Chapter 36: The things we do for family 2 (1/2)
Lu Yaozhu separated from Lu Yiling and Zhu Fenfang a short time later under the pretence of working. While he enjoyed his sister's company, he still had a few more things planned for the day. He knew what his mother had planned and didn't want any hand in it.
Even if his mother dangled Zhu Fenfang in front of his face for centuries, he still wouldn't bite the bait. He had enough problems without adding an arranged marriage to them. He saw Zhu Fenfang as a friend and nothing more.
The sooner his mother accepted that right now, marriage was the last thing on his mind, the better for them both. Lu Yaozhu quickly returned to his courtyard and went into his study. As he sat at the desk and went through the military report.
Before withdrawing from the border town, he had left a small unit of his ghost warriors to monitor Minister Sheng. Any action Minister Sheng took was the Emperor's orders and the Emperor saw the Lu family as an eyesore. All the Emperor's actions so far were aimed at cutting off the Lu family.
The Lu family who had served the Zhongshan royal family of northern Wei for centuries were facing extinction at the hands of the royal family they had sworn to protect. That was both pitiful and dissatisfying, although he was loyal to the royal family, Lu Yaozhu refused to let the Emperor destroy his family.
He quickly read through the secret message sent by the commander of the Lu family's ghost warriors. The commander reported that Minister Sheng contacted Chu states Crown Prince Gao Zhan a few days back.
Minister Sheng secretly meeting with the crown Prince of Chu state was very suspicious. Especially since the crown prince entrance into Northern Wei wasn't announced. Lu Yaozhu brought the note to the candle and set it on fire. He leaned backwards and tapped his finger on the table.
Even with the pressing political problem, his thoughts still went to Su Liya's beaten up appearances. He couldn't stop thinking that he might be the reason behind her injuries, her behaviour was strange. She was so focused on the ground and completely avoided his gaze.
”Yu Tao, Please find out what happened to Su These past few days”.
”Yes,” he replied and left the room.
Yu Tao was surprised to hear his young master request but pretended otherwise. He had noticed that his usually aloof master had begun paying an unusual amount of attention to Su Liya. Which made him worried, Lu Yaozhu however was his master.
It wasn't in his place to question any actions Lu Yaozhu took. He could only assist Lu Yaozhu in all he's doing, so far Su Liya hadn't done anything suspicious, there was no need to act on that.
LU Yaozhu went through the reports, replying to the official letters and minuting a report that would be submitted to the court. He was halfway through the long pile of reports when Yu Tao returned. Yu Tao reported his discovery
”Young Master, I asked around and discovered that Su Liya was pushed out the laundry house door a few hours after your accidental fall. The instructions came from Young Mistress Yiling”.
”What?” He looked up quickly. ”how did she find out”.
”I don't know”
”is my mother aware of this?”
”No, I don't think so”