no time for husband, only time to make money

Since the Duke started to reduce the food sent to Wang Zhi Ruo's courtyard she and Xiaomei started reducing in size. When the Matriarch returns she will see how he would cover it up. Wan Wan couldn't help but wonder what her Great Aunt did to cause the Duke to hate her so much.

"Xiaomei, those petals I told you to dry, how are they?" As for the roses that she had Xiaomei separate she used those to make rose water. Rose water is a natural toner and is very good for the skin, as opposed to those poisonous creams those ladies use to 'whiten' their skin...

"All dried up, master." Xiaomei had gotten prettier in the past few weeks, Wan Wan had been using her as a guinea pig to test her cosmetics. So far there have been no issues. Her skin became more even and smoother, thanks to the rose water. Once her pigments are ready she can make lip colours, blush and eye shadow. Wan Wan personally started using the scented oils that gave her a sweet smell of apricots and peaches.

"Crush them up into fine powders." After Instructing Xiaomei she left to do some gardening. The grass had already grown so high it was brushing her waist, while Xiaomei was busy with her chore, Wan Wan went to look for a tool to cut the grass.

"Would you look at that! Hey, Wang Zhi Ruo did you ever think it would be possible for you to fall to such a level? You even have to do such labour!" Ah! Just as she suspected those sneaky concubines would definitely make time to cause trouble for her. Luckily for them, they were not Wan Wan's target.

"Labour? Gardening is good for one's mind! These days my mind has been at rest and my days are spent leisurely tending to my garden. Aiyo, Mistress Cheng you should try it yourself! You're looking terribly stressed these days! Look at the wrinkles between your brows, ah!" Wan Wan feigned concern. If this were the 21st-century one would agree that she sounded exactly like those ruffians!

"Mistress Wang, stop acting. You have officially lost the Lord's favour and you're reduced to doing your own chores! Do you think you can make me jealous? Things are no longer like how they used to be, you are now beneath me!" Mistress Cheng was originally a girl from the countryside who 'somehow' ended up rolling in the sheet with the Duke while he was on an expedition with the fourth prince. The Duke was naturally a very 'honourable' man and took responsibility for her, over the past few months the Duke favoured her a lot and she was now an honourable concubine.

When she first arrived Wang Zhi Ruo disliked her because she schemed her way into the Lifu and naturally did not know the etiquette and frequently broke the rules. This had a negative impact on her as she was supposed to manage the household, including the conduct of the concubines. Cheng Xin was obviously taken revenge now.

"Mistress Cheng, tell me honestly, how long do you believe the Lord will keep me here?" Mistress Cheng looked stumped for words. Wang Zhi Ruo had a terribly powerful family, even the Emperor was a bit impartial to her seeing as he respected her grandfather and was sworn brothers to her father.

"You-"

"Yes me, what can you do to me? Scram, you're not worthy to be my opponent, go back and learn a few more words!" And with that Wan Wan bent down again to continue to tend to her garden.

"You! Just you wait, Wang Zhi Ruo!" The Wang Zhi Ruo of the past was never so eloquent, Cheng Xin did not know she would act this way and stormed off with a stomach full of anger.

"Master, I've finished!" Inside three separate pots, there were powders the colours of purplish-blue, dark red and pink. Wan Wan started to make the cosmetics, she boiled the beeswax and mixed some sesame oil then started to add the rose pigment. This was to make a red-tinted lip balm, not only would it not damage the skin but also add the fresh scent of roses to her being. She did the same with the pink begonia pigment then poured the mixtures into small wooden cases that she'd carved out.

"Xiaomei, come here." She stood ignorantly by her master, lately, her master had been acting strange. In the past, her master would maintain a dignified and noble appearance even behind doors. Now, as long as she doesn't go outside she acts unrestrained and unladylike. Xiaomei didn't mind though, she liked this type if master better she was easier to get along with, she also gave her nice things that made her skin feel soft.

After the mixtures had cooled Wan Wan applied the pink begonia to Xiaomei's lips, Wan Wan thought the colour suited her innocent look. She also added the lip balm to her cheeks, Wan Wan often did this back in her time frame as a hack, it gave her bright cheeks and a dewy look. Wan Wan thought her eyes looked slightly out of place so she used a small brush to brighten her eyes with some loose pigment. Xiaomei had a gentle and delicate look as opposed to her masters sultry and seductive look, Wan Wan was very satisfied.

"En, you look good! Keep it, this way a good man would definitely fall for you!" After spending some time with Xiaomei Wan Wan started to like her cute and ignorant personality. It made one want to protect her, it was a shame that Wan Wan was determined to corrupt her...

"No, master! Xiaomei wishes to accompany master forever!" Ah! This is what Wan Wan was talking about! If she didn't tease this girl a little bit she simply wouldn't be human!

"Oh? So, Xiaomei has fallen for this mistress? Xiaomei I didn't know you had such taste..." Wan Wan couldn't help but burst out laughing as Xiaomei's face turned different shades. Wan Wan continued to tease her and her laughter like a melody travelled to other areas of the estate. If it were anybody else they would have no choice by to relax and smile after hearing such a sound, but the Duke, who had just returned from the palace, was just not anybody...

"You-" The Duke was momentarily stunned by the smile and pure joy on Zhi Ruo's face. It was like he was seeing her for the first time, in the past, her smiles were always timid or secretive, this was the first time he was seeing a genuine smile on her face. He couldn't be fooled, that woman was malicious to her very bones! Even if she looked quite nice now he could never forget the amount of trouble she has caused in his estate.

"Are you so free that you even have so much time to laugh? It seems your time in confinement has not taught you much, should your lordship issue harsher punishment?" There was a fresh scent of roses in the room but he ignored it, she probably lured him there to seduce him!

"M-my lord." She stood to salute him. Wan Wan sneered in her heart, she can't even tease her maidservant in peace now, is it? How annoying! "That's not it! Last time, this servant was too emotional, asking my lord for forgiveness! What happened to this servant was my fault, in the past, this servant was too jealous, caused trouble in the estate and made things difficult for my lord. This servant now clearly understands." Fengge was taken aback. This was not the reaction he was expecting, she must be up to something again... Whatever he'll play along, Wang Weimin, Wang Zhi Ruo's brother would be returning from his travellings and his mother would be returning from the Shining Renaissance Temple soon. He was in need of an excuse to bring her out otherwise it would be difficult to explain it to them.

In truth, the Dukes hate for Wang Zhi Ruo wasn't totally her fault. He was constantly in a difficult position and had to think twice with issues related to her. The Emperor thought well of her, her grandfather, father, brothers and cousins who were all in well-ranked positions. The Wang clan was famously known for its neutral stance in regards to the heir to the throne and so no prince wished to get on their bad side. Even his mother and cousin thought well of her so even if he had any grievances he had nowhere to cry. Because of all the pressure, it reduced the patience he had for her.

"Well, since you have learnt your lesson your lordship will lift the punishment. You had better behave yourself now... Remember you are no longer the madame of the household you are in a low position now and should learn to bend your head a little." Wan Wan wanted to spit at his face, look at him acting all righteous and benevolent as if she wasn't in this position because of him! Her Great Aunt had definitely been smitten by his looks and turned deaf to his personality!

"En, this servant understands." Feeling good, the Duke left with a satisfied look on his face.