Chapter 64: Her late night visitor 1 (1/2)

The Duke's mansion

Lu Yingjie rode his horse during the ride back to the mansion from the palace so Zhu Fengyin was alone in the carriage. Everything that happened in the palace replayed in her mind during the ride back.

She didn't know what to make of the whole mess, she didn't understand who and why Su Liya was targeted. Why did it have to be Lu Yaozhu, madam Lu was like a tiger when it came to her children. This night wasn't going to be peaceful for her at the mansion but that was expected.

She didn't know how Su Liya was feeling while at the palace. The Emperor held her in the palace under the pretence of preparing for the wedding but any smart person could see that it was to protect his interest. The Emperor just conferred a marriage between one of his keep officials and a maid.

While it looked like an accepted union to onlookers, there were a lot of powerful parties unhappy with the union. The best place she should be right now to save her neck was the palace. It isn't unheard of for a bride to accidentally die in the capital. Although it was a good idea that Su Liya was held in the palace, she couldn't help but worry.

While she may not be killed there were other ways the Empress or madam Lu could get their pound of flesh. 'i have to find a way to ensure her safety. YaYa is innocent. This was all a dirty move made by someone sinister' Zhu Fengyin thought as the carriage stopped moving.

Tian Tian walked down from the maids' carriage and ran to help her mistress out. A maid under her banner had caused a mess, Madam Lu wouldn't take that lightly. It wouldn't be good if her mistress wasted any more time to get down. Tian Tian was scared Madam Lu would take out her anger on Zhu Fengyin.

Tian Tian pulled the door open and said ”Mistress we have arrived”.

Zhu Fengyin took in a breath and let it out before getting up and stepping out for the carriage. She heard Madam Lu ask after Li Yaozhu as she was helped down.

Madam Lu stood by the gates with Lu Yiling while the steward welcomed them. ”Is Xiao Zhu back?” Madam Lu asked.

The Duke mansion's Steward Uncle Lu replied ”no, Madam”.

Madam Lu looked ahead but didn't see her eldest son anywhere. ”Why isn't Yingjie here?”

”My lady, the Duke left as soon as he got here to search for our second young master” Uncle Lu replied gently.

”Yingjie went after Xiao Zhu and Yong'er?”

”Third young master went back to his room” Uncle Lu replied.

”Good” Madam Lu replied. There was a sudden drop in temperature as she turned to Zhu Fengyin and ”You, followed me”. Madam Lu walked Swiftly to her Courtyard with Zhu Fengyin following her closely.

Madam Lu raise her hands and slapped Zhu Fengyin on the cheek as soon as they got into the room. ”You scheming little snake! Kneel!, Madam Lu said angrily and sat on the seat at the centre of the room.

Zhu Fengyin ignored the tubbing pain from her cheek and fell on her knees silently.

”Are you happy now, you have destroyed my son's prospect? I never should have let you step into this compound, you are no good!” Madam Lu hissed looking down at Zhu Fengyin.

Zhu Fengyin didn't reply, she remained silent no matter what madam Lu said to her. She understood that madam Lu was angry, nothing she said would make her calm down. Lu Yiling who stood silently by looked down at Zhu Fengyin sympathetically.

While she didn't know the particulars of the scandals, she suspected that Zhu Fengyin might not be the mastermind behind this. Based on what she knew about Su Liya, that gold digger must have orchestrated everything herself.

However, she didn't bother to speak up for Zhu Fengyin because although Zhu Fengyin was not the mastermind, she was still guilty by association. Her ignorance of the true face of that two-faced maid of hers brought them this mess. She should be held accountable for that.

”Why did you do it? What do you want from us!” Madam Lu shouted.

”I am sorry mother for my maids part in this but I can assure you that neither I nor Su Liya had any hand in this. We are being framed mother!” Zhu Fengyin replied head bent down.

Madam Lu laughed softly then standing, walked to Zhu Fengyin and raised her chin. She said gently ”You are being framed! Do you want me to believe that lie? Zhu Fengyin, do you think that I don't know about your romance with the sixth Prince. You might have my son fooled but I know that you are still in communication with the sixth prince's camp. Were you ordered to do this by the sixth prince's camp?”

”No mother, I am not in communication with the sixth prince. I never was mother, you have to believe me”

”You want me to believe that you weren't aware of your maid's actions. Since you want to play it like this, I will play along” She looked to her Nanny Liu and said, ”escort the young madam to her room. She is not to leave without my permission”.

”Yes,” Nanny Liu replied. She turned to Zhu Fengyin and pointing to the door said ”this way young madam”.