Daji's revelation ringing in my ears, I wait until we're in our extravagant Xanadu bedroom, eating exotic fruits and some kind of strange cakes that the servants have thoughtfully laid out for us.
"What are these?" I ask,
"Sweet osmanthus cakes," replies Daji. "Don't tell me you've never had them! I can't believe they're not on the menu at the inn. They used to be."
I wrinkle my nose. "I haven't seen them on the menus."
"They're supposed to be! I've told the chefs repeatedly, but they say they got sick of them and needed a break."
I shrug. "Maybe if I asked them, they might reconsider. I'll do that the minute we get back."
Daji munches on one of the osmanthus cakes and rolls her eyes in bliss. "Mmmm. Delicious. Try one."
I pick it up. It's a diamond-shaped gelatinous wheat-based cake with a sweet smell. "It looks like Japanese wagashi sweets."
"Hmmm, yes, same principle. Do have several. You will need them for the story I'm about to tell you."
