Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 35 - Matching Wits

Seeing that Wu Sheyue had dragged her up only to go back to sleep, Bailian could not help rolling her eyes at the dark air. In her heart, she muttered endlessly: Honestly, give her a little sweetness and she starts thinking she is precious. What sort of person does she think she is?

Wu Sheyue lay on the bed with her eyes half narrowed, looking at Bailian’s side profile and watching her muttering mouth for a while. Then she laughed softly. If everyone were like Bailian, I would have nothing to worry about.

The night passed peacefully enough. Bailian got up twice in the middle of the night, and each time Wu Sheyue woke the moment she moved.

The first time, Bailian carefully wandered around the room twice, though Wu Sheyue did not know what she was looking at. The second time, Bailian only rose and walked two steps before sitting back down and continuing to doze against the head of the bed.

Wu Sheyue could detect Bailian’s movements, but Bailian did not know Wu Sheyue had woken.

The next morning, Wu Sheyue was the first to wake again. She maintained a good biological clock and routine. An assassin-support homebody was not the same as an ordinary homebody.

After Wu Sheyue woke, she saw Bailian sleeping sweetly against the head of the bed, so she kicked Bailian hard. Bailian cried out in her sleep and fell face-first to the floor, then scrambled up in panic.

Wu Sheyue sat up and raised her brows slightly. “What happened? Did you have a nightmare?”

“No, no. I did not.” Bailian was somewhat flustered. “Miss, I… I kept watch all night. I did not sleep. Are you getting up now?”

“Mm. We should go out early today and make room for the workers.”

Wu Sheyue washed her face and still wore the same old clothes as yesterday.

Bailian had felt something was off since that morning, but she could not pin down exactly what. When Ning’er had someone deliver breakfast, she also sensed something strange about Bailian and glanced at her several times.

After Wu Sheyue finished eating, she put down her chopsticks and asked, “You didn’t sleep last night, did you?”

Bailian came back to herself and immediately answered, “Yes.”

“Then later, Ning’er will come with me to Grandmother’s place. You go back and rest. Remember to have Sisi and Xiaoling move out the things we need. When the workers arrive, we do not want them touching anything.”

“Yes…” Bailian felt a surge of frustration. Why am I not allowed to go to the Old Madam’s place, such a good opportunity? With so many workers coming later, how can I sleep peacefully?

Afterward, Wu Sheyue happily led Ning’er out. Bailian glanced unhappily at Sisi and Xiaoling, who were tidying things, and said irritably, “Enough, enough. Stop tidying. What good things are there here that are still worth keeping? Let the workers throw them all away.”

Sisi and Xiaoling exchanged a strange look.

—

Qunxing Pavilion.

The old lady was speaking with Wu Lixiang when a cheerful “Good morning, Grandmother” floated in. Before Wu Sheyue had even entered the door, her happy voice arrived first.

Just hearing that joyful voice made it difficult for the Old Madam to remain in a bad mood. When she saw Wu Sheyue push the door open and come in, a broad smile appeared on her face. Without the birthmark, Wu Sheyue’s face was fresh, bright, and moving. It delighted the Old Madam to look at her.

Wu Lixiang had been chatting with the Old Madam before this. Now she smiled at Wu Sheyue in greeting. “Third Sister, what wind blew you here? I did not expect Third Sister would ever come to visit Grandmother on her own.”

Though her words were sour, Wu Sheyue seemed not to hear it. She entered and went straight to the Old Madam, smiling. “I don’t know why, but now that my mind has cleared these past two days, I especially miss Grandmother.”

“As long as you are well, that is better than anything.” The Old Madam beckoned her over. “Come quickly and look. Your younger sister and I were helping choose clothes for you, and here you are.”

Wu Sheyue walked to the table and pressed close to the Old Madam. Looking at the stack of clothing and jewelry boxes, she sighed. “Oh. They’re so pretty. Thank you so much, Grandmother.”

Seeing that she had not rushed toward the clothes and jewelry, but instead took the Old Madam’s arm, the Old Madam felt much more comfortable. She patted the clothes. “These are ready-made garments delivered by the embroidery shop last night. Custom-made ones take time, so wear these first.”

Wu Lixiang sat in the chair closest to the clothes and interrupted with a smile. “Grandmother treats Third Sister so well. Usually, we do not get this much even in a month or two.”

Wu Sheyue gave this fourth younger sister a few more looks. This was the first time she was speaking directly with Wu Lixiang. Before this, she had not known what sort of character this fourth sister had. Today she would take a proper look.

Yet Wu Lixiang’s eyes were not on anyone else. Her gaze was entirely on the clothing. Wu Sheyue seemed to see a trace of longing in her eyes.

Of course she longs for them. Wu Liuyun is pampered and spoiled and sleeps in late, never rising early to pay respects. Wu Jinghua is confined to her courtyard. With the top two gone, and the remaining sisters all quiet and wilted, Wu Lixiang is the most pleased with herself.

She had come early that morning to curry favor and had unexpectedly happened to be there when the embroidery shop delivered clothes. Those who saw should receive a share. Grandmother, at least, should give her some. If not, she could take the initiative and act spoiled. Wu Sheyue had feared everyone before when she was a fool, so she should be fairly cooperative too.

Wu Sheyue could roughly guess what Wu Lixiang was thinking, but she had always looked down on such little-girl thoughts. She was busy with major matters of survival and had no time to bother with this little brat. Coaxing the old lady was more important.

Wu Sheyue ignored Wu Lixiang’s expectations and tugged on the Old Madam’s sleeve, beginning to act spoiled. “Oh, Grandmother, you are too good to me. These clothes are enough for Yue’er to wear for a whole year, aren’t they? Yue’er has never seen such pretty clothes.”

The Old Madam laughed happily at being coaxed. “You silly child. How can summer clothes be worn in winter? I will have more made for you later.”

“Oh. There can always be new clothes?” Wu Sheyue looked surprised and excitedly tugged the Old Madam’s hand. “Yue’er thought… Thank you, Grandmother. Grandmother, how are you so good? Yue’er… Yue’er feels guilty.”

Wu Sheyue read the room and performed just right. The Old Madam’s heart trembled, and she actually felt somewhat embarrassed. She had forgotten that everyone in the residence often “forgot” to issue Wu Sheyue’s supplies. More importantly, this child did not ask why the supplies had been short. Now that they were being made up to her, she was instead thanking the Old Madam.

The Old Madam did not know what she felt. Even if Wu Sheyue’s behavior was possibly because her mind was still foolish, it was precisely a foolish child who moved her.

She patted Wu Sheyue’s hand gently. “All right, all right. These are all compensation for you. From now on, Grandmother will not let you suffer. You are the chancellor’s estate’s little treasure.”

Wu Lixiang curled her lip and could not help rolling her eyes secretly. Even though she was young, she understood. Grandmother did not plan to share anything.

Wu Sheyue smiled until her eyes narrowed. “Mm. Yue’er likes Grandmother best. Everyone else has to stand behind Grandmother. With Grandmother here, that Eighth Prince would not dare come kill Yue’er.”

Hearing her mention yesterday’s matter, the Old Madam sighed. “You. Do not worry. The Eighth Prince cannot move the chancellor’s estate.” Now that Third Miss has become so lovable, she is a treasure. How could a useless prince be allowed to touch her? A granddaughter the Old Madam values will be the chancellor’s estate’s fortune in the future.

(To be continued)