Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 23 - A Truly Bizarre Family

Wu Liuyun walked slowly up to her. Her chin was slightly raised. Wu Liuyun was already a little older and half a head taller than Wu Sheyue. With her chin lifted, looking at Wu Sheyue down the bridge of her nose, she seemed even taller. In that instant, Wu Sheyue felt that although this eldest sister’s face was arranged into a gentle, quiet expression, her bones were full of chilly arrogance.

“In the future, learn more rules from my mother. When you have nothing to do, humbly ask the other sisters for guidance. Do not let anything as embarrassing as today happen again. The chancellor’s estate cannot afford such disgrace.” Her cool gaze carried the dignity of someone in command, as though she were instructing a junior—or perhaps… a servant beneath her.

Wu Sheyue found it amusing. “Are you speaking to me?”

“What?” Wu Liuyun’s delicate brows lifted slightly, and there was always a trace of mockery in her eyes.

Wu Sheyue smiled warmly. “Nothing. I just think Eldest Sister has such authority. You really discipline me like you’re disciplining a junior child. You have the bearing of a mistress of the household. If someone didn’t know better, they might think Eldest Sister already had a whole brood of children at her knees. Mother is truly impressive. Eldest Sister really carries herself like a married woman.”

Hearing Wu Sheyue lower herself to the level of a junior, Wu Liuyun’s expression worsened. Her delicate brows drew together. “Do not randomly pin labels on me. And every time you open your mouth, you say things a young lady should not say. Shameless and improper. I truly wonder how Yin taught you before.”

“That’s true. My mind was bad before, so I couldn’t learn these principles. Eldest Sister understands so much, though, almost as if you’ve married and had children already. You are so experienced.”

Wu Liuyun’s face turned pale. Wu Sheyue would not stop clinging to this topic. Wu Sheyue had thought Wu Liuyun might also quarrel with her, and she was confident she could make Wu Liuyun the second person to eat flies.

Unexpectedly, this so-called legitimate daughter of an ancient household was different after all. Wu Liuyun preserved her composure and said mildly, “I have said all I need to say. Whether you listen is up to you. If you bring shame to the chancellor’s estate again in the future, do not blame me for failing to remind you.” With that, she turned and left gracefully.

Wu Sheyue walked behind Wu Liuyun, the corners of her lips curling slightly. This family is truly full of people sharper than the last. Interesting.

—

In Qunxing Pavilion, after the quarrel ended, only the First Madam Jiang Qingxue remained with the Old Madam. The spacious room seemed especially cold and empty.

Seeing the Old Madam’s exhausted expression, Jiang Qingxue rose to pour a cup of tea and brought it over. The old lady reached out to receive it. The warmth was just right.

Jiang Qingxue asked worriedly, “Mother, do you truly think… Yue’er recovered on her own? It is far too miraculous. Today, she looked as though she had become an entirely different person.”

The Old Madam took a sip of tea. She looked nothing like the kindly old woman she had been in front of others. Instead, she carried a trace of authority. “If not for her looking so much like Yin Qiuming, I would have wondered whether she was truly my granddaughter. This change has made her lively and intelligent… But you do not seem very happy.”

Jiang Qingxue explained gently, “It is not that. I just find it strange. How could she truly become completely well overnight? After thinking it through, there seems no explanation for such a miraculous thing except divine blessing.”

“In the future, take proper care of her. Remind the servants not to withhold Third Miss’s things. After all, she is no longer foolish. And do not be displeased. Look farther ahead. If Yue’er’s mind remains sound, she can absolutely marry into a good family. Since she does not remember the past anyway, it is not too late for you to raise her properly now.”

Jiang Qingxue looked somewhat wronged and lightly bit her lower lip. “Your daughter-in-law understands. It is just…”

The Old Madam grew annoyed and pushed the teacup onto the table. “Since ancient times, what has been the duty of concubine-born children? Once grown, are they not meant to support the legitimate children and the whole family? If Third Miss marries well in the future, will she not help Liuyun and Ziqi? Are you still unable to get past Yin Qiuming?”

A flash of malice crossed Jiang Qingxue’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. “She is already dead. What is there for me to keep thinking about? I am only afraid that one day Yue’er will again…”

“For her to recover at all requires an explanation from the immortals. Even if one day she remembers everything, so what? One small concubine-born daughter cannot overturn the heavens.” The Old Madam snorted heavily. “Enough. Just do what you ought to do. All these years, I have only Ziqi and Liuyun to cherish. If you have that much energy, you might as well add another son or daughter to the chancellor’s estate.”

“Yes. Your daughter-in-law understands.” Jiang Qingxue bit her lip hard. Is the old lady blaming me for having no children these past two years? Lately, the chancellor does not even return to the residence. If anyone claimed he did not have a mistress outside, I would never believe it.

—

When Wu Sheyue reached the gate of Qunxing Pavilion’s courtyard, Ning’er was hiding behind a tree, anxiously stamping her feet. As soon as she saw Wu Sheyue come out, she hurried over and asked, “Miss! Miss, are you all right?”

“Mm. I’m not dead.”

Ning’er was very nervous. “Please don’t say that…”

Seeing Wu Liuyun ahead, Wu Sheyue tugged Ning’er’s sleeve and said quietly, “Let’s go.”

(To be continued)