Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 15 - Wishful Thinking

Wu Sheyue’s thoughts turned over and over. Since she could not win by direct force, what about an indirect strategy? Who in the Chancellor’s Estate could be won over?

                                                                    Drizzle Pavilion

Concubine Meng had risen early to coax Wu Jinghua into eating a few more bites, but Wu Jinghua was still shaken by yesterday’s events. After only one glance at the plain congee, she felt nauseated and refused to look at it again.

Concubine Meng sighed. Look what her precious daughter had been reduced to. “You didn’t eat last night. If you still don’t eat this morning, your body won’t hold up.”

Wu Jinghua frowned. “But I feel sick just looking at it. Mother, I can’t swallow this anger!”

“Mother is holding in even more anger than you. Just wait a little longer. Soon Mother will lead you to deal with those little sluts.”

Thinking that her daughter had actually been bullied yesterday, Concubine Meng felt such oppression in her chest that it hurt. She had been so upset all night that she had not slept.

Chuntao was hateful too. She had suffered a loss at Wu Sheyue’s hands, then called Jinghua to avenge her.

But later, seeing that Chuntao’s body was also bruised black and purple, Concubine Meng could not beat her again or she would not be able to work.

She could only punish Chuntao by withholding two months of silver allowance. Yet that did not relieve her anger at all. Concubine Meng wanted nothing more than to hang Wu Sheyue up and peel off a layer of skin.

At that moment, Qingxing suddenly pushed the door open. She first turned back and closed the door, then came forward and said quietly, “Second Madam, this morning, Nanny Jin from the main courtyard went to the West Courtyard. After that, she went to Lady Liu’s side.”

Joy rose in Concubine Meng’s heart. The person who had taken the bait was actually from the first branch. “And now? Has she gone back?”

“This servant saw Nanny Jin enter the gate of Lotus Leaf Pavilion and then returned. By now, she should have already gone back to First Madam’s side.”

Concubine Meng waved a hand. “I know. Go down. No need to watch anymore.”
“Yes.”

After Qingxing left, Wu Jinghua pushed away the bowl of congee in front of her and asked urgently, “How is it? Was it Wu Liuyun and the others?”

Concubine Meng smiled coldly. “Whether it was Wu Liuyun, I don’t know. In any case, it wasn’t
Wu Lixiang.”

“Why?”

“Think. With Wu Lixiang’s personality, if she really egged that fool into doing something, successful or not, she would definitely hide far away and watch. That little girl has too many schemes. She wants to watch the show but also fears being implicated. Would she still have the mind to go to Wu Liuyun and gloat?”

“Then…”

Concubine Meng felt another surge of helplessness. Her daughter had been protected too well/ was too dumb. Once she suffered a loss, she could not keep her composure.

“In any case, Wu Sheyue must be dealt with. If we can drag someone else into the water, then we drag someone else in. Eat this bowl of congee. Then we’ll go to the Old Madam’s place and have a chat about what happened yesterday.”

Wu Jinghua did not become happy. She asked worriedly, “Mother plans to pin it on Wu Liuyun?
Grandmother likes Wu Liuyun most. Will that work?”

“Sigh. You can’t look at it that way. Since your grandmother likes Wu Liuyun, then we won’t openly pin it on her. This way, won’t you also get quite a few good things?”

Wu Jinghua thought that made sense. Grandmother liked protecting Wu Liuyun, so they would dump this chamber pot of blame on her. When the time came, Grandmother would not only have to pay out of her own pocket to comfort Wu Jinghua, but she might also form an opinion of Wu Liuyun.
They would still go deal with Wu Sheyue afterward. What difference would it make if that fool remained peaceful for another moment or two?

Thinking this, Wu Jinghua felt a little better and picked up the congee bowl to eat a few mouthfuls.

Before leaving, Concubine Meng deliberately powdered Wu Jinghua’s face more heavily and had her change into pale clothing, making her complexion appear even paler and her lips bloodless.

The mother and daughter did not bring Qingxing. Instead, they dragged along Chuntao, whose entire body ached. When they walked to the entrance of Clustered Stars Studio, they saw Lianye, the Old Madam’s head maid, welcoming the household physician inside.

Concubine Meng quickly stepped forward, took Lianye’s hand, and asked with a worried expression, “Lianye, is the Old Madam unwell?”

Lianye glanced at Concubine Meng and revealed a properly measured faint smile. “The Old Madam is fine. The Eighth Prince was injured at the gate.”

Concubine Meng was somewhat surprised. “The Eighth Prince must have come to break off the engagement. How did he get hurt?” Why was it that anyone with some connection to Wu Sheyue had gotten into trouble these past two days? How strange…

Lianye said helplessly, “Sigh. The Eighth Prince argued with Third Miss at the gate and was accidentally injured by a guard. It just so happened that when the Old Madam heard the Eighth Prince had arrived, she had people invite him to her courtyard. Master and Madam are both inside too.”

Wu Jinghua asked from the side, “Should we still go in?”

“We’ve already reached the door. Let’s go in.” Concubine Meng smiled at Lianye and pulled Wu Jinghua inside.

Wu Jinghua looked back at Lianye, who seemed about to say something but stopped, then turned and whispered to Concubine Meng, “It seems that fool really has gone mad. No wonder she acted like a mad dog yesterday.”

“For someone like her, no one would spare a glance if she died. She actually argued with the Eighth Prince. She really must be tired of living. Once we go in and talk about yesterday’s matter, you just wait to vent your anger.”

Wu Jinghua nodded again and again.

Concubine Meng’s heart calmed down considerably. Given this situation, that fool would lose a layer of skin even if she did not die.

When Concubine Meng led Wu Jinghua inside, they saw the Old Madam sitting above with a cold face and closed eyes, resting. First Madam sat with Wu Liuyun in the left-hand seat, one drinking tea and the other looking at her hand, neither paying attention to anyone else.

Lady Liu and Wu Lixiang, as well as Lady Zhao and Wu Yin’er, stood to the side. When they looked at each other, their eyes were filled with meaning.

Wu Hantian was pacing, looking livid and furious. Xin Zhi’s cries of pain kept coming from the inner room. The household physician was probably being scolded into a flurry by Xin Zhi.