Not Your Typical Villianess

The next day, Madam Lu's courtyard of the Duke's mansion 

Tian Tian palmed the bottle of poison in her pocket as went about her duties the next morning. She was searching for a good opportunity to carry out second Young master Zhu's orders. For the past four days, she had found none. Zhu Fengyin usually eats her meals with either Madam Lu or the Duke. Both of whom were very careful, apart from their trusted maids no one else handled her food.

She was now on edge because of all the letters she had received from Young Master Zhu urging her to complete the task. She didn't want to disappoint Zhu Faye, not when he has been so kind to her. She strengthened her resolve and watched out for a good opportunity to carry out her plans.

An opportunity finally presented itself, thirty minutes later when Su Liya came with her maids. She saluted Zhu Fengyin and Madam Lu before taking a seat beside Zhu Fengyin. Madam Lu glanced at her complexion and asked, "Liya, is your cold gone?"

Su Liya was surprised to hear that, she glanced at her maids behind her in question. She hadn't so much had gotten a headache much less getting cold since she got back from Ningzhuo so how come her mother-in-law was asking such a question. It became clearer as she heard Madam Lu's next words.

"Why didn't you send word that you had a cold, if I knew you were sick, I would have exempted you from coming here si often last week. Imagine my embarrassment hearing about your conditions from A'Zhu. The weather is getting colder please wear more clothes and take care of your health. I understand that you are being filial coming here often but please not at the expense of your health" 

Madam Lu watched her daughter-in-law expression change from shock to understanding. She was surprised when her son visited her before leaving for court four days earlier and requested that she exempt his wife from paying respects. She couldn't pick offence because he gave her a valid reason but she felt a little offended that Su Liya never said anything and just kept coming. 

She felt uncomfortable because it looked like she was being mean to her daughter-in-law, or like she was a monster that couldn't be reasoned with. It is not like she could blame Su Liya for being a little scared to meet her with her concerns. They hadn't started on good terms, she knew that she had been cold to Su Liya after she had married in.

The servants she had placed around the couple reported that they were getting along well. To her that was all that mattered, Su Liya wasn't half bad there was no need to be on guard. We couldn't change how things started between them but she wanted to write the wrong as best she could. She excused Su Liya from paying respects for a week.

Madam Lu was surprised to see Su Liya here when there were still a few days left in the break. There was no need to point it out to her, Madam Lu decided to use that opportunity to ask about her health and chip in a few words of caution.

Su Liya was amused by Lu Yaozhu, Madam Lu had revealed one of his major lies these last few days. She was suspicious when Lu Yaozhu informed her that she could sleep in because his mother had given her a few days break. He never told her how or why she was given a break, he had made her believe his mother wasn't receiving any visitor. He must not give counted on madam Lu rating him out. 

A smile broke on her face as she assured madam Lu that she was well, she would deal with the little lair she had at home later. "Liya apologises for making Mother worried. I am fine, please don't take it to heart. It won't happen again, mother".

Madam Lu waved her off, "that is alright. I didn't take it to mind. Just make sure to take care of your health, I am expecting happy news soon".

Su Liya blushed heavily if it was before she had gotten intimate with Lu Yaozhu. She would have been more embarrassed but this just made her bashful. She quickly waved Rong Rong forward with the tray of Herbal tanxilli and egg sweet soup. She needed to change the direction of conversation before it heads into a neck of the woods that resulted in her being forced to take those so-called healthy foods. 

The Ancients were obsessed with prepping their body for pregnancy and considering the majority of the herbs taken tasted more like poison and should not be made edible. She didn't want to be forced into taking those.

"Don't worry mother, we are taking precautions. We are doing our part, it is now left to the heavens to favour us with a child. I remembered that mother Empress send down some Herbal Tanxilli a few weeks ago. Herbal Tanxilli and Egg sweet soup is really nutritious and especially good for pregnant women especially in the early stages of pregnancy. I made a bowl for us, lets dish them out"

Madam Lu grinned wide, "aiyoo! the child hasn't been born yet and you are already spoiling him. Herbal Tanxilli a very healthy" she glanced at Zhu Fengyin, "the friendship between you two sister-in-law is really good. Look Liya even agreed to give a precious treasure from her Imperial mother to you".

Zhu Fengyin smiled, "it is no surprise, mother Yaya has always been selfless".

Tian Tian who stood behind Zhu Fengyin nearly snorted on hearing Su Liya being called selfless. As far as she knew, there wasn't a single selfless bone in Su Liya's body. The fact that Zhu Fengyin said this showed how ignorant she was of the true nature of Su Liya. She glanced briefly at Su Liya and balled up her fist, this girl was nothing but a betrayed.

She only cared about one thing and that was power and wealth, Tian Tian remembered how much young master Zhu had cared for Su Liya. He always protected her but she betrayed him for power. She was only with him for power a wealth, as soon as she met Lu Yaozhu that was richer and more powerful than Zhu Faye she abandoned him.

Su Liya changed her target to Lu Yaozhu and once she succeeded, she abandoned Zhu Faye. The more she thought of this the more convinced she was of drugging the soup Su Liya brought over. It can be considered as getting justice for second Young Master Zhu. She waited for the soup to be passed over to one of Madam Lu's three dowry maids, Aunt He to be dished into three plates.

Tian Tian walked forward and whispered into her mistress's ear, "Your grace, aunt is getting older. She might find it difficult to carry the trays all by herself. Let me go help her out" Zhu Fengyin nodded without much thought. Although she wasn't as close to Tian Tian as she was to Su Liya, she had a good impression of her. Tian Tian had served her for over six years, by now she knew what kind of person Tian Tian was.

Even in her past life Tian Tian always treated her with respect a never betrayed her. She saw nothing wrong with sending her off to help out. She just cautioned her to hold on until Aunt Je left before following.

As soon as the maid left, she waited a few minutes before going away under the pretence of going on an errand. No one found her actions strange since she had served Zhu Fengyin properly for years without making any mistakes. Tian Tian walked in the right direction before taking another turn, she stood by the kitchen window looking in while the maid dished out the food. 

The maid meticulously prepared the bowls of soup, there wasn't much time left. Tian Tian looked around looking for a reason to send the maid away so that she could pour the drug in. She was prepared to create a distraction when a young maid walked in a whispered something into her ear. The woman glanced from the soup to the door, it looked like she needed to leave urgently. 

Tian Tian walked around the kitchen and came out at the entrance, "Aunt He, her grace was worried that carrying this back alone, might be too difficult for you. She sent me over to lend you a hand".

Aunt He was glad that she was sent over a helper. she had met this young man a few times and she wasn't half bad. She didn't have much time to spare, the maid just reported that there was a situation in the kitchen that needed her attention. Before things got worse. She needed to go take a look. she picked up a tray containing two bowls of soup and passed it to Tian Tian.

"Here you go, this should go to her grace and her highness"

"Yea" Tian Tian replied taking the tray from her and walking out of the kitchen. She walked a distance then stopped, she looked back and forth to check if there was someone close by before taking the bottle of medicine out of her sleeve. She popped the lid and emptied it into a bowl of soup. She stored the soup a little and continued forward.