Chapter 50: Their little secret 2 (1/2)
40 minutes before the banquet began.
Zhu Fenfang turned to madam Zhu and whispered ”Mother I see Yiling up ahead. Can I please be excused”.
Zhu Fenfang stood patiently for a few seconds before receiving a nod from her stepmother. Madam Zhu was busy playing the influential socialite and didn't pay her any mind. Which was exactly what Zhu Fenfang was counting on. She didn't wish to get a front roll seat to praise Zhu Fengyin, the new Duchess of Wu party.
She just might lose it, If she stood there any longer. Those madams only respond t power and with Zhu Fengyin present, the table was bound to turn on her. Zhu Fenfang walked to a free seat at the balcony,
Zhu Fenfang had no intention of approaching that naive young mistress of the Lu family, she had only used it as an excuse to get out of having to stand by and watch everyone praise Zhu Fengyin. Some minutes after she was seated, Lu Yiling joined her at the balcony.
Lu Yiling ran to her side and grabbed her hands, she looked left and right ”There you are Sister Fenfang, I have been looking all over for you!”
”I just arrived, that must be why” Zhu Fenfang replied.
”If you had just arrived, you must not have run into my sister-in-law. You won't believe this but she came with that maid of hers. I tried to stop her from coming but sister in law refused”, Lu Yiling said her brows wrinkled. She bit her lips gently,
Zhu Fenfang found Lu Yiling behaviour was a little weird. She didn't understand why Lu Yiling would be this unsettled because Zhu Fengyin brought Su Liya with her to the banquet.
”What is going on Yiling,” she asked slowly.
Lu Yiling dragged her to the garden next to the balcony after making sure that no one followed them she said ”I just found out from sister Qiumei that her cousin, Xu Jingting was back from his tour”. Her voice rose as she said the last words.
”Xu Jingting is back?” asked Zhu Fenfang.
”Yes!” Lu Yiling said pinching the skin on her neck.
The wheels in Zhu Fenfang head began to roll as she suddenly came up with an idea. His initial anger at Zhu Fengyin stealing everyone's attention disappeared. Everything was working in her favour, Xu Jingting presence was just what she needed to make this banquet memorable.
Xu Jingting was very silly, that year she hadn't needed to do much to push him to Su Liya. She had met Xu Jingting by chance at an embroidery house, she didn't know who he was when they had met. She just thought he was another spoiled rich young master, so she didn't pay him any mind.
It wasn't until she had accompanied Madam Zhu to a banquet host by the Xu family and was introduced to him. Xu Jingting was a popular rogue in the capital, he was popular for being infamous. Even without meeting him, she heard of all his escapade.
That time just like today, she had been ignored by everyone as everyone praised Zhu Fengyin. No one noticed when she left, they were too focused on their blind worship of Zhu Fengyin. She had escaped to a garden, which was where she found Xu Jingting.