Chapter 194 - Prince Wu 1

Yu'an Temple.

"If you are right then things just got complicated". 

Su Liya pulled out a second chair for herself and sat opposite, Zhu Fengyin, "Things won't necessarily get complicated if we can find out who this new player is and what her primary goal is. We already know that she had a grudge with the Lu family so she must be someone that had belongs with members of the Lu family."

"That about narrows it down to a lot of people, it would be easier if we just questioned her" Zhu Fengyin sighed. 

"Like she would be honest, Fengyin, if we want to outsmart her. We need to have the element of surprise in our hands, I don't want to let all our cards show until we know who and what we are dealing with."

"That is reasonable, I guess we will have to wait for Chonglin to question the maid" Zhu Fengyin, massaged her next gently. Su Liya glanced at her and kicked her ankle with her foot, "don't worry, it won't take long. The maid would be an easy read, she is not a well-versed criminal".

Zhu Fengyin nodded, she glanced at Su Liya. " you are looking a lot better than when you came back from Ningzhuo".

Su Liya placed both hands on her cheeks, "really, it was so rowdy at Ningzhuo, the sixth prince concocted baulk load of trouble for everyone. Are you hearing from his grace?"

"Yes, he is on his way back with the soldiers, all the Droko tribe soldiers retreated as soon as Chu state pulled out. I guess they were the people behind the Sixth prince." 

"Chu state lost their Crown Prince, that was major damage to them since he was the Emperor's only son. Chu state won't be a problem for some time, I heard that there is a lot of internal shuffles within the royal family of Chu state. That will keep the Emperor occupied for some months or years depending on how things go". Su Liya stopped talking when she saw the amused expression on Zhu Fengyin's face.

"Wha_what? She asked.

"Nothing, you have changed Yaya. General Lu is a good influence on you, he got you to be more involved in things outside of your circle. I am glad, you were too Uninterested in these things."

She sighed and muttered, "That was because I thought that I won't be here for long".

"Oh, and now? Are now interested in staying?"

"Yes, I guess it is nice here plus I have family here." The last one she said in a very low tone that was close to a whisper.

"I am glad that you decided to stay, I have gotten used to your....."

"Spunk, talents, sense of humour_"

"Trouble! I have grown to tolerate your ever-increasing issues"

"Hey!"

"What? You know that I am being honest. You are a handful, General Lu has a lot on his hands. Talent? Please be honest." 

"You_" a knock on the door interrupted Su Liya, she glanced at the door and stood. "That must be Chonglin", she walked to the door, unlocked it and stepped back for him to come in.

"How did it go," Zhu Fengyin asked seating straight. 

"The maid initially refused to answer our questions but after scaring her a little, she finally opened up. According to the maid, her mistress fell ill a few months ago, she nearly died but was revived by the doctor. When I asked if her mistress behaved out of character after she was revived, she initially hesitated but after some time she gave me an answer". He glance at Su Liya and continued, "her highness was right, according to the maid her mistress acted like a different person these past few months".

Su Liya and Zhu Fengyin exchanged a gaze, "looks like we have a mystery in our hands. Let's start by tracing all her movements, Chonglin find out all that you can about Chen Yao. Find out what Chen Yao has been up to these few months, ask her maid. We need to know everything, nothing is to be taken lightly" 

"Yes," he bowed and left the room.

"This can't be happening, Yaya. How will we ever find out who she is?"

"By tricking her into revealing it to us, since the target is the Lu family. It has to be someone with a grudge against the family. Have your men question her until she cracks"

Zhu Fengyin narrowed her eyes at Su Liya, "how odd, I thought you were not a huge fan of using violence to intimidate people?"

"I guess you can say that time here has changed my outlook on life. I can't keep judging you all by the rules from my time, life here requires a different set of rules. I don't like using violence but this time I have no choice but to resort to violence. it concerns the safety of the members of my family and Chen Yao or whoever is in her body is a threat to our safety."

Zhu fengyin shook her head in amazement, "I like this version of you, she is fun. I will drop the instruction before we leave. It is getting late, the servants will get suspicious if we stay any longer".

"Alright"

Some minutes later, they stepped out of the secret pathway, the abbot stood by the door as they walked out. Zhu Fengyin said a few words to him before leaving.

**************

The next day, at the Duke's mansion 

Rong Rong ran into Yu Tao at the door leading into the living room early the next day as she carried a blanket of Su Liya's washed clothes from the Laundry department. The sun was already high up in the sky or was only a matter of time before the kitchen maids delivered breakfast yet their master and mistress were still asleep. She smiled as her brother's exhausted face came into view.

She glanced at the door, "Tao gege take a seat and maybe have a calming drink, pacing around out here won't make them get up early. This is our Second Young Master first break from court since he got back to be capital, who would get up early on their day off. Get some rest, while the young master is resting, don't walk around like a security guard", Rong Rong carried the basket through the small door at the side leading to the cloakroom.

Yu Tao open his mouth about to scold his sister but gave up once her word sank in. He sighed and walked to the shade opposite the door. There was some noise from behind the closed door an hour later. Yu Tao stood and walked to the door expectantly, suspecting that it was his master. 

Meanwhile, behind the closed door, Su Liya made a move to get up from the bed but was held back by Lu Yaozhu who hugged her from behind. Kissing her softly on her shoulder and resting his chin on her shoulder her whispered, "hey not so fast, get back to bed. Today is my day off, let's spend time together".

Su Liya glanced down at him, "we can not possibly stay in bed all day, we have to get up. Day off or not, It is getting late. I need to show my face or I am bound to receive an ear full from mother tomorrow".

He pulled her closer, "it is still too early to get up, come back to bed. If there ask any questions tomorrow, just tell her that I kept you in bed till evening" he kissed her neck as he said the last few words. 

"You!" She pulled away from him a got out of the bed. "You can stay in bed till evening because I am not doing any of that. I only barely get your mum to see me as more than the seductress that lost her son and adventurous marriage. I stay here any longer and your mother will pay me a special visit".

Su Liya walked to the door a pulled the bell hanging at the end of the hallway. Rong Rong and Baozhai rushed in a few minutes later. Yu Tao came in after them and helped Lu Yaozhu get dressed. Minutes after they were both properly dressed the kitchen maids delivered their breakfast and they sat to eat. 

The mansion steward uncle Lu ran in as the plates were cleared, Lu Yaozhu glanced at the elderly man as he walked in.

"Why the haste, Uncle Lu?" Lu Yaozhu asked.

"General, Madam, officials from the ministry of rites are here with Chief Eunuch Cuihong to announce an imperial edict."

"What!" Lu Yaozhu said frowning slightly

"An edict", Su Liya glanced at Lu Yaozhu, they silently exchanged a look. There wasn't any chatter of the Emperor delivering an edict, based on their rocky relationship. This Imperial edict was like a hot potato, yet it wasn't something that they could escape.

"An Imperial Edict represents the Emperor himself.. We will head out and receive the edict", Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya stood and followed the steward to the main courtyard to receive the edict.