章 15: The Dreaded Royal decree
"Think Liya, what would make the Emperor make a scene like this?"
Su Liya blinked as she dropped the kettle, minutes later she said "it can't be what I think it is right, Zhu Feifei wouldn't take such a risk".
Zhu Fengyin smiled "a desperate man can do anything".
Two hours later the banquet had come to an end, while the guest returned to their houses. Zhu Fengyin and Zhu Fenfang were invited to stay back at the palace. They were accommodated at a guest house.
Minister Zhu and Madam Zhu were absent for the entire night. Su Liya had her doubts about the entire mess with Zhu Feifei up until early the next day when the wedding day of Zhu Feifei and the sixth prince was announced.
She was accompanying Zhu Fengyin on a walk through the royal garden when she met a frail Zhu Feifei seated on a stool under a shade. Zhu Feifei had a smug expression when she saw Them.
Su Liya noticed that a few more maids were serving Zhu Feifei, she shared a look with Zhu Fengyin. Who looked carefree and calm but Su Liya could see the slight tug on her lips. It would seem that their plan worked faster than they had expected.
Zhu Fengyin put on a fake concerned expression and rushed up to Zhu Feifei "Feifei-mei Mei how are you feeling, mother, informed us that you were unwell".
Zhu Feifei smiled "I am well, it was just a little weak, but the palace Matron tells me that it is natural after those things". She touched her cheek, acting shyly.
The palace matron at Zhu Fengyin's side, eyes narrowed 'is getting the cart before the horse something to boast about. This young miss is shameless' the palace Matron thought.
Zhu Fengyin pretended not to notice her play of words and instead inquired on everything else. Zhu Feifei must have noticed that Zhu Fengyin didn't take the bait because she faked a sad expression and said "Fengyin-Jei jei I am sorry about what happened with your engagement, it wasn't my intention. Please don't take it to heart"
Zhu Fengyin blinked quick and with a confused expression she said "Why are you apologising to me Feifei-mei Mei? I don't understand!".
"It is just that_ Fengyin-jei, you must not yet been informed but your engagement to his highness the sixth prince has been broken. The sixth prince took a liking to me and personally asked his Majesty for my hand in marriage"
Su Liya snorted from her position behind Zhu Fengyin 'how dumb was this girl that she thinks no one can see through her obvious lie' She thought rolling her eyes.
"A wedding, that is good news"
Zhu Feifei looked "Really, jei Jei are you sincerely happy for me or just pretending to be generous. Even if you were pretending, it won't matter because unlike your long-standing engagement the wedding date has been fixed" she said smugly.
When she saw her smug expression, Zhu Fengyin smiled her first sincere smile in a while. They say that "he that wears the shoe knows where it hurts' after enduring years of pain and sorrow in the hands of her so-called husband, Zhu Fengyin was no longer the naive girl she was before.
Marriage into the imperial royal family looked glamorous to the onlookers but was hell on the wives. Everyone respected and admired the Empress as the most powerful woman in the country but only a few knew that the position of the Empress was a gilded cage.
Empress Lu was the most powerful woman in the nation but she could even protect her own family. The Once powerful Duke Wu's family were walking on sinking sand.
The Emperor was jealous and unreasonable, he punished the loyal subjects and elevated the disloyal subjects. If she had not experienced what she did in her past life, she never would have seen things clearly.
Who cares if She doesn't marry the prince, she had already been a princess consort, it was nothing special. With a stronger resolve, Zhu Fengyin said "congratulations Feifei-mei Mei. You will become Princess consort, you did well. You must be busy, I will take my leave".
Zhu Feifei was confused by her eldest sisters strange behaviour, this wasn't the reaction she had expected. Who in the empire did not know how dedicated Zhu Fengyin was to the sixth prince.
This calm response through natural based on Zhu Fengyin usual character was unexpected from a woman who got her fiancee stolen. Zhu Feifei could only nod and dismiss her.
