Chapter 69: The new bride

The Duke's mansion 

Su Liya bit her lips gently and summoning up courage said with a tiny voice "can you not go?"

Lu Yaozhu turned around and looked at her with an expression that said 'Do you even know what you mean'. Su Liya felt her cheek heat up immediately, she immediately tried to explain "I_ I don't mean it that way. It is just that leaving this quickly will make tongues wag."

Lu Yaozhu nodded but didn't reply, he walked to the door and spoke with her servant Yu Tao. Her heart sank when she saw him walk to the door, she wasn't surprised he was leaving but she still felt disappointed. She had hoped that Lu Yaozhu would still help her save face, even if they got married this way, he was still her husband.

She stood and unkneaded her achy neck. There was no need to avoid the inevitable, she removed her out covers until she was left in just her inner clothes. She rose the blankets and got into the bed, she looked up at the overhead curtain.

As usual, the embroidery was very pretty, she silently processed the events of the day, when she heard footsteps at the door. She looked up expecting to find a maid when she saw Lu Yaozhu walk back in. Their eyes jammed when he walked in, Lu Yaozhu was amused by his new wife's expression. 

She looked like a little rabbit looking at him from under the blankets, She rose the blanket up to her neck. Her clear eyes were all that could be seen from that position. Su Liya unlike most young Mistresses wasn't good at hiding her thoughts. 

Her joyful expression was very easy to see, she must have assumed he was leaving. Lu Yaozhu cleared his throat and said "I am not in the habit of embarrassing my wife, I only stepped out to instruct my subordinates. I want us to start how we want to go on".

Su Liya smiled "thanks"

He didn't reply and began to remove his red wedding clothes, stopping when it remained his white inner shirt and black trouser. He sat on the edge of the bed and took off his boots and placed it by the side of the bed, then got under the blanket.

Su Liya rolled inside, while he undressed. They both laid stiffly on the bed, there was a short distance between them. Su Liya was still a little nervous, the Jitters kept her awake for some time. After a while when there was no action from Lu Yaozhu side, she loosened up and finally fell asleep.

Su Liya fell asleep happy to have survived her wedding day, everything went smoothly. She wasn't the only person happy with the success of the wedding, so was Xia Ying.

Xia Ying waited till her maid reported that the wedding was concluded before going to bed. Xia Ying grew up hearing stories about brave warriors who uphold justice and protect the citizen. After hearing those stories, she decided to marry a man just like the heroes in those stories.

She was overjoyed when her grandmother informed her that she was going to the capital until she found out that her grandmother was arranging a marriage prospect for her in the capital. She had put on quite the resistance until her sister informed her that she would be marrying the popular general Lu.

Her sister told her a few of the stories she heard about the general, the stories were a little heroic. After hearing the stories, she decided to give him a chance. However, after meeting her saviour in the forest, Xia Ying fell in love at first sight.

Although she didn't know who her saviour was, Xia Ying was smitten. The thoughts of marrying anyone else felt impossible, She was initially worried about her future marriage but the Emperor's edict solved that problem. 

Ignorance they say was bliss, no one understood that more than Xia Ying. A few days later the day she had received the news of Lu Yaozhu turned into the worse day of her life.

******

The next day, Su Liya and Lu Yaozhu woke up early. Today was the first day of their marriage, it was a tradition that the new couple served tea to the groom's family.

Yu Tao woke them at daybreak to get prepared to meet the family. This was going to be their first meeting after marriage, they both dressed appropriately and headed to madam Lu's courtyard.

It was 8 am when they arrived, everyone was seated in madam Lu's living room. Lu Yingjie and Zhu Fengyin were both seated at madam Lu's right while the other Lu siblings Lu Yiling and Lu Yong sat at her left.

Su Liya caught Zhu Fengyin's eyes as she walked beside Lu Yaozhu but pretended otherwise. Madam Lu's expression was a little rigid, she was watching Su Liya like a shark. Testing this woman's patient didn't look like a bright idea. 

Su Liya saluted Madam Lu and everyone before they began to tea service. Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya knelt in front of madam Lu and holding their balled-up fist in their hands said simultaneously

"This son greets mother"

"This daughter greets mother-in-law"

Madam Lu nodded at them. "Rise", she said softly.

Su Liya poured the tea carefully into the teacup, she walked up to madam Lu and presented the cups of tea to her

"Daughter-in-law serves mother tea"

Her actions were exquisite, she poured the tea carefully, making sure not to spill any on the table or her sleeves. After serving her mother-in-law, she turned to her husband's feelings and said a few words of respect to everyone. Zhu Fengyin smiled softly at her, she was impressed by Su Liya's actions throughout this event.

Although she didn't like her new daughter-in-law, madam Lu put on a friendly attitude. After saying a few shallow words on the surface, madam Lu released them. She asked Lu Yaozhu and the Duke to stay back for a few minutes. While Lu Yaozhu and Lu Yingjie stayed back to discuss with madam Lu, Su Liya and Zhu Fengyin returned to their rooms together.

Su Liya held on to Zhu Fengyin's lands quietly while they walked out of madam Lu's Courtyard. Zhu Fengyin said in a low tone "It has been a while Yaya, how are you doing?"

Su Liya glanced at the. Servants around her and moving in closer whispered "Good apart from things being a little awkward between I and the second master".

"Good, second master is very respectful. He might appear cold by I can assure you that he is a good choice. Don't let mother's actions discouraged you".

Su Liya glanced at the serious-looking Zhu Fengyin and giggled. She leaned on Zhu Fengyin's shoulders and whispered "look at you sounding all experienced?"

"Am I not experienced, Considering how long I had been treated with the cold shoulder by madam Lu.", Zhu Fengyin teased.

"Madam Lu is very strict, we sisters need to watch out for each other. I noticed that you and his grace has gotten closer, the two of you were in sync with each other"

Zhu Fengyin blushed at the mention of her husband "don't pay close attention to the Duke and I, you are also married. Pay attention to second young master" she cautioned shyly.

"The second master had a lot of people paying attention to him, no need to worry. Madam Lu is now focused on me, please make good use of this opportunity to get closer"

"Wow, Look at you acting so selfless" 

Su Liya nodded "why thank you?"

"Ha!, look at your bashful expression. Go away" Zhu Fengyin removed her hands from Su Liya's and pushed her away jokingly.

Su Liya returned to Lu Yaozhu's courtyard known as the Western pavilion. It was a two compound pavilion, there were two separate buildings. The bigger building was occupied by Lu Yaozhu, while the other served as a guest Courtyard but was converted to Su Liya's rooms.

Each building had four separate rooms and shared a central kitchen, one was the living room, the other was the bedroom, the library and the dining room. After changing to casual clothes, Su Liya sat on the chaise by the window and admired the flowers.

Sometime later Lu Yaozhu returned with two Yong girls clad in a senior maid's uniform following him closely. Su Liya stood when he arrived and after saluting sat on the chair opposite him.

"Second Young master," she said respectfully.

Lu Yaozhu waved her to her seat then called the two maids forward. He introduced them to her "Liya, you just came in from the palace, you don't have a maid yet. I made Yu Tao looks into it and I arranged for two maids to serve you. Here at they are. They are Baozhai and Rong Rong" 

The two maids bowed when they were introduced "greetings madam".

"They will be in charge of taking care of you. I feel more at ease with both of them taking care of you".

"Thanks" she replied. The maid bowed, walked and stood behind her. Lu Yaozhu didn't stay any longer and returned to his stuff.