Chapter 156: Don't spook the villian 2

Zhu Faye's mansion, Minister Zhu Mansion

Zhu Faye sat on a single seat by the fire, clutching a bottle of wine to his chest when his man A'Bao rushed in bowed. He winced as the bright afternoon sun got into his eye from the window. He blinked, squinting his eye to keep the light say until his eyes finally settled. He sat straight, the room spun a little as he did and he felt nauseous. 

He held on to his head and counted to ten until the rolling stopped and he was no longer nauseous. He glanced at the slim older man in front, "what is it?" He mumbled, rubbing his temple gently with his index finger.

"My lord, our spy in the Duke's mansion just reported that the maid, Tian Tian was detained after getting caught poisoning the first young mistresses meal".

"Good," Zhu Faye said smiling. He noticed the disgust in his man's heart as he called Tian Tian's name. He too wasn't fond of that airhead, he had only approached her to get information but the little fool fancied herself in love with him. 

A'Bao looked up at his young mater eyes wide, Shifting back. He blinked and tilted his head to the side, "young master... I.... that is _ I don't understand you are not angry that your plans fell through?"

"My plan? Please if I wanted to kill Zhu Fengyin would I leave my plan to a foolish girl like Tian Tian? I will soon get all that I ever wished to get, I needed to tie up loose ends. Someone as easily swayed by sweet words should be kept close" he placed the bottle back on the table and laughed, "I already made plans to handle Zhu

Fengyin permanently. This time I will make use of unexpected Means. As for that Tian Tian, get rid of her before she starts running her mouth".

"Yes", A'Bao bowed and left the room 

Two hours later, it was nearly dark. A'Bao came back with news, he bowed at his master who sat behind the low square-shaped table. 

"Has it been done?" Zhu Faye asked without looking up from the book he held in his hands.

"Yes, Tian Tian has been taken care of" A'Bao modded with a bowl. 

"Good, how are things at the sixth Prince's end?" Zhu Faye asked finally looking up.

"His highness has the second young miss under house arrest since yesterday. My contact in the palace reported that the sixth Prince submitted a report to the Emperor. No report has been sent down but the report has arrived at the Emperor's desk"

"And my father, I am surprised he hasn't heard of this, yet? Things has been silent at home so far, I am surprised".

"Master is too focused on screening the candidates for the position of Prime Minister"

Zhu Faye grinned, "ah that, since it is now at the Emperor's table. He will soon be informed, it is funny how father no longer pays attention to Feifei. He must be tired of all her previous antics but I am curious how he would handle the news. Keep an eye on him".

"Yes," A'Bao looked up at his master uncertainly as he took out the secret letter that was dropped at the brothel for his master. The brothel mistress had no idea who sent the letter only that it was addressed to the young master. No matter how hard he thought, no one came to mind and when he tried to investigate the origin of the letter he found nothing.

He glanced down at the letter and folded his lips tightly. 'Here is to taking the risk' He thought and came forward once more with the letter. He stretched out his hand and placed the letter on the table, "this came in for you at the brothel, young master".

Zhu Faye glanced down at the letter with a wrinkled brow, he picked up the letter and unwrapped the letter. His lips tugged up as he read the letter, "interesting, looks like there is a new player in the game." He rolled up the letter a threw it into the fire.

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Minister Zhu's study

Zhu Yaren had different faces, he put on each face depending on who he faced. When he faced the other ministers, he wore a wise and reasonable face. This made other officials gravitate towards him but when he faced the Emperor, his expression was calculating and calm.

After year's of putting up a front, he had perfected the art of wearing a pocket face. He knew not to trust anyone because a friend today could become an Enemy. However, he had a few constants in his life that made up his bottom line. Both of whom was his daughter Zhu Fengyin and the Lu family. So when his guard rushed in to report that his two bottom lines were touched by that ungrateful adopted son of his. 

His face darkened, he was aware of the little tricks Zhu Faye and the sixth prince played in the background but pretended otherwise since they were usually unsuccessful. Zhu Faye was a child that in his opinion never should have been allowed to live but because of the promise he made his younger sister before she died giving birth to the boy.

He couldn't do anything harmful to the boy except he committed a capital crime. Based on the close familial relationship with his sister, he was forced to tolerate this son of his but attempting to hurt the people he cared about with a deed like this was something Zhu Faye would payday gravely for. 

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The Duke's Mansion

The next morning, Tian Tian was found dead in her cell. After the body was checked it was discovered that she was killed sometime before dark the previous day. Su Liya wasn't surprised when Yu Tao reported it while she was getting dressed.

Su Liya was seated in front of the dressing table when Yu Tao was called out by a guard from the detainment cell. Lu Yaozhu was seated on the bed reading a report while waiting for her to get dressed. They were invited into the palace by Empress Lu, the invitation was sent yesterday by the Empress's eunuch.

Yu Tao came back in not long after leaving, he stood next to Lu Yaozhu and reported "General, a guard from the prison just reported that Tian Tian was found dead in her cell at daybreak".

Lu Yaozhu brought the book in his hands down a looked up, eyes narrowed. "How was she killed".

"it was poison, it seemed that it was slipped into her dinner yesterday."

"Have the kitchen staff that handle her food captured immediately. I want to get to the end of this"

"Yes," Yu Tao replied and left the room. Lu Yaozhu noticed that there wasn't a change in Su Liya's expression. He tilted his head to the side and tapped his lap gently, "You don't seem surprised by the news of her death."

Su Liya didn't need to be told who he meant by "her", she smiled and nodded, "no, I can't say I am surprised since I expected this. Zhu Faye is a cold-blooded man, there is no way he would let her leave. She is a loose end, honestly, I suspect that he set this up for her to be caught. I can not believe that a man as calculating as Zhu Faye would take this kind of risk. This might all be his plan to get rid of Tian Tian, we should not let our guard down yet".

Lu Yaozhu smiled, "I intend to change all the guards and servants in the mansion, I am not pleased with how much access he has in the mansion. Your suspicions are valid, it all seemed too easy. I think it is best to remove him from the equation, that is what I am aiming at. Until then, it doesn't hurt to act dumb"

Su Liya used a small pencil to draw her eyebrow, "as far as it doesn't involve me taking another of those bitter concoctions and acting like I had one foot at death's door. It is enough that we pull that once, I don't intend to do that again".

Lu Yaozhu sight, "when are you going to let me go for that, I have already apologised multiple times already. I feel like you bring that up every few days".

Su Liya placed the pencil on the table with a "bang" "Can you blame me, try taking one of those medicines every day. Scratch that you are going to try it" she glanced at Baozhai, "we have a batch remaining right, go get it for the General".

"No no no no, sorry okay! I was wrong!"

"Don't ever make me do that again or I will never forgive you." She pulsed hrs lips, "do you know why the Empress is asking for us?"

Lu Yaozhu stood behind her and resting his head on her shoulder whispered, "Imperial Aunt wants to enquire on how effective our baby-making session is. News of sister-in-law's pregnancy has her craving another nephew."

"What!' Su Liya blushed heavily, "You are lying!"

"No, I am not. I heard that she invited the imperial doctors two days ago and instructed them to make a fertility enhancement pill. I fear that once again you would be forced to drink one of those healthy concoctions, you hate so much".

"You!"

Lu Yaozhu pecked her on the cheek and ran out before she could say anything more.