*******
Two weeks later Zhu Feifei's wedding to the sixth prince was held. The wedding was a grand occasion as expected of a royal wedding. The Sixth prince came with a lot of gifts to collect the bride from her paternal home.
Zhu Feifei was dressed in a beautiful red wedding gown and a gold coronet. As per tradition the bride and groom paid respects to the bride's parents before leaving for the groom's house.
To avoid much talk Zhu Fengyin was present all through the ceremony. She was dressed simply to avoid being accused of trying to outdress the bride.
There was a huge crowd present on the day of the wedding ceremony, most of which attended with the hope of watching a show. It wasn't every day that a younger sister stole her Elder sister's husband.
The news of the sixth prince and Zhu Feifei's affair made waves days after the marriage was announced. Around that time a lot of nosy Nobles looking for gossip began to make calls.
Zhu Fengyin was no stranger to the gossip pool, but on an amicable expression and dismayed any questions that came her way. Before leaving with the sixth Prince, Zhu Feifei put on an act of a filial sister that would miss her younger sister and pulled Zhu Fengyin into a hug.
As she pulled away from her, Zhu Feifei whispered "looks like I am the one that becomes a princess consort"
The two girls shared a smile before the bride and groom left. It wasn't proper for unmarried women to stay for the wedding banquet, Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya returned to the courtyard.
Su Liya dropped on the bed as soon as they were alone "Ahh finally I can rest! What is with this era and making servants stand on their feet? At this rate, I might start getting muscular legs"
Zhu Fengyin pulled the hairpins out of her hair and packed her hair in a ponytail "stop being dramatic Liya, you are not the only one that was on her feet all day".
"I might as well be, you don't count Fengyin since it was your own choice to stand. No one forced you to stand" Su Liya rolled onto her back and looked up at the bed curtain.
Zhu Fengyin joined her on the bed and mumbled "That was the only way to seam gracefully".
Su Liya turned toward Zhu fengyin and laid on her side "Ha, who cares about that. I am just happy that we successfully jumped the huddle the is your engagement"
Zhu Fengyin sighed "Did we jump that huddled? My father is still looking for a spy, I could get engaged anytime soon!"
"You could but look on the bright side, at least this time you would be used as a punching bag by the sixth prince".
"mmm, I am happy about that" Zhu Fengyin smiled and moved closer to Su Liya.
*****
Two days later as predicted the dreaded imperial decree came from the palace. The entire Zhu family all came out to receive the decree. They all knelt as the Eunuch read out the decree.
"The Emperor decrees a marriage between the eldest young Mistress of the Zhu family Zhu Fengyin and Duke Wu Lu Jingjie"
After the decree was read Zhu Fengyin went forward and accepted the decree. Zhu Fengyin was called into her father's study after the Eunuch left. She went in alone while Su Liya waited by the door.
Su Liya stood by the door humming on her mind when she heard her name called. She turned to the direction she heard her name and found herself face to face with a tribulation from the original Su Liya's past Zhu Faye.
Su Liya smiled awkwardly "Hello Thir young master"
Zhu Faye smiled and walked up to her "Xiao Liya! It's been a while, how are you" he raised his hands to touch her lips but Su Liya stepped back.
"How can I help you, Young master," she said.
"Why are you acting all stiff, I thought we are closer than this" he returned his hand to his side.
"You flatter me, how can I a servant be close to third young Master" Su Liya replies head bowed low. She clasped her hands tight, silently counting in her mind.
Zhu Faye was about speaking but the sturdy door opening made him pause "Fengyin-mei Mei congratulations, Duke Wu is a good match" he said looking pasted Su Liya.
"Yes, I guess he is" Zhu Fengyin replied stiffly. She looked at Su Liya and said " we should get going, a designer from Roushi house is coming over to take my measurement".
Su Liya nodded "Alright". She followed Zhu Fengyin back to her rooms.
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