Page 45 of Sweet Dominion

“The tea ceremony is over.” I took Moni’s hand. “Uncle Song and him are already heading toward the gate. I won’t attack him down there and have more people die over our family bullshit.”

“Smart move, Mountain Master.” Aunt Min bowed.

Aunt Suzi joined her.

Chen pocketed the phone. “Lei, what else do you want us to do?”

“I need time alone with Moni. My head is. . .”

Moni squeezed my hand, letting me know that she was with me. “The Mountain Master needs time to be by himself and consider tomorrow.”

What would I do without her?

I swallowed. “I’ll see you all later.”

Chen quirked his brows. “Are we still having the cookout?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Moni’s sisters need to be here—”

“Hold on.” Moni shook her head. “Lei, we don’t have time to rush my sisters’ moving, with everything you are dealing with. You should have time to mourn your sister. We should make this a quiet evening.”

Aunt Min stepped forward. “What cookout?”

Aunt Suzi placed her hands on her hips. “We’re moving in my new little nieces tonight? Why wasn’t I notified of this?”

I glanced back at Moni and kept my voice low. “We can still do the cookout.”

“Lei. . .are you sure?”

“I am.”

Moni didn’t appear convinced.

“Are you okay with my aunts being there?”

“Of course.” She gazed at them. “You all are invited, but honestly we don’t have to do this—”

“What other way will we be able to deal with the rest of this day?” Aunt Min held her hands out. “I’m sad. I want to drink a lot of expensive champagne and smoke my medicinal herbs and. . .I absolutely cannot be alone. I may harm myself.”

I rolled my eyes. “You will not harm yourself.”

Aunt Suzi didn’t look like her mood had brightened all the way, but she did seem less devastated. “We can spend the next hours shopping for presents for the girls and we’ll need new dresses.”

Aunt Min bobbed her head. “One must look nice for their welcome.”

“Then, it’s settled.” I looked at all of them. “Moni and I will see you later today.”

Chen placed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t think you two should go back to the palace. The tea ceremony was abruptly ended. People will be searching for the story. You will not get much peace.”

I considered that. “I can’t stay in Lotus Blossom right now. Not while Yan’s. . .head is still in the kitchen.”

Aunt Min stepped forward. “I will handle your sister’s. . .remains. Do not worry about that.”

Aunt Suzi raised one finger in the air. “Perhaps, you two should go to the beach house. It is a lovely day for a swim.”

“That’s a perfect idea.” Chen pulled out his phone. “I’ll have the helicopter ready and men will be there to guard. I should come along as well as Hu and Duck. Also, we should take Moni’s ladies-in-waiting.”

I thought about all the people on that list. “I don’t know.”

---