Chapter 172: A white lie. (1/2)

The Military Camp Ningzhuo, Northern Wei

There was a heavy silence in the tent after Yu Ke left. Su Liya turned to her side and watched Lu Yaozhu closely, tilting her head to the side. she tried to get a read of Lu Yaozhu but as usual, can out with nothing. Lu Yaozhu was a hard nut to crack, he was a master of deception that made himself appear jovial and harmless. His facade made most people let down their guard on him, she had seen him do that a couple of times.

She had this scary little thought at the back of her mind that he might have used it a few times on her but she refused to go down that route as it could result in some disastrous circumstances. she made sure to take note of that clue, she would always keep that in mind when dealing with him.

Lu Yaozhu smirked when he noticed her gaze, ”if you have any questions... Just ask. I promise to answer honestly... Well, as honestly as I can be ”

Su Liya glanced at his face and muttered, ”well at least you are honest”

Lu Yaozhu just chuckled without saying anything, he enjoyed her honesty the most. Most young mistresses were so confined to the strict rules of prosperity that they barely had a thought of their own but Su Liya was different. She wasn't scared of airing her view no matter how contradictory it was. She was a good partner to him and he enjoyed her inputs no matter how contradictory because of how smart and witty she was.

He wasn't surprised that she had see-through his facade, neither was he supposed at her undiagnosed mistrust of him. He liked that even with their closeness, she always kept her wit around her. He never wanted her to experience what his aunt experienced in the Emperor's hands. He needed her to be strong enough to overcome anything that came her way. In case he wasn't here to protect her, he needed to be sure she could protect herself and their children.

Su Liya moved her gaze from him and gazed forward, she looked down at her wrist and after some thought. She said in a low tone ”I want you to be honest with me Yaozhu”, she looked away from her first and gazed at him. ”Did you have someone soy on the Crown Prince?”

”Yes, I did. Just like you had people watching Zhu Fenfang and the Crown Princess consort” he said grinning as she tilted his head ti the side and continued, ”you and eldest sister-in-law liked to appear relaxed but are even better than my brother and I at planning. You two already know about the secret letter don't you?”

She looked straight into his eyes, ”how long have you been aware of that?”

”Honestly, I got a little suspicious while we were at Ningzhuo. We just arrived there yet you knew so much about the noble family there, even if you got the information through the gossip mill. It won't be so detailed, plus I know that you have known about the Shi family's betrayal. The sixth Prince is behind this current war, he must have gotten tired of his majesty's cold shoulder and decided to end things”

”If you know that then you must have guessed that I am not the original Su Liya”

His lips curved up, ”Yes”.

Su Liya moved back eyes wide, ” how long have you known that”

He grabbed her hands and pulled her closer, ”six months”

”Six months... We have been married for six months”

”Yes, want me to tell you how I found out?”

Su Liya blinked and nodded

Lu Yaozhu Smirked, ”for someone that has had a close relationship with young master Zhu, you are always distant when talking to him. Initially, I thought you were pretending but then I had my men investigate you and discovered that after you nearly drowned a year and a half ago.