TCCRMMAICSTA Chapter 14

Yu Wanwan’s brisk footsteps suddenly stopped, and she walked into the side hall with a troubled expression. “Your servant is here. Whatever the Empress needs, just give the command.”

 

The Empress leaned against the soft couch, the corners of her eyes showing a smile: “Look at this face of mine; how do you think I should apply makeup to make it suitable?”

 

The Empress thought to herself: Even though I understand now that I can’t be too humble in trying to please the Emperor—doing so will only make him more annoyed—but what on earth is this ‘pseudo-natural look’ you mentioned?

 

Yu Wanwan respectfully flattered her: “Your Highness is a natural beauty, no matter how you dress up, you are always beautiful.”

 

【Sister, this face of yours was born to be the dignified face of the main wife. No need to worry about being overshadowed by others.】

 

【As long as you don’t die, those little bitches in the harem are nothing but concubines. Why should you fear them?】

 

The Empress frowned slightly, feeling a bit dissatisfied with Yu Wanwan’s flattery, but upon hearing her true thoughts, she suddenly found them very reasonable.

 

She secretly agreed: Yu Wanfu is indeed right, as long as I don’t die, all those little bitches in the harem are just concubines!

 

But… I want to show a different face to deal with those annoying concubines.

 

At this moment, Qiuyue entered the side hall with a basin of water: “Your Highness, this servant is here to help you wash your face.”

 

The Empress waved her hand: “You may leave, let Yu Wanfu handle it.”

 

Yu Wanwan, having been called by name, immediately stepped forward eagerly: “Your servant is here, washing the face is something I am very familiar with.”

 

She enthusiastically took the basin, testing the water temperature with her hand.

“This water is too cold. Bring some hot water,” Yu Wanwan instructed Qiuyue.

 

【I’m well-versed in facial massages and spa treatments. I guarantee to give sister the ultimate SPA experience!】

 

【Technician No. 001 will restore your beauty.】

 

Although the Empress didn’t understand some of Yu Wanwan’s vocabulary, she understood the words “restore your beauty” very clearly.

 

So, she immediately gave Qiuyue a look, signalling her to follow Yu Wanfu’s instructions. Qiuyue found it strange. Of course, washing the face requires warm water; using hot water… wouldn’t that scald the skin like cooking pork?

 

Muttering under her breath, she went to prepare what Yu Wanfu had requested.

 

At that moment, Yu Wanwan rolled up her sleeves and moved a stool next to the soft couch.

She placed her hands on the Empress’s shoulders: “Your Highness, lie down and close your eyes. Leave everything to your servant, though it will be easier for me to work if I sit…”

 

In the palace, where hierarchy is strictly enforced, the masters sit while servants either stand or kneel; there is no reason for a servant to sit comfortably. So, Yu Wanwan gave an early heads-up.

 

The Empress hummed in agreement: “Hmm, I’ll allow you to sit.”

 

She thought to herself: Don’t say sit, if you do a good job, I wouldn’t mind if you came to Jingren Palace to sleep and throw a tantrum in the future.

 

Before long, the small table beside Yu Wanwan was filled with everything she needed. A basin of hot water, a basin of warm water, a stack of soft silk towels, a jade gua sha tool, and a box of rose-scented balm.

 

Yu Wanwan gathered the Empress’s long, waterfall-like hair behind her ears, revealing her smooth forehead. 【Tsk tsk tsk, not having to work overtime (996) is great. Look at this hair, so thick it could make wigs for ten office workers.】[1] 

 

Yu Wanwan placed the hot water basin under the soft couch, and the steam slowly rose, warming the Empress’s head. Soon, the area around the couch was surrounded by a milky white mist.

 

She softly reminded me: “Your Highness, we’re starting now…”

 

The warmth on her head immediately relaxed the Empress, and she hummed softly, signalling Yu Wanwan to continue.

 

So, Yu Wanwan reached out and began to press gently on the Empress’s head.

 

 

【Good head massage, no more worries about balding.】

 

After a session of pressing, Yu Wanwan started massaging the Empress’s face with the rose-scented balm.

 

The thick makeup gradually dissolved under the oil. Cleansing, massaging, gua sha…

Yu Wanwan skillfully performed every step. If you ask why she was so familiar with it, well, while others master one trade out of the 360 professions, she mastered all 360 and then quit each one.

 

As a working-class employee, Yu Wanwan had done countless jobs—beautician, insurance agent, street vendor…

 

Her main goal was to experience all the flavours of life, only to return still broke.

 

The Empress was so comfortable that she fell asleep. Yu Wanwan finished everything quietly, tidied the Empress’s black hair, and then covered her with a light blanket.

 

“Rest easy, Your Majesty, I will watch over you. You must be tired…”

 

Although the Empress was half asleep, she still heard Yu Wanwan’s words. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye. Her heart was filled with countless thoughts. Though the Emperor, her spouse, ignored her, Yu Wanfu…

 

Yu Wanwan took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tear.

 

Sigh… The strong Empress only shows this vulnerability when she’s asleep, right?

 

Just sleep well, no one else is worth it. After saying this, Yu Wanwan left the room, and the Empress, who had been drowsy, immediately felt at ease.

 

She let go of her last lingering thoughts and fell into a deep sleep…

 

This was the most restful night the Empress had in a long time. She slept through until morning, even missing when the Emperor got up for court, which was attended to by Qiuyue. The Emperor was a bit surprised when he saw someone other than the Empress. 

 

In the past, whenever he visited Jingren Palace, no matter how upset the Empress was, she would always get up early to help him dress for court. He had even told her before that the servants could handle it, but she stubbornly insisted that, as his wife, it was her duty.

 

He had never given it much thought before, but today, not seeing her made him feel a bit uneasy. He asked, “Where is the Empress?”

 

After tying his belt, Qiuyue respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, the Empress was very tired last night and has not yet risen.”

 

In her heart, Qiuyue cursed: Our Empress finally got a good night’s sleep. Please don’t disturb her. You didn’t appreciate her last night, but now you’re asking? No wonder the Empress said, ‘I don’t care if he goes to hell!.’

 

The Emperor frowned slightly. “Where did the Empress sleep last night?”

 

The Emperor felt something was off. In the past, no matter what, the Empress would stay with him in the main chamber, but this morning, she wasn’t there. The cold bed beside him showed she hadn’t slept next to him all night.

 

Qiuyue continued, “The Empress slept late last night and was worried about disturbing Your Majesty’s morning court, so she went to rest in the side chamber.”

 

Qiuyue rolled her eyes internally: In the past, the Empress tried everything to please you, and your attitude never improved. Now that she’s ignoring you, you’re asking about her? How cheap! Our Empress’s decision to sleep in the side chamber was absolutely right.

 

The Emperor, keeping a stern face, said nothing. He knew these were just excuses; the Empress was most likely sulking because of something he said last night.

 

But… let her sulk. After so many years of marriage, he had long grown tired of her. It was always the same dignified makeup and countless pink robes.He simply couldn’t muster any interest.

 

So the Emperor didn’t ask further and strode out of Jingren Palace. But as soon as he stepped out of the main hall, he saw a woman in plain white robes.

 

Her black hair hung loosely behind her, and her face was free of makeup but glowed with a soft radiance, her lips tinted with a light pink.

 

She looked soft, fragrant, and pure—just like the girl who had once stolen his heart when he was young!

 

He stopped in his tracks, momentarily dazed. 

 

When did such a beautiful woman arrive at Jingren Palace? How could I not know about her?

 

[1]  the term “996” refers to a work schedule commonly seen in some companies in China, particularly in the tech industry. It stands for working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

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