The path to the tea plantation was a long one, and the entire time, Hong’s head was thrumming with ways to escape. She could not get far with her bound feet and heavy gown, especially with the thick snow blanketing the forest floor beyond the path. And even if she were able to flee into the thicket, it was known that monsters and wild beasts lurked in the shadows, including fox demons who ate human livers as a fine delicacy.