Not Your Typical Villianess

Commander Yuan's mansion 

Zhu Fengyin grabbed Su Liya's hands and dragged her away, finally they were out of everyone's sight. Their maids followed them to a spot behind a small pavilion by the side. Su Liya let out a loud breath and leaned by a flower bed, "thanks for getting me out of there Fengyin, I was this close to giving those noisy women a piece of my mind."

Beads of sweat ran down her forehead, even with the light summer clothes, age still felt hotter. Zhu Fengyin handed her an Embroidered fan, "it is a good thing that you didn't go off in them. It would have been disastrous". 

Su Liya took the handkerchief from her and gently dabbed her face, she glanced at Zhu Fengyin who stood a few steps away and said "I couldn't find you or mother when I came in, where were you guys?"

"Guys? I don't understand what you said. What do you mean?" Zhu Fengyin asked tilting her head sideways.

Su Liya noticed her slip off as soon as she heard Zhu Fengyin's words, she closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. 'sorry about that, I meant to say 'where were you"

Zhu Fengyin didn't take her to slip off to mind, after so many months, she was used to Su Liya's strange words. "Mother and I were led to the pavilion in front of the garden, old madam Yuan attended to the high ranking madams present. You were also expected to be there too... It must be because of the delay at the gates".

Su Liya's eyes narrowed, "or I was deliberately held back".

Zhu Fengyin looked at her softly "I think that far fetched Yaya, who would do that" 

Su Liya folded the silk handkerchief into a square and without looking up replied "the Yuàn family, what if they wanted to disgrace me or make me feel out of place. It could be any of the three options".

"I highly doubt that Yaya. The reputation of the Yuan family was ruined by this. They wouldn't do something that would ultimately destroy them".

Su Liya nodded "tray would be akin to shooting themselves on the foot"

"Shooting themselves on the foot, is that bad?" Zhu Fengyin asked.

Su Liya looked up at Zhu Fengyin feeling exasperated, she smiled "yes, it means bad".

"Oh... Okay. We have stayed here long enough for Xiao Nuan to be sent away. Let is head back."

Su Liya put the handkerchief in her sleeve and stood straight, "I am set, let us go".

Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya rejoined the rest of the guests and after a few minutes was led in for some refreshments. The earlier scene had toned down the mood of the occasion, as most of the guests began to gossip about the deteriorating state of the commander's family.

The Yuàn family had planned the banquet to show their family wealth and political position. However thanks to the scene caused by Xiao Nuan and eldest Madam Yuan, their reputation was in tartars. The proud Yuàn military family had become a topic of gossip and jests.

It wasn't surprising that the banquet was concluded earlier than planned, meanwhile, on madam Lu's end, she felt quite embarrassed by the previous scene. Before coming here, Madam Lu warned Su Liya to behave appropriately and not cause a scene.

Yet Su Liya didn't listen and instead created quite the mess. Madam Lu could barely seat still during the journey back to the Duke's mansion. As soon as they got down from their carriages, madam Lu ordered Su Liya to follow her without even looking her way, "Liya! Follow me".

She didn't bother letting Lu Yaozhu know what was going on and just walked purposely into the house. The carriage stopped by the gate and the servants helped them down the carriage. Lu Yaozhu had noticed the storming atmosphere between his mother and Su Liya. 

However, neither his mother nor Su Liya was willing to reveal anything. From his seat opposite Su Liya, he saw colour drained out of her face. Lu Yaozhu looked from his fuming mother to Su Liya, and asked, "what happened?".

Su Liya was smart enough to understand that nothing good would come out of reporting madam Lu to her son. She put in an earnest expression and replied "Oh_nothing! Mother just wants to discuss a few things with me. There is no need to worry yourself about this" Su Liya replied quickly while trying to avoid meeting his stern gaze. 

Lu Yaozhu's facial expression never Changed, He understood that she didn't want to put him on the spot. His impression of this new wife of his improved, he looked at her worried expression and replied "Is that so, then you had better get going. Don't delay".

He watched her rush after his mother, frowning slightly. Lu Yaozhu called his servant "Yu Tao!"

Yu Tao who stood a short distance from the carriage, heard his master call his name. He rushed over to the door as his master got down from the carriage "Young Master, how may I be of assistance?"

"Find out why mother is asking for Liya," Lu Yaozhu said calmly. 

"Yes!"

**********

At Su Liya's end

Su Liya rushed after Madam Lu, Madam Lu was already seated when she had just ran into the living room of madam Lu's quarters. She bowed and apologized "I know that I was wrong, mother please forgive me".

The apology soften Madam Lu's heart a little, she looked down at the little girl in front of her and sighed. "At least you know to apologize. What were you thinking about getting involved in that mess with the Yuàn family? What about don't cause a scene didn't you understand!"

Su Liya didn't try to explain herself and just apologized "I am sorry".

"Liya, I understand that you are still trying to get the hang of everything but you can not allow women like Eldest madam Yuan to walk all over you. It is embarrassing, how can you the wife of a marquis, a first-rank official allow the wife of a mere fourth rank vice-minister to walk all over you. 

"Have you no shame, even if you don't have any shame, think of Yaozhu. You just got married and as such must put the right foot forward. How are you going to command people's attention after this mess? Save our Lu family some face!"

Su Liya bit her lip gently as she left the words to bounce off her. She felt embarrassed standing here while madam Lu battered her with words. However such was the case in the time she found herself. She couldn't go off on her mother-in-law and could only stand her silently and received her blessings.

Madam Lu continued "This is the last time I will say this to Su Liya, you are not a child neither are you made of wood. Don't stand there unresponsive while someone like Eldest madam Yuan put you down. You are a princess, conferred by his majesty himself. Know your place!"

******

At the side, just outside the courtyard Lu Yaozhu and Yu Tao stood silently. Lu Yaozhu had decided to check up on Su Liya when Yu Tao reported what happened to him. He frowned as his mother went on and on, he knew how brutal his mother's words could be. 

"Has steward Li from our hometown had arrived?" He asked Yu Tao who stood by his side.

"Yes, my Lord".

"We can't keep him waiting, have someone call him over quickly"

Yu Tao looked at the madam's rooms and nodded "Yes". He was about to leave when he was called back by Lu Yaozhu

"One more thing Yu Tao."

"Yes, my Lord"

"Send over the foreign sweets the palace sent over a few days ago, to Liya. That would lift her spirit after surviving one of mother's long lectures."

Yu Tao looked at his young master and sighed "Young master instead of having someone else deliver the sweets, why don't you do it. I think our Young madam would appreciate it better if it comes from you directly. You just got married, this would help build your... Relationship" Yu Tao whispered the last word when he noticed Lu Yaozhu's cold gaze.

He swallowed and said "or.... You can forget I said anything. It was a moment of madness, don't take me seriously. I will go get everything ready" he rushed forward immediately but a callous filmed hand held him back.

"On a second thought just place the sweets in my sturdy, I will deliver it to Liya myself" he muttered, rubbing the back of his head gently.

Yu Tao's lips curved up immediately "Yes, young master you head back. I will go get the sweets".

Lu Yaozhu didn't respond and just nodded. Not that You Tao cared, Lu Yaozhu had already done more than enough. Yu Tao rushed off happily to carry out his master's instructions. He was surprised by his master's actions, he was finally taking some initiative.

He knew that his master and madam haven't talked since they got married. They both treated each other like guests treating each other cordially but not getting closer. Yu Tao just wanted to create an avenue for them to get to know each other.