Chapter 159: The first wave of war 2 (1/2)
Madam Lu's courtyard, the Duke's mansion.
Su Loya heard the melodious sound of the traditional eight strings guipin as she got closer to madam Lu's courtyard. The melodious harmony got louder as she walked into the compound at getting closer to the majestic Pavillion madam Lu occupied. Two maps stood outside the entrance of the pavilion, while the other lower-ranked outside servants went about cleaning up the yard.
One of the maids stepped out from her post and came forward to salute Su Liya as she stood at the top of the small wooden step leading to the entrance of the pavilion.
”Good day, Your Highness,” the maid said bowing at 30 degrees.
Su Liya smiled and glanced at the entrance of the Pavillion, ”please announce my presence”.
”Yes, please wait” she bowed, walked to the door and knocked. She waited by the door for a response before going in. Madam Lu sat legs crossed at a low table in between the two side doors that allowed good ventilation of air. She didn't look up from the guipin in front of her and continued to luck the string carefully.
The youngest of Madam Lu's dowery maids who stood next to madam Lu walked forward to meet her. The maid saluted Madam Lu, ”second Madam is requesting an audience, madam”.
The tips of Madam Lu's fingers on the strings of the exquisite guipin paused, she removed her fingers from the strings and placed both hands on the vibrating strings to settle the string. ”let her in” Madam Lu said in a tone a few octaves higher than a whisper.
The outside maid gave an affirmative reply and went out of the room to invite Su Liya inside. Meanwhile inside, madam Lu was supported up by her dowry maid, Aunt Bai and led to the top seat in the main room. This was the first time her usually low key daughter-in-law visited her, she was curious about the reasons behind the visit.
Su Liya was already seated as Madam Lu walked out of the small door opposite her seat. She was stopped from standing to give her mother-in-law a salute as she tried standing. She was waved down and sat silently.
Madam Lu's dowry maid Aunt Yu stepped back after supporting her mistress to her seat. Madam Lu pulled her sleeve up, ”Liya, I trust that all is well, I was surprised when the maid informed me that you were at the door. Don't keep things from me, of something or someone is worrying you. Just let me know, even if it is Yaozhu. I will settle it for you”
”Don't worry mother, everything is going well on my end. However, I fear that the situation in the country is about to change. The General received a message a few minutes ago reporting that Over 200, 000 armed soldiers from Droko tribe, Chu state and Yan state appeared on all the borders. They are headed for the northern, southern and western borders”, she sat in a low tone
”What!” Madam Lu looked around and reducing her tone continued, ”if this is becomes known to the public, it could cause unrest among the citizen. Usually, most large scale attacks like this are focused on only one border but to attack from different directions. I fear that this was a planned attack. Our opponents planned this carefully. Where is Xiao Zhu?”