they could go to Dragon Island tomorrow.
Rao Ke checked her schedule and immediately replied that it was fine.
On the other end, Afra seemed to be waiting especially for Rao Ke's reply; as soon as she saw Rao Ke's agreement, she immediately replied with an "OK."
"Alright, time to start packing." Rao Ke stood up, stretched, and began rummaging through her wardrobe.
On the other side, after getting Rao Ke and Chrisley's approval, Afra let out a cheer and reported to the Flame Dragon Queen.
"OK, pack up and get ready to return to the island!"
On the third morning, Rao Ke and Chrisley, both in neat, elegant brown riding outfits, said goodbye to their employees and customers behind them.
"Ready?" Afra asked Rao Ke and Chrisley, and got nods from both.
The next second, Afra and Garcia transformed into two giant dragons, leaving the onlooking customers stunned.
Chrisley agilely jumped onto Garcia's back, and Rao Ke imitated Chrisley's movement and jumped onto Afra's back.
The two giant dragons spread their wings and soared into the sky.
"Bye!" Rao Ke cheerfully waved goodbye to the employees and customers below.
The customers' shock formed a sharp contrast to the employees' calm.
The next second, screams resounded over KeKe Shop.
"It's a dragon!!???"