Maomao
When she stepped off the boat, the smell of fish and the bustle of people hit her all at once. It was already dusk, and the street vendors were closing up shop, but she could still see a few people rushing in for last-minute dinner purchases.
"Take care!"
Yakubu was waving a hand towel from the ship's deck.
"I'll be right there with you, so there's nothing to worry about!"
Instead of Maomao,
Rihaku
was the one who answered.
(Wait—wasn't this guy supposed to be Yakubu's escort?)
Presumably, Maomao was also considered part of the escort's charge.
Suzume
had prepared clothes that were decent in quality but plain in design. Appropriate for her role as a poison taster—the smooth texture of linen felt nice in this humid region.
(I'll wear these starting tomorrow.)
She hadn't prepared any proper clothes besides undergarments, so this worked out perfectly. The fabric looked like it would dry quickly even after washing. She did have clothes for assisting the medical officer, but they were unbearably stuffy.
Suzume came by several times afterward to do her makeup, but Maomao declined each time. However, going out completely bare-faced felt rude, so she lightly dusted on some powder and applied a touch of rouge.
"She said she'd have a carriage ready, didn't she?"
Rihaku looked around.
"Isn't that one over there?"
Maomao pointed at a carriage parked in front of another ship.
"That one? There are already passengers piling in—might not be any room for us."
People kept boarding one after another.
Women?
Probably maids for some important person. But there seemed to be quite a lot of them.
As she and Rihaku stood there wondering what to do, Suzume suddenly appeared.
"Excuse me."
"Whoa, when did you get here?"
Li Bai was startled. He hadn't sensed a thing.
"We have a carriage prepared over there, so please come this way."
"Hey sis, you sure are light on your feet."
"Yes. She's plain-looking but moves well. That's Suzume's selling point."
Grinning, she twirled around and struck
some bizarre
pose.
(What a show-off.)
It was a kind of brightness that Maomao
seldom encountered.
Suzume had once again produced a string of tiny flags from somewhere inside her sleeve.
(I don't even know where to begin with that.)
Maomao ignored the slightly downcast Suzume and climbed into the carriage.
To the south of
the kingdom of Li lies
Anan —
a vassal state of Li for over a hundred years. The name "Anan" wasn't even its original; it had been bestowed by some long-dead emperor.
The "a" in the name meant "second," "next," or "lesser."
The nations north of Li
are called the Northern Anlian,
which is exactly what it sounds like — a cluster of inferior nations to the north.
(The person who came up with these names was really full of himself.)
He gave them absurd names and then acted magnanimous about it, as though bestowing some great favor.
(I suppose the other countries are countries too, but they just go around calling us whatever they like.)
Western foreigners tend to have lighter skin and be taller than the people of Li. Because of that, they sometimes use the word "apes" as a slur against the Li folk. They think they're speaking in their native tongue, but Maomao, who understands passable Western, picks up on the contempt. The shrewd old woman, upon noticing the insults, cheerfully raises the room price with a smile.
(They're both doing the same thing, really.)
If you don't want to be talked about, don't say anything. But she wants to protect herself by saying it before anyone else does.
Relations between nations are ultimately no different from relations between groups of people.
The room Maomao was led to after stepping down from the carriage was a grand palace.
The red-lacquered coloring was the same as in Li, but the roof shape was a little different—slightly more rounded, with lanterns lined up in rows, glowing brightly.
A pristine white corridor ran down the center of the palace, and in the courtyard
palm trees
were planted symmetrically.
"Right this way."
Though there was a slight accent, they spoke the same language as Li.
(No need to worry—I'm the official poison taster.)
That was what she wanted to say, but Sparrow kept forging ahead. She was guiding them, so that counted for something, at least.
Maomao and Li Bai followed along meekly.
"Please use this room."
They were shown to their quarters. Sparrow promptly went inside to inspect it. She looked thoroughly experienced.
"Anything strange in there?"
Li Bai joined in searching the room.
"No. In the south, snakes and insects occasionally get inside."
"Snakes?"
Maomao's eyes sparkled as she began searching the room.
"Any poison?"
"There is, yes."
"
Scorpion
"They're not here, are they?"
"No, there are no scorpions."
After checking thoroughly and finding nothing, both of them were disappointed.
"Why's big sis disappointed too, not just the young lady?"
Li Bai calmly pointed out.
"Wouldn't it be more exciting if there were?"
She wasn't just an attention-seeker—she was the type to find anything chaotic entertaining. Now Maomao could understand why she'd married into Gaoshun's household, a place where colorful personalities gathered.
Suzume began preparing tea. It had been ready from the start. The condensation on it suggested she'd prepared it chilled right before they arrived.
"I'll prepare it myself, so please don't worry about it."
"No, my share is included as well. I'll be joining Maomao tonight."
Suzume moved swiftly to prepare the tea set in the room.
"I was told by—
Lady Suiren
that it wouldn't be appropriate for an unmarried woman to spend time alone with a gentleman, even while serving as a guard, so I came."
Maomao and Li Bai exchanged glances.
"Ah, no, no—"
they said in unison.
"Yes, I thought so too, but when someone like an elder aunt tells you something, you just have to comply. And there's the real mother-in-law, you know? I think I'm managing well enough, but being together around the clock is really exhausting. My husband is... like that, so he can't intervene at all. I'll leave handling my husband to my mother-in-law, and I just thought I'd like to take a breather once in a while."
With that, she settled onto the sofa and began drinking her tea, looking thoroughly relaxed.
Seeing this, Maomao and Li Bai decided to just do as they pleased. Li Bai couldn't seem to think of anything to do, so he grabbed one of the room's pillars and started doing pull-ups.
(What a musclehead.)
Maomao sat down in a chair and started drinking tea.
"Also, I'd like to explain how the dinner will proceed."
"Please do."
Suzume began speaking as though she were lounging about at her childhood home.
"As for the poison-tasting duty, Maomao and I will handle it. The Moon Prince and Grand Commandant Kan, right? There are other important people too, but we'll make separate arrangements for them."
"Please handle the Moon Prince."
"OK. The Grand Commandant seems more interesting, so I'll take that one."
Whatever her reasons, I was glad she was willing to do it.
"The basic procedure for the poison tasting will follow the same