Realization dawned on her face. Her eyes widened slightly before she bowed again, this time more deeply. "Oh… I apologize. I haven't been a good hostess. I didn't take your meal timings into consideration."
She straightened quickly. "Here, we usually eat only once, late at noon. Please forgive my oversight." She turned back to them and said earnestly, "You may all go to your rooms and freshen up. I'll have the servants prepare a proper meal for everyone."
Mark shook his head lightly. "I'll take care of guiding them. You go speak with the servants." He paused, then added almost as an afterthought, "And don't forget to tell them to prepare rice. White rice. Not the blue or pink varieties. And make sure there are proper meat dishes as well."
Lan Xia nodded immediately. "Yes."
She offered the group a warm smile. "Please excuse me." Then she turned and strode away briskly.
