Not Your Typical Villianess

The Duke's mansion 

Su Liya waited sold to throughout the dinner for the quickest opportunity out of close vicinity of Lu Yingjie. An opportunity presented itself as madam Lu finished eating and called it a night, she left not long after. Lu Yaozhu pulled back his seat seconds after she left, he walked at a normal pace while he was in sight of the Pavillion.

He picked up his pace and jogged after Su Liya once he was out of sight of everyone in the outdoor pavilion. He finally caught up with her as she made a turn, "Liya! Hold on!"

Su Liya looked back on hearing her name, Lu Yaozhu ran forward. She turned around and stood aside to wait for him to get closer. The night had gradually gotten colder, she pulled her wrap closer and folded both arms on her chest. Baozhai unfolded the cloak, she carried in her hand and wrapped it on Su Liya's shoulders.

Lu Yaozhu walked closer to Su Liya and held her hands in his as Baozhai stepped away. Su Liya was taken aback, she look up at his eyes wide, her eyes held a few questions but Lu Yaozhu didn't say anything. He pulled her close to him, I clamped their hands, placed husband on her shoulder and hugged her closer.

His body heat warmed her up, Su Liya tried to pull away when she remembered that her maids and Yu Tao followed them behind but he tightened his hold and led her forward. Su Liya gave up struggling out of his hold and just submitted to his public display of affection. 

She had expected him to let go of her and continue to his rooms when they got to her courtyard but was surprised when he followed her in. She paused close to the centre of her courtyard and turned around to face him. Lu Yaozhu who still held hands with her looked down at her expectantly.

She raised their joined hands and said, "let go Yaozhu, I have arrived at my rooms".

Lu Yaozhu did not reply and instead held her hands tighter. He continued to the entrance to her main room and pulled her forward. It was so sudden, Su Liya missed a step and nearly fell on her face. He immediately slowed down and held her up with both hands. 

Su Liya hit on his back when she was steady, "slow down champ, I nearly twisted my ankle because of you. Why so hasty to get into my main room! Shouldn't you be returning to your room by now?"

"Sorry, how is your ankle" squatting low, he raised her skirt to check for any injuries in her ankle. All the colour disappeared from her face when Su Liya heard someone gasps behind her. She slapped his hands quickly to prevent him from raising her skirt.

She said in a loud whisper, "Stop that Yaozhu, we have company". Lu Yaozhu shook her hand away and once again, raised her skirt to check her ankles. He touched around her ankle and checked for any injuries, when he saw none, he put down her skirt and stood straight. Su Liya let out a breath, she tried to go forward but was held back by Lu Yaozhu. 

Lu Yaozhu walked closer to her and bent forward. He placed his hands behind her laps and at her waist, then hold firmly carried her into his arms. Su Liya held the front of his shirt tightly with one hand and hooked her other hands around his neck to support herself.

Her maids were as surprised as she was but didn't dare come forward. They watched as Lu Yaozhu quickly carried her into the house. "What? Why are you carrying me inside? What is going on Yaozhu!"

Lu Yaozhu laughed softly as he walked through her main room, he carried her into her room and placed her on the bed. He crawled forward on the bed and replied "what else, I want to continue where we left off this afternoon. This time we are in your room, Yingjie can not interrupt us again"

Su Liya raised herself to rest on her elbow, "You_". Lu Yaozhu placed his lips on hers before she could continue, giving her a small kiss. He whispered close to her lips, " Don't try to think and just feel". He moved in for another kiss but was held back by Su Liya, who pulled him away by his chest. "What about my maids?"

Lu Yaozhu pulled her hands on his chest away, "don't worry, I instructed Yu Tao to send them away. They will come back tomorrow morning, until then. You are mine" he kissed her softly. He gradually deepened the kiss, soon Su Liya felt excitement down onto the tips of her toes.

