Not Your Typical Villianess

Prince Ye's mansion.

Commandery princess Xia Ying listened silently from her seat as the young ladies bickered between themselves. They talked about an embarrassing scene that occurred at the Yuan family's garden party that involved the new princess.

Soon the conversation changed to the scandal that involved General Lu, from her understanding the other new attendee named Zhu Fenfang was the younger sister of the Duchess of Wu. 

It was quite funny how that almost-husband of hers Lu Yaozhu was brought up everywhere she went. It was like she couldn't escape him, This General seemed to be very popular among the ladies. Look at how they all came out to take jabs at his new wife.

Xia Yong shook her head while thinking that it was a good thing, she didn't marry him. A man that was this popular with the ladies won't be good for anyone's peace of mind. The fact that he easily fell for the age-old trick employed by a greedy servant was proof that his morals weren't good.

Only a lecherous man fell for his sister-in-law's pretty maid. Yes, it was a good thing that she never married him. While she was glad to have escaped a painful faith, she still would appreciate it if people stopped bringing him up in their conversation.

Luckily there weren't any formal marriage talks between her Xia family and the Lu family. However, she had heard from her maids that they were gossip and rumour going around on the true reason she was sent to the capital. 

She hoped that nobody dragged her into this awkward conversation but that was just wishful thinking because she was soon dragged in by her almost sister-in-law Lu Yiling. It all started when her longtime friend Chen Su stepped into the argument.

Cheng Su was the youngest daughter of a long time subordinate of the State Duke. She free up with Xa Ying and was very close to her. She had returned to the capital after Xia Ying arrived to keep her company.

She has been informed of the real reason Xia Ying was sent to the capital by Princess Ni'an before leaving for the capital. She was aware of how much thought Princess Ni'an who was like a grandmother to her, put into this match and was Angry when everything fell through. Thanks to the underhanded trick employed by that maid Su Liya and her mistress Zhu Fengyin.

She could barely seat still anymore when she heard the shy daughter of the Zhu family claim that her eldest sister and the maids were innocent. It was one thing for Zhu fenfang to play the innocent but as soon as she heard Lu Yiling defend her too, Cheng Su snapped.

She looked straight at Lu Yiling and said "But is she innocent?"

Lu Yiling was a little bit taken aback by his statement. She looked at the unfamiliar young mistress, who was seated next to Grand Princess Ni'an's granddaughter, Princess Xia Ying. This was her first time meeting the young mistress, Lu Yiling didn't understand why this young mistress gaze was filled with dislike.

"I, I don't understand what you mean. Fenfang Jie is very honest, she would never lie. She is too pure for that" Lu Yiling replied warily.

"You have an awful amount of trust for someone that you just met a few months ago. Don't you think that your attitude is strange for someone whose brother had his prospects ruined by a med brought up by her "innocent" elder sister? I think that you are a little too naive for my liking"

Lu Yiling's face immediately darken, she felt so insulted by her words and prepared to go off on this young mistress but was quickly held back by Zhu fenfang, who held her arm

"Yiling don't, it is enough. Don't take her words to heart." Zhu Fenfang said softly. She had initially planned to step back and let Lu Yiling handle everything but the young mistresses words hanged her mind.

If she allowed Lu Yiling to continue talking, her image would be thoroughly ruined. Lu Yiling was too naive to understand the young mistress's words but she wasn't.

Princess Meirong noticed that everything was getting out of control and stepped in. She pulled the conversation away from these dangerous topics to one a lot safer. At the end of the banquet, everyone left in their carriages.

As Cheng Su escorted Princess Xia Yong back to her carriage, at the end of the banquet. Princess Xia Ying brought up what happened during the banquet with Zhu Fenfang and Lu Yiling. She said softly

"Xiao Su, please don't try what you did today again. You have to be careful with that Zhu Fenfang, she is not easy. None of the Zhu family members is, I hate people like that Zhu Fenfang. People who think they are also smart while all the other people a stupid.

"She is the type that likes to manipulate people, don't you see how she manipulated Lu Yiling into fighting her battles while making herself look weak and innocent. Tsk Tsk Tsk, she is no good. Next time trend carefully around her"

Cheng Su nodded "I understand". She had her suspicions about Zhu Fenfang and Xia Ying just confirmed it. She decided to be careful around that concubine daughter.

*******

The Imperial Palace

A day later, the second game of the royal games was held in the palace. This time the royal game to be played was the Cuju. 

(" Cuju was a form of traditional Chinese soccer-like game okayed with martial arts).

Cuju much like soccer involved two teams both competing for the team that kick the ball into the net. The team with the highest number of hits wins the game. The players make use of their hard and feet to get the ball thrown in while trying to stop their opponents from winning.

Like the previous royal game, the females of the Lu family was led to the royal family's section but unlike last time Su Liya was seated as a guest and not standing behind Zhu Fengyin. Princess Xia Ying was also present this time, she was seated next to the Empress.

The women of the Lu family saluted the Emperor and Empress before getting seated. The games began not long after, Lu Yaozhu and Lu Yingjie took part in the competition. The game this time was a competition between Northern Wei and Chu state.

At the start of the game Northern Wei was on the lead but Chu state delegates quickly picked up. The players put in masks while playing to ensure the anonymity of each player while the game was ongoing.

This was Xia Ying's first royal event since she arrived at the Capital, a lot of the royal relatives went up to her. They said a few good words, her relationship with Grand Princess Ni'an and the state Duke made her quite the catch.

Since the marriage with the Lu family had fallen through, a lot of the madams wished to push for a union with their family. They each tried to sell Xia Ying and the Empress on their young sons but Xia Ying wasn't impressed by any of them.

She looked towards the new guests when she heard the eunuch announce that the Lu family had arrived. She heard quite a lot about Su Liya and was curious about the new bride. She watched as four-woman walked in and saluted the Emperor and Empress.

She was familiar with one of the women, who was the slender young woman with a fringe that she had seen yesterday at prince Ye's mansion Lu Yiling. Taking the lead was an older lady, who looked like an older version of Lu Yiling.

The other two younger ladies present had to be the daughters-in-law, now to identify who was Su Liya. They were both pretty in their different ways, however, the shorter young lady was very stunning with exotic features. She had tanned skin, slanted hazel coloured eyes and plump lips. 

As soon as she saw her, she had a nagging feeling like this was Su Liya and the Empress's warm question proved her right.

"Liya, it has been a while. You should visit often", Empress Lu said smiling.

"Yes, your Highness" Su Liya replied and went to her seat.

'She is quite the beauty, it is no surprise that Lu Yaozhu fell for her' Princess Xia Ying thought as she watched Su Liya from her seat. 

The game went on for two hours before coming to an end, it went rather smoothly and there were no injuries. The game ended with Northern Wei winning the game five points ahead, Chu state had put them all into the competition.

While the players went in to watch up and get changed, the rest of the guests was led to the banquets hall for the celebratory party. Su Liya followed the rest of the guests to the banquet hall when she was approached by Zhu Feifei.

She followed the palace maid closely when Zhu Feifei fell into step with her. She was and didn't know what to make of it, Zhu Feifei didn't interact with her. Zhu Feifei was just another annoying side character to her.