Not Your Typical Villianess

Chapter 75: offense is the best defense 6

The Duke's mansion.

Lu Yaozhu looked at her coldly, Su Liya laughed softly "hehe no need to answer that" she said on the stool next to him at picked up one of the treats.

It was soft sugared cookies, that melted in her mouth producing a delicious goodness.

Su Liya felt her toes coil in delight, it had been months since she ate something like this. It brought out the homesickness she had tried hard to suppress.

Although it had been smooth sailing for her since are transmigrated, she still didn't feel comfortable at this time. Most times she went about her day scared that she would be discovered as a fake and executed. Before coming here, she had taken for granted those little things that she had access to in her tube, from delicious snacks and dishes to clothes.

Well, she missed all the clothes except for a bra, she did not miss that weapon of pain. Although they were an equivalent of it in the past, it wasn't as uncomfortable as the real deal. Luckily Su Liya wasn't so endowed in that area so she didn't have to go through any of the extreme dressings.

"Mm this is good", Su Liya said running her tongue through her lips. Lu Yaozhu followed the movement with his eyes before quickly looking away. He blinked his eyes a few times where we thinking 'what am I thinking looking at her that way.

He looked away, picked up one of the biscuits and took a bite. He was immediately assaulted by the sugary sweet taste, he wasn't quite fond of sweets so he placed the half-eaten biscuits aside. Su Liya noticed his actions and asked "You don't like the cookies".

Lu Yaozhu glanced at the biscuit and shook his head "not really, I don't like sweet things".

'Typical male lead style. Can Drunken scholar be a little original? Did she have to follow all the typical romance book cliches of writing a very healthy male, that doesn't eat processed or otherwise unhealthy foods like biscuits' Su Liya thought rolling her eyes.

She had noticed quite a lot of Drunken scholar's, lazy writing. The characters were quite original, Su Liya nodded with an 'I do not pretend to understand what the hell you are saying but, I will pretend that I do'.

"Oh....I understand. This is good" Su Liya replied.

"I am glad you like it, it was sent over by Her highness. It is from the west".

"Oh, the Empress treats you the best" Su Liya replied cheerfully.

Lu Yaozhu brought down the lid of the plate when she was done eating and pushed the tray aside. "The second royal games will be held in two days, we have been invited. There will be a cuju game and I will be taking part in the game. You have to be careful while in the palace, stay close to Zhu Fengyin all through the game. Don't leave with anyone and be careful of what you say or do".

"You suspect that someone may try something bad?" Su Liya asked.

Lu Yaozhu nodded "you can't be too careful, don't let down your guard. If you face any problem just gave Rong Rong sent me a message".

"Okay", Su Liya replied. Her mood had gotten solemn when she heard that they would be attending a palace event. After the fiasco after the polo match that resulted in their marriage, Su Liya had unknowingly gotten a trauma for palace events.

The Lu family had more enemies than friends especially in the royal family, someone was bound to make a move. She still wasn't aware of whoever planned that little stunt from before which made her worried.

Lu Yaozhu noticed the change in her attitude, she had gone from bubbly to serious in a split second. He didn't like that the Emperor had Involved innocent people in his fight with the Lu family but unfortunately there was nothing he could do to stop that. 

He can't stop the Emperor and the sixth prince from making any moves on her but he could make sure to ensure her safety. He wasn't going to let her get hurt again, breathing out heavily, he said " I am sorry for getting you involved".

"You don't have to apologize, I understand. These things are beyond your control, don't worry about me. Just play your game properly, I will be careful" Su Liya replied smiling to reassure him.

Lu Yaozhu nodded and after saying a few more words concerning the royal games her left and returned to the big pavilion.

**********

Meanwhile, at the Emperor's study.

Emperor Zhong massaged his temple gently as he went through yet another military report from the various commanders stationed the guard the northern borders of Northern Wei praising My Yaozhu for his bright ideas and strategies.

Lu Yaozhu had too much military power, most of these commanders words had a lot of weight since they are all old subjects that served under his father the past Emperor. They had a lot of trust in the young General and were recommending him to take charge of guarding the recently conquered border villages of Chu state.

While he didn't like Lu Yaozhu staying too long in that capital, he wasn't about to send him to a prime spot. He was trying to destroy Lu Yaozhu's moral, not give him a good weapon to hurt the stability of Northern Wei.

Emperor Zhong shut the military report angrily and threw it aside. "Shameless! These old servants have gotten too comfortable in their position." 

Caihong who stood at his side ran quickly and picked up the fallen report. He placed it on the evaluated pile and returned to his position by the Emperor's side.

He was familiar with the Emperor's temper and didn't say anything, a few minutes later he poured the Emperor a cup of tea and kept it close enough that the Emperor could easily pick it up and far enough that he wouldn't easily knock it down.

Emperor Zhong glanced at the cup and took a sip then placed it back on the table. "How are things at the Empress's palace," he asked some minutes later.

"Answering your majesty, this little one heard from a servant at the Empress's palace that she had received a letter from Princess Ni'an, a day earlier"

The Emperor"s lips curved up as he sat up, "this would be the fourth later in the past few days. My elder sister is getting impatient as expected. Consort Shi's made a dent in her relationship with my elder sister. Things are escalating quickly, send over some drinks to calm her down"

"Yes,", Caihong bowed and ran out of the Empress's sturdy. He ran into Minister Zhu at the door and after saluting him, went off on his errant Minister Zhu shook his head when he saw how jumpy Caihong was. The Emperor was not in a good mood, he walked forward.

Emperor Zhong looked up from the reports as he came in. "You haven't left", he asked.

"Not yet, your majesty".

"You have worked hard, head home quickly and rest, good friend. You have to take care of your health"

"Yes", Minister Zhu replied walking forward. 

Emperor Zhong dismissed the servants present be and sat back on his seat. "What do you have to report?", He asked.

Minister Zhu reported in a low tone "I spoke with the crown prince of Chu state a few days ago. After explaining everything, they are in"

"Wonderful, then we will proceed with the plan"

"Yes", Minister Zhu stayed back for a few minutes. Emperor Zhong looked up in surprise "how come you are still here, any other thing?"

Minister Zhu nodded "yes, at the end of everything, what would happen to my eldest daughter?"

Emperor Zhong chuckled "don't worry, about her. she too would be safe".

Minister Zhu replied "thanks, your majesty, I will go meet with the Chu Envoy"

Emperor Zhong just nodded without saying anything more.

***********

At the crown prince of Chu state end

He received the go-ahead from Minister Zhu and informed his special forces. Northern Wei was currently the strongest of all the states Although they had lost to northern Wei, he was still aiming to make a comeback.

The undisguised hatred the Emperor had for the Lu family and Lu Yaozhu was obvious. While he didn't understand the foolish Emperor's actions, he fully intended to fan the flames. Lu Yaozhu was a difficult competitor to him. He was a talented strategist, who was unfortunately too loyal to his motherland 

It was a pity that the Emperor he fought to protect was blinded by jealousy and wanted his head. The Crown Prince penned another note to his partner and informed him of his progress. The next few months was bound to be fun. if everything goes as planned, he and Lu Yaozhu would have a rematch.

He was looking forward to that rematch because unlike last time Lu Yaozhu wouldn't come out the victor. He would finally fulfil the long time dream of his grandfather and conquer the powerful Northern Wei with ease.