Chapter 212 - Frenemies 2

Chen Yao's bedroom, the Crown Prince Residence

"In love? Please, at most he is fond of me or maybe this is his guilt speaking. His highness is yet to give me his heart, I should get ready to greet her highness" Chen Yao Stood, walked to the window. She looked out the window, watching the maids as they swept and groomed the flower bushes. She had slept for a while and it was already mid-morning everything was in full swing.

Liang walked to the window on the other end of the room and pushed it open, cool breeze rushed into the room as she pushed the lid backwards. Liang Pulled back and turned around on hearing Chen Yao's words. 

"Oh, you don't need to do that. Her highness went into the palace to pay respect to her highness the Empress".

Chen Yao looked away from the window and moved her gaze to Liang who stood by her dressing table. "The Empress is back?"

Liang looked up from the grooming kit set up on the table and darted her eyes back to her mistress, "Yes".

"Oh, took her long enough", Chen Yao walked to the fruit bowl on the table and picked up an Apple. "She must have heard of the Crown Prince's issues, though she left for good. I guess she wants to protect her investment".

Liang picked up a thin brush, "her highness seems kind, I think she genuinely likes his highness and treats him like her biological son. I don't think her highness sees him that way".

Chen Yao felt her lips twitch as she heard that, she started at her maids. The mains innocent expression and words were amusing, she couldn't hold in her laugh. Chen Yao moved closer to her maid and leaned by the table, her eyes followed Liang every move as she went about preparing the tools for Chen Yao's morning grooming.

"Ha, you sound so naive. Do you think her highness would treat the Crown Prince thus good if she had her child? What good is an Empress without a male child? Taking in the Crown Prince was the best way to protect herself, it works well for her if you think of it. His Highness doesn't have a mother so he had no loyalty to anyone but her. She did that to secure her position, she is only an Empress as long as the Emperor is alive. By doing that, once his Highness takes the throne she becomes the well respected Empress dowager. So don't let her pretence fool you".

Liang looked up from the basket of scent pack she carried on one hand and glanced at her mistress. Her mistress's words shocked her, it was like she was speaking with a completely different person than the young Miss she grew up with. However, no matter how suspicious she was, with her low status. Liang could do anything about that and just lose away.

The sound of hurried footsteps from outside the door drew their attention, they both glanced at the door. A second rank maid walked into the room, head bowed low she reported, 

"My Lady, Madam Zhu's ladies maid, Xiao Chu came over with a gift"

Chen Yao tilted her head to the side, one eyebrow raised. She caught Liang's gaze and gestured to the door. Liang nodded and walked out of the door with the maid following her. Chen Yao sat on the seat next to the tea table and poured out a cup of water.

She was curious what Zhu Fenfang sent over, although the maids tried to keep it under the wraps. She had overheard them talking between themselves about Zhu Fenfang throwing a huge fit a few days before she was married. Chen Yao wasn't surprised to hear that, she had expected a reaction like that from the Crown Princess and Zhu Fenfang. However, apart from Zhu Fenfang. The Crown Prince treated her fairly, she barely paid her any mind.

Chen Yao tapped her fingers on the table silently, eyes locked on the food. Minutes later, Liang carried a wooden box, Chen Yao sat straight as she placed the box on the table. 

"Open it", Chen Yao said.

"Yes", Liang open the lid and brought out a beautiful medium-sized porcelain vase. She placed it carefully on the table and glanced up to watch her mistresses reaction. 

Chen Yao was taken aback by the beautiful vase, she never expected a gift of this variety. Her lips tugged up, "it seems that Zhu Fenfang is still as naive as ever, there is no need to guard against someone as foolish as her. Who gives their competitor an art piece as precious as this. Place the vase in good sight".

"Yes, Mistress" Liang said picking up the vase carefully and moving it to a table at a corner of her bedroom. Chen Yao Walked into the room to check if the arrangement suited her before leaving. 

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

Four days before, the Imperial Examination began.

A dead body was abandoned at the middle of the junction directly opposite the front doors of the minister of justice. The body was bloody with cuts bruises, the victim was missing a few fingers and an eye. It was a gruesome sight that left the vendors with stalls around the ministry of justice nauseated. The case was reported to the Emperor as soon as he woke up, the Crown Prince had jurisdiction over the ministry of justice so He was called in as soon as the body was discovered.

However, as soon as he arrived he was attacked by the family of the deceased who accused him of being involved in the killing. The deceased was identified as the only son of Minister Ning and the lead officer in charge of the investigation of the corruption at the Crown Prince's office. The deceased Ning Boran was a dedicated officer who was a rising star at the ministry of Justice. His father was one of the loudest voices demanding for the Crown Prince's removal from office.

The Crown Prince reputation which was barely hanging on a thread, make a nosedive.. An hour later a petition was submitted demanding that the Crown Prince be removed completely from the case.