Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 32 - She might kill someone

By the time Ning’er finally stopped crying, the sky had already darkened.

The sun had tilted west, and the main kitchen sent a maid over with dinner.

Wu Sheyue stirred her rice with her chopsticks and looked at the three small dishes and soup before her, feeling deeply moved. She had been in this world for a day and a night, running nonstop from one crisis to another. Now she had finally gotten to eat a normal meal. On the first day, she had already solved the issue of quality of life. That progress was fairly satisfying.

Because she had said she would not order Ning’er around, Bailian was serving at the side.

Wu Sheyue had thought that after Bailian spent the entire afternoon doing dirty work, then had to serve someone, she would not be very willing. But Bailian did not reveal the slightest displeasure.

Compared with the lofty coldness she had shown when they first met, Bailian was now much more attentive and diligent. Whether serving dishes or handing over water, her movements were perfectly proper. Every time Wu Sheyue looked at something, Bailian immediately picked it up for her.

Ning’er watched Bailian bustle from the side in astonishment. So this is what first-rank maids are like?

Wu Sheyue felt something was wrong and looked up at Bailian’s face.

Bailian smiled back. “Miss?”

Her eyes curved like two crescent moons. Wu Sheyue found it a little amusing, shook her head to indicate nothing was wrong, and continued eating.

After eating for a while, Wu Sheyue discovered something: Bailian kept making her drink more water, even when she had not looked at the teacup beside her at all.

Bailian was indeed good at reading people’s expressions. Every dish she picked up was exactly the one Wu Sheyue had been about to eat. If that was the case, she should not make a mistake like this.

When Bailian handed the cup over again, Wu Sheyue did not take it.

“Put it down. I don’t want to drink.”

Bailian immediately urged, “Miss, drinking more water is good for your health—”

“Who told you that?”

“I…”

As Wu Sheyue ate, she said coldly, “Didn’t you learn the rules? It is best not to drink water before, after, or during meals, so as not to upset the stomach and intestines. Did you not know, or did you forget?”

Bailian quickly lowered her head and said carefully, “It was this servant’s negligence.”

Looking at her ashamed and nervous appearance, Wu Sheyue gave a light snort. “Get up. Pay attention next time.”

“Yes.”

After that, Bailian no longer offered the cup. Wu Sheyue had eaten almost nothing the entire day and was starving, so she had Bailian serve more rice twice. Bailian curled her lip. She really can eat.

After Wu Sheyue had eaten and drunk her fill, she waited until Sisi and Xiaoling cleared the table, then called all four maids before her and began giving instructions. “Bailian, from now on, you will attend to my personal daily needs.”

“Yes.” Bailian felt a touch of delight and lowered her head with a smile.

Wu Sheyue’s calm gaze swept over the other three. “Ning’er, you will be responsible for Sisi and Xiaoling. Tell them what work they should do every day and what rules they should follow here. If they make a mistake, you will also be punished. Teach them well.”

Ning’er was surprised by Wu Sheyue’s arrangement. She had not expected Third Miss to trust her so much. She was so excited that she immediately answered, “Ning’er understands. Ning’er will teach them properly.”

Bailian felt a surge of anger rush to her head. Isn’t this clearly telling everyone that the authority has been given to Ning’er? And what does she mean by teaching them properly? Ning’er herself does not even have manners, and she is going to teach others?

Bailian clenched her teeth and did not ask more. She understood now. Wu Sheyue was truly guarding against her and making it clear that she would not let Bailian have an easy time.

Wu Sheyue sat leisurely on the broken chair with one leg crossed over the other, appreciating their expressions before asking, “Are meals usually sent from the main kitchen?”

“Yes,” Ning’er replied. “Today’s came from the main kitchen. Before… I don’t know where it came from.”

Wu Sheyue knew Ning’er was complaining. She asked, “And the drinking water?”

“It is drawn from the well in the back courtyard. The main kitchen is so far away, and we can boil water in our own courtyard.”

“Fine. From now on, boil water in the main kitchen. All of you remember this: for water that goes into my mouth, do not use that well.”

“Yes.” The maids looked at each other, not knowing why she had said this.

As soon as Bailian heard it, her heart trembled. Her legs nearly went soft. She truly felt a thread of fear toward Wu Sheyue. She knows. She has to know. Otherwise, why did she not drink the water just now? But how could she know? No. There is no reason. There was no one near there.

“Bailian.”

“Yes!” Bailian jumped in fright and quickly answered.

“Go ask the First Madam when people will come to repair the courtyard and how long the repairs will take.” Bailian felt as though Wu Sheyue’s eyes had already seen through her, as if she knew everything.

Bailian felt bitter inside and quietly accepted the order before hurrying out.

Wu Sheyue waved at Sisi and Xiaoling. “You two go out. I’ll rest for a while.”

Once only Wu Sheyue and Ning’er remained in the room, Ning’er closed the doors and windows and asked carefully, “Miss, what is wrong with the well?”

Wu Sheyue shook her head. “I don’t know, but something is definitely not right. Use it less in the future.”

“Mm…” Ning’er thought for a moment. Bailian had used the well during the day. Perhaps Miss was simply being cautious. Then she asked, “Did Miss see Bailian make some little move?”

“She is the person the First Madam placed beside me to investigate me. I can confirm that much now.”

“Then what do we do? Does Miss have a way to handle it?” Ning’er was somewhat anxious. The First Madam was the mistress in charge of the household. If the First Madam had set her eyes on them, could their days ever be good again?

“Bailian has some small cleverness, but she cannot accomplish anything major. No need to worry.” Although Wu Sheyue comforted Ning’er this way, she still felt uneasy. The First Madam appeared very gentle and kind in her dealings, but that could not fool Wu Sheyue. She could tell the woman was ruthless.

However, sending over cannon fodder like Bailian meant either she had underestimated Wu Sheyue, or she had other arrangements. The original owner had been so foolish before. It should be the former.

Seeing Wu Sheyue’s grave expression, Ning’er asked with concern, “Miss? What is wrong?”

“Nothing… Ning’er, you are the only one who has shared hardship with me and come this far. I can only trust you. You know how the other branches have treated us. Even the first branch, which never participated openly, is not made of good people. Matron Jin told you to watch me, and the First Madam sent me a spy. So outside of you and me, there is no one else we can trust. Do you understand?”

“I understand. Miss, if you have orders, just tell me.” Ning’er spoke very solemnly.

“I unfortunately have to tell you that everyone in this family is indeed an enemy, and the hardest kind to deal with.” Wu Sheyue’s brows drew tightly together. “If they came at me with knives for a direct fight, that would be better. Or if we set the chancellor’s estate as the boundary and could directly kill the opponent in this game, that would be simpler for me.”

Ning’er felt a little afraid. “What does Miss mean?”

“If necessary, I will kill people. Will you still stand with me?”

(To be continued)