Not Your Typical Villianess - Chapter 227

The Imperial Palace, the hall of splendour.

Everyone was seated when Zhongshan Zuo arrived just like he liked it, he wasn’t the most favoured prince but then apart from the dead sixth prince who was. The sixth prince’s death was just the opportunity Zhongshan Zuo needed to step out of the shadows into the light. Zhongshan Zuo has never felt happier than he had these past few months. He grinned as he walked through the line of bowing servants in arriving at the hall of splendour.

His mood soured as he walked to his seat, his smile fell on making eye contact with Lu Yaozhu. The sight of an improvised prince like Lu Yaozhu seating among the real dragons and Phoenix left a bitter taste in his mind. He hissed silently as he walked around the table and took a seat.

During family dinners like this, Zhongshan Zuo usually targeted the Crown Prince but given the fact that his most preferred target was present. He ignored the other princes, only exchanging formal greetings with the Crown Prince, he responded half-heartedly to the greetings from the other princes. Once he was settled, he dived in for the kill. His gaze fell on Lu Yaozhu’s table with his eyes lingering on the beautiful woman seated next to him.

His lips twitched as he remembered the colourful details written in the report his men had submitted about this beautiful woman. He suddenly felt like fate had intervened by putting Lu Yaozhu in his place. He was happy that all the intelligence in the world couldn’t keep Lu Yaozhu from falling for a gold digger’s tricks. The fifth Princess consort glared at Su Liya as she noticed her husband’s gaze going to the Su Liya a few times. However, her husband’s next words stilled her suspicion.

“Brother Yaozhu is also here, I didn’t expect to run into you here and with your wife no less. You must have metal hard skin joining the family dinner like this given your Past”, he said with a wide smile.

Lu Yaozhu glanced at the young prince seated at a table ahead of the Crown Prince. He ignored the insult hidden in the younger man’s words and lips tugged up he replied respectively, “His majesty requested my presence, how could I dismiss an official invitation like that”.

“An official invitation”, Zhongshan Zuo glanced around and caught the eye of the Eunuch Chen who was the official steward that managed the affairs of the Emperor’s social events. He was shocked to receive a nod from Eunuch Chen and even after receiving the nod he still glanced at his mother Imperial concubine Sheng to verify if that was true.

“Imperial Father invited you? He must have his reasons to invite you or maybe he wants to reward you for cleaning up the mess with the Ning family” at the mention of the Ning family everyone unanimously glanced at the Crown Prince. The Ning family’s matters were considered a sore subject for Zhongshan Ling who had taken a huge hit to his reputation following the accusations of foul play.

Zhongshan Zuo grinned as his elder brother’s expression stiffened at the mention of the Ning family. He was happy to receive the desired response from his brother, he rubbed his nose gently and sat forward. Watching his brother’s expression closely, “Brother Ling and Yaozhu bond are very strong, it is expected since you two grew up together. What a good dog you raised brother Ling, I thought that dogs don’t bite their owners yet Yaozhu did exactly that and some more”.

Zhongshan Ling maintained a soft small, only his clenched fist betrayed his true feelings. “Yaozhu is a hard-working official for Imperial father and Northern Wei. A Good official works for his majesty and the people of Northern Wei without considering personal relationships, brother Zuo as a royal offspring should understand that best. That my dear brother us what makes one a good official”.

Zhongshan Zuo’s expression darkened as he glared at Zhongshan Ling, however before he could reply the Eunuch at the door announced that the Emperor and Empress had arrived. Everyone stood and bowed as Emperor Zhong and Empress Lu walked to their throne.

“Long Live the Emperor and Empress”, Everyone chorused loudly.

“Please rise”, Emperor Zhong said. On the Emperor’s order, Everyone stood and returned to their seat. A few minutes after he was seated, Emperor Zhong instructed the servants to start to serve the dishes. The kitchen maids came forward with different dishes and distributed them around. Zhongshan Ling frowned as two vegetable dishes, soup, a bowl of rice and a simple meat dish were placed on the table. He opened his mouth to complain but was held back by his wife who shook her head. She gestured to the Emperor who silently scanned the room and moving closer said, “your highness, please don’t forget his majesty situation last night”.

Zhongshan Zuo’s eyes widened and he nodded, he faced forward and picked up the chopsticks beside the bowl. From the side of his eyes, he could see his brother luck up their chopsticks silently, he gritted his teeth and took a bit of his food. Although he preferred a richer food menu he ate silently and avoided drawing attention to himself. However, at the end of the meal, he once stock his head forward as he observed that the Emperor had let down his guard.

Zhongshan Zuo stood, “this prince thanks father Emperor for inviting us to dinner”.

Emperor Zhong smiled but his gaze kept moving to Lu Yaozhu, he wanted to check how Lu Yaozhu reacted to the dishes. He heard from Eunuch Caihong that a majority of the dishes on the menu were all Lu Yaozhu’s favourite. He hoped that Lu Yaozhu would be pleased but when he failed to get any reaction from Lu Yaozhu that would show how he felt but as usual he got no reaction. The smile on Emperor Zhong’s face fell and he looked away angrily.

The Emperor’s action was clear to Zhongshan Zuo who was watching him closely, he had been looking for an opportunity to get on his majesty’s good graces.

Zhongshan Zuo glanced at Lu Yaozhu and smirked, “Father Emperor is always above board in everything, as opposed to most people. Don’t you agree Yaozhu?”

Lu Yaozhu smiled as he set down his teacup and glanced at the proud smile on Zhongshan Zuo’s face. There were very few people that he considered competitors but Zhongshan Zuo wasn’t one of them. Lu Yaozhu and Zhongshan Zuo were always at odds growing up which never changed even after they were adults. Instead, the animosity worsened since Lu Yaozhu and Zhongshan Zuo were always on opposite sides.

“No one can compare to his Majesty”, he replied smiling softly and Emperor Zhong continued, “it is an honour to work under his Majesty”.

Emperor Zhong’s mood lifted as Lu Yaozhu smiled at him, “don’t be so modest, Yaozhu. You are a most valuable talent to me, talents like you are necessary for a smooth-running nation”. His gaze fell on Zhongshan Ling, “I feel at ease whenever I remember that you are here to assist the Crown Prince”.

Zhongshan Ling brought down his hand to rest on his laps and clenched his fist tightly. He did not like how close the Emperor seemed with Lu Yaozhu, judging by the looks shared between just Brothers. He was not the only one that found it odd, Zhongshan Ling quickly marked his anger.

“It is my duty to server his majesty”.

After conversing for some time, Emperor Zhong left with the Empress.