Chapter 48: It is not easy being married 2 (1/2)

After getting dressed Zhu Fengyin accompanied by Su Liya went to Madam Lu's courtyard. The invitations sent by the Xu family to was addressed to the ladies of the Duke's residence. Zhu Fengyin was leaving with Madam Lu and Lu Yiling.

Madam Lu was still getting dressed when she arrived. She had been informed by a maid as she walked in, Zhu Fengyin sat on a seat while waiting for Madam Lu.

A few minutes after she got seated, Lu Yiling arrived dressed in a light pink banquet gown. Her makeup and hairdo were much simpler and brighter since she was still an unmarried young lady.

The unmarried young lady left their hair down and wore lighter colours as opposed to the married madams who were allowed darker colours and packed their hair up. Lu Yiling frowned slightly as she saw the maid accompanying Zhu Fengyin.

She had become on guard at Su Liya presence.

This was a huge banquet with a lot of Madams from high families. There was absolutely no room for mistakes of any kind, Lu Yiling feared that with a social climber like Su Liya present mistakes were eminent.

Madam Xu was a tigress, it wouldn't do to get on her bad graces. She wouldn't tolerate one of Su Liya's underhanded moves. Zhu Fenfang let it slip a few days ago that Su Liya seduced the Xu family's only legitimate heir Xu Jingting during a polo match two years ago.

Xu Jingting was so bent on marrying her that he refused to eat or drink. Old master Xu was so mad at the first branch of the Xu family and threatened to kick him out of the family. In the end, Madam Xu had to send him away on a tour to stop him from causing her any more trouble.

It was such a touchy subject for Madam Xu that she got rid of all the servants that knew about that event. She didn't let the news leak and instead informed everyone that Xu Jingting had gone to study under an old Master. Zhu Fenfang had only heard of this because she was close to the third daughter from the first branch of the Xu family Xu Shishi.

Based on the history between Su Liya and Xu Jingting she was reluctant about bringing Su Liya with them. Her presence could make Madam Xu misunderstand them, she looked from Su Liya to Zhu Fengyin before finally saying

”First Sister-in-law I don't think it is a good idea to go with this maid of yours. I find that her appearance isn't so good. Madam Xu prefers servants with a much calmer appearance”.

Zhu Fengyin's eyebrows furrowed slightly when she heard those words. Zhu Fengyin glanced at Su Liya and smiled ”Young mistress shouldn't listen to gossip, they are just tales made up by envious person's with malicious intent. Madam Xu is nothing like that”.

”You should listen to Fengyin, Ling'er” Madam Lu said as she walked into the room proofed up by her maids. She stopped in front of her daughter and let go of her maid Nanny Liu's hands. ”Ling'er, what did I tell you about listening to gossip, you are no longer a child but an adult. Don't listen to baseless gossip” she gave Lu Yiling a sharp look.

Lu Yiling's proud expression immediately disappeared. She stood and said in a low tone ”sorry about that mother, it won't happen again”.

”En” Madam Lu nodded.

Zhu Fengyin stood from her seat, bowed and said ”good health and long life to you mother”

Madam Lu turned to Zhu Fengyin and asked ”did you wait long?”.

”No mother, I just came in” Zhu Fengyin replied.

”Alright, it is getting late. Let's get going” Madam Lu placed her hands on her maid's arm. Lu Yiling rushed to her other side and took her mother's hands.

They left in two carriages, Madam Lu and Lu Yiling were in the carriage behind while Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya occupied the carriage at the front. It was a very bright day, the sun wasn't very hot so Lu Yingjie followed them on horseback.

The mansion of the main branch of the Xu family wasn't that far from their house, it was a ten minutes journey. Zhu Fengyin brought up Lu Yiling's strange statement when they were alone