Ning is bereft after she unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her motherthe poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister. Her only hope is a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shimasters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life. But between the backstabbing competitors and bloody court politics, Ning might be the one in more danger.