Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 29 - Quite a few relics

At that moment, Wu Sheyue felt that Ning’er was probably not much smarter than the former “herself.” So she teased her. “Ning’er, Bailian came to push you out.”

Ning’er lowered her head. “Ning’er knows. Madam said…”

“You said that when we lived badly before, she never paid us any attention. Then how does she still remember that you are a second-rank maid? There is only you by my side. If I truly must have someone close to me, it should be you. Doesn’t inserting someone afterward feel very forced?”

“I…” Ning’er suddenly raised her head to look at Wu Sheyue. She thought about it. There did seem to be something wrong with the First Madam’s visit, but she could not explain exactly what it was. “Ning’er’s mind is dull. I did not notice. But why would the First Madam guard against us?”

Ning’er grew anxious. She had thought Miss would finally be able to live good days, that she would be like the other young ladies and no longer be bullied. How had it become like this?

“You.” Wu Sheyue sighed. “After suffering for so many years, shouldn’t you be suspicious of everyone in this great courtyard? I really don’t know whether you are kind or foolish. Although I do not know much either, at least I can tell who wants me to have a bad time.”

Ning’er twisted the rag in her hands, her gaze very firm. “Ning’er will make her mind sharper in the future. Miss, don’t worry.”

Wu Sheyue comforted her. “No need to force it. Take your time.” After thinking for a moment, she leaned close to Ning’er’s ear and whispered, “When you go watch Bailian later, say this to her…”

“Mm, mm.” Ning’er listened and nodded repeatedly. Although she had never done anything like this before, when she thought about how Miss’s situation had not truly improved and how Miss still needed her help, she promised very seriously, “Ning’er understands. I will definitely do it well.”

After Ning’er left, Wu Sheyue watched at the doorway for a moment, then picked up a stone from outside and returned. She weighed it in her hand, aimed, and threw it toward the beam. The dusty blue bundle fell down.

Wu Sheyue caught it with one hand, turning her head to avoid the dust. The bundle was far heavier than she had estimated, and she nearly dropped it to the ground.

If only Ning’er had been nearby, I would not have guarded against her so much even while retrieving the bundle. But now there is Bailian. If I don’t send Ning’er to watch that woman, I won’t feel at ease.

Wu Sheyue opened the bundle and gave it a rough look. Inside was a small jar of even height from top to bottom. Its lid was sealed with mud, and she did not know what it contained. It seemed this thing was what made the bundle so heavy. The other item was a small, dull-colored jewelry box. When she opened it, she saw a bracelet lying on gray velvet.

The bracelet was a clear, translucent white. Wu Sheyue froze. She had handled countless materials, yet she could not identify what this was. She leaned closer and looked for a long while. She could only see cloud-like veins inside the bracelet, seeming to flow slowly with the light.

Was it jade? Jadeite? It did not look like either. But Wu Sheyue did not dwell too much on it. Some extinct ancient material she had never seen before—that was normal enough. However, Yin Qiuming had been poor to her death and still had not pawned this bracelet for money. It should be something like an ancestral treasure.

There was nothing else in the bundle. Wu Sheyue temporarily moved the jar into the wardrobe, then found a tool in Yin Qiuming’s disguise box and went to the doorway to begin prying up the floor tiles.

The spot at the doorway was the place everyone had to pass. Generally, no one would suspect there was a problem there—as long as her workmanship was good enough.

And placing it here was only temporary. The Old Madam would soon send people to repair the rooms, so she had to hurry and move all the good things from the room.

—

Meanwhile, Bailian had dawdled in the mourning hall for a long while and barely wiped the altar table and spirit tablet. Aside from the coffin, there were only those few things in the hall. After wiping them, she looked around and suddenly noticed a yellow stain beneath a pillar. Bailian hesitated. Had something been spilled there?

She walked over and leaned close. A sour, foul smell hit her face. Heavens! Could someone have urinated there? Bailian’s own thought made her stomach churn, and she jumped far away in disgust. She must have been insane to think of wiping that spot just now.

“Miss told me to come see how you were doing.” Ning’er entered the mourning hall as she spoke, carrying a basin of water.

Bailian turned and curled her lip unhappily. “Hey. Aren’t you a first-rank maid now? You still do work like this?”

Ning’er answered matter-of-factly, “Do you not know there is no one here to do the work? Miss herself has been working. You are a servant, and you still want to rest?”

Bailian rolled her eyes. So what if she is a miss? Not long ago, she wasn’t much different from me. She’s only risen a little now. Bailian pointed to the spot from earlier and asked, “What is that?”

Ning’er smiled. “Oh, that is where Second Miss vomited before. The mop did not clean it up.”

“Ah!” Bailian screamed when she heard that and immediately sprang even farther away. I… I actually moved close to that filthy spot just now.

“Miss said Second Miss vomited all over the floor and was afraid you would not think to wipe it, so she asked me to remind you. Look, I even brought you water.” Ning’er walked over without concern and placed the basin beside the yellow stain.

(To be continued)