Before Noble Princess Consort Rong told the Eldest Prince she was going to do her makeup, she was, in fact, already wearing some.
Women from aristocratic families, no matter how weary, would always put on makeup after waking and washing. They would never show a bare face, even if they weren't seeing any visitors. But Noble Princess Consort Rong, filled with the anxiety of a long-awaited reunion, had returned to her chambers. She had Qiu Yun apply heavy makeup, the kind suitable for receiving the formal greetings of the entire harem, to conceal the weakness in her heart.
The heavy makeup was her protective coloring. No one could say she looked unwell.
The weariness under her eyes was hidden by a layer of snow-white powder. Her lips, pressed with rouge, were the only touch of true red on her.
Then she changed into her most magnificent robes.
The Noble Consort's palanquin passed, and all idle bystanders moved aside.
