18 The Tea-Brewing Competition (2/2)

”That... That girl” Ah Mei swallowed hard, trying to still her stuttering ”She is the nominated Crown Princes... Future wife of prince He Geng Xin... Miss Tong Zhi Ruo”.

Sam blinked, not knowing exactly what to do with that information. As if understanding what was happening, Tng Zhi Ruo's smile became even wider, a almost taunting glint shining in her eyes.

'This girl is dangerous' a small voice whispered in Sam's mind, and just like before, she didn't even considered mistrusting it.

Turning back to Ah Mei, she said ”We have to get out of here”.

Just than, they were swallowed by another round of applause.

”And it seams, ladies and gentlemen, that this years winner is our nominated Crown Princess!! Miss Tong Zhi Ruo!” more applause and cheers could be herd, and Sam decided to use that opportunity to get away from there, as fast as she could ”Let's go!” she hissed to Ah Mei, dragging the girl with her on the direction of the door.

”... Such a blessing to our country!” the judge kept talking ”Now, as it is tradition, the winner has the right to select someone from the crowd to make her a cup of tea, as sign of respect and admiration!” he kept talking ”Your Highness, please, take your time” he bowed at her, clearly kissing up, Sam thought.

Tang Zhi Ruo smiled a bright, seemingly graceful smile, but didn't bother correcting the man that she was not yet the crown princess, as the wedding was yet to take place. instead, she walked to the front of the small stage, her face the sight of a beautiful, considerate maiden.

”I thank you so much! Everyone of my competitors was worth and had such astonishing abilities... Zhi Ruo is really humbled by everything I learned this afternoon and it is my great pleasure to receive this prize!” everyone applauded again, cementing about how such a great figure could be so kind and respectful ”I know you have been hearing rumors... And it pains me dearly to learn about the harsh treatment someone has been receiving because of it. So, I want to use this opportunity to show everyone that there is nothing left to forgive between us!”

Her honeyed words only served to make Sam feel like vomiting, the sense of urgency building up on her stomach with a vengeance.

Almost at the door, she chanted at her self, she was almost at the door...!

”Jiang mei mei!” Tong Zhi Ruo suddenly called, making everyone turn her way and Sam stand dead still ”Jiang Mei Mei... It would be Zhi Ruo's honor to have you make me a cup of tea... So we can show everyone that no harm has been done, and that we forgave each other for any past mishaps!”.

Sam closed her eyes slowly, trying to contain her desire to roll her eyes and scream.

Couldn't anyone see how false all that sounded? Or that viper's smiling with such smug satisfaction?

But everyone was already commending her about such noble spirit and being able to forgive that terrible Jiang kid.

Sam looked at Ah Mei for help, but the girl seemed ready to faint.

There was really no way out this time.

'Forget it' she sighed 'It's just a cup of tea... Let's just get done with it!'

Forcing a smile, she slowly turned to the front stage, ordering her limbs to work as she slowly bowed at her competition.

”Zhi ruo, jie jie!” she crooned, deciding that, if she would go down, so she would annoy the hell out of that creature on her way ”You know I have terrible skills, not in the least compared to Jie Jie's talent! You had so many more years than me to cultivate your talent! Jie Jie, I don't dare to offend your taste with my meek tries!”.

Sam lowered her head in what looked like submission, but was in fact a way to cover her desperate desire to laugh. She could sear a vein was jumping on that girl's forehead at the allusion of her age!

Ah-ah, so amusing! And everyone around seemed not to have noticed anything! They were even complimenting her about her change of manners, and that she seemed to know her place now.

”Mei Mei-a, what are you saying? We are just a few months apart!” Zhi Ruo exclaimed, with round, naive eyes ”Whatever you do, it will be fine for me. Jie Jie won't judge you!”.

Sam almost sighed. Well, she had tried.

Still trying to sound meek and polite, she made her way to the front and onto the stage, waiting while two servants cleaned everything and started arranging some very weird, very foreign stuff in front of her.

”Hum... Excuse me” she asked one of them in a low voice ”I though I was supposed to make tea...?”

The men blinked, seemingly flabbergasted.

”You are, miss.”.

”Right...” she said slowly ”So... We are all the tea stuff... And what should I do with all of this?”.

If it was possible, the poor servant seemed to be having a stroke from disbelief.

”Miss... This are the things used to brew tea”.he whispered nervously before making himself scarce as fast as possible.

Sam just felt her jaw dropping, looking at everything laid In front of her with utter defeat.

Slowly, her eyes traveled to the triumphant smile on the Viper's face.

She slowly closed her eyes, trying to thing.

'Just making some tea, hum?' she berated herself internally 'what could go wrong, hum?!?!'

Now, what was she to do...?

”Tong Mei Mei, if you don't mind, I would like to offer to make tea on Yue'er stead... To represent the good will of our entire Jiang family”.

Sam gasped, her head whipping to the entrance door, not believing in what she was seeing. Deep inside, however, a small, flimsy thread of relief, respect and even... Even love quivered slightly, as if she had played the string of a guitar.

And right at that moment, Samantha couldn't differentiate anymore which were this body's responses and which were her own.

Her family had arrived.