Chapter 23: I will make them pay 3

2 hours earlier, at Zhu Fenfang's quarters.

Xiao Chu held the flower pot steady for Zhu Fenfang as she carefully trimmed the sterns and leaves when a maid ran up to her and reported that she had a visitor.

Xiao Chu took permission from Zhu Fenfang and stepped out to check who it was. They hardly ever had any visitors since Her master wasn't close to any of her siblings and their courtyard was located deep in the compound.

Apart from the few time when Madam Zhu sent over a maid with their share of any gifts or clothes, the courtyard was always quiet. Xiao Chu was a little curious about who the sudden visitor was and the purpose of the visit.

As she got to the door, Xiao Chu saw a Maid from the main courtyard standing by the stone sculpture outside the house. Xiao Chu has quickly recognized the maid as one of her master's spies at the main courtyard Xu Ye.

She dismissed the maid standing next to her and walked up to Xu Ye, she led her to the side such that they were hidden by the sculpture. They discussed in a low tone for a few minutes after which Xiao Chu handed the maid a few silver coins.

The maid accepted the coins and left while Xiao Chu went back into the house. Zhu Fenfang was at her previous position, carefully trimming the flowers. Xiao Chu rushed up to her and whispered into her ear "Young Miss, the master is back from the court".

Zhu Fenfang paused and looked up before resuming her trimming. When she felt that the flower was properly trimmed she set down the scissors.

"Call someone to put this away," she said as she took a step back and walked to the wash basin. Zhu Fenfang rinsed and dried her hands and rolled down her sleeves. She rose them up to avoid staining them with dirt. Zhu Fenfang waved away her sleeves and said to Xiao Chu"Let's go to the kitchen".

Xiao Chu had already arranged with the cook to allow her mistress to make use of the kitchen, as soon as they arrived the servants left the kitchen until Zhu Fenfang was done cooking. Zhu Fenfang prepared chicken broth for the minister and poured it into a food warmer.

Zhu Fenfang left for the main courtyard with Xiao Chu carrying the food warmer behind her. Zhu Fenfang already had a plan, which was to deliver the soup to her father at his study to win his favour.

Tomorrow was the anniversary of her mother's death was, Zhu Fenfang wanted to request for a memorial service to be held for her mother. It wouldn't be difficult to arrange, since her father already invited some monks for Princess Bai's memorial ceremony.

All she wanted was for her mother to get the recognition she never got when she was still alive. Even if her father refused her request and she suspected he would. Zhu Fenfang was willing to settle for him giving her mother's death anniversary a little attention.

It would make her mother happy to get his attention even if for only a short time. She deserved that after spending all her prime years loving a man who never even had her in his eyes.

Zhu Fenfang collected the food pack from Xiao Chu when they got to the entrance to the main courtyard. She straightens out her clothes and with a polite smile walked into the courtyard.

Zhu Fenfang raised her hands to knock when she heard the slow deep voice belonging to her father. He seemed to be in a meeting with his clerk Uncle Du, which explains why there wasn't any servant in the courtyard.

He must have dismissed them to avoid anyone overhearing their conversation. Zhu Fenfang brought down her hands and walked to the side, she stood by the wall next to the window and listened silently.

At first, the clerk reported on the condition of the stores and other miscellaneous activities but the direction of the conversation changed into the political angles of things. Zhu Fenfang stiffened when the conversation came to her marriage.

She heard her father ask "did you check on Count Ling's heir?"

"Yes, I did. The young master is a promising scholar, he would be a good match for the third young mistress however he is very close to the granddaughter of the head of the imperial college. There was talk of a potential marriage between both families but it fell through", Uncle Du replied.

"The marriage talks fell through because of the Count's previous mismanagement of relief funds scandal. That's is the only reason I have such a good chess piece in my hands, my lending him a hand back then was a good idea.

"This was I can get Prince Ye's support, I will need that to get Fengyin out of any future mess the Lu family gets their selves into. Zhu Fengyin is Xiao Bai's only child, I have to protect her".

"You have always protected the young Miss, I am sure her highness would be glad in heaven", Uncle Du said.

"it the least I could do, Xiao Bai sacrificed a lot to give birth to Fengyin. She is our legacy, I have to ensure her future. Since young Master Ling checks out you, inform the Ling family that we will go through with the marriage. The He family is now in decline this is the most adventurous match Fenfang can get"

Uncle Du bowed and walked to the door, "I will get right to it"

Meanwhile, at the other side of the door, Zhu Fenfang"s hands tightened on the food pack. She bit her lips hard, as she tried to control her temper. She controlled her expression and walked down to stand on the step a short away from the door.

Uncle Du would be coming out soon, she didn't want to give up the fact that she had overheard their conversation. She stood by the steps, smiling softly as Uncle Du stepped out. They exchanged greeting as she got into her father's study.

As she walked in Minister Zhu looked up from the report "Fenfang? why are you here? shouldn't you be helping with the preparations for the memorial ceremony," he said seating back on the seat.

"I made some chicken broth soup, I brought you a bowl," she said softly.

"oh, I haven't had that in a while" he pushed the report aside. Zhu Fenfang opened the food pack and took out a bowl of soup and a spoon, she placed both on the table in front of him and stepped back.

Minister Zhu picked up the spoon and took a sip of the soup. "this is good, you have a talent for cooking, You should help out with the preparation of the meal for the memorial ceremony. Her highness was kind-hearted, she deserved the best".

Zhu Fenfang's breath cut as soon as she heard those words, it took a lot of control to prevent her from losing her temper on him. Her hands balled up at her sides, her nose flared. She stood silently until he was done eaten then left the courtyard.

She threw the food pack to the side when she was a few distances away from the main courtyard. Xiao Chu quickly bent and picked up the lunch box

Zhu Fenfang stumped her feet and stood by a tree "Her highness! her highness! is she the only person he sees! What about my mother? Doesn't she deserve the best! is she so worthless because she doesn't have a powerful family behind her!

"No matter what I do, he only has Zhu Fengyin in his eyes, she is the only one that matters. What is so special about her! Every time I am forced to make sacrifices for that spoiled brat! I have no say in even my future, that I have to marry into a mediocre family like the Ling family just to secure a future for his precious Fengyin!"

Her shoulders shock quickly, she brought her hands to her face and leaned by a tree. Xiao Chu placed the lunch box on the ground and hugged her mistress tight, patting her back gently. Minutes later Zhu Fenfang pull away from her and wiped the tears from her eyes.

She said firmly "I will take charge of my future, who cares what they say. I will make them all pay!"

She deep breath and continued walking to her courtyard, as she walked into the small garden close to her courtyard she came across Zhu Faye and Su Liya.