Chapter 85: The long journey to Ningzhuo 1 (1/2)
Lu Yaozhu's study
In a well-lit room facing the small garden in Mingxi Pavilion, Lu Yaozhu stood facing the rectangular-shaped desk, next to the wall at the centre of the room, with his back to the door. While Yu Tao loosens up his belt and purple official clothes.
Yu Tao loosen up the leather belt wrapped around his waist and helped him out of the purple brocade uniform for military officers. Lu Yaozhu changed into a white embroidered high necked, fitted Hanfu. He traded in the bold leather belt for a slimmer belt.
Lu Yaozhu walked around to the other side of the desk and took a seat, he began to sort through the piled documents on his desk. He was a few documents in when he heard the servants stationed outside greet Su Liya. Lu Yaozhu glanced at Yu Tao, who was carefully folding his official uniform, then at the door.
Lu Yaozhu leaned back on the seat and tapping the arm of the wooden chair asked, ”Did anything happen while I was in court?”
Yu Tao placed the folded dress on the tray, ”no, nothing was reported by steward Lu. Second young madam must be here because of your new punish_ er I mean appointment”. Yu Tao's expression was like he swallowed something sour.
Lu Yaozhu just glared at him and rolled up the report he was reading, he had expected her to react this way. Even his usually calm mother barely went on a rampage, he sighed, bent his elbow on the right arm of the chair. Testing his head on his open palm he closed his eyes and counted to 5, ”go bring her in”
Yu Tao nodded and left the room. Su Liya stood by a flower vase just outside the room, he bowed ”sorry to keep you waiting. Young madam, please come this way” he gestures to the open study.
Su Liya nodded with a polite smile and walked in, Lu Yaozhu stood in front of his desk, his left hand rested just below his back at his waist, while his other hand was at his side. Su Liya saluted him ”Young master”.
”don't stand on such tedious ceremony, get seated,” he said, pointing at the round table by the window.
Su Liya nodded, walked to the table and took a seat. Three maids came in from the kitchen with their lunch as she was seated. She instructed them to set the table and stood back to stay out of their way while they unpacked the food boxes on the round table.
The maids were very efficient, in just a few minutes they were done and stepped out. A small feast was set up on the table for them, Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya got seated and picked up their chopsticks.
Su Liya signalled her maids with her eyes to leave a few minutes into their lunch. At that point Yu Tao already left to air the court dresses, they were left to have their meal. Su Liya placed the wooden chopsticks by her small bowl and cleared her throat.
”If you are worried about the move to Ningzhuo, there is no need for that. You don't have to follow me to Ningzhuo, you can stay back in the capital” Lu Yaozhu said calmly without looking up from his bow.
Su Liya gazed at the seemingly unconcerned man and replied ”why? So that you can come back with a beautiful white lotus maiden and then tell me that you married her to repay the debt of her caring for you, while I abandoned you in Ningzhuo?”
Lu Yaozhu nearly choked on his rice, he coughed relentlessly. Su Liya picked up a cup of water and handed it to him ”Sorry, here have a drink”.
Lu Yaozhu accepted the cup and gulped it down, two more cups later and he was back to normal. He glanced at his quiet wife ”how does your head work exactly? Why would you even think of that?”
Su Liya opened and closed her mouth before continuing ”don't mind the nonsense I sprouted, It was a mistake. I just wanted to say that I am not staying back here. Where you go, I go! We husband and I are a team”
Lu Yaozhu gazed at her reddened cheek, noticing his hard stare, Su Liya smiled brightly and continued
”were you expecting me to accept the offer and stay back? Please, I am smart enough to know that only a few days here alone and I will be begging to go to Ningzhuo. Honestly speaking, going with you is my best option. Your mother doesn't like me and while I am sure that she wouldn't make me suffer. It would be very awkward staying here with her, I think I will take my chances with you”.
He laughed, ”at least you are honest, I was expecting to hear you claim to be devoted to me for life”.
”Devoted to who ... For what. Okay, I have only known you for a few weeks. I think that it is too soon to be devoting myself to you for life”
”Since you are not here to pull at my heartstrings to get what you want, why are you here?”
”Oh, I am here to pull on those flexible heartstrings for my gain_ well technically you are also involved so it could benefit you”
”What is it?” He asked setting his bow and chopsticks aside
”I found out who was responsible for tge scheme that got us married”