*******

Meanwhile at the throne room of Chu state 

The King of Chu State, a plump man in his fifties sat on the throne, his palm resting on his protruded belly as he listen to his spymaster report on the political position of their powerful neighbour Northern Wei. His Son had successfully set up a good network of spies during the two and half months he was in Northern Wei as an Envoy.

He glanced at his eldest son with pride in his eye, "You did well Son, my kingdom might not be as widespread or as powerful as the others but at least I have something other Kings lack. Which is a capable son, even the sons of the all-powerful Emperor of Northern Wei cannot compare to you.

"Not everyone would be as smart as you to join hands with that greedy Prime Minister Shi and his family. Even with him dead our seeds have borne food, Emperor Zhong may be wealthier and have more lands but he lacks loyal officials".

The Crown Prince smiled, "it is not that he lacks loyal official's father he has one of the bests. It is a pity that he does not appreciate them and instead guards against them while pulling the greedy officials closer. He is so busy trying to suppress the Lu family who is the backbone of his entire military that he doesn't notice the snake he has in his backyard. I nearly pity Lu Yaozhu, he is a very capable General. It is just that he is serving a blind king."

"You stayed there for months apart from the incompetent sixth Prince and fifth prince. How is that crown Prince, I heard that he has a good head on his shoulder"

The Crown Prince snorted, "He is smarter than the other Prince's but he graves affection and public acknowledgement. He has the potentials of being worse than the foolish Emperor, he is currently subdued by the need for his father's approval. His biological mother's family is weak so he is forced to rely on the Lu family. 

"I am surprised that a man as smart as Lu Yingjie or even Lu Yaozhu hasn't noticed that. I smarter move would be to mary their only sister to him as a consort. Too bad they let the Xia family get such a juicy position. He is also no good, at this rate, the Zhongshan family won't rule northern Wei for long"

The king's adviser a slender, short man standing on the last step at the king's left said, "I think that it works in our favour to attack them soon. We already have the Yan states' support, let's put an end to the Zhongshan family rule permanently".

The King didn't need to be told twice, they had been planning for years and thanks to some smart decisions on both his part and his son's part. Their Success was assured, especially with the helper they had inside northern Wei. " Get everything ready and inform the Military that we are going to war. Inform the Droko tribe to be on the stand by to attack. Once they receive the go-ahead, we will join then".

"Yes, Your Majesty," The King's adviser said and hurried away.

The Crown Prince waited for the advice to leave before standing and walking to the front of his father's throne room. He stretched out his hands and fell on his knees, "father please let me take charge of the attack"

"What! Why? I thought we agree to but General Shen in charge of the troops"

"I know that we did father but ever since the last time I faced Lu Yaozhu on the battlefield. I haven't slept well in a while. The humiliation I received in his hands... I cannot let him go scot-free. He must pay".

The King sighed and nodded, "okay, you can take charge but you are bringing General Shen with you".

"Thank you, father!"

**********

The Duke's mansion, Northern Wei.

Late in the night, while the other servants were asleep. Tian Tian got down from her bed and tiptoed out of the maid's quarters. She hid behind a wall while a set of guards patrolled past the main courtyard. She waited for a few seconds after the guards went out of sight before running quietly out of the courtyard towards one of the many small garden's that separated each courtyard.

She walked out of the garden and went straight to the empty courtyard next to the main courtyard. She tapped her fingers on the door and waited to receive a response from the man inside.

She stood back when she heard the dock unlock, she walked in as soon as it opened and ran into the hands of the man standing by the wall. 

"Third Young master Zhu! How I missed you?"

The man pushed her away from him, "don't act too familiar"

She fell on her thigh and stuttered "Young_Young master!"

Zhu Faye ignored her hurt expression, "I don't have time to waste on your foolish feelings". He took out a small bottle and threw it to her, "take care of that pregnancy before it gets more stable. The Lu family must disappear, bringing a new life_ My younger sister should be smarter"

He left after saying that without even looking back, Tian Tian picked up the bottle and put it into her sleeve. The affectionate smile fell off her face and she walked out of the room but not before dropping a secret note into the hole at the back of the building.