Not Your Typical Villianess

Chapter 187 – Wild Ambition 3

Hanli inn, Pu'an town Northern Wei

Did you say, your daughter? How is that even possible" Su Liya said eyes narrowed?

Minister Zhu just smiled and replied, "all your questions would be answered once I am done with Lu Yaozhu. You are the main reason, I am here". 

Su Liya looked at him sceptically, she didn't know what this old man was playing at. Suddenly announcing she was his child when they had never interacted one bit. As far as she was aware even the Su Liya from this world never had a relationship beyond that of employee and employer. She gazed at him from beneath her lashes, silently trying to get a reed of him.

Lu Yaozhu narrowed his eyes at the older male, he silently accesses the situation. While he does not trust Minister Zhu for obvious reasons, he couldn't dismiss the fact that the minister gave good suggestions. He wasn't so stubborn as to insist on doing things his way, he decided to give minister Zhu the benefits of the doubt, especially when he had nothing to lose.

He accepted Minister Zhu's help, they spoke for some time before concluding. Su Liya stood up to leave with Lu Yaozhu once the plan was concluded but was called back by Minister Zhu.

"Liya please hold on, I would like to have a word with you, privately," he looked instantly at Lu Yaozhu as he said the last way.

"What are you playing at Old man?", Lu Yaozhu asked, looking down at Minister Zhu's serene expression.

Minister Zhu smiled, "no need to be on edge, I won't hurt her. I just want to talk privately with her, nothing else. I won't hurt her, it is not in my benefit to do so. Not like I could ever hurt her without you finding out since you would be standing outside the door in hearing distance." 

Lu Yaozhu opened his mouth to say more but was held back by Su Liya, she placed her hands on the loose sleeve of his robe and pulled gently. She shook her head, "don't. It is alright, Yaozhu." Lu Yaozhu looked down at her pleading face, his heart softened on seeing her relaxed expression.

"Okay, you two can talk. If you need me just call, I will be waiting outside", He said shooting Minister Zhu glare before leaving the room. Su Liya watched hum leave and shut the door behind him. She returned to her seat, feeling more self-conscious than ever. Minister Zhu had his eyes locked in her, she found his gaze was a little bit unnerving. 

After what felt like an eternity, Minister Zhu finally broke the silence, he had observed that she had no intention of starting up a conversation with him. He picked up his cup of tea and brought it to his lips, taking a sip of tea then returned the cup to its previous position on the table in front of him. 

"You must have a lot of questions for me, ask away, I promise to answer honestly".

"Am I supposed to take your word for it?" Su Liya said watching him for any sudden change in expression but there was none, he just nodded.

"Don't be so suspicious Liya, I am being honest. I have no intention of lying to you like I said you mean a lot to me"

"Then in the spirit of honesty, answer this one question. Am I your daughter?"

"Technically yes"

"Wrong, I not relayed to you in any way. Last I checked I have a deadbeat father that refuses to acknowledge me and a mother that abandoned me. How could be related to you?"

"Oh, but you are, the Su Liya from this time is not related to me but you, my dear daughter are. You are not from this time are you?"

Her beat increased rapidly but she refused to let it show. She wasn't about to let him find out anything that can be used against her. Her shoulders shook as she laughed, "wow, how amusing. Do you have any idea how far fetched that sounds, from another world… How fantastical!"

"It is amusing isn't it but you know that I am right. Don't be scared, we share a mutual friend. You must be familiar with the name Mazu" 

The smile fell off he face and her eyes widened but only for some seconds. She quickly covered up her shook, blinking her eyes a few times. She said, "Mazu? Who is that? I haven't heard that name!"

"Really? Isn't Mazu the Empress of the heavenly realm, even a toddler has heard of her".

"Everyone may have heard of her as you said but for you to claim that I know her. I am not that special".

"Oh but you are, why do you think she chose you. Mazu doesn't make rash decisions. You were chosen for a reason, I bet you still think this is a book but have you ever wondered why nothing followed the original plot of the Emperor's cunning Bride".

Su Liya's face pales, "how_ who are you? How do you know that?"

"Now you are asking the important questions. I am Su mo, I am responsible for the fate of humans and gods".

" if you are responsible for our fates how come I was abandoned at an orphanage. How come I had to go through so many horrible experiences, you claim that you care about me but if you did why did you leave me to suffer?"

Minister Zhu Looked away, his face a mask of pain. "Do you know the one thing I hate most about my life, it is that no matter how much I care about anyone. I can never get directly involved with their life. Even now I cannot do anything to help Fengyin, I can only stand and observe."

He looked up at her with a sad smile, "You looked a lot like your mother When you were born. You might not be wearing your original face but you have your mothers spunk. We were never meant to be together but I fell madly in love with her and I got cursed for that. Cursed to keep going through these long painfully lifetimes. Cursed to watch my children die but finally, I broke the curse, I can finally go and spend the rest of my life with the love of my life. Too bad it was at the cost of not staying with you, I could once again break the rules but I fear that you might have to pay the cost with me."

"I can't just accept you, you must understand that growing up. I thought I was abandoned. That my parents did not like me, thoughts like that. Changes someone, so it will take some time for me to accept you but I will try. About my mother… What happened to her?"

"Your mother wasn't very strong, health-wise that is. She fought hard to carry you to term after the accident, sadly she didn't last so long after you were born. Please do start thinking that you killed your mother, you had absolutely nothing to do with her death. If someone should be blamed, it is me for not protecting you and your mother."

"Wait didn't Fengyin's mother die while giving birth? Is that part of your curse but if that was how it works. Why didn't it affect Madam Zhu or Zhu Fenfang's mother, little madam He?"

"Because I didn't love them so much, I could never fall in love with another woman after meeting your mother"

She tilted her head to the side, "that is odd, isn't Mawa Fengyin's mother. She is the heavenly Empress and is married to the heavenly Emperor. Ha! Don't tell me you two had an affair and got caught. Is that why you are cursed!"

A laugh burst out of his lips as he saw her serious expression. "Please rein in your overactive imagination, I didn't cheat with Mazu. One can not cheat with their wife now can they"

"Mazu is your wife? But that would make you…."

"The Heavenly Emperor, yes. I broke the rules and got involved in Mazu's trial. That is how we got into this mess."

"But that means that Fengyin and I are… Sisters"

"Yes, you are."

"Who is older between the two of us?"

He looked at her like he was looking at an idiot and shook his head. "You just found out that Fengyin is your sister and the first question that came to your mind was 'Who is older?' Who do you think it is. Judging from your question, it must not be you. Sally girls"

"Well can you blame me for trying to understand our weird sibling dynamics?"

"Your mother should have eaten a lot healthier when pregnant. This is what happens when she doesn't!" He muttered rolling his eyes.

"Are you implying that I am stupid" when he failed to respond, she hit him on the arm. "Don't glare at me, remember that no matter how angry you are, you cannot smite me!"

"Unfortunately! Get going before your dear husband succeeds in boring a hole through the door".

Su Liya smiled, stood and walked to the door.. She stood by the door and waved at him before leaving.