Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Jing's upbringing instilled in her values of privacy, humility, and a deep connection to the simpler pleasures of life.” Aunt Min held the flashlight in front of her. “Of course those values would later clash with the demands of her public role as Mountain Mistress.”
“Min is right. As Jing stepped into her role within the Palace, the relentless public exposure and the invasive gaze of the press began to weigh heavily on her.” Aunt Suzi followed closely behind me, while my three ladies-in-waiting huddled together in the back, whispering nervously among themselves and holding my heels for later.
Dimly lit by sporadic torches mounted on the walls, the flickering light cast dancing shadows. It descended gently at first, then more steeply, as if we were spiraling into the mountain's very core.
“Jing's discomfort did not go unnoticed by my brother,” Aunt Min said. “When Jing confided in him, without hesitation, Leo commissioned the construction of the secret passageways within the Palace and the surrounding estate.”
“Oh yes.” Aunt Suzi chuckled. “They worked day and night.”
Taking careful steps, I gazed at the passageway’s rough, uneven walls. They definitely spoke of a hurried construction.
Leo was like, get this shit done quick for my wife or I’m killing everybody.
Despite the passage's rustic appearance, there was an unmistakable sense of order and security. Every few meters, armed men stood guard, their silent, watchful gazes scanning us as we passed. They were like statues unmoving and seemingly unbreathing, yet there was no missing the sharpness in their eyes.
Once we came close, many of the armed men offered silent nods to Aunt Min.
“The secret passageways became Jing's sanctuary.” Aunt Min glanced over her shoulder. “Let these paths give you a sense of peace too as you deal with everything in the East.”
“Yes, Monique.” Aunt Suzi’s voice rose behind me. “There is great strength found in quiet moments.”
“Honestly, I’ll probably be back here most of the time.”
They chuckled.
I’m serious.
A smile spread across my face. “Does Lei ever take this way?”
“Almost never,” Aunt Min replied.
“Why not?”
“He said it reminds him too much of his mother.”
“Aww.” My heart ached. “I get it.”
The tunnel began to gradually widen now, the ceiling arching above us in a majestic display of stony architecture.
The air grew cooler and damper the further we descended.
I couldn't help but wonder what stories these walls had to tell.
I bet you all seen some crazy shit back here.
I was a stranger here, a foreign element in a world bound by tradition and power. Yet, as we continued on our silent journey, I felt a burgeoning sense of belonging. This secret path was about to be my story now.
But then my mind returned to what I’d learned earlier.
Leo killed people over me?
The news of the deaths—innocent lives taken because of their family member’s hate—clung to me like a persistent shadow. It was hard, so hard, to wrap my mind around the reality of what had happened.
Yeah. That can never happen again. I’ll make sure of it. . .somehow.
After several minutes, a huge blue door appeared with brass nobs.
Two men stood there and watched us.
Aunt Min halted, turning to face us. “We're almost there.”
“And where are we going?”
Aunt Min scowled. “Monique, you are in the East. Never go into secret passageways with people without knowing where you are going first.”
I tensed.
Then, she chuckled. “Thankfully, my sister and I have fallen for you harder than Lei. Or this would have been the end of you.”
Fuck.
I widened my eyes. “Noted.”
“But Min.” Aunt Suzi passed me and got to her side. “We wouldn’t have told her the truth anyway.”
I blinked.
Aunt Suzi lowered her voice. “We wouldn’t have wanted to scare you.”
“Then. . .” I stepped back. “Where are we going?”
“Lotus Blossom.”
I gave them both a skeptical look. “Okay. Why would I be afraid to go to Lotus Blossom?”
Aunt Suzi rubbed her hands together. “I hope you are hungry. We will be having a lovely breakfast with the most amazing tea—herbs taken straight out of my garden.”
That didn’t answer my question.
“And speaking of gardens.” Aunt Min gestured at the guards.
One turned the knob and pushed the door open.
My eyes adjusted to the sunlight.
Oh. My. God.
Taking the lead, I emerged from the passageway into this massive garden.
Is this really going to be mine?
The air here was fresh, filled with the sweet fragrance of blossoms and the underlying earthiness of the greenery that surrounded me.
On the helicopter, I thought I had gotten a great view of the space, but I had not.
Damn.
We were let out at the back of the garden were a serene pond stood. Lotus flowers adorned the surface in full bloom.
I stepped onto the winding stone path, weaving throughout the garden. “This is just breathtaking.”
The garden was an ocean of blue, with carefully arranged flowers and plants.
A traditional Chinese pavilion stood tall in the center.
The further we walked, the more I fell in love.