Jianing, the ninth day of the ninth month, Double Ninth Festival.
Xiao Man got up earlier than usual. She put on an apron, took out the glutinous rice soaked last night, and poured it into the steamer lined with bamboo mats. The fire in the hearth crackled as it burned.
Once the glutinous rice was cooked, it was poured into the stone mortar. The little monk rolled up his sleeves and began to pound it with the wooden pestle, one blow after another.
"Put some effort into it," Xiao Man directed from the side, "Haven't you had breakfast?"
The little monk panted heavily, "I really haven't eaten yet..."
Xiao Man gave him a look, took the pestle from him, and with a shove of her shoulder, moved the little monk aside: "Let me do it myself."
At this moment, Bai Li came out from the main house, looking curious: "Xiao Man wants to make Chongyang Cake herself?"
