The Little Makeup Artist of Bianjing

Feng Peiyu thought there were three great regrets in life.

First, being born into poverty and sold into slavery as a child, forced to spend every day learning to dance, sing, and flatter others.

Second, the fickleness of fate. To win her freedom, she followed the example of a lovestruck lady and her secret lover, and seduced a commander of the Imperial Guards. But things went wrong, and they became a bitterly mismatched couple instead.

Third, the injustice of Heaven. Her beloved, who had been both her teacher and her friend, had worked so hard to enter the palace as a female scholar attendant, ready to make a name for herself, only to die a tragic death within the palace walls.

To avenge her beloved, she fell out with her patron and ended up on the streets, penniless. Her life had reached its lowest point.

But Feng Peiyu had one great triumph in her life.

With her superb hairstyling skills, she made a comeback!

Starting with a street stall, she went on to meet the wives and daughters of officials at every rank, entering the ladies' social circles.

She read people's expressions, discerned their thoughts, cultivated connections, and helped the wives and daughters of officials solve their problems. She worked her way through the social circles of the women in the inner household.

From a seventh-rank judicial assessor at the Court of Judicial Review, to a sixth-rank Imperial City guard, a fourth-rank commander, and a second-rank Privy Councilor...

She was getting closer and closer to the truth behind her beloved's death!

She had also earned money to support herself, gained capable confidantes, and found patrons with whom she could trade favors. She was no longer the little songstress who could be cut down at anyone's whim.

It turned out that life could always begin anew!

This was Xie Zhao's first time visiting the pleasure quarter, and he was rather embarrassed.

His subordinate was also in a difficult position. "My lord, if we really find your wife here, what should we do?"

Xie Zhao lowered his eyes. "A Yu is delicate and has no way to support herself. If she really has ended up here, I'll just pretend... nothing happened."

Meanwhile,

Feng Peiyu was carrying her beloved makeup case on her back, bouncing along the streets and alleys as she went to do the ladies' hair and makeup.

She'd earned another fifty copper coins today! Feng Peiyu thought, feeling extremely accomplished.

Theme: Life can always begin anew.