Guangfeng went through the kitchen opening everything he found and peering inside. Just as he was about to open one of the ovens Yuelan snapped at him again: “Don’t touch it! It’s baking something and very hot right now!” She pointed at the stool that Guangfeng had knocked over and then returned to its proper position. “Sit there and stop wandering around!”

The prince sighed and walked over to sit on the stool again. “I just want to see everything,” he complained.

“Well, some things you can’t just open and look at. Baked goods can be touchy. Some of them won’t turn out if you open the oven in the middle.” Yuelan pulled out the tea tray and added tea leaves to the tea ball, which she placed into the teapot. Once everything was prepared, she walked over to the stove and turned it off. Using an oven mitt on her left hand to support the bottom of the kettle, she carried the water over and poured it into the teapot. Finally, she set the timer and put the kettle back on the stove. As she went to sit on the stool next to Guangfeng the head chef came into the kitchen.

“Oh! Miss Long! I didn’t realize you were back. I’m just about to pull some cranberry orange muffins out of the oven. How would you like some with your tea?” the middle-aged woman asked cheerfully as she picked up an oven mitt.

“That sounds delicious, Meilin, thank you.”

“Who is your friend?” The cheery chef walked over to the oven that Guangfeng had tried to open earlier and pulled it open to pull the muffin tin full of delicious smelling muffins out to set on the quartz countertop.

“His name is Xiong Guangfeng. He’s visiting from another country,” Yuelan answered.

“Oh. Someone important, I take it?”

Yuelan giggled. “You could say that.” The timer that Yuelan had set went off and she stood to remove the tea ball and pour the tea into three cups. She handed one to Guangfeng and one to Meilin before taking the last for herself.

Guangfeng looked a bit suspicious as he sipped the tea, though his suspicion became surprise. “This is well-made tea, Yuelan.”

“Of course. Miss Long’s tea is the best in the manor,” Meilin said proudly. “And when she hosts a tea ceremony everyone accepts the invitation. She prepares everything for it herself and only allows us to assist. The tea and snacks are all delicious.”

Yuelan’s cheeks turned a little pink. “Thank you for the praise, Meilin, but you’re the one who taught me how to do all of that. I’m afraid you might be biased.”

Guangfeng looked from Yuelan to Meilin and back. “You haven’t hosted a tea ceremony since I’ve met you. Is there a reason?”

“Yes.” Yuelan grimaced. “I haven’t quite got the knack of baking in a wood-burning oven. Or making tea with a wood-burning stove.”

“So have the servants handle it.” Guangfeng shrugged as if it were no big deal.

Yuelan frowned. “I do it on my own to express my sincerity. Having the servants handle it defeats the purpose.” She took a sip of her tea and smiled at Meilin as the chef put a plate of muffins in front of the two.

“Alright. I understand why now.” Guangfeng smiled at Yuelan, though the smile looked a bit anxious as he worried Yuelan was going to be upset with him again.

“Will you be hosting a tea party while you’re here, Miss?” Meilin asked to break the tense silence.

Yuelan shook her head. “No, I’ll only be here for a couple of days at most. There isn’t time for me to host a tea party. Besides, I’ve been very ill, remember?”

Meilin sighed. “I do. You’re so rarely home now and you never go to school. When you do return home you’re unable to meet with any of your friends. We worry about you, Miss Long.”

“Thank you, Meilin. I appreciate all of your concern.” Yuelan smiled at Meilin. “There’s nothing I can do about the situation, though. My body isn’t well enough for me to be away from where I’m staying for too long.”

“I heard it’s the same illness that your mother died from. It hurts all our hearts to think that we might lose you too. And your poor father...You’re all he has left.” The chef sighed and turned to busy herself with cleaning the muffin tin.

“Speaking of Daddy, do you know when he plans to be home?”

“I was informed he will be here for dinner, Miss. I’m about to start the preparations for it. Do you have any requests for dishes?”

Yuelan smiled. “Some of your wontons would be excellent, Meilin, if you don’t mind.”

The chef laughed. “Of course I don’t mind. I know they’re your favorite and I was already planning on making them.”

“Thank you for letting me use your kitchen, Meilin.” Yuelan slid off the stool and started cleaning up her own mess. “Your muffins were delicious, as always.”

Guangfeng, who had just put the last bite of his own muffin into his mouth, nodded his head to show his enthusiastic agreement. He swallowed and smiled at the chef. “Yes, they were. As was the tea that Yuelan made.”

“I’ll handle the cleaning up, Miss,” Meilin hastily told Yuelan. “You’ve a guest to entertain.”

“You’re right, I do. Thank you, Meilin.” Yuelan gave the chef a one-armed hug. “And thank you for taking care of my father while I’m not home.” She released the chef and gestured for Guangfeng to follow her as she headed out of the kitchen.

Guangfeng stayed by Yuelan’s side as she gave him a tour of her home and he studied the fascinating things he didn’t recognize as they walked. Whenever he encountered something he didn’t know he asked and Yuelan explained it. The few servants they encountered were all polite and greeted Yuelan with delighted smiles.

“Why do you allow your servants to be so casual with you, Yuelan?” Guangfeng asked after yet another servant had stopped their work to greet Yuelan and express their joy that she was able to be at home for a little while.

“They’re people, Guangfeng,” Yuelan answered. “I want them to be happy and express themselves. Besides, some of them raised me more than my father did after my mother died. My father is very busy, after all.” She turned to frown at him. “Also, this isn’t Longuo. There are no life contracts here. We pay the servants and they’re free to stay or leave as they wish.”

The idea was obviously foreign to the prince and he frowned in confusion. “Then...how do you control them if they get out of line?”

“They don’t need to be ‘controlled’ Guangfeng. We treat them well and they reciprocate. You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.” Yuelan sighed.

Guangfeng wasn’t sure he understood the meaning of the phrase, but he still smiled and nodded at her to indicate that he did.

Yuelan was headed toward the manor’s library when Cheng Man hurried up to her. “Miss Long, your father has returned. He’s expressed his desire to meet your guest.”

“Of course, Cheng Man. We’ll be there right away.”