Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 62 - After Three Days Apart

With the annoying one gone, Wu Sheyue casually chatted with the young ladies at ease.

After a while, everyone left in twos and threes to speak with other friends. Wu Sheyue also took Ning’er, and the two slowly strolled along the lakeside.

Only after they had walked far enough away and Ning’er saw no one around did she say angrily, “Miss, Fourth Miss was too much, constantly saying those things. Luckily you sent her away. Otherwise Ning’er wouldn’t have been able to bear it.”

“Then, was what she said true? Did I really drink lamp oil?”

“Ah?” Ning’er had not expected Wu Sheyue to care about that. She carefully said, “…Yes, you did. But only a little. Second Miss tricked you into drinking it, and Aunt Yin stopped you afterward.”

Wu Sheyue sighed. Aunt Yin had been truly good. Unfortunately, she had died just like that, and no one had even worn mourning for her. Wu Sheyue asked coldly, “Why did I drink lamp oil back then?”

Ning’er grew indignant just thinking about it. “Second Miss and Fourth Miss were both involved. Second Miss tricked you, holding the lamp oil and saying over and over that it tasted good, so you… you believed her. That night you had diarrhea all night.”

Wu Sheyue nodded. “I understand.” She remembered all debts, large and small. She would slowly demand them back. No rush.

Ning’er worried that Wu Sheyue was unhappy and leaned closer to ask, “Miss, where are we going?”

“Of course, to look around.” Wu Sheyue leisurely raised her eyes and looked across the lake. She saw Jiang Qingxue leading two beautiful women through the corridor. The three of them had been talking the whole time, and behind them were two neat rows of dancers.

Wu Sheyue suddenly asked curiously, “Hey, have you noticed? It seems like we’ve never seen that old father of mine. It’s been so long, and he almost never shows up.” If it had not been for the matter with Xin Zhi, she might not have seen this prime minister even once.

Ning’er also thought about it in confusion. “Mm… Now that you mention it, the prime minister really doesn’t seem to come back often. Perhaps he’s very busy?”

Wu Sheyue rolled her eyes. “Please. His own mother is celebrating a major birthday and he won’t come? Is he insane? Let’s bet. He definitely has someone outside. The novelty hasn’t worn off yet, and for some reason, he doesn’t want people to know.”

“Mm…” Ning’er seemed to agree very much.

Wu Sheyue waved her hand. “Forget it. Whatever he’s doing, as long as he doesn’t come bother me, it’s fine. Let’s go.”

Under the shade of trees near the lake, Wu Liuyun stood chatting with a beautiful young woman in pale red clothing.

The young woman in pale red had dimples at the corners of her mouth and a pair of large almond eyes. The red clothes made her skin look especially fair. A woman like this, just by looking at her, could make people feel warm all over and unable to resist.

This woman was from Jiang Qingxue’s maiden family—the legitimate eldest granddaughter of Grand Tutor Jiang’s household, Jiang Ying.

Jiang Ying was a little over a year older than Wu Liuyun. Because of Jiang Qingxue, the two had been very close since childhood and gathered together every few days.

Jiang Ying looked at the familiar scenery around them and said wistfully, “Liuyun, when is Ziqi coming back? Didn’t they say it would be soon?”

Wu Liuyun sighed helplessly. “It’s only early summer. There are still more than two months.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ying pursed her lips unhappily. “But… your grandmother is celebrating a major birthday. He still won’t come back to take a look?”

“If he could come back, he definitely would. Don’t be impatient.”

“What am I impatient about? I was just asking casually…” Jiang Ying’s face reddened, and her voice grew much smaller. She thought for a moment and changed the topic. “By the way, Liuyun, how are things between you and the crown prince?”

Wu Liuyun said very indifferently, “They’re fine.”

“The crown prince treats you well too. In the future…” Jiang Ying smiled wickedly and nudged her. “It would be quite good for you to become empress.”

Hearing this, Wu Liuyun smiled faintly in satisfaction. “It’s not settled yet. The crown prince hasn’t promised me anything, so don’t speak nonsense. Make sure no one else hears.”

“Yes, yes, I won’t say anything. But if you really become empress later, you have to favor me more.”

As the two chatted, Wu Liuyun turned to look toward the lake. Through the servants and maids walking back and forth, she suddenly saw a familiar blue figure strolling along the lakeside.

She nudged Jiang Ying and said, “Look over there.”

Jiang Ying did not know who she was pointing at. After looking for a long time, she asked, “Who are you talking about?”

“That one.” Wu Liuyun pointed at Wu Sheyue’s back. “Guess who she is.”

Jiang Ying gave a light laugh. “Who else could make you remember them? Wait, that can’t be your legendary third sister, can it?”

“It is.” A trace of disdain appeared on Wu Liuyun’s face. “It seems you’ve heard the rumors too.”

Jiang Ying looked disbelieving. She carefully studied the distant girl again. Water-blue and graceful, with only a small part of her profile visible, yet already refined and elegant. Although she could not see the front, she was absolutely a beauty.

Jiang Ying asked doubtfully, “That’s really that fool? She really recovered?”

Wu Liuyun raised a hand and adjusted the tassel on her head, then sneered. “Yes. You don’t believe it?”

“There are all kinds of rumors. Everyone says rumors can’t be trusted. I didn’t really pay attention and thought it was just nonsense from outside. I didn’t expect it to be true…” Jiang Ying often came to the Prime Minister’s Residence to play in the past, so she had a deep impression of Wu Sheyue. The last time she saw her was three to five months ago.

Now, this water-blue, dignified back view… no matter how she tried, she could not put it together with the ugly fool from before. Jiang Ying asked strangely, “Hey, do you know how she recovered? Could it be someone’s scheme?”

Wu Liuyun said casually, “How she recovered doesn’t matter. She’s still a lowborn thing.”

“You really don’t care enough about these things. Aren’t you afraid of losing out? If it were me, I’d have to figure it out. Otherwise, something this bizarre would keep me from sleeping at night.”

“My mother tested her twice, but there was nothing unusual.” Wu Liuyun did not entirely ignore it either.

Jiang Ying laughed lightly. “But… she’s annoyed you recently, hasn’t she?” Based on how well Jiang Ying knew her, Wu Liuyun was too lazy to care about ordinary people. This Wu Sheyue must have done something significant for Wu Liuyun to remember and resent her. Whenever Wu Liuyun disliked someone, she would point them out to Jiang Ying and have Jiang Ying help teach them a lesson.

Wu Liuyun raised a brow. Annoyed her? Indeed. She simply found Wu Sheyue displeasing, and even more displeasing than other concubine-born daughters. Thinking of the things Wu Sheyue had done recently, although none had clearly targeted her, quite a few had affected the interests of both her and her mother.

The strangest thing was that those matters seemed related to Wu Sheyue, yet each also seemed unrelated. Moreover, she had thought carefully and realized that in every case, the one who benefited had to be Wu Sheyue. That was truly worrying.