When Takeshi and Lihua arrived, the tea party stopped momentarily as everyone except King Nao stood up to greet Takeshi and Lihua.  

"Please do not stand on ceremony."  Takeshi said as room was made for him to on the left side of King Nao.  

Food and fresh tea were immediately served, however Takeshi took the time to place different pastries and fruit on to Lihua's small plate in front of her.   

Seeing the Hell King take care of Lihua made the women feel extremely jealous.  The legendary handsome face of the Hell King have been known since he came back from the boarders when he was 16 years old.  His two years in the royal city had made him the most handsome man in the city, had several wife's and their daughter chasing him around.  

However he never paid anyone any attention except Lady Akira, giving everyone the thought that he would marry her one day.  But when he disappeared and Lady Akira married King Nao, they then thought that their daughters would then get a chance to marry King Takeshi.  However as the years pass, their daughters got married. 

While other families that have more than on daughter were happy to see him back.  Seeing his youthful looks suddenly grow more mature and rugged, it called to their dark side of his dangerous devil charm.  

The way Hell King took care of Lady Lihua, made their hearts tight with envy.  Their husband never treated them that way.  They looked upon Hell King and wanted their daughters to be his concubine so they would be treated just as nicely as Lady Lihua.  Besides, they thought, seeing how Lady Lihua wore a veil at all times, it must mean King Takeshi is embarrass of her beauty.  He must have married her as an obligation for being his savior.  Their daughters were beauties themselves, they could seduce the Hell King and win his favor.  

Lihua kept quiet and looked at all the Ladies and their daughters looking at Takeshi like fresh meat.  Her heart filled with jealousy, but instead of acting on her jealousy, she brushed them away.  If one day he does marry a concubine, Lihua will just kill the concubine on her wedding night. Lihua refuses to accept another woman in her household.  If he insists, then she'll make sure they get a divorce before another woman lives and shares a bed with him.  

Takeshi could feel Lihua's mood change.  He felt something was wrong, but he had no clue what happened.  He could only feel that she was mad at him for some reason, however didn't do anything nor did he say anything to offend her. Turning to her, he whispers in her ear.  

"Is my Lady Wife alright?"  

"I'm about to start a collection of eyes that keep staring at you."  Lihua whispers back at him.  

Takeshi stilled a moment processing her words before his boisterous laugh catches the attention of everyone.  Takeshi's heart soared with pleasure that his wife is jealous at other women looking at him.  

"Should this King one day marries a concubine, what would you do?"  Takeshi asks her semi-seriously. 

"You will know what I do, should you one day marry a concubine into my home."  Lihua warns him.  "Let me tell you one thing, Hell King.  And that is this Lady doesn't like sharing what belongs to her, with others."  

Takeshi's heart blooms hearing her possessive words.  Instead of holding on to propriety, Takeshi kisses her forehead in front of everyone before telling her that he too, doesn't like sharing what belongs to him with others.  

Lihua scoffs at him and rolls her eyes knowing that he couldn't see her facial features, but she couldn't help herself.  Instead of continuing their conversation, she turns her attention to the hostess of the tea party and sets their play into motion.  

"Concubine Lisa, this Imperial Aunt was surprised to see your invitation this morning to join this lovely tea party." Lihua said softly, enough for the people around them to hear.  "This would be our third time meeting, but since the first time we met, you and I have had a series of altercations and misunderstandings. I guess you can say our first impressions of each other weren't the best, so it was a surprise to me when your invitation here to the Back Palace was announced." 

"Yes,"  Lisa said nervously.  She had to choose her words wisely to ensure not to anger Hell King, Lady Lihua, King Nao and Crown Prince Jing Guo.  "That is the exact reason why I invited you here. You see, we did not have the very best first meeting with each other and thus wanting to clear the air and start again, I invited you here to do so." 

Lihua kept quiet and didn't respond back, leaving Lisa in an awkward position.  Clearing her throat, Lisa poured some tea into a teacup and lifted it up to Lihua to take.  

"With this tea, I apologize for any actions of the past that made Imperial Aunt feel as if I wronged Imperial Aunt.  Let us clear up any misunderstandings between us and start over. "  Lisa said as she bowed her head.  

Lihua's accepted the tea from Lisa and in front of everyone.  

"With this tea, we shall get along as Imperial family."  Lihua said as she lifts her veil just enough to drink the tea in front of everyone.  

Lisa had a smile on her face in triumph as she looked at her husband.  Jing Guo smiled back at her and nodded his head in approval.  His goal to become King is to get Hell King's support.  Any advantage he could get to get Hell King's support, he would do anything for and right now, his concubine was able to start a connection with Lady Lihua.  If they are able to win over Lady Lihua to their side, then convincing Hell King to support him will be easy.  

With this small victory, Lisa felt proud of herself and her achievements from the small tea party she decided to host today. 

However, as soon as she felt she was basking under the sun, there was a cloud covering her success.  Queen Yuki, along with Crown Princess Consort Carita, Princess May and Princess Lavi made their way to the gazebo.  With determined steps, Queen Yuki led the three girls towards their destination.