Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 4 - Special-Effects Makeup, Ancient and Modern, East and West

“No. Could it be that you don’t know anything about what happened before either?”

Ning’er anxiously held onto Wu Sheyue and would not let go. Was Miss truly better, or was she still foolish all along?

“I… don’t know. I don’t remember.”

Ning’er was somewhat awkward and anxious.

“Then this servant will tell Miss again from the beginning. Ning’er only hopes Miss can think clearly.”

“Go on.”

“Miss was born with… a birthmark on your face, and you were also a little… too much like that, so the Old Madam never liked you. But all these years, Concubine Yin kept to herself and raised Miss alone in the West Courtyard. Although the other branches sometimes bullied people, when Concubine Yin was there, life was still bearable. If Miss ran out to play on your own, Eldest Miss and the others would always bully you very badly…”

Mm. A typical old-society noble household feud.

“Some time ago, the Eighth Prince came to propose marriage to Eldest Miss. This servant heard that the Old Madam and the Chancellor were both very happy, so I really thought Eldest Miss was being promised to the Eighth Prince. But for some reason, in the end, First Madam sent people to say that it was Third Miss – you – who would be promised to the Eighth Prince…”

Mm. That Eighth Prince was probably no good. Good things were never pushed onto someone
else.

“The Eighth Prince came to break off the engagement. He said Miss had deceived him. Miss, you… saw the Eighth Prince and threw yourself at him. Concubine Yin didn’t manage to stop you, and you were kicked by the Eighth Prince. The Eighth Prince also drew his sword and pointed it at you. Concubine Yin panicked and stood in front of Miss, and then…”

“So the murderer is very clear.”

“Ah… yes. After that, First Madam arranged Concubine Yin’s mourning hall. Miss, you were punished by Master to keep vigil here and were not allowed food or water. Just now, this servant saw that you had fainted from hunger, so I secretly went to find some food. Then Chuntao brought food…”

“I’m the one being punished for this?”

“Master said… said Miss embarrassed the family.” After Ning’er said this, it was as if she herself had suffered some great humiliation. She covered her face and began to sob. “This is too unfair. Concubine Yin is gone, and they still punish Miss by making you kneel here. Fortunately… fortunately Heaven has eyes and let Miss’s mind recover-”

Then Wu Sheyue understood. She touched her chest. This Third Miss must have suffered internal injuries and had not survived after kneeling here. She did not know whether the body’s internal organs had ruptured. She only felt that moving even a little hurt. How was she supposed to examine this?

“Enough. Stop crying…” Wu Sheyue had a headache.

“Right. This servant just took this from the back kitchen.”

Ning’er wiped her face and pulled a cloth bundle from inside her clothes.

Wu Sheyue accepted it. It was still slightly warm. She opened it and saw two buns. “Thanks… So, are you staying here to-”

“Right, this servant has to leave quickly.” Ning’er stood up in a panic.

“Madam doesn’t allow anyone to come and keep you company. But if Chuntao goes back and complains, and Second Miss comes looking-”

Wu Sheyue’s eyes moved slightly.

“It’s fine. Since they don’t allow you to stay with me, you should go do whatever you’re supposed to do.”

Ning’er was still worried.

“This… yes, if Second Miss really catches this servant here, it will be bad. Miss, eat quickly. If there’s no other way, pretend to be crazy and foolish later. See if you can get through it.”

“Fine. I know.”

Ning’er hesitated, then still ran out. There was not much panic on her face now; she carried an unconcealable happiness. As long as Miss’s mind had recovered, things should not become anyworse in the future.

Watching Ning’er’s stumbling figure, Wu Sheyue shrugged, sat beside the coffin, and began eating the buns.

The surroundings were very quiet. The season seemed to be early summer, and the temperature
was comfortable. The two trees in the courtyard rustled softly. Wu Sheyue ate while sorting
through everything that had happened after she woke.

It seemed that from now on, she would have to live under the title of “Third Miss,” and her life would certainly be difficult.

After eating, she clapped her hands, stood, and looked at Yin Qiuming. Such a beauty. What a
pity. After a long while, she sighed.

“I never believed in ghosts or gods, but just when I wanted to escape that painful life, I was reborn here. Maybe it really was arranged by fate. Since I could come here, perhaps you, like me, will live on in another way…”

As Wu Sheyue spoke, she felt a little comforted.

“I never had parents myself, but since I’ve taken your daughter’s body, I’ll count as another daughter of yours. I’ll treat this body well.”

After saying this, she suddenly noticed a mirror placed by Lady Yin’s head in the coffin. She reached out, took it, and looked into it. As Ning’er had said, the person in the mirror had fine features and clearly inherited Lady Yin’s best points. Unfortunately, a large red birthmark covered half her face, and its color looked somewhat nauseating.

“She really is ugly.”

Wu Sheyue did special-effects makeup every day. By now, she did not care much about whether a person’s appearance was beautiful or ugly. She did not feel too disappointed.

She carefully looked at the unfamiliar self in the mirror and touched the birthmark with her fingers. The sensation on her face was somewhat dull, as if there was a layer of… prosthetic?

Wu Sheyue frowned. How could that be? This shocked her even more than a corpse.

(To be continued)