Cai Ying quickly held out a round antique powder container and nervously replied, "We're used to it, Third Miss. Noble ladies often wear this kind of makeup. You really like it too."
Tan Xiuying took the powder container, opened it, and sniffed the scent. Being a secret agent and spy in modern times, she possessed highly developed senses, including an acute sense of smell that allowed her to distinguish between different materials.
When she sniffed the talcum powder, she detected a strong scent of lead and faint hints of fine rice powder mixed with other aromatic ingredients. From what she had read before, she knew this was how ancient people made their powder. However, she also knew that continuous use of white lead could be harmful to the skin.
Lip rouge was made from natural ingredients from Kesumba or Safflower flowers, mixed with animal fat to create a lip balm. The blush was also made from fine rice powder mixed with Kesumba flower powder. Thankfully, both cosmetics were safe to use and she could use them every day without any worries.
"I don't want to use this anymore. It feels like my makeup is too flashy and doesn't suit my age. You better make my face look as natural as possible. After all, compared to physical beauty, moral and inner beauty are much more important, right?" Tan Xiuying handed the antique powder container to Cai Ying, who accepted it nervously.
Cai Ying frowned slightly. "Excuse me, Third Miss. It's a tradition for noble ladies to wear makeup to enhance their beauty."
"Do I have to follow the same rules? Can't I be different?"
"It's not that you can't, Third Miss. It's just that..."
"Why? Just tell me what you're thinking." Tan Xiuying insisted, wanting an honest answer.
Cai Ying took a deep breath, gathering her courage to speak honestly.
"Well, Third Miss, in this ancient society, how you look is really important, especially for noble ladies. Wearing makeup is seen as a way to show elegance and refinement. It's not that you can't be different, but if you decide not to wear makeup, some people might give you a hard time and say mean things."
Tan Xiuying replied with a nod. "I understand. I'll keep that in mind. But I still want to prioritize my inner qualities and character over my appearance. After all, true beauty comes from within, right?"
"I''m just wondering. It's not like the typical you, Third Miss," Shao Liu commented.
"What am I usually like?"
"That's true. You usually care a lot about how you look and prefer having a fair complexion," Cai Ying replied, agreeing with Shao Liu's statement.
"Oh, really? Well, starting from tomorrow, I want to try something new," Tan Xiuying declared with determination.
The two maids nodded together and said, "Alright, Third Miss."
"Besides, I think it's better if I make my own powder. Could you both help me find some natural ingredients that are available nearby?" Tan Xiuying suggested to Cai Ying and Shao Liu.
The two maids exchanged puzzled glances before responding in unison, "Yes, Third Miss."
When Shao Liu was about to put a golden hairpin in her bun, Tan Xiuying frowned slightly.
She stared at the hairpin in Shao Liu's hand. Was this what the real Tan Xiuying liked? She was only 16 years old, but she seemed to enjoy heavy makeup and fancy jewelry.
The hairpin was made of gold and adorned with tiny pearls, with several long, thin chains hanging and swaying with every step she took. However, this elaborate and heavy hair ornament just didn't seem to suit her.
"Pick something else! It makes me look like an old woman." Tan Xiuying was unhappy with the hairpin choice.
After hearing her words, Shao Liu looked thoughtful and was unsure of what to do. "But, this is your favorite hairpin, Third Miss."
Tan Xiuying had loved this hairpin the most. She would always wear it whenever she went out. So, why wasn't she happy with it now? Shao Liu couldn't help but wonder.
"Alright then. How about this one?" Shao Liu presented a simple jade hairpin adorned with engraved silver ornaments.
"Yes, I like that." Tan Xiuying's eyes lit up as she admired the new hairpin.
After finishing her makeover, Cai Ying and Shao Liu observed Third Miss's current appearance and felt a mix of emotions. Tan Xiuying looked both strange and familiar to them, leaving them intrigued and curious about the changes she was making.
Seeing the two maids lost in thought, Tan Xiuying looked at them and asked, "What's wrong?" She was curious about their reactions to her new appearance.
Cai Ying looked at her nervously and said, "Your current dress and appearance are very similar to Madam Marquis." She couldn't help but make the comparison, unsure if Tan Xiuying would take it as a compliment or not.
