"I have something to confess." Lihua said as they ate a late dinner together in his quarters after a day of laying in bed together.

"What is it." Takeshi said as his chopsticks grabbed more food from the various dishes in front of him and place it on her bowl then proceeded to place some food on his bowl.

"I unleashed my snake on Akira at the gazebo after she slapped me." Lihua said quickly as she held the chopsticks tightly in her hand. Lihua didn't have enough courage to looke at Takeshi so she stared at her bowl of rice with meat and vegetables that Takeshi placed in her bowl.

Takeshi kept eating like he didn't hear what she said. Instead he picks up another piece of meat and places it on to her rice bowl.

"You should eat more meat, you're too skinny." Takeshi tells her. "A strong gust of wind can easily blow you over. How are you going to complete your revenge if you don't get stronger?"

Lihua's head snapped up and stared at Takeshi in surprise.

"Did you hear what I said?" Lihua said slowly this time. "I said---"

"I heard what you said." Takeshi tells her. "She had it coming and deserves any and all punishments that she gets."

"You're not mad that I took your revenge on her with my own hands?"

"Did we not promise to help each other out in the cave?" Takeshi reminded her. "Since we are getting married soon, what burdens I have will also be carried by you and what burdens you have will be carried by me."

Lihua nods her head yes once and begins to eat energetically again.

---------------------

A late report was made to Lihua by Xin and Ethan while Takeshi were in his study catching up on his work and reports.

"After Liam arrived home, they sent out for a doctor. The doctor patched him up as best as he could and prescribed him medicine. He's been asleep the whole time. Him and his mother have all been detained inside their courtyard until further notice." Ethan tells Lihua. "As for his sister, Cindy, she has been seen going to the Winter Rain Tea House every morning to meet with her friends. While there they all have conversations with other noble ladies and gentlemen."

"As for the financial situation for the Lei Clan, three month's salary cut, will hurt them more. This morning he let go of five servants." Xin said.

"Go buy up all of Liam's debts that he incured." Lihua said. "We will pressure the Lei Clan to pay up the debts. Seeing how the establishments are too scared to do so."

Xin and Ethan smirked at her plan. "Every day that they do not pay, raise the debts 20% and every three days, we will create a scene in front of their estate drawing a crowd. We will make enough racket until they pay with the rest of the companies that Prime Minister Lei owns is given into our hands. Once the companies are in our hands, instead of using the company, we will break it down into pieces and sell it off separately."

"Isn't that a bit too mean?" Ethan asked Xin.

"I want him to see his legacy breaking apart before his eyes." Lihua tells him. "If your heart is too soft to help me, I'll let you go and find someone else."

"NO!" Ethan shouted. "My heart is not too soft. I wasn't thinking when I spoke, please forgive me Miss Lihua."

Xin smacks Ethan on the back of his head. "She's going to be the new Mistress of this household, show her more respect."

Ethan rubbed the back of his head and bowed. "Sorry, Lady Lihua."

Lihua waved her hand over her face, dismissing his earlier comment and apology.

"Tomorrow morning, wear all white again. We shall depart and make some moves."

---------------

The next morning, the three of them all dress in new white clothing make their way to the Winter Rain Tea House. The doors to the tea house just opened, but they still were not the first one's there. Two groups of maidens have already arrived, dress up with lots of makeup and heavily perfumed.

"How may this servant serve you today." The hostess asks her.

"My mistress will like the best room you have." Ethan said as he smiled at the hostess.

"Of course." He said as he showed them in and up the stairs. He stops in front of a private room in the middle of the private room section of the tea house over looking the main hall where it was an open space full of table and chairs for those who couldn't get a private room.

As Lihua sat down, Xin and Ethan sit across from her.

"May this servant suggest a tea for Miss...?"

Lihua nods her head once in response, instead of answering his inquire of her name.

"The new Spring Tea from the Haley Mountains have just arrived late last night. It's taste is crisp and clean with hints of green tea and floral notes. It's just the tea to start the day and goes well with all our foods."

Lihua nods her head once to agree and Xin orders food for them. As the hostess leaves, he reports to the owner of the strange lady in the private room. The owner quickly looks at them, but dismisses them, thinking nothing of them since they came in quietly, he thought they would eat and leave quietly.

Soon the tea house filled up quickly and the quiet morning became filled with loud talking and laughter. All the private rooms have been taken as well as the main hall on the first floor was filled to the brim.

From the door, a group of girls caught the attention of the whole tea house. The girls were the Lei sisters, Cindy and Concubine Lei of the first class. Along with them is Yia Yan, daughter to General Yan, Zong Zeng, daughter to Minster Zeng and Shoua Der Guo, daughter to Minister Guo.

The hostess could be seen talking to them in a lively manner then bowing to them profusely, before getting smacked by a royal maid. The hostess kowtows as someone is sent to get the owner. When the owner comes out to apologize, he is then seen coming up the stairs and making his way towards Lihua's room.

"Miss, please excuse this servant. But there seems to be a misunderstanding." The owner began. "You see, my hostess forgot that this room has been booked already and accidentally gave you this room. As the owner, it is my fault for not teaching my hostess well. I must ask you and your associates to move to another location to the tea house. As an apology, I will wave your bill for today and the rest of your enjoyments will be on the house."

Lihua didn't respond. Instead she keeps drinking her tea as if the owner didn't say anything. The group of girls got tired of waiting and marched their way upstairs to the center of the private rooms. Everyone in the tea house quiets down as they sit back to see the play that is about to start.

"And if I say no?" Lihua said as the group of girls reach the room.