Chapter 141: A start of something beautiful 3 (1/2)

There were loud gasps from the madams and young ladies present in the hall as Lu Yaozhu hugged Su Liya close and led her towards the Crown Prince's table. There was a brief silence right before the whispering began. Contemptfull gazes and heavy criticism were all aimed at Su Liya.

It didn't matter that the hug was initiated by Lu Yaozhu at least not to the judgemental madams who didn't like this new Princess. To then Su Liya was nothing more than an opportunistic gold-digger who seduced a bright talent of Northern Wei. These women have never liked her and never would, they have always searched for an opportunity to put her down and this was it.

Su Liya didn't like the attention focused on her by these women, they didn't even bother to hide their disgust. She kept her face forward and ignored their comments and looks. Lu Yaozhu was right, why should she worry about what they said. People like them will only have something bad to say about her.

They stopped a few steps away from Zhongshan Ling and Xia Ying and bowed. The greeting process for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort wasn't A elaborate as that of the Emperor and Empress. Which she now appreciated, because, in her current drowsy state, such elaborate greetings would make her faint from exhaustion.

Lu Yaozhu took the lead in the greeting, he said stretching both as forward, balled up his fist and held it to his palm. ”This official, Yaozhu greets his highness, the Crown Prince and her highness the Crown Princess”.

While Su Liya joined in but instead of bowing, she held up her skirts and curtsied head bent low. ”This Princess Liya greets, his Highness, the Crown Prince and her highness, the Crown Princess”

”Rise”, The Crown Prince said smiling.

Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya stood at his instructions. The Crown Prince continued, ”It is getting late, General Lu. No need to be so proper” he looked up at Su Liya and said, ”Little sister looks well, Yaozhu must be treating you well.”

Xia Ying commented on that, ”his highness is right in his observations. General Lu and little sister-in-law are well matched for each other, they are like an eternal couple, his highness can now relax”.

Su Liya almost snorted on hearing this load of bull but she didn't respond badly but maintained a neutral expression. Her mouth twitch a little at Xia Ying's exaggerated praises. She glanced at Xia Ying discretely only to catch the other woman sizing her up.

She had to applaud Xia Ying's acting skills, the woman was a mark of smiles. It was like they were old friends and not love rivals, no that she could call them that since Xia Ying's love for Lu Yaozhu was one-sided. Su Liya clicked her lips silently but maintained a neutral expression.

After a few more words, they were dismissed by the Crown Prince and took their leave. No one approached them as they left, They walked behind two palace maids holding up two paper lamps to light up their path to their carriage. They waited at the gates with the two maids while their driver drove around the small hick-up my the gates.

As soon as the carriage was driven over, a private guard seated next to the driver brought down the step and placed it by the opened door. Lu Yaozhu climbed up the step a stretched out his hand for Su Liya. He helped her up the step and into the carriage.

The guard raised the step back up to the front of the carriage and returned to his seat next to the driver's seat. They waited for the instructions from Lu Yaozhu to get moving, which came once Su Liya and himself were settled.

As the carriages rode forward slowly, Lu Yaozhu noticed her closing eyes and tapped his shoulder. ”If you are feeling sleepy, just rest your head on my shoulder and sleep, I will take you when we arrive at the mansion”.

Su Liya but her lips thoughtfully, she tried to find a good way of turning him down gently. Lu Yaozhu noticed her uncertainty and said

”why think so much about this, you were leaning on me not so long ago in public. Why act is shy when we are alone, shouldn't this be more comfortable in private than in public. I am only asking you barrow my shoulder for some time, it is not like I am a monster that would eat you”