"You mean... my mother?" Tan Xiuying asked briefly, as her memories of Tan Xiuying's real mother were still faint. After all, she wasn't the real Tan Xiuying. The connection to her past was not as strong.
"I mean... the late Madam Marquis," Cai Ying clarified. It appeared that because this maid was older and more experienced, she took on more of the talking than Shao Liu.
Tan Xiuying was momentarily taken aback, then furrowed her brow and asked, "Then who is the Madam Marquis who was with Marquis?" She was puzzled by the mention of another Madam Marquis and wanted to know more.
"That's Second Madam. She's the younger cousin of the late First Madam whom Marquis later married." Cai Ying explained, giving some context to Tan Xiuying.
"When did my mother die? And what caused it?"
"I'm not sure about the exact details, but Madam passed away a few years ago. As for the cause, I think it was due to an illness." Cai Ying tried to recall the information she knew.
As Cai Ying explained, Tan Xiuying's mind was flooded with questions. What had truly happened to her mother? Why did she fall ill and pass away? And shortly after, another woman appeared in the house and seemed to become a prominent figure. This situation was a common cliche in ancient times, where the competition for the position of the lady of the house often colored the lives of noble families.
Finally, Tan Xiuying understood where all the rebelliousness in the real Tan Xiuying had come from. She was now certain that this youthful turmoil must have happened after her mother's death, leaving her feeling lost and adrift ever since.
"Do you two know what happened between me and the Fourth Prince, Liu Junjie? I vaguely remember. As I mentioned before, most of my memory is gone since that accident."
She felt frustrated by her lack of memories, but she was determined to uncover the truth about Tan Xiuying's past on her own.
Cai Ying and Shao Liu exchanged glances, unsure how to respond to her question. After a moment, Cai Ying cautiously replied, "We've heard some rumors, Third Miss, but we don't know the full details. Would you like us to find out more for you?"
Tan Xiuying thought for a moment before responding, "No need to investigate further. I'll figure it out myself. Just refresh my memories by giving me a glimpse of it."
"Very well, Third Miss. Here's what I know," Cai Ying explained. "The Fourth Prince, who recently became the King of Huainan, Wang Liu Junjie rules over the Little Kingdom of Huainan. About a year ago, you met him at a grand banquet in the imperial hall. After that, you both exchanged letters and gifts, and your feelings for each other grew. You began a secret relationship, even though he was already married to the Queen of Huainan, Wanghou Peng Liling."
"Then what happened after that?"
Cai Ying revealed the events that led to the current situation. "Once, your relationship with His Majesty the King of Huainan was discovered by Her Majesty's servants, and they reported it to him. Her Majesty then brought this matter to the attention of the Marquis and asked him to educate and punish you."
She added with a concerned expression. "Hearing that, the Marquis was furious and sentenced you to exile in a remote village. However, you managed to escape during that trip, and the last we heard, there were reports of your supposed death during the pursuit."
Tan Xiuying lowered her head and fiddled with her sleeves. Suddenly, her eyes turned serious, and she felt a bit uneasy. The weight of the information she had just learned was sinking in, and she couldn't help but feel anxious about the consequences of her actions.
"Alright then. You can go now. I need some peace and quiet," Tan Xiuying said with a slight nod, wanting some time to process everything she had learned and gather her thoughts.
"Third Miss, please rest for a while. I'll go and ask the maids to send breakfast over here," Cai Ying said with a gentle tone. As she spoke, both Cai Ying and Shao Liu stepped back, bowed respectfully, closed the door, and left Tan Xiuying to herself.
As things grew quiet, Tan Xiuying pondered for a moment. It wasn't that simple, and she realized she might have to put her life on the line to uncover the truth.
What made the real Tan Xiuying believe that the Fourth Prince genuinely had feelings for her?
Her instincts were telling her that there might be something fishy and hidden behind the Fourth Prince's approach and concern for her. She knew she needed to be cautious and tread carefully in this delicate situation.
For the sake of the promise made to the original owner of this body, Tan Xiuying was determined to uncover any sinister plot and protect herself in this new identity. She knew she had to be vigilant and resolute to deal with the challenges that lay ahead.
Tan Xiuying, how unlucky you are. You are just an innocent, stupid girl who has been lured in, then used and sacrificed for the benefit of others.
It's a cruel fate that has befallen the real Tan Xiuying, and now she must find a way to break free from these chains and forge her own path in this new world.