Chapter 186 - Wild Ambition 2

Hanli inn, pu'an village. 

"You have a guest, General" the innkeeper an elderly woman in her sixties said as Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya checked into the inn. Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya exchanged surprised looks before turning back to the innkeeper. They had just arrived at Pu'an, the possibility of having a guest waiting was strange.

This was their rest spot for the night, they would continue their journey back to the capital the next day. Lu Yaozhu immediately gave the lobby a quick survey for secret weapons but there wasn't anything in sight. He glanced at the innkeeper, he squeezed Su Liya's hands to reassure her. Eyes lucked on the in keeper, he placed his left hams on the table while his right hand crept up the short sword at his waist.

"Who is it?" He asked in a soft tone. He sounded relaxed and unsuspecting as he did at making the innkeeper let down their guard. Since there was no doubt that she was working with whoever was waiting for them. His question was a test to see her response to a challenging question. However, when she responded normally, he pulled his hand away from the short sword. 

"The man did leave a name, he just booked a room upstairs and informed me to direct you to the room once you arrive", the unsuspecting woman said smiling wide. To her, the man looked like a father's figure, he was very good looking for someone a few years younger than her and was very charming. She had agreed to his request because she felt that he was very respectful and seemed like a gentleman.

Lu Yaozhu smiled, "You offer really good service, please direct us to the room".

"Oh yes, right this way" the innkeeper walked out of the counter and led them up the step, they were led down the hall, to the last door at the end of the hall. She paused at the door, raised her hands and knocked gently on the door, waiting patiently for an answer. 

"Who is it," a male voice said from the other side of the door.

"It is I, the innkeeper. General Lu and his wife has arrived, may they come in?" she said softly.

"Yea, please let them in" as the male voice spoke the sound of a bolt lifting was heard as the door was opened by a guard in a dark blue military uniform.

The uniform although of similar design to most military uniforms from this time was nothing like that of northern Wei soldiers. This soldier had to be a member of a private army. Most families kept those secret but usually disguised them as guards. The soldier bowed and stepped aside, he bowed and said, "General, your highness, please come in". 

"mm", Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya replied. They thanked the innkeeper and stepped into the room. The guard stepped out and shut the door as they walked in. He stood guard outside the door to keep intruders away, the innkeepers left as soon as he came out.

Su Liya frowned and looked towards the door as the guard stepped out. She was not fun of the games, this sudden visitor was playing. She turned around to the male silhouette standing by the window. She searched the room for any available weapon, her lips tugged up as her eyes fell on the fruit knife on the table. The knife was at safe distance from her, once the security sweep was settled, she Smile softly.

"I won't keep you waiting, please have a seat," the man said turning away from the window and moving out of the dark.

"Minister Zhu!" Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya chorused in unison. They glanced at each other before returning their gaze to the older male. 

"Sorry for the sudden visit, I needed to have a word with you two before you get to the capital," he pointed at the seats on the other end of the table. Su Liya looked up at Lu Yaozhu, she continued forward after she received a nod. Minister Zhu sat on the seat opposite them, he quietly poured out two cups of tea and passed them to them. 

Su Liya accepted the cup of tea and placed it on the table in front of her. She felt a little awkward sitting next to minister Zhu, who went about like he wasn't always out to get the Lu family killed. Minister Zhu didn't look worried at all, he acted naturally like it was every day he had tea with his enemy.

Su Liya looked away awkwardly when their eyes met, her mouth curved into an oh. Minister Zhu's smiled down at her amused at her reaction. He quickly ran his eyes down Lu Yaozhu, "how are your injuries?"

"Good, it is healing" Lu Yaozhu replied smiling softly. 

"I cannot stay long so I will get down to business. Be careful once you get to the capital, tension has been very high since the Crown Prince's accident. Be careful out there, the Crown Prince is not the man he previously was. He has been looking into his mother's death for weeks now and I fear that someone intends to stir up trouble by painting the Empress and your father as the person responsible for his mother's death.

"Before your father died, I promised that I would protect you and the Entire Lu family. Although it didn't look like it. However, I have been doing exactly that for years. Brother Hongyi was my best friend, I always regretted not doing more. When the Emperor began going down the same route the crown prince is now headed, I should have said something. Instead of just keeping silent and hoping that he would get better.

"I could protect your father but I can protect you, before you get to the capital there is something that you must know concerning the Sixth Prince. I hoped that things wouldn't come to this but sadly it looks like it cannot be avoided. My men interrupted some communication between the sixth Prince and the deceased crown Prince of Chu state. His highness has plans to rebel, with Chu Xiaosi dead.

"I suspect that he would attack soon, I fear that with his majesty fully focused on the ongoing war. He might not be prepared for the attack, which is why I am giving you control of 5,000 of my elite forces. Add them to yours, I neutralized all of the additional forces under that traitorous son of mine before leaving the capital. Zhu Faye has been taken care of so the sixth prince does not have access to a large number of forces. 

"At most he should only have 15, 000 men give or take, excluding the mercenary under his control. The mercenaries won't be a problem since I already paid them off."

"I guess we should thank you for cleaning up a mess you are partly responsible for", Lu Yaozhu said smirking. 

"You were already aware of the sixth prince plans weren't you. You are too smart to miss such a sloppy cover-up like the one put on by Faye and Zhongshan Cheng".

"I would be stupid to miss something like that, if you found out about the sixth prince's plans, how come you kept it to yourself. You gave his majesty's ears, why not just inform him of the betrayal. Why come to me? What is your angle?"

Minister Zhu smiled, "Her highness was right, you are a tricky one, why do you always hold your cards close to your heart. Even her highness thought you were unaware but you know everything."

His lips curved up, "when you don't know who to trust, you learn to trust yourself ".

" well you don't have to doubt my loyalties, I am one of the good ones."

"I don't doubt that you have been a good help to my aunt, but considering that your wonderful idea got my father killed. I think I will take my chances and do things my way. Even if you didn't advise my father to kill himself just to avoid his majesty's wrath. I still cannot trust you because compare to everyone involved, you have more to lose if the sixth prince's crimes are brought to light. How sure am I this not a lie to save yourself?"

"Zhu Faye is dead even if his involvement is discovered, I cannot be held responsible. It is in your best interest to trust me if I was on the sixth prince's side. I would have kept this to myself and taken steps against you and your family but I never did that. I never will take such steps not when we are family, plus my daughter lives you. If you die it would break her heart, I don't want her to be hurt", his eyes fell on Su Liya as he mentioned his daughter.

Lu Yaozhu turned to her immediately only to meet an equally shocked expression.

"Did you say, your daughter? How is that even possible" Su Liya said eyes narrowed.

Minister Zhu just smiled and replied, "all your questions would be answered when am done with Lu Yaozhu.. You are the main reason, I am here".