What a scheme

Noble consort Shi was getting tired of Madam Zhu's ass-kissing she shifted away from Her and called her maid over "the Emperor is almost at the banquet hall I should get going" she said and hurried out of the room but not before calling Zhu Fengyin to join her.

Madam Zhu and Zhu Feifei watched them leave before hissing loudly. Zhu Feifei said to her mother "mother we have to get set up tonight. I hear that the Emperor would release the imperial decree anytime soon".

Madam Zhu tapped her daughter's hands gently "stay calm my dear, mother will handle everything". 

The mother and daughter returned to the banquet hall while Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya followed the Noble consort into the hall. The banquet was already in full swing when they arrived. The Emperor and Empress were seated at the centre of the room. 

Zhu Fengyin stepped back and walked over to where her father was seated. She occupied the free seat next to Zhu Feifei, while Su Liya stood behind her.

An hour in and Su Liya was already exhausted and bored. She had been on her feet for over five hours, her muscles were stiff. Su Liya hit her thigh discreetly, trying to wake up her numb muscles.

After an hour and a half of empty talks and dull music and dance performances, the palace servant began to bring in the dishes. An assortment of snacks and dishes lined the tables in front of her.

Yet Su Liya could only watch and not partake in the dishes. "Aiyo life of a servant sure is hard. I haven't eaten anything since morning yet I am tempted with meals from the gods" Su Liya thought as her mouth watered.

She got a wimp of the aroma of braised meat and her tummy rumbled loudly. The three Zhu sisters turned around, Zhu Feifei tsked "really Fengyin-jei how do you train your servants. Look at how she reacts to food, she's a glutton in the making. If you have a problem disciplining her, tell me.  I will give you a hand".

To Which Zhu Fengyin replied smiling "no need to trouble yourself with that Feifei-mei Mei. I will handle that!"

Zhu Feifei shrugged "okay if you insist" she turned back to watch the performance.

Zhu Fenfang bit her lip gently in contemplation before finally saying "Liya-jei you must be hungry after all this time" she placed a piece of cake on a handkerchief and pushed it to the side "her have a cake".

Su Liya looked at Zhu Fengyin,  her expression was blank but the killing aura was great. Su Liya smiled and calmly turned Zhu Feifei down "oh no need for that fifth young mistress. I am good".

Zhu Fenfang Understood what happened, she didn't want to put Su Liya in trouble. She nodded and returned the cake to her plate. Minutes later Zhu Fengyin called Su Liya to help remove the bones from the fish. As Su Liya did so, she slipped her a piece of meat.

Unbeknownst to them Lu Yaozhu saw the interaction between the servant and master and smiled. " interesting" he spoke out unknowingly.

"What do you find interesting Xiao Zhu?" his elder brother Duke Wu asked next to him.  Lu Yingjie followed his younger brother eyes to two bright-faced pretty girls seated next to minister Zhu and his wife. Particularly an air of a young mistress and servant.

From the bearing of the well dressed young miss. Lu Jingjie identified her as Zhu Fengyin the capital's most talented young miss, First daughter of Minister of Revenue Zhu Yawen and the sixth prince's fiancee.

"You are behaving out of character. Why are you watching that bunch,h Xiao Zhu?" Lu Yingjie brought the cup of wine to his mouth and took a sip.

"It wasn't my plan, it's just that the young mistress's servant was interesting".

Lu Yingjie snorted "you won't say that once you hear about her exploits. I advise you to avoid getting wrapped in any of her schemes, that is one ambitious maid"

"I don't intend to have anything to do with either of them so there is no need to worry brother"

"Good".

The banquet was halfway through when Zhu Feifei suddenly disappeared. Su Liya searched around the banquet hall for Zhu Feifei with her eyes found nothing.

She tapped Zhu Fengyin on the shoulder to get her attention and whisper into her ears  "ay Fengyin, I can not find your scheming sister".

Zhu Fengyin smiled "don't worry about her, I am sure she will turn up soon enough".

Su Liya watched her expression hoping to see her slip but got nothing, she nodded "alright" and stood at her previous position. 

A short time later Zhu Feifei did indeed turned up, a scream was heard from the garden drawing everyone's attention. The Emperor immediately sent a eunuch to check out what caused the disturbance.

The Eunuch rushed straight to the Emperor minutes later. Everyone was still trying to find out what caused the disturbance when Zhu Feifei's maid rushed in.

She fell to the ground and cried out "Your Majesty!, your majesty! You have to get justice for my young Miss".

The Emperor stood up quickly "guards, quickly drag this unruly servant away".

Two armoured guards rushed to the maid, grabbed each of her arms and began dragging her away. The maid immediately screamed at the top of her  "Your Majesty please save my young mistress!"

The banquet continued after the maid was dragged away but The Empress and Noble Consort Shi left the hall in a rush. Madam Zhu was called away a short time later.

Though she didn't fully understand what happened, Su Liya had her suspicions.  S   kneeled by Zhu Fengyin's table and poured her a fresh cup of tea. With the pretence of pouring her mi, stress a cup of tea Su Liya asked "what is going on Fengyin? Why was madam Zhu called away"

"Think Liya, what would make the Emperor make a scene like this?"

Su Liya blinked as she dropped the kettle, minutes later she said "it can't be what I think t is right, Zhu Feifei wouldn't take such a risk".

Zhu Fengyin dichuckleckled softly " a desperate man can do anything".