"The letter, Ah-Ying," Lady Yuwen said, extending her hand once more. This time, it wasn't a request. "Give it to me now, or I will have guards search you, drag you before the Duke, and ensure that both you and my daughter face the full consequences of whatever foolishness you're attempting. The choice is yours, but choose quickly. My patience is not infinite."
"I... I don't..." Ah-Ying's hand instinctively moved to protect the letter in her sleeve.
"That was not a request," Lady Yuwen said, her voice dropping several degrees in temperature. "You are carrying correspondence from my daughter. As her mother and the mistress of this household, I have every right to inspect it. Now. Give it to me."
Ah-Ying's mind raced desperately. She could refuse, could try to run, but the guards at the gate would stop her before she took ten steps. And defying Lady Yuwen directly would only bring more scrutiny down on Yueshuang.
