Not Your Typical Villianess

The imperial palace.

Su Liya felt a little embarrassed seeing him walk around naked, her cheek hitter up more when she turned and dropped her clothes on the bed. She immediately averted her eyes so as not to see his full package. 

Lu Yaozhu noticed her cute action and smiled for a split second. "There is no time to act shy, get dressed," he said with a straight expression before turning around to put his pants on.

"Yes," Su Liya in a tiny voice and crawled out of the bed. She looked to Lu Yaozhu, she checked to ensure that he wasn't watching her before dropping the blanket and putting on her clothes. She had just put on her blouse when the door was pushed open and a few servants led by the Empress lady's maid Xuayi rushed in.

"Second Young master, how come you are on her" she muttered. There was a slight movement behind Lu Yaozhu, she look ahead and locked eyes on the scantly dressed Su Liya. 

"oh no! You what are you doing here" She turned to servants and instructed them to go back "go back, there is nothing to see here".

However, before they could go back imperial consort Shi's maid Chu Mama walked in. She walked past the servants and seeing the scene in front smirked "who says there is nothing to see" smiling smugly she raised her voice as she continued "Second master and Miss Su please come out. The Emperor and Empress are worried sick". 

Madam Lu and the Empress rush in as soon as they heard that, they both called out simultaneously

"Xiao Zhu!"

"Yao Yao!!"

Madam Lu was the closest, she raised her skirt and ran in. The Empress was held back by the Emperor, he held her arm tightly. She looked up surprised but he shook his head and kept silent.

Lu Yaozhu had been missing for a few hours since he was knocked down from the horse during the polo match. He had only gone in to get changed, when he didn't return hours later she got worried.

It was bad enough that they had a missing maid in their hands but now even her son wasn't back yet. The Emperor noticed his absence not almost immediately and sent some servants to find him, madam Lu assumed the worse when the servants came back without him.

When a servant reported seeing smoke from this uninhabited palace, everyone rushed over to see what caused the fire. Hearing the palace maids words was a relief but as she ran in, the scene she saw made her heart sink.

She turned back to keep anyone else from coming in, which was fruitless because the Emperor and Empress were already inside. The other royal family members followed them behind. Her heartbeat increased rapidly as everyone got closer, there was nothing cage could do to keep the Emperor away from discovering this scene.

It felt like her world came to an end when she saw the shocked expression of the onlookers. There was no way she could salvage any of her son's good reputation. Everything was gone, she looked from the Emperor's stony face to her son's cold face.

Everyone was silent for a second before the murmurs began among the royal family members present and the Chu state Envoys. The Crown Prince of Chu state was seated with the Emperor when the servants rushed in and reported that there was a fire breakout.

To show concern, he rushed over expecting to see a house on fire but on arrival they found nothing. There wasn't any fire, at least not in the literal sense but there was a hot mess. He needed to applaud Lu Yaozhu for having the guts to have an affair in the palace. Lu Yaozhu was either stupid or full of himself to try something like this.

The crown prince of Chu's lips tugged up "Interesting" he muttered. There was no one next to him that could hear what he said apart from his servant.

Lu Yaozhu got on his knees and knocked his forehead on the ground "I deserve to be punished, your majesty!" Su Liya fell to her knees after Lu Yaozhu, she didn't know how he choose to handle this but decided to follow his lead.

The sudden fanfare involving half the high ranking members of the royal family was the only tell Lu Yaozhu needed to know where this was leading. Although he had no idea who orchestrated everything, it was too well planned for the Emperor to not be involved. Since the Emperor wants to set up a play he could only play his part, it was either that or risk getting his family involved.

The Emperor didn't have much hope for the plan set up by his imperial consort but he was glad that it all went on as planned. He wasn't happy with the Empress little play at getting his elder sister involved in his activities but thankfully this would keep her contained.

He shook his sleeve and looking to the crown prince of Chu state who stood a short distance away, smiled affectionately. "Please be at ease General Lu, we are all Family aren't we. Don't act so strict, isn't this the maid you told me about. This silly boy, you are so bold on the battlefield.

"Why can't you be as bold with you love, didn't I tell you I would help you two love birds. I guess you just couldn't wait" the Emperor turned to the Empress and took her hands. "My Empress don't be so shocked, General Lu is still young. We were youngsters too you know how it is with young love, you always like to be close to each other".

The Empress's eyes narrowed when she heard that, she didn't know what this husband of hers was up to but since it concerned her Lu family, it wasn't anything good. The Emperor put her on the spot, she had no choice but to play along.

"Your Majesty, you mean that you are aware of Xiao Zhu's... Friend?

"I haven't met her my love but I have heard a lot of good things about her from General Lu. Since it has come to this, they are clearly in love. My love let's get them married"

"Ma_ma married? But she is a maid_"

"Don't worry about that my dear that can be remedied. My Empress ever since the first Princess got married far away, you have been a little down. Why don't you adopt her, Xiao Zhu is your favourite nephew and you know what they say about marrying a good daughter-in-law. When you get old, they will take care of you"

Empress Lu looked down at the scheming little bitch, she didn't like this plan one bit but the Emperor left her no choice. She let out a breath and replied "your majesty is very wise, let us do as you say".

"Good. Young lady, may I please have your name. Xiao Zhu this silly boy, was very secretive about you. He never revealed your identity, I don't know what he was afraid of. He is my precious nephew, I wouldn't hurt you now would I?"

Su Liya hands shook slightly, she rose her head up gently and looked to Lu Yaozhu as if to get his permission. When she didn't get any response from him, she swallowed silently and wetting her lips gently. "Answering your majesty, this lowly one is named Su Liya", she replied her head still resting on the ground.

"Liya, what a lovely name. Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya here my command. Su Liya is kind, beautiful and virtuous. She possesses all the characters expected of a young lady, I now confer her Princess Qin second-ranked princess 

"General Lu is a strong backbone of the society, he and Princess Ping are a good match. He has made great contributions to the development of our nation. I now confer him the hereditary title of Maquis Yunzhu. They are good role models for the younger generation. They will be married in six days"

Su Liya looked up at the Emperor's eyes wide, Lu Yaozhu quickly took action to avoid her disrespecting the Emperor and Empress. He rose still on his knees and taking her hand helped her up. Su Liya got snapped out of her shock and quickly mirrored Lu Yaozhu's actions.

She stretched out her hands and clamping them close replied "your majesty, this little one accepts your command. Long live the Emperor".

The Emperor smiled and said, "Caihong have the military of rites deliver the documents and gifts to the Maquis and Princess".

The elderly Eunuch by the Emperor's side walked forward "Yes your majesty". He bowed and stepped back.

The Emperor turned to the servants and guards by his side and instructed "it is getting late, please escort the princess to Jing palace" 

The servants and guards replied, "Yes, your majesty".

Two maids helped Su Liya up and then led her away. The Emperor said a few miscellaneous things before leaving. The Empress glanced at Lu Yaozhu briefly before leaving. Everyone left one after another when they saw there was nothing more to see until it remained just the Lu family.

Lu Yaozhu didn't wait for anyone to talk and just left the room. "Xiao... Zhu!" Madam Lu called out before walking to Zhu Fengyin and after glaring at her hissed "Let us go".