Too Good

"Xiaomei, sell these trinkets then use the money to buy some beeswax, a medium sized pot of shaojiu, apricots and peaches, olive oil and sesame oil. When you're done I want you to pick some flowers for me any is fine." Wan Wan has studied dermatology in college and knew how to make some homemade makeup.

After she went to greet Li Fengge and his (temporary)wife she saw that the skin of the other concubines was not so good. Thankfully Wan Wan's great aunt didn't use makeup too much so her skin could still be saved. The makeup that was used was not good for the skin, all those ladies that liked to use cinnabar were doing themselves a disservice. Cinnabar is a type of mercury and mercury is bad for human beings, even though it's not as toxic as other types it was still best not to use it.

Xiaomei went to do as she was told while Wan Wan continued to think of ways that dermatologists more money. Who knows if she couldn't win the Duke's heart, if that were to happen she needed a backup plan. Perhaps she would need to run away and live a secluded life in the mountains...

On Li Fengge's side...

"Master. Mistress Wang stayed indoors and only wrote papers."

"Writing? Was it a letter?" That's right Fengge was having Liu Mama spy on Wan Wan. He was suspicious that she was sending a letter to her family.

"This servant is stupid and doesn't know."

"See if you can find a chance to bring some to me."

"Fengge I'm really surprised. That Zhi Ruo of yours is really interesting. I thought she was an evil witch!" Gu Jin lay in the arms of Fengge. If Wan Wan saw them she would gag in disgust, it was still early in the day!

"Don't be fooled. Unfortunately, I can only suppress her for so long, her family hold some power in this empire and my mother is returning soon. When that time comes you have to make a good impression. Although she can't force me to give Wang Zhi Ruo the position of the first wife back she will try and get her to the second wife. She favours that witch too much." He kissed her forehead and pulled her close.

"En. I didn't know you had so many women in your manor. It seems I will have to compete for your favour." Gu Jin pouted trying to act cute.

"How can that be? You're the only one in my heart. They are merely gardens for me to lay my seeds in." He coaxed her...

"Master! I have your things!"

"Good, take the juices of the apricots and peaches put it in a bowl and add some olive oil and shaojiu." This was to make scented oil, Wan Wan preferred the fresh scents of fruits rather than the flowery scents.

"Pull the petals off and put them in pots outside to have them sun-dried. Keep some of those roses to make rose water." Xiaomei had brought three different types of flowers, roses, blue star lotuses and pink begonias. She was going to turn them into loose pigment.

"Yes, Master." Wan Wan managed to convince Xiaomei to let her clean up the courtyard. Things were starting to get boring even though it had only been the second day she expected one of those petty concubines to come and look for trouble with her!

"If only Old Madam was home... Master wouldn't have to suffer like this." Xiaomei sighed and helped Wan Wan to clean up.

"Old Madam, do you know when she will return?" It would be good to have at least one supporter in the manor.

"In two weeks master." There was no doubt that the Duke would have to let her go. As for why she was thrown into confinement and had her title stripped away she was sure that it was orchestrated by someone. No matter what Wan Wan was determined to drag them out kicking and screaming!

A bed servant had luckily become pregnant, this was the first child of the Duke so this was big important news. However, she died after she drowned in the pond. A short investigation was made and all of it pointed towards Zhi Ruo. But this was too strange, the Duke had several bed warmers even before he had married why is it that when someone had finally become pregnant they died? As soon as she lost her place it was soon taken by someone else. This Duke was truly something else...

"Wang Zhi Ruo! What are you up to?" The Duke stormed in what good timing. In his hand, he held a sheet of paper. It looked like the ballad she had failed to remember, it was only half written so she hadn't signed it yet. She was relieved, in the future if he were to see a piece of her work he wouldn't know it was her.

"My lord. You are truly too good to this servant. This servant has stayed by your side for four years, but it seems that the love I have for you is not worth a thing in your eyes." Let the acting begin! Wan Wan's eyes glistened with tears, her eyebrows furrowed in despair. If there was one thing Wan Wan knew it was that men had no defences against a woman's tears!

"What are you talking about?" Wan Wan was slightly wrong this time, Wang Zhi Ruo had cried very wretchedly in front of the duke so many times he had become immune to her tears.

"Duke Li, in your eyes, I am very stupid? The reason I have fallen so low... we both know it!" The Duke rushed to block her mouth and checked that no one was near.

"Get out" He fiercely looked at Xiaomei, she soon disappeared from the small room.

"Even the most ferocious beast would not harm its own cubs. You..."

"Do you believe that your lordship will tear your mouth?" Seeing the duke up so close Wan Wan appreciated his looks. Her Great Aunt had good taste... It's just that his personality is too rotten!

"This servant wouldn't be surprised if you would silence me completely." She laughed in a mocking manner. "Give that back." She gestured to the paper in his hand.

"I thought that if I were given the chance I would be able to sing it to you, my lord. Little did I know you had greater plans for this servant." Tears ran down her cheeks as a beautiful smile played on her lips. Wan Wan didn't know she had such talent for playing the role of 'tragic unrequited love'.

"Stop with the act it is making your lordship sick." Fengge sneered this witch had got better at acting.

"Act?! It is my lord that is acting! Your servant can now see clearly, this servant was under the impression that my lord was still the same. This servant can now see that I have made the biggest mistake!" A slap slammed into her cheek and she was knocked to the ground. Did she go overboard?

Li Fengge quickly left to call the mamas to reduce her meals to twice a day. He had never seen her like that before, she would always beg for his favour or cry that he was being unfair. This was different, how was she able to see through his scheme? She had never been so smart! His hold on the piece of paper tightened.