Chapter 122: Treason 3 (1/2)
Fangxi Pavilion, the Governor's house, Ningzhuo
The surrounding of the entire compound was covered in snow. Unlike the earlier weeks, the snow had gotten heavier. Everyone has switched to full winter gear, Fireplaces were lit in every occupied room in the mansion. Thick fur curtains were hung on the windows and the doors were all shut to keep the cold away.
The health precautions were observed seriously on Fangxi Pavillion, where Su Liya stayed on bed rest. Her maids brought down the bed curtains when the maids delivered her meals to keep her from view. The kitchen had already delivered her lunch, so the bed curtains were raised.
Su Liya sat up on the bed with her back rested on the long wooden frame of the bed, while reading through the secret letter sent by Lu Yaozhu. It was delivered by his shadow guard Yu Ke, minutes earlier. She rolled back the letter and threw it onto the fire at the side of the bed.
She said to Yu Rong Rong who stood at the foot of the bed, ”The general and Yu Tao arrived at the capital a few days ago. He has delivered my gift to Zhu Fenfang, I wish I could see the look on her face when she opened the box”.
”It wouldn't be a good sight for anyone, I believe that Madam Zhu would cause a scene. Mistress, aren't you worried that Madam Zhu would cause trouble for you?”
”Oh, I don't doubt that she would take everything to heart. I am counting on her doing exactly that, You must be wondering why I did something so childish” she chuckled and continued ”my actions might seem childish but that is the best step to take. The grudge between the both of us runs deep. Even if I avoid Zhu Fenfang, she won't let me be. When someone is prejudiced against you, nothing you do would satisfy them so why bother?'
Rong Rong bit her lip quietly, she didn't understand what her mistress meant by counting on her doing exactly that' and wanted to understand it properly. ”Your Highness, why are you counting on her trying to make you pay for making fun of him”
Su Liya got comfortable on the bed, she carefully repositioned her body to avoid getting body ache. ”Why else if not to get my revenge, I tried to prevent Zhu Fenfang from getting married to the Crown Prince but things didn't completely go as planned. Since she still married the Crown Prince, although it was as a concubine. She has fate on her side is if I want to destroy her, I have to make her do it herself.”
Rong Rong picked up a soft pillow and put it behind Su Liya, ”Does Your Highness wish to egg her on into doing something dangerous?”
”Yes! You, my dear, is a smart cookie” she tapped Rong Rong's button-sized nose. ”I found out from the general that the assassin who attacked me at that fishing village on our way here was sent by Crown Princess consort Xia Ying. She didn't wish to marry the Crown Prince because she fancies herself in love with the general. She wanted me out of the way so that she could marry the general”
Rong Rong balled up her fist at her sides, ”what! Her methods are as bad as that of the Grand Princess?”
”Shush! The walls have ears!” She whispered holding her index finger close to her lips and looking to the door.
”I am sorry..... but I was so mad! How can she send an assassin after you just because she wanted to marry the General? Is she stupid! What makes her think that her grandmother would give up on a great opportunity to make her granddaughter, the Empress” Rong Rong hissed and folded both hands on her shoulder.
Su Liya sat forward, balled up a napkin and threw it at Rong Rong, ”Damn it, Rong Rong, don't get all heated. I was just telling you my grand plan to turn the two obnoxious women against each other. If everything goes as I planned, they will be too busy attacking each other to pay me any mind. Think Rong Rong if you were as hot-tempered and as concerned about your low born status as Zhu Fenfang. How would you react after recording such a gift from me?”
Rong Rong caught the balls up napkin. She walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed. ”Honestly, if I would get determined to show you up by improving my station and in Zhu Fenfang's case, that would mean becoming the Principal wife. However, the Crown Prince already has a principal wife and one that is as powerful as Xia Ying. It won't be easy to change that, any sensible person can see that”.
”When has Zhu Fenfang ever been sensible. Like a typical female lead, she feels entitled to the crown Prince. That Entitlement would be her undoing because she would start going against Xia Ying. Which would put both women at odds, a house divided can not stand. Both women are bound to lose out, what better revenge is there than to watch them eat at each other”, Su Liya smirked.
”That is the ultimate revenge indeed” Rong Rong jumped up from the bed ”Don't worry, I will find someone to keep an eye on the two. I am friends with a few maids in the Crown Prince's residence. I can keep an eye on how things develop!”
Su Liya laughed, ”Why won't you, my little gossip Queen”.