Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 59 - The Birthday Banquet

The white-clad man walked leisurely through the Prime Minister’s Residence with his hands behind his back. The surroundings were silent and empty. He looked as if he were strolling through his own garden.

Although not seeing Wu Sheyue made him a little angry, that little maid who had stopped him was truly interesting.

He touched his chin and thought that the little girl was fun. How had she controlled those ghostly things? The moment he thought of how that little girl had said, “There are enough things in my courtyard to play with you until dawn,” his heart itched with curiosity.

If someone had not come, he definitely would not have left. He was especially curious what the other ghosts looked like.

Hm… were those really ghosts?

He suddenly thought of the ghost face that had fallen before his eyes at the entrance. That had clearly been the head of an adorable big puppet.

The corner of the man’s mouth lifted slightly. In any case, a monk might run, but the temple could not. He would have plenty of chances to ask again.

Twenty days later, when the Old Madam’s birthday arrived, the seamstresses had also delivered the newly made clothes to each courtyard.

Wu Sheyue sighed. It was as if all the clothes she had not gotten to wear in previous years had been made up to her this year. At first, the old lady had sent her a pile of ready-made clothing, and then two more sets had been made later. For once, she finally had more than her other sisters.

On the morning of the birthday banquet, Wu Sheyue put Ning’er through the trouble of helping her try on clothes.

This time, the Old Madam had newly made her a set of water-blue high-waisted ruqun. The bodice panel was dark green embroidered with lotus flowers and lotus leaves. Once she put it on, her whole person looked like a pool of lake water, fresh and tender.

Wu Sheyue found the water-blue crystal and hung it from the ties of the ruqun. The match was indeed perfect.

She had Ning’er arrange her hair into twin buns, then found several small white flower hairpins with yellow centers from the box the Old Madam had given her and put them on.

Once she was fully dressed, Ning’er praised her repeatedly, saying again and again, “My Third Miss is truly beautiful.”

Wu Sheyue looked at herself in the bronze mirror and once again sighed that this body really did have a good face. Why hadn’t she had this in her last life? As she thought this, her mood suddenly improved. She asked Ning’er, “What time is it?”

Ning’er looked at the sky outside. “There’s still a little while, but there are many guests today. Shall we go early?”

“Let’s go. We’ll go take a look first.”

Ever since Wu Sheyue had arrived here, she had not gone out to stroll around. Day and night, she had been scheming against the demons and monsters of this Prime Minister’s Residence until her mind and body were exhausted. This was her first large social event in almost a month. She had to go see it. An ancient banquet should be worth watching.

A moment later.

Wu Sheyue brought Ning’er to the back garden and discovered that, in truth, they were not early at all.

Several tables of pastries had been set in the garden, and many people were already seated. From afar, Wu Sheyue saw that the Old Madam was already sitting beside a small table.

Today, the Old Madam was dressed very festively. Her rose-colored clothes were edged with silver thread, and the cat’s-eye stone on her forehead band gleamed in the midsummer light. Several noble ladies sat nearby and talked with her. The Old Madam’s face was smiling the whole time, deepening the wrinkles.

Concubine Meng and Concubine Liu stood to either side behind her, serving her with smiles on their faces.

Wu Liuyun sat closely beside the Old Madam. Her usually indifferent face showed no strong expression, proof of how much the Old Madam favored this cold and proud legitimate granddaughter.

Today, Wu Liuyun wore a pale purple gradient robe with a front opening. Her flowing-cloud hairstyle matched her name perfectly. On her head, she wore only a single gold butterfly hairpin. From the hairpin hung a crystal the size of a fingernail, the same size and shape as Wu Sheyue’s. Only hers was not a pure color; it was orange with a hint of red, very beautiful.

Seeing this, Wu Sheyue touched the blue crystal on her own chest ties. As expected, the best things were reserved for the legitimate daughter.

Wu Sheyue had been planning to look for Jiang Qingxue and the other concubines and sisters, but the Old Madam had already spotted her sharply. She said to the noble ladies beside her, “Look, my girl Yue is here.”

The noble ladies turned to look for Wu Sheyue. Wu Sheyue had no choice but to approach with a sweet smile.

“Grandmother.”

The Old Madam smiled and called her over. “Come, come. Yue’er, come here.”

Wu Sheyue ran over happily, took the Old Madam’s hand, and said, “Grandmother, Yue’er thought I had come early.”

“Coming early is good. You can get to know more people.”

The noble ladies curiously looked Wu Sheyue over and asked, “Old Madam, is this your family’s Third Miss?”

Wu Sheyue turned and performed a lively bow. “Yes. Yue’er greets all the madams.”

The ladies looked at one another, then examined Wu Sheyue with slight surprise and praised her with smiles. “Oh my, I truly didn’t expect this, didn’t expect this at all.”

The Old Madam had always hoped all her granddaughters would marry into prominent families. Now only Wu Sheyue had never been promoted to outsiders. These women were the principal wives of various officials. Letting them get to know her granddaughter more would certainly be useful.

The Old Madam quickly introduced her. “Yue’er, this is Madam Shen, General Shen’s wife.”

Wu Sheyue immediately greeted her. “Greetings, Madam General.”

“Third Miss, no need to be so courteous.” This general’s wife looked very gentle and spoke softly, making people feel comfortable. Wu Sheyue had an excellent impression of her.

Afterward, the Old Madam introduced several other ladies, and Wu Sheyue greeted each one.

Their side was lively, warm, and full of laughter. But Concubine Meng and Concubine Liu, who were serving by the Old Madam, were not very happy. They were all granddaughters. Why did this one receive such a grand introduction? They had never seen the old lady promote the other granddaughters this way.

At the same time, they were thinking of their own daughters. Why did their children not know to come earlier and join in?

Concubine Liu half-jokingly said, “Third Miss is the most beloved now. Old Madam always says Third Miss is good.”

After hearing this, the Old Madam understood what the two concubines behind her meant. On an ordinary day, she would not bother, but today she did not want to make anyone unhappy. She asked Wu Sheyue, “Yue’er, have you seen Jinghua and the others?”

Wu Sheyue shook her head. “No. Yue’er came straight for Grandmother and hasn’t gone to look for my sisters yet.”

The noble ladies smiled and murmured to one another. “Third Miss is quite good with words…”

“Yes, she looks clever and lively.”

Of course, the Old Madam was coaxed happy by Wu Sheyue. She then patted the silent Wu Liuyun on the shoulder and said, “You two sisters should go move around. There’s no need to sit here dryly with this old woman. Go see where Jinghua and the others have gone.”

Only after the old lady said this did the two concubines behind her look a little more pleased.