Not Your Typical Villianess

Minister Zhu's mansion, an hour earlier, during the family dinner.

The servants informed Madam Zhu when dinner was set, after ensuring that everything was set the whole family moved to the outdoor dining room for dinner. The outdoor dining room was set in the middle of the garden, in a roofed wooden pavilion.

A long line of white beautiful paper candle lamps lined the pathway leading to the dining room, which lighted up the garden. The candlelight, the flowers and small ponds made the view magical. Su Liya felt like she had stepped into fairyland, madam Zhu really outdid herself.

Beautiful flora scents rose as the wind blew which gave a calming effect. Five smartly dressed maids stood in a straight line by the side. They stood a few steps away from the long rectangular table. A large family dinner was spread out on the table.

They all sat by order of seniority, Minister Zhu sat at the head of the table, with Madam Zhu seated by his left. Next to Madam Zhu was Zhu Feifei and Zhongshan Cheng opposite them was Zhu Fengyin and Lu Yingjie. Zhu Faye and Zhu Fenfang sat opposite each other at the end of the table.

The dinner went smoothly as expected, Minister Zhu and madam Zhu conversed with the younger generation. They gave some insights on married life and discourse a view of happenings. Everyone made sure not to touch on any political topics and just talked about plays and art.

While everyone was comfortable with the dinner, Su Liya couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. All through the dinner Zhongshan Cheng and Zhu Faye kept stealing glances at her. It was like she was a circuit animal on full display standing behind Zhu Fengyin.

It didn't help that both scumbags were seated opposite Zhu Fengyin and as such could watch her comfortable. Su Liya swore silently as Zhu Faye had a maid slip her a note while smirking. Su Liya didn't bother reading the note, she just rolled her eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with my fortune these days, why do I keep meeting scumbags," she thought frowning and looking away from both men.

To prove just how much of a shitty husband he was, Zhongshan Cheng gave Zhu Feifei a jade hairpin, the idiot said all the nicest things that if she didn't notice him watching her or knew all about his extracurricular activities, she would have believed he was actually a caring husband.

Zhu Feifei must either be really stupid or just a good actress because She looked like she completely bought the whole thing. Zhu Feifei blushed and acted shy, Su Liya really felt like rolling her eyes but controlled herself.

Finally, the charade of a family dinner ended, Su Liya was glad to get out of this little stage. All these fake concerns were giving her a headache. Su Liya followed Zhu Fengyin and Lu Yingjie to her old Courtyard. 

When they arrived, Su Liya arranged a bath for her mistress. After helping Zhu Fengyin get dressed onto a sleeping ware, Su Liya withdraw from the room and went back to the servant quarters.

******"*

They all returned to their previous courtyard, Zhongshan Cheng and Zhu Feifei had just settled in when he asked "the young maid standing behind the duchess is very pretty don't you think.... Is she married?".

Zhu Feifei paused what she was doing for a split second, narrowed her eyes on Zhongshan Cheng and replied "not that I am aware of, why do you ask?".

Zhongshan Cheng ignored her and just smiled, he pulled his boots back on and walked out of the door. 

"Your highness, where are you going your highness!" Zhu Feifei dropped the hairbrush she held on the table and rushed after Zhongshan Cheng. No matter how loudly she called out, Zhongshan Cheng ignored her and walked out of the courtyard.

Zhu Feifei stamped her foot on the ground and exclaimed "Ahhh! Why does he keep doing this to me!". She watched Zhongshan Cheng go far breathing loudly, 

Zhu Feifei had been overjoyed when Zhongshan Cheng had lifted her house arrest and informed her that they were going to her family house. She had thought that with that slut at the side Courtyard absent, he would finally look at her.

They had been married for six months but he spent the majority of those months with his concubines. Every day he spend at the side Courtyard left her heartbroken, he always sided with that slut at the side Courtyard. It was so bad that even the commoners were aware, every day he went out and came in with a new beauty.

She had been so stupid to think that even with Madam Qu absence he would pay her any attention. Even without his concubine present, he would look for someone new. Even though he was in her Paternal home, he still refuses to give her any face.

Zhu Feifei pulled the jade hairpin, Zhongshan Cheng had slipped into her hair during the family dinner and threw it to the ground. Zhu Feifei jumped a little and stumped on the jade hairpin angrily.

"You lying playboy! See if I don't take care of your new toy" she grumbled.

Zhu Feifei was about to go in when she saw Zhu Fenfang walk into the Courtyard. "Sister Feifei there you are," she said in a sweet tone.

Zhu Feifei was very angry and didn't have any patience to talk to anyone least of all this concubine born sister of hers. "Fenfang, it's been a while. I don't have any_"

"Can we talk somewhere more private?" Zhu Fenfang asked cutting her off.

Zhu Feifei watched her silently contemplating if she should give her any time of the day or not when she heard Zhu Fenfang say 

"It is about his highness".

Zhu Feifei looked up quickly, she balled up her fist and grinded her teeth a little before finally saying "it is cold out here, let us talk inside". She went into the room not bothering to check if Zhu Fenfang followed her into the room.