Tricking You Again
Princess Mira recalled her bold words at the entrance of the Prince of Qin's Manor this morning. Now, looking at her own predicament, she clutched her head and staggered back a few steps.
All of Suxin Pavilion's business relied on that Head Chef. Without the Head Chef, Suxin Pavilion didn’t even have another cook who could step up!
With the Head Chef gone, how could Suxin Pavilion possibly stay in business?
The crowd looked at Princess Mira’s sorry state, then at Princess Lily Hayes’s graceful demeanor. The difference between the two was obvious at a glance.
“There’s been talk in the capital for ages that Princess Ling and Princess Lily Hayes would battle it out in business. If you ask me, there’s no contest—they’re not even on the same level! Princess Mira’s business sense isn’t even as good as a three-year-old. My youngest knows to sign a contract before working for someone, just to make sure he doesn’t get scammed out of his wages!”
“Exactly. Princess Mira only wastes money because she’s a princess and has a family fortune to burn.”
“That so-called princess can’t compare to Princess Lily Hayes at all. Just look at how well her business is doing!”
Amidst the laughter and ridicule, Princess Mira clutched her head and fled in embarrassment, rushing out the door. Lila hurried after her, feeling as if the mocking voices behind them were wild beasts chasing them down.
Princess Mira didn’t return to Suxin Pavilion, nor did she care about it. She went straight back to the Chu envoy’s residence.
All she knew was, without her Head Chef, she had no way to challenge Su Li.
“I hate her, I really do! Su Li, you wretch!” Princess Mira slammed her fists against the bed, finally realizing on the way back that the Head Chef’s defection was just a ruse. He’d been colluding with Su Li all along, playing her for a fool.
Lila returned to her room, not daring to make a sound, terrified she’d be dragged into the mess. But she couldn’t escape—Princess Mira vented her anger by beating her.
After taking it out on Lila, Princess Mira felt a little better and began to think about her next move.
With no Head Chef at Suxin Pavilion, and that damned chef having tricked her into buying all sorts of outrageously expensive spices, she’d spent every bit of her private savings—and even pledged her dowry and betrothal gifts!
Princess Mira had planned to use Suxin Pavilion’s profits to buy back her dowry and betrothal gifts, but now, that hope was gone.
After such a devastating blow, Princess Mira’s inflated ego finally cooled a bit. Panic set in. “If my royal brother finds out I lost my dowry and betrothal gifts, he’ll lose his mind. What should I do? What am I going to do…?”
Princess Mira spun around in circles, finally realizing she was in real trouble.
Lila crouched on the floor, terrified of another beating, and quickly offered advice: “Princess, we still have all those spices… If we sell them, we’ll have money again.”
“Yes, spices! Sell the spices!” Princess Mira clung to the idea like a lifeline. “Lila, go find a buyer for the spices. I’m selling them!”
Meanwhile, at the Prince of Qin’s Manor, in White Pete’s courtyard.
White Pete sat across from Su Li, his manner respectful. “The Art of Disguise isn’t something you master overnight. Since Princess Consort hasn’t learned enough to craft her own disguise mask, I’ll make a foreigner’s mask as you requested, using Edward’s features as a reference.”
“Good, finish the mask as soon as possible.” Su Li smiled. “I’ve got a lucrative deal, but it wouldn’t do for one of my own people to show their face. I need a foreigner for this. Tsk, a foreigner buying spices, running off without paying, vanishing with the goods. Everyone will think he fled back overseas—no one would bother looking for him. Sorry, Princess Mira, but I’m going to trick you one more time.”