After the Storm Comes the Calm

Princess Anyang collapsed onto the table, Murong Yu's words reflecting the very essence of her.

It took a moment for Princess Anyang to snap out of her daze. With a weak voice, she said, "I need more time to think about all this."

Murong Yu was not surprised by Princess Anyang's response. If the roles were reversed, she'd feel the same way.

Both Murong Yu and Princess Anyang had set out in pursuit of lifelong happiness, only to have their dreams shattered. Compared to Murong Yu, who had been treated like an object and handed over to Ji Chengxuan as a concubine by Huo Yuan, Princess Anyang had fared better. At least her marriage with Xu Chang'an ended in divorce, which left her with some dignity intact.

Moreover, Princess Anyang's subsequent marriage was genuinely blissful. Even though she suffered from lingering health issues and couldn't conceive, her husband never blamed her. Instead, he comforted her time and time again. It wasn't until Murong Yu's master intervened that Princess Anyang's health improved.

In Murong Yu's previous life, Princess Anyang endured many trials but eventually found happiness. As for Murong Yu, she had ruined her health in her quest to give Ji Chengxuan a child, drowning herself in medicines.

Princess Anyang had initially come to discuss something about the Jade Cream, but she had lost all interest after the earlier conversation.

Murong Yu deftly changed the subject, asking, "So, you find the Jade Cream effective?"

Upon hearing that, Princess Anyang replied, "Yes, it works wonders."

Murong Yu signaled Aman to bring in more rouge and cosmetics and said, "Half a jar of Jade Cream will be enough for the scar on your elbow. You should try these cosmetics too."

As a child, Princess Anyang had climbed trees. Not many knew that, but Murong Yu had been there, waiting below the tree, and had witnessed Princess Anyang fall from the tree. Princess Anyang hadn't cried when she fell; instead, Murong Yu had burst into tears, shocked by the incident. But that was a long time ago.

Now that the Jade Cream is available earlier in this life, Murong Yu would naturally give some to Princess Anyang.

Then, Princess Anyang's mood lifted slightly. She asked, "How much does a jar cost?"

"It's on me, but I'm planning to sell it for fifty taels of silver," Murong Yu said with a smile.

"You're planning to sell it?" Princess Anyang exclaimed. "What do you mean?"

"I made it myself," Murong Yu confessed.

"You made it? How did you learn to do this?" Princess Anyang asked.

"I learned it in a dream," Murong Yu revealed.

Princess Anyang was stunned.

Aman, standing nearby, had an epiphany and said, "So that's why you suddenly knew how to make Jade Cream and all these cosmetics. I was worried because I had never seen you do anything like this before!"

"Were you concerned that something unholy possessed me?" Murong Yu joked.

"No," said Aman as she shook her head. "I can still recognize that you are you and not someone else. But you do seem different from before, although I can't quite put my finger on it."

"It's not that I've changed. It's just that the dream left me a little sentimental," Murong Yu sighed.

Princess Anyang finally spoke up, "Yu'er, did you really make all of these yourself?"

"I'm partnering with my cousin to open a cosmetics store. It's in the planning stages," Murong Yu nodded and said. "You've tried the Jade Cream; now, what do you think about these rouges?"

Picking up the jars, Princess Anyang was immediately struck by their intoxicating fragrance. Upon examining the texture, she exclaimed, "The rouge is rich and aromatic, its color as enticing as a peach blossom—truly a rare, top-quality product!"

Murong Yu smiled.

Impressed, Princess Anyang decided to test the cosmetics and found them to her liking. She asked, "Yu'er, how much are you planning to sell a jar of this rouge for?"