Empress’ Game: Make-up Master Chapter 63 - Deserving a New Look

At this moment, Wu Liuyun suddenly thought of what those noble ladies had said earlier, and irritation rose in her heart. How could she possibly be equal to such a lowly concubine-born girl? As long as she was mentioned together with those concubine-born daughters, she felt disgusted.

“You don’t like her, do you?” Jiang Ying glanced at Wu Liuyun’s increasingly gloomy face and smiled. “Don’t be angry. Why don’t I help you tease her?”

Wu Liuyun sneered. “Do I need you to help? Isn’t it better to watch these servants slaughter one another?”

“You’re always like this. If you don’t do it yourself, there’s no pleasure.” Jiang Ying was different from Wu Liuyun. She usually liked teasing concubines and concubine-born children the most, because the feeling of successfully bullying someone was quite addictive.

Wu Liuyun’s eyes lit up. She leaned close to Jiang Ying’s ear and said, “Why should we bother acting ourselves? Look, isn’t there someone to do it for us?”

Jiang Ying looked to the side and saw Wu Jinghua with Qingxing, followed by several girls from families she could not remember. The group was heading straight for Wu Sheyue by the lake.

The corner of Jiang Ying’s mouth lifted. “Oh? Then today I’ll change my role and watch the show. I’ll enjoy the feeling of sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight with you.”

By the lake, Wu Sheyue did not know that Wu Liuyun had set her sights on her. She avoided her own sisters and concubines while strolling along the lake.

Now and then, she casually exchanged a few words with the young ladies and gentlemen she met. Because she was in a fairly good mood today, she smiled at everyone.

Whether because Wu Sheyue was beautiful or because she knew how to speak, many people had a good impression of her. Her first ancient social outing could be considered successful.

At this moment, Wu Sheyue absolutely could not have imagined that news was already quietly spreading: the Prime Minister’s Third Miss was beautiful, graceful, and well-mannered.

Ning’er followed Wu Sheyue the entire way and looked even happier than Wu Sheyue herself. She chattered in praise, “Miss, you’re so popular today.”

“Am I?” Wu Sheyue shrugged happily. “I don’t feel it. Isn’t this just ordinary socializing?”

“You’re obviously popular. Ning’er never dared imagine we could have a day like this.” Look at that Young Master Zhao and Young Master Wen… each one liked her Miss so much. In the past, she had worried that Miss would grow older and be unable to marry. But now, Miss could completely choose for herself.

Mm… then was Young Master Zhao better, or Young Master Wen?

“All the past is over. In the future, I’ll take you to bully other people a bit, so you can experience it too.” Drinking lamp oil and the like was child’s play. If they were going to play, they might as well play with lives.

Ning’er said excitedly, “All right. Miss, take me to bully those bad people.”

Wu Sheyue stopped walking, and the two stood by the lake, looking around. Although there were truly too many people today, the atmosphere was not bad.

The breeze swept over the lake, bringing coolness that brushed against the body. It was simply too comfortable. Wu Sheyue closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

However, Wu Sheyue did not get to enjoy it for long. Something that spoiled the mood soon happened.

A very familiar “Third Sister” sounded behind her. Wu Sheyue abruptly opened her eyes, and her face fell. She turned back and saw Wu Jinghua leading several young ladies from official families toward her.

She had crossed hands with Wu Jinghua enough times now that just seeing her made Wu Sheyue feel that nothing good would come of it.

Before Wu Jinghua could speak, Wu Sheyue forced out a smile and said first, “Oh, Second Sister. Ever since Second Sister was grounded, Yue’er truly hasn’t seen you for a long time. Today I finally get to see you. It really wasn’t easy.”

Wu Jinghua, having been cut off, was furious. The smile on her face instantly froze.

The young ladies around them had come to back Wu Jinghua up, but after hearing that sarcastic remark, they could not help secretly laughing and giving Wu Jinghua a few more looks.

“You…” Wu Jinghua nearly cursed aloud.

She pressed down her anger and warned herself not to lose control. She wanted to crush Wu Sheyue and make this fool lose all face. She had waited a month for today.

Wu Jinghua took a deep breath and tried hard to speak calmly. “Third Sister really jokes. Didn’t we meet at Grandmother’s place several times a few days ago?”

Seeing that Wu Jinghua did not explode this time, Wu Sheyue felt a small trace of disappointment. She said pointedly, “Second Sister really does keep me in mind.”

Wu Jinghua narrowed her eyes. “Third Sister, we’re playing a game over there, but there aren’t many people. Do you want to come join us?” After all that, she finally got to the point.

When Ning’er heard this, she frowned, clearly unwilling. She had experience. Every time they said it was only a game, who knew how they would toy with people?

“I’ll pass. I don’t know how.” Wu Sheyue refused without hesitation. With someone like Wu Jinghua, striking up conversation for no reason meant either treachery or theft. Besides, the grudge between them was a dead knot. Who knew what schemes Wu Jinghua had been stewing over while grounded?

Wu Jinghua laughed darkly, her tone like she was bestowing charity. “Tsk. Come join us. Third Sister, that old appearance of yours was simply too frightening. Think about it. In the past, no one played with you, and you didn’t know anyone. Now that you have the chance, shouldn’t you make a few friends? Otherwise, when we’re all together later, you’ll be the lonely one no one pays attention to.”

After Wu Jinghua spoke, a girl behind her named Zhao Mo’er also helped in a sour tone. “That’s right. It’s only a game. There are wins and losses. Everyone knows Third Miss’s situation, so even if you lose, we won’t laugh at you.”

This Zhao Mo’er was only the daughter of a Zhao-shi guard captain in the palace. Though she counted as legitimate-born, her family’s rank was too low, and she had always relied on Wu Jinghua’s patronage.

The other girls also obeyed Wu Jinghua and all followed along to tease Wu Sheyue.

“Exactly. Come try it. Don’t all new things need to be tried once?”

“We’ve gotten bored of some things already. You should try them too.”

“Third Miss Wu isn’t afraid, is she? Don’t be afraid. We won’t eat you.”

Seeing each of them use such a contemptuous attitude, the little devil inside Wu Sheyue stirred again. A provocation? Fine. It worked. Some people wanted to die so badly they could not be stopped.

She pulled her mouth into a dark smile. “Since you are all so enthusiastic, let’s go.”

Wu Jinghua was pleased. No matter how good you are at hitting people, if you strike someone in front of a crowd, you’re nothing but a shrew.

Wu Sheyue followed them all the way toward the open grass in the middle of the garden.

Although Wu Jinghua had said there were very few people playing, Wu Sheyue clearly saw a large crowd already gathered.