"Commander. Fuel and supplies."

"Surely you have time to join me for some tea while your men load all that up."

Okay, what's the trap here? Probably something in the conversation. Or the tea is poisoned. In which case Aunt might actually kill him, which seems worth the risk. Or he's trying to pull something with the supplies, but Zuko's got Lieutenant Jiahao supervising who will catch anything like that. And etiquette doesn't give her much space to refuse.

So, "I... suppose."

He smiles. It isn't a very pleasant smile. "Right this way."

Ugh. Hope this wasn't a mistake.

"How has your search been going, Princess?" he asks once they're settled.

She doesn't like the way that title sounds in his mouth. Slimy.

"...I have found a positive lead. Evidence of airbending."

"Is that so - ? What sort of evidence?"

(Iroh is very subtly stepping on Zuko's foot.) "Rumors, mostly," she says, pleasantly. "It'll take us a while yet to track down the truth of them."

It isn't very clear if Zhao believes her.

Zuko is going to take a drink of this wonderful tea now. Mm, tea.

A servant brings another pot, and Zhao quietly gestures something to him as he leaves, getting a bow in return. Zhao then turns to Zuko with his usual unpleasant smile. "How has your journey been, other than chasing rumors?"

She has no idea what he's after.

"Nothing out of the ordinary."

"No problems, then?"

"No."

He keeps talking - it's really unclear if he's trying to probe her for some detail or another, or if he's just making pointless small talk.

Probably wasting time until he causes something to happen that he can blame her for.

Eventually one of the servants comes in with more tea - and murmurs something in Zhao's ear. Zhao pauses, listening with his head tilted, then stands, his hands behind his back, and says lightly to Zuko: "Now, Princess... With you being so close to the Avatar, I think it's more appropriate for someone with more experience to take over, don't you? It wouldn't do for the Fire Nation to fail in this."

Nothing good ever happens when she shouts. She clenches her fists instead.

"This task was assigned to me."

"And I am relieving you of it. You may enjoy my hospitality a little longer, though," he says, as he nods to the armed guards moving to block the exits.

She stands. "You do not have the authority to do that."

"And you do not have the authority to contradict me, Princess," he sneers.

"Tell your men to get out of the way."

"I don't think I will."

Then she will be going through them.