Not Your Typical Villianess

Zhu Fengyin turned to her and said "Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

To which Su Liya replied cheerfully "Yes…"

They both said together," since Zhu Feifei wants to be the princess consort. Let's give her a hand"

Zhu Fengyin smirked and asked, "what do you have planned?"

"Nothing much… Zhu Feifei is almost at the edge all we need is to give her a little push," Su Liya said thoughtfully. She bit her lip gently "if I remember correctly the Emperor's birthday is coming up soon… that can be the day we conclude everything but first we will have to lay down the groundwork"

Su Liya saw a flash of blue from the side of her eyes, As a slender baby-faced girl with bold yet beautiful features walked in with a maid following her closely. 

The girl was quite attractive, she had similar features to Zhu Fengyin. As she got closer, the girl said in a very soft tone "Fengyin-jei jei, you came".

Su Liya searched her memory for a character that suited this description. The girl was pale with a big almond-sized eye, a small nose and lush plump lips. She looked very innocent with a certain glow to her. 

Su Liya zoned out as she searched her memory for the identity of the new arrival when the conversation between Zhu Fengyin and the girl filtered into her ears "mmm, I did. I got the medicine thanks for sending them over, Fenfeng-mei Mei".

Su Liya paused her eyes locked on Zhu Fenfeng. The female lead of the book and the second daughter of minister Zhu. 

Zhu Fenfeng was like the ideal female lead, she was both innocent and naively nice. There was a certain glow to her that made her the centre of attention as soon as she walked into the room.

Su Liya felt a little irritated just looking at her smiling face, she sneered as she thought 'did she go around with a spotlight or what? Talk about being an attention seeker. I guess this is the so-called female lead aura'

Su Liya snorted loudly, which drew everyone's attention to her. Zhu Fengyin turned to her eyebrows raised as she mouthed the words "what is wrong?"

Su Liya laughed sheepishly "oh… I have a sore throat" she brought her hands up to her throat, rubbing it gently. 

Zhu Fengyin nodded "oh yes.. How could I forget," she said to Zhu Fenfeng. Who nodded in understanding.

"Sorry, it must be painful. It's a little colder at night in spring, you should cover up while sleeping" Zhu Fenfeng caution. She turned to her maid Xiao chu and said "Xiao Chu, please deliver some ginger tea to Su Liya for her col_"

Zhu Fengyin interrupted her before she could complete the statement "there is no need to worry yourself, Fenfeng-mei Mei. Liya is under my household, I will take care of that but thanks anyway for your concern"

"Oh_ that's alright," Zhu Fenfeng said with a hurt expression. Which pissed Su Liya off more, Zhu Fenfeng expression made it look like Zhu Fengyin bullied her. When that wasn't the case.

``We can not have this happen again, I will have to talk to Zhu Fengyin about avoiding the catastrophe that is Zhu Fenfeng. This white lotus female lead aura is too much, it could get us in trouble" Su Liya thought.

Zhu Fengyin noticed the change in Zhu Fenfeng expression but pretended otherwise "We should not keep big madam waiting, let's get going". 

She walked past Zhu Fenfeng and stood by the door. When Zhu Fenfeng caught up, she knocked gently on the door.

A faint female voice said, "come in".

On her order, Su Liya stepped forward, pushed the door open and stepped aside to let Zhu Fengyin come in, before following her in. Zhu Fenfeng and her maid Xiao Chu came in after them. 

They paused at the centre of the room and paid their respects. Zhu Fengyin and Zhu Fenfeng sat on the seats facing the master's seat while Su Liya and Xiao Chu stood behind their young mistress.

Madam Zhu a slim middle-aged woman sat on the soft couch at the centre of the room. On the table next to her seat were a tea set and snacks. The fourth young miss of the Zhu family Zhu Feifei sat next to her mother. 

When they were all seated Madam Zhu picked up the teacup and blew gently before taking a few sips of the tea.  Madam Zhu placed the teacup on the table and said  "It's good to see you both, fengyin I heard that you caught a cold, how are you feeling"

Zhu Fengyin smiled and replied, "I am now better".

"That's good," Madam Zhu said. She took a sip of her tea. "The ministry of rite sent over an invitation to the Emperor's anniversary party coming up in a few days. It will be a general banquet so you have to be on your best behaviour. Fengyin's marriage is already final but the same cannot be said for the both of you" she looked at Zhu Fenfeng and Zhu Feifei. 

The three young mistresses chorused "Yes Mother".

Madam Zhu conversed with them for a short while before she dismissed them to go on with their other activities. Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya maintained a calm expression until they got into Zhu Fengyin's room.

Su Liya let out a breath as soon as they got in "jeez that was suffocating". She rubbed her neck gently, Su Liya glanced at Zhu Fengyin briefly and said." It has to be a talent… your ability to stay calm when dealing with fake people like that". Su Liya sat on a seat and began to massage her legs.

"You will get used to it"  Zhu Fengyin dropped on the seat.

"I hope so" Su Liya pressed her thigh firmly "about Zhu Fenfeng….. Yin er let's try to avoid getting on her bad side okay!"

"why... because she is the female lead?" Zhu Fengyin said smirking. 

Su Liya looked at her quickly "How do you know that?"