Why would I paddle a sinking ship

Zhu Fenfang came across Su Liya and Zhu Faye at the small garden close to her courtyard. Zhu Faye stood opposite Su Liya, he held her arm gently and spoke softly.

"Liya there is no need to worry, we are close after all. I didn't take it to heart" he said gently pulling a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

She heard a lot of rumours mostly from the maid's about Su Liya and Zhu Faye having an ambiguous relationship but always doubted it. However, this scene proved the rumours to be true.

Zhu Fenfang held Xiao Chu's arm and rushed closer to hid behind a tall flower. She missed Su Liya's previous response but heard Zhu Faye's reply

"You seemed to be getting sick often these days. You should take care, I still have something to do. I will get going" He said and walked away.

Based on their interaction Zhu Fenfang could tell that their relationship was a little beyond that of master and servant. Although Zhu Faye was the heir to the Zhu family, he wasn't the only male child of the family. He was just the only legitimate male heir, his position wasn't so stable

An association with a servant, if found out could become messy. if the news somehow broke out the person that would receive the full brunt of the scandal would be Su Liya. Even Zhu Fengyin no matter how favoured she was wouldn't be able to protect her from madam Zhu's rath.

Su Liya's origin was quite promiscuous, The main madam would never let someone like her marry into the family. Which made this little secret meeting interesting, this was her way in. This was just the stepping stone she needed to make a huge dent in Zhu Fengyin's future.

"Xiao Chu, it seems even the universe is on my side" Zhu Fenfang whispered smiling wide. She tapped Xiao Chu on her wrist and straightened her expression. She walked out from her hiding spot.

Su Liya locked eyes with Zhu Fenfang as she turned to leave. Her eyes widened but she quickly wiped the look away. "third young Miss", She bowed and walked forward.

However as she walked past Zhu Fenfang, she was called back. "Stop there!".

Su Liya paused for a second, wincing as she swore in her heart. She silently counted to three and turned around. "Yes, Young Mistress", she said looking down at the ground.

Zhu Fenfang walked closer, "Why did you keep holding out on me Liya, we may not be closed but that could be changed. You are Faye seems close, almost like_ Lovers".

Su Liya looked up and replied adamantly "No we are not! Third young Master was only enquiring about my mistress's health".

"Really?! how kind of him. I guess of is normal practice to be intimate with the young master".

"I wasn't intimate with the third master! I never have!" replied Su Liya.

"That wasn't what I saw, you know Liya I have heard quite a few things about you and Faye" Zhu Fenfang move the stray strands of hair away from her eyes and smiled "imagine what would happen if it was someone else that saw this, like Fengyin or maybe Father. You would be in big trouble."

Su Liya frowned, "Nothing is going on between third young master and I, stop trying to scare me that won't work".

Zhu Fenfang's eyes got cold, she held Su Liya's jaw tightly "Do you think anyone would believe you? It would be your words against mine and even your precious mistress can't save you".

Su Liya balled up her hands tightly until her nails bit into her palm. She could already tell the direction this conversation was going but she still wanted to be sure.

Zhu Fenfang was nothing like she had expected while reading the novel. She had expected things to be slightly different but she never expected Zhu Fenfang to be like this.

She was deviating from the original plot, Su Liya suspected that it must have something to do with her changing the plot. However, she had the nagging feeling like this was the real Zhu Fenfang.

Everything felt normal in this world so it had to be real, which meant would explain how the characters were nothing like the way they were written in the original novel.

"What do you want?", Su Liya asked eyes narrowed. She watched as a cold smile appeared on Zhu Fenfang's face, Zhu Fenfang immediately looked so ugly in her eyes. She was like an eyesore, Su Liya was so mad. It was irritating looking at Zhu Fenfang's face, She felt so disgusted by her.

Zhu Fenfang was still high on happiness, she didn't notice the change in Su Liya but Xiao Chu did, her eyes narrowed and her expression immediately got cold. Xiao Chu was very loyal to Zhu Fenfang, like Su Liya, who grew up with her young Miss.

Little Madam He, Zhu Fenfang's mother saved her life when she was younger so she was hugely indebted to mother and daughter. She was so angry to see that look on someone as worthless as Su Liya.

The ignorant Zhu Fenfang smiled proudly "You don't have to do much yet, I just want you to inform me of Zhu Fengyin's move and the rest. When the time is right, you can do me a little favour. Don't worry it would be worth your time. If you do well, j will put in a word for you with my dad and help you get married into the family. Third brother's Courtyard is still empty".

Su Liya chuckles softly much to Zhu Fenfang's surprise, it soon grew into a peal of laughter. The smug smile slipped off Zhu Fenfang's face, she felt a little self-conscious. Su Liya noticed her discomfort and immediately dived in for the kill.

"Ha Ha Ha, now why would I paddle a sinking ship. You will help me marry into the family", Su Liya scuffed.

"How pathetic, like you even have any power in this family. I am not stupid enough to fall for any of your tricks. Go report me if you can and see if you would go scot-free. You forget that behind me is the powerful royal family while you have nothing. I am busy with preparations for the memorial ceremony. Third young mistress, I will take my leave", She bowed, turned around and walked away.

Zhu Fenfang opened her mouth and shut it. She bit her lips and breathed heavily. Su Liya's response replayed in her head, seconds later she let out a dry laugh "Su Liya, you dare to insult me? You think Zhu Fengyin is all-powerful because she has a strong maternal family and father's protection. Ha! we will see what happens after she marries into the Lu family. Then you will see that a married daughter is like spent grains!".