Scheming Mother and daughter

Zhu Fenfang was the last to come down and like all white lotus female leads out there she made sure to slip down the step. As she fell Zhu Fenfeng was caught by a tall lanky male dressed in black.  

Su Liya rolled her eyes when she saw who caught the tumbling female lead.

"wow like every idol drama out there, dizzy scholar never disappoints," Su Liya said, watching as the female fell into Lu Yaozhu's arms. "Ah, the second male lead finally appears" 

Su Liya would identify the second male lead anywhere, unlike the male lead that was described to be incredibly beautiful. Lu Yaozhu though handsome had a thin scar on his left eyes, his signature character trait was his mismatched eyes caused by a childhood illness.

Lu Yaozhu like every other general in most web series out there always wore black clothes. Initially, Su Liya had found that cute but now that she was experiencing every single scene in the series, it all seemed un-original. 

The story in her honest opinion was pretty common, it followed all the popular troupes out there. It was like every other typical white lotus saves the brooding hero novel out there. Su Liya usually enjoyed a good white lotus story but now that she was a character in a said novel she found it annoying.

Maybe it was because her character was written to die by the end of the year. Even if she followed the patterns set by female leads in other transmigration novels she doubts that she would ever get to meet the male lead.

Zhu Fengyin's path never crossed with the male lead Zhongshan Ling's until she married the sixth prince. Since her mission was to help Zhu Fengyin get a happy ending, she would have to pick another candidate such as maybe….the second male lead.

Lu Yaozhu is not bad for a second male lead, he also doesn't have a wife or a concubine yet so Zhu Fengyin wouldn't have to deal with the mess the original Female lead dealt with in the novel.

"This could just work out," Su Liya thought, lips cuiled wide. In the novel, the female lead and second male lead met two years ago after Zhu Fenfeng saved a former Zhu Family servant from being sold to slave traders. 

Lu Yaozhu bought the servant from the slave traders as a favour for Zhu Fenfeng. He also helped get the servant a new place of employment. After year's of interaction between them, Lu Yaozhu and Zhu Fenfeng struck a friendship. 

The Lu family and Zhu family were political rivals so Lu Yaozhu wouldn't let his guard down easily on Zhu Fengyin's presence. Zhu Fengyin will have to gradually win his trust. 

Su Liya began making plans as she followed Zhu Fengyin and the rest of the Zhu family into the palace.  They were almost at the banquet hall when a maid from Noble Consort Shi palace called Zhu Fengyin away.

Noble consort Shi wished to see Zhu Fengyin before the banquet began. Consort Shi was the most favoured consort and the mother of the sixth Prince, everyone respected her. Zhu Fengyin has been engaged to the Sixth Prince since birth, the noble consort was fond of her.

Noble Consort Shi treated her like her daughter, it was normal for her to call her over. Zhu Fengyin grew up in the palace thanks to her mother's close relationship with the noble consort.

Minister Zhu was in the sixth prince camp, he encouraged any close relationship between his daughter and the sixth prince. He didn't hold Zhu Fengyin back instead he let her go.

After getting her father's permission Zhu Fengyin bowed "I will take my leave father".

Minister Zhu nodded and turned forward to resume his walk to the banquet hall when Madam Zhu said "it's been a while since I saw the noble consort, let me join you Fengyin"

Zhu Fengyin paused surprised by her stepmother's actions. She caught Su Liya's eye, Su Liya gave her an encouraging nod. Zhu Fengyin smiled and nodded "alright" 

Madam Zhu brought down her hand from Minister Zhu's sleeve and walked towards Zhu Fengyin. When she got to where her daughter stood, madam Zhu grabbed her hands and walked forward. "Feifer please escort mother"

Zhu Feifei replied "en" and followed her mother. 

Minister Zhu found their actions strange but dismissed them. He already suspected what the mother and daughter pair was up to but didn't wish to get involved. He had no problem with their scheming as far as it doesn't bring destroy his plans or worse bring shame to him.

Minister Zhu and Zhu Fenfeng walked into the banquet hall and took their seats.

***

Meanwhile at Yonghe palace.

Noble consort shi was dressed in light pink ceremonial robes when they arrived. Zhu Fengyin and Su Liya paid their respects and stood aside while Madam Zhu and Noble consort Shi caught up with each other.

While everyone was distracted Zhu Fengyin whispered to Su Liya "hey, why did you let me come here with the scheming mother and daughter pair"

Su Liya moved closer "aren't we trying to get rid of that engagement of yours! What better way to do so than to swap grooms"

"Swap grooms? What do you mean?"

"I did my research and based on the snippet of conversation we heard between the scheming mother and daughter, the Emperor wants to decree a marriage between the Lu family and the Zhu family" 

"The Lu family? Is that even possible, father and Duke Wu are political rivals why would he agree to such a union?"

"Your father is a power-hungry man, why won't he agree to such a union. The Emperor must be looking for a spy and what better spy to have than a spy that shares the same bed with your enemy. Think about it Fengyin, your father already has a profitable marriage with a prince what else does he need one with a Duke for."

Zhu Fengyin looked at her quickly "so you plan to somehow make the noble consort get familiar with Feifei that way getting her to adj for a change in brides"

"Bingo," Su Liya said, when she saw Zhu Fengyin's surprised expression she replied quick "Yes, that means yes"

"Really… wow. Bingo is another way of saying Yes"

Su Liya waved her hand quick "No that not what I mean. Bingo doesn't mean yes It was a mistake"

"Oh...okay" Zhu Fengyin nodded.

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".