Chapter 112: Allies or Enamies 7 (1/2)

The Next Day at imperial consort Shi's palace.

”Who else.... The deputy of course. The Emperor is very confident in his plan. I think we should make use of it father”.

Although Prime Minister Shi hadn't met with Deputy Sun he understood the kind of man the Deputy was. While his plan may be seen to be fail-safe to the Emperor, prime minister Shi was sceptical.

”Daughter, did the Emperor explain the plan in detail to you?”

”Yes father he did, the evidence is strong enough that the charges of treason will hold. After our family's opium dealing came to light, the Emperor has been acting strange. I fear that he had gotten suspicious of us, for our plan to work we need to avoid any suspicions he may have. That's is where the Lu family come in, let's shift the blame to them. We can make it seem like third uncle was working with them” she said smirking.

”What a wonderful idea, that would teach them not to get in our way”, he placed his hand on her shoulder ”You did well daughter”

”Don't mention father, I am only focused on our end goal. This is the best way to get rid of the Lu family and cover all loose ends, we have planned this for years. I will see this to the end”.

*******

Meanwhile, At Deputy Sun's mansion, Ningzhuo

Deputy Sun, like most political officials, was given an official mansion on the same street as the governor's mansion. He had moved out of Sun mansion and had established a residence a few years ago. However, his father still had the final say on every decision but if his plan worked out that would change.

Deputy Sun's residence unlike the governor's residence was much smaller and less lavishly decorated. It was like a standard affluent family's mansion, deputy Sun and his principal wife lived in the main courtyard located at the centre of the residence.

Deputy Sun's study was located at the small Pavillion close to the main courtyard. He was going through the accounts from his mansion steward when his messenger came in with a letter from minister Sheng. He dismissed the messenger and unsealed the letter, minister Sheng sent a response to his previous letter.

He had been anticipating a response from him and finally, it was here, Minister Sheng had written to inform him that he could go ahead with his plan. Just as his mother had predicted Minister Sheng had agreed with their plan. He had received a message from the Shi family yesterday, the Prime Minister Shi had written to inform him that he wanted to meet up with him a few days from now.

Once he had received the Shi family's response, Lu Yaozhu was as good as dead.

********

Four days later, the first snow fell at Ningzhuo

There had been signs of the impending snowfall so it didn't come as a surprise, they had prepared for the change in weather by preparing thicker layers of clothes suitable for winter, hand warmers, fur coats and hot packs. The maids on Night duty were the first to witness the fall of the white snow.

They quickly alerted matron Gu who instructed the maid on the necessary precaution. The maids brought in the hot packs, the small warmers and blankets. They lit the warmers at the centre of the room and left. The servants worked efficiently and avoided disturbing their mistress sleep.

Su Liya found that it was snowing when she walked up she put on a thick coat and ran out to play in the snow. Boazhai tried to stop her from leaving the room by reminding her that it was raining but, Su Liya waved her away. Out id all the seasons of the year, her favourite season was winter.

The snow and white surfaces were so beautiful, winter to her signified the beginning and end of the year. She liked everything about winter, she liked the feel of her feet on the iced ground and the feel of snowflakes falling on her cheeks.