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)
“What do you mean the layers of his purpose?”
“Tell me everything you did today. Starting right from the moment my aunts woke you up.” He leaned his head to the side. “They did wake you up. Right?”
“Yes, but why do you want to know what happened right from the beginning?”
“So I can piece together the true reasoning behind all of this.”
I blinked, trying to gather my thoughts. “He wants to do a tea ceremony to welcome me to the East.”
“You must remember that when it comes to my father, even when you think you know, you still have no clue.”
“Alright. Your aunts woke me up and said that we were going to breakfast.”
“Did you ever eat?”
“No. But they were rushing. They had tons of clothes for me to pick from and they introduced me to my ladies-in-waiting.”
“How many racks of clothes?”
“Tons of them.”
Lei chuckled.
“What?”
“They’re lucky you used your wish on them because I would have given them another thirty days.”
“Why?”
“They are plotting with my father, and I need them to stop.” He came closer and took in my hands. “At least I know that all their plotting is for us. They want us to have a perfect union.”
Those words filled me with warmth.
His gaze locked onto mine. “They took you through the tunnel and out onto the garden, but did they ever tell you my father would be there?”
“Never. Oh yeah. Before we left, they wanted to make sure I was dressed nice because cameras would be capturing me.”
Lei snickered.
“What?”
“Oh no. This is too good to be true. Keep going.”
“I want to know the joke.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Moni. I’ll give you the punchline eventually.”
I took another deep breath and started from the beginning. “I was blown away by the garden—”
“I’m still mad that they took that moment from me too.”
“Lei, you showed it to me when we flew over—”
“But, I’d planned to walk you through the garden this evening.”
“We can still do that.” I smiled. “Anyway, they told me we were going to have a lovely breakfast with the most amazing tea. Apparently, it would be herbs taken straight out of the garden.”
He wore a skeptical face. “And that was supposed to be today?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head.
“Your father talked about the tea ceremony happening today too. The reporters were—”
“What?” Lei appeared beyond humored. “Reporters were coming here?”
“Yes. They were on their way. In fact, I think they arrived, and Uncle Song said that Chen and you got rid of them.”
“There were no reporters.”
“What?” I blinked. “No. . .”
“We fought tons of my father’s men, but there were no reporters.”
“I swore he said they were on their way—”
“If the Grand Mountain Master requests cameras to show up to Lotus Blossom, they would be there within seconds, not minutes. Not one reporter would ever keep my father waiting.”
A sick feeling twisted within my stomach. “But then. . .”
“Don’t worry. The East is weird, but allow me to help you. First, let’s test how much you should trust my aunts when my father is concerned.” He walked off. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the chef.”
“O-kay.” I followed Lei toward the hallway. My head filled with an unsettling mix of confusion and intensity.
The day that had seemed so clear and meticulously planned now felt like a tangled web of deceit and manipulation.
So. . .news reporters weren’t coming today? Why would they lie about that?
My certainty was unraveling, much like a tightly wound spool of thread suddenly set free, spinning out of control.
What the fuck is going on?
As we walked, my mind swirled with doubt and more questions. Every moment replayed itself in my head like a film reel stuck on repeat.
Had I misunderstood everything?
The uncertainty gnawed at me.
The air in the hallway was thick with the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood, but it did little to soothe the storm inside me.
I glanced at Lei’s back, his broad shoulders tense with purpose. His determination was a stark contrast to my growing anxiety.
I felt like a ship lost at sea, the once-clear horizon now obscured by dark, swirling clouds.
As we approached the kitchen, the aroma of delicious dishes wafted through the air—roasted meats, fresh herbs, and baked goods mingling together in a mouth-watering symphony.
Damn. They’re getting busy in here. Am I really going to have a chef now? My sisters and I are about to be so spoiled.
The kitchen itself was a bustling hive of activity, with chefs and cooks working on various dishes. Their hands moved with practiced precision.
Other servants polished porcelain dishes. They were careful and deliberate.
Meanwhile, the kitchen itself was a feast for the senses. The sound of sizzling pans and the clatter of utensils filled the air, accompanied by the rich, savory smells of the dishes being prepared. The warmth from the ovens and stoves added a cozy, inviting feel to the space, contrasting with the cool, refreshing scent of freshly cut herbs.