Volume 1, Chapter 18: Make-up (1/2)

As there was still a short time before the Garden Party began, Consort Gyokuyou and her maids went to pass the time at the gazebo in the garden.

Rainbow carp splashed in the lake, and the few remaining autumn leaves dyed in red scattered through the air.

“All this was thanks to you,” Consort Gyokuyou told Maomao.

Though there was enough sunlight, the winds were cold and harsh. Normally, they would be shivering in the cold, but because of the underwear with the pocket warmers, no one suffered to that extent. Even Imperial Princess Rinrii, whom everyone had been worried about, was curled up into a ball inside the basket. There were heated stones just like what they had been using in the basket with her.

“As you can get low-temperature burns, when you remove the Imperial Princess’ heated stone(hand warmers)occasionally, please wrap it with a cloth when you replace it. Also, please take note of any stinging in the mouth if you eat too much of the candy.” Maomao said.

Maomao put the replacement heated stone inside the handbasket. The imperial princess’ diapers and change of clothes were also inside. The brazier to warm the heated stones was already requested and brought in by a eunuch.

“I understand. That said,” the consort leaked out an impish giggle. The other maids were also smiling wryly. “You are my maid after all,” she pointed at the jade necklace.

“That is certainly true.” Maomao decided to capture the moment of those words.

○●○

Gaoshun gazed at his master who was inquiring about the Virtuous Consort’s mood.

Jinshi, who possessed the nectar of the heavens and a celestial maiden’s smile, was more bewitching that the Virtuous Consort, who was admired as a beauty despite her young age. The consort was clad in luxurious and gorgeous clothing and her hair was adorned with a silver ;kanzashi, and yet she was overshadowed before his ordinary plain official robes with some embroidery.

Having come this far, he was a disagreeable existence, but seeing how the overshadowed consort herself was entranced, her eyes glazed, it didn’t seem to be an issue.

What a sinful human.

After visiting the three consorts, they headed towards Consort Gyokuyou’s place next. They found them at the gazebo in the direction of the lake.

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Though Jinshi had equal contact with the Four Madames, nothing could be done lately about Consort Gyokuyou’s strong backing. Well, as far as she was called the Emperor’s Favoured Consort, it shouldn’t be viewed as a problem, but it was clear that there were other reasons to it too.

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He bowed to the consort. Praised her well-fitting red outfit. Certainly, she was fittingly beautiful. The Barbarian Princess’ mysteriousness and her natural fascinating elegance was saturated in the air about her as well.

It was likely that, regarding the brilliance inside the inner palace, the person who could be favourably compared to Jinshi is Consort Gyokuyou.

While it may be true, it wasn’t that the court ladies around him were not beautiful. It’s just that each one of them paled in comparison to his personal charm. The amazing part of Jinshi was that he could say that precisely. Everyone had parts of themselves they want others to admire. That was aptly reached.

Jinshi does not lie. It’s just that he doesn’t speak the truth.

He feigned serenity, but the left corner of his lips was slightly quirked. As his attendant, who served him for many years, he understood. It was an expression a child would make in front of a toy. How troubling.

While pretending to look at the imperial princess’ face, he approached the short maid.

But.

Standing there with expressionlessly, looking down somewhere while making an excessively disrespectful face, was an unfamiliar maid.

○●○

“Pleasant day to you, Jinshi-sama.” Maomao was careful to not let her ‘Here again, you leisurely scoundrel?’ expression come out. As Gaoshun was watching, she wanted to be gentle for as much as she could.

“Are you wearing make-up?” Jinshi asked.

“No, I’m not.” She wasn’t wearing any make-up aside from the rouge on her lips and the corner of her eyes. There were still some light spots around her nose, but she didn’t mind it.

“Your freckles are erased,” Jinshi said.

“Indeed, because I erased them,” Maomao said.

What remained was the tattoo she gave herself by stabbing herself with a needle a long time ago. She didn’t stab deeply, so the pale dye should disappear within a year. Although, since the act was the same as a criminal’s punishment, even if it does disappear, her dad had indicated his disapproval.