Zhongshan Cheng's secret 2

After the dinner, Zhongshan Cheng stayed back for some minutes to straighten out the requirements for Lu Yue's marriage partner with Lu Xiaolian.

When everything was set, He said his goodbyes and left for his manor. He was escorted to the door by Zhongshan Huang.

While Lu Xiaolian returned to her rooms led by her two personal maidservants Bie Liu and Yao Yao.

As soon as they arrived at her quarters, She changed out of her clothes and had a much-needed bath. It was very hotter in the summer. After her bath, she changed into a lighter sleep ware, that accommodates her now bulging belly.

Meanwhile, outside her quarters, Zhongshan Huang led his younger brother out. Her lips curved up I'm a smile, as he mused at his brother's newfound secret.

His younger brother never failed to surprise him, of all the ladies, it just had to be the Lu family's precious seventh young Miss.

Zhongshan Cheng wasn't dumb to his brother's current mood, he was already counting the minutes till they got to the door. This was a conversation he did not want to have.

"We've arrived. It's late, I should get going" Zhongshan Cheng hurriedly said as they arrived at the door.

"Hold on" Zhongshan Huang gently placed a hand on his shoulder, holding him back. "If you are serious, You can let me know and I will lend you a hand."

"What's meant to be will be. You can't cheat fate" Zhongshan Cheng replied in a quiet tone.

"Nothing is set in stone yet, aching. You are my little brother, I will always have your back."

"Thanks" He was and got into his carriage.

Zhongshan Huang watched the carriage leave until it was out of sight, before returning to his study.

After reading through the reports, Zhongshan Huang turned off the lights and went back to Lu Xiaolian's rooms.

Lu Xiaolian was already asleep, so he raised the blanket and got into the bed. He gently drew her into his hands, careful not to wake her.

The next morning

Lu Xiaolian was awakened by the delicious aroma of fish soup. She pulled aside the blanket and got up from the bed. The bed curtains were still down, keeping out the bright rays of the sun.

In the background, she heard the soft sounds of maids walking around and plates hitting wood.

The aromas from the dishes rushed into her nose, raising her appetite and making her hungry.

Her sense of scent had gotten a lot more sensitive thanks to pregnancy. She could nearly identity every dish that had been brought in.

She pulled aside the curtains, dropped her foot on the ground one after the other, and sat upon the bed.

"Your highness, you're wake" Yao Yao cried out as she walked into the room, a bowl of water in her hands. "Let me help you get up" Yao Yao set down the bowl and quickly walked up to her side, to provide supporters

"Where is Bie liu?" Lu Xiaolian asked holding onto Yao Yao and walking to be a chair.

"Bie Liu is overseeing the work around the quarters, your highness. should call her over?"

"No, let her be. It's nothing serious, I was just asking. Help me get dressed Yao Yao, I am very hungry. The table must be set, let's get started. I can't stomach any more of the aroma from the dishes"

"Let's get started, your highness", Yao Yao said helping Lu Xiaolian stand.

Yao Yao removed her outer jacket and hung it by the cloth rack, up next was her inner tunics.

"Is the Crown Prince in?"

"No your highness, he left earlier for the court"

"Mhm, that's good. l need to break my fast" Lu Xiaolian said seating on the chair next to the eating table.

The dishes were spread out on the table. She washed her hands and wiped them dry before picking up the chopsticks.

She was a few bites in when there was a flash of light from the side. She set down her chopsticks and dismissed the maids, save for Yao Yao.

"Yao Yao please go keep a watch"

"Yes your highness", she replied and walked out of the room.

"Come in" she took a few sips of tea from her teacup "You took a while"

"Sorry for coming in late, your highness. I ran into some enemy soldiers, just outside the city"

"Enemy soldiers this close to the capital, how is that even possible?", she said seating forward.

"on the investigation, I discovered that it was all arranged by imperial teacher Yang"

"just as I suspected, the Yang family has rebelled. Since they're already close to the capital l, we'll have to act fast. Meanwhile, how are the southern borders"

"In despair, the military reports beekeeping intercepted by imperial teacher Yang and the First Prince's men. The third Prince has already been killed, the bandits send back his mutilated body. It should be entering the city any day from now."

"That should also be when the enemy will lunch an attack. We will have to take some precautions, have the private army surround the capital, to lend a hand when needed.

"Meanwhile send word to my father and Brother, they should also be aware. I will write to my uncles and cousin this evening to inform them"

"Yes your highness"

Minutes after Lu Yan had left, Lu Xiaolian called Yao Yao inside and handed her a letter to deliver to Zhongshan Huang and another to be delivered to her uncle.