Chapter 231 - The Die Is Set 2

The Crown Prince mansion, Zhu Fenfang's courtyard.

Zhu Fenfang returned to her room once Zhongshan Ling was out of sight, she walked slowly. Measuring her steps to avoid hitting her sour areas, Zhongshan Ling had been quite worked up of late and whenever he spent the night he took his feelings out on her. They had rolled around the sheet so many times last night, it would have been the case this morning if the Crown Prince wasn't called away by Eunuch Lan. 

Zhu Fenfang yawned as she walked to the recliner at the side of her bedroom. She stretched and sat on the recliner, it was quite comfortable with soft cushions that would cause her any more aches. 

"Xiao Chu", she called as she leaned back on the recliner. She lay down on her side and shut her eyes, breathing in gently. Xiao Chu rushed forward and massaged her shoulders, "Madam mist be tired, although I was outside the hallway with the servants, it was obvious that things were very heated between you and his highness".

Zhu Fenfang's cheeks heated upon hearing that, her lips tugged up gently. "So you heard everything, his highness was relentless last night. I can only imagine how loud we were and you were with the servants how embarrassing. The gossip today must be explosive".

"Don't worry your highness, I monitored the talk from the servants. It would be a problem, if anything it did quite the opposite".

Zhu Fenfang rose her eyelids, "the opposite?"

"Yes, my lady, by daybreak the message spread around. I heard that the new concubine, Madam Chen caused quite a scene in her room and our gates. She must have wanted to prove a point because she came charging in under the pretence of delivering a personally cooked breakfast his Highness. She made a lot of noise but was embarrassed in the end, she didn't even pass the threshold before being sent away by one of his highness junior eunuchs"

'Ha Ha Ha', Zhu Fenfang sat up and leaned forward as she burst into laughter. "Shameless! That should put her in her place. I guess she thought she had a place in his high heart because she was his cousin. Her childish mechanisms can never compare to mine, without any tricks left. I guess that she might result in the trucks she used to get married into the royal family. Keep an eye on her, Xiao Chu I must know what she plans even before it is executed"

"Yes, Mistress", Xiao chu who had taken a step back and stood hands raised as Zhu Fenfang sat up. 

"Good, I would like to waste an opportunity to permanently get rid of Chen Yao. I guess that she is yet to figure out the game I played by gifting her such a valuable art piece. A shortsighted woman like her lacked to discerning ability to see a none over the top actions", she smirked, " I don't know why I over-reacted when she joined the side hall. I guess I can call that a moment madness".

Zhu Fenfang leaned back on the chair, her mood lifted while Xiao Chu gently unknitted her shoulders. The arrival of one of her many informants at the mansion, a junior maid stationed at the main court brought the satisfactory massage to a halt. The maid's arrival was announced by a second rank inner room maid, Zhu Fenfang and Xiao Chu exchanged a surprised expression at their new guest.

For the past few months, the Crown Princess consort has been quiet. The sudden visit by the maid piqued her interest, Zhu Fenfang gestured silently for Xiao Chu to go check it out. She leaned back, shifting her body to a more comfortable position as she gazes at the door. Seconds later, when there was no sight of Xiao Chu, She sat up and raised her head trying to get sight of Xiao Chu but there was no one in sight. She sighed and leaned back on the seat, tapping her finger on the wooden hands of the recliner. 

Her fidgeting stopped at Xiao Chu walked into the room, she sat forward, "Xiao Chu, why did that maid come over? The Princess consort has been calm for the past few months, what brought that girl running over. It cannot be that she is up to something?"

"Please rest easy, your highness. This time the news is not about her highness but our Eldest Young miss".

"it is about, Zhu Fengyin jei-jei?" 

Xiao Chu Nodded, "Yes Mistress".

Zhu Fenfang snorted and leaned back, "what about that snub is worth repeating apart from her early demise". She Frowned, picking up a few strands of her hair and rubbing it through her fingers, "it is not like the universe has been merciful to get rid of her. That low-class slut, Su Liya is now a Princess consort, like that wasn't bad enough Zhu Fengyin is expecting a child" her face brightened as she continued, "don't tell me that she was here to report that Zhu Fengyin does a gruesome death during childbirth now that is a piece of news that would make my day. As much as I want her dead, I would prefer to have my revenge on Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya. His Majesty's health is declining, it is only a matter of time before she dies and his highness takes over then I will make them pay".

Xiao Chu sighed, biting her lips gently. She knew how badly her Mistress took any positive news concerning Zhu Fengyin but a piece of news as big as this could not be ignored with consequences. When there was no further word from her maid, Zhu Fenfang turned to the maid standing beside her. The pained expression on her face was all the forbearance she needed, "what is it?" She asked scowling at the quiet maid.

"My lady, the maid came over to report that news was delivered early this morning from Duke of Wu mansion that the Duchess delivered a baby boy last night."

Zhu Fenfang slapped her hand on the couch, eyes narrowed, "What horrible luck! Why did she have to give birth to a male child, now she has a solid footing in the Lu Family".

"My lady, a lot of madams have sent gifts in congratulations to the Duke mansion. We can not delay or there will be talk".

"Who Cares what they think! Why do I always have to bow to her? Why! Why!" She kicked her leg angrily. 

"Be careful my lady, since his toughness is already aware. It is only a matter of time before she comes over, what if she hears you!"

Breathing heavily, Zhu Fenfang stood and walked to the window. There was reason in Xiao Chu's words so Zhu Fenfang calmed her anger, minutes later she said, "I cannot look any cheap, pick out some of the best gifts from my storeroom and send it over. It should not be over the top, just standard gifts".

"Yes madam".

A few hours later Zhu Fenfang's gifts were delivered to the Duke's mansion.