Chapter 161: The casualties of war 1 (1/2)

The sixth prince's mansion.

The metallic smell of blood was heavy in the room, which was not surprising considering how often Zhu Feifei bled since she was locked up in here. Most onlookers would argue that her living conditions were bearable considering the offence she had committed. However, on close observation. They would discover that she never had a day of rest.

Although Zhongshan Cheng was forced to keep her alive until the Emperor gave his verdict, that didn't stop him from ordering servants to torture her. Zhu Feifei had bruises on her stomach and legs all thanks to the matron's careful actions.

At this point, Zhongshan Cheng was sick of dealing with her. He glanced at the fresh bandage on her wrist, ”how did she get to a knife?” He walked to her and raised her chin.

One of the stone-faced matrons keeping watch on Zhu Feifei replied ”Answering your highness, the princess consort_”

”Don't call her princess consort, call her madam Zhu. She has lost that privilege”, he interrupted smiling.

Zhu Feifei struggled out of her restraints, ” You monster!”

He pulled his hand away from her chin forcefully, ”Monster!, me_ you little!” He glanced at the maid behind her.

The maid raised her hands and sent it down On Zhu Feifei's cheeks. Zhu Feifei's face was pushed to the left by the force. Her eyes teared up immediately and her sour cheek swelled up more. She felt the slightly metallic taste of blood in her lips, she turned sideways and spat out saliva mixed with blood

Zhongshan Cheng never spared her any other gaze, he gestured for a servant to pull a seat closer and sat in front of Zhu Feifei. He leaned to the side and gazed down at her, her cheeks were like large red tomatoes. They swelled so much that her other facial features combined with the swollen cheeks made a very funny look.

He chuckled and tapped the side of his lips, ”stop making so much noise, it won't help you.” He glanced at the bandage wrapped around her wrist, ”you want to die? Don't you dare or you can be sure that your daughter will follow after you. Your life is in my hands, I will decide how and when you die”.

He stood and walked to the door but paused a short distance away from the door. He raised his index finger and turned back, lips curved up. ”Oh and one more thing, don't place any hope on the fantasy that your father would save you. Because he won't, no one will. You see he has more pressing issues to worry about than you. Plus you are pretty expendable, don't you have two other younger sisters apart from Zhu Fenfang.

”You Zhu sisters are really capable, do you know how hard it is to get just one daughter married into the royal family” he shook his head, ”but the Zhu family has two daughters in the Imperial family. That just shows how capable your Zhu family is”.

He laughed and left the room, completely ignoring her bellows. Zhu Feifei's opinion was of no relevance as far as he was concerned, there was no need to pay her any attention. He instructed the guards at the door to tighten up security as he walked out.

He was initially headed tie the direction of his side hall to visit one of his usual concubines but on second thought took another turn and headed straight to his study.

********

Two hours later, the Duke's mansion

”Mistress, the guard at the gate just reported that the Duke and General are back” Baozhai whispered into Su Liya's ears as her mistress sat through Rong Rong's packing. They were in a hurry to pack up before the General returned from the palace. Su Liya dropped the hairpin in her hand inside tge box and stood.

She glanced at Baozhai, ”you take care of things here, I will go out and meet General Lu”. Su Liya walked out of the side room and into the living room. Lu Yaozhu stood by the window, with his back turned to her from her position at the door. He turned as he heard her footsteps and smiled, ”there you are”.

Su Liya quickly ran her eyes through him from head to foot, everything seemed okay. There was nothing out of order, she let out a loud breath on seeing them in order. ”You are back, how was it,” she said walking closer to him.

”Good” he kissed her hands, ”I will be leaving with the recruits and other soldiers for Ningzhuo tomorrow. I can not stat any longer my dear. The enemies are getting closer to the border”.

”I am already done packing, I can leave when you are ready”

”You? Are you coming with me?”

”Yes!”

”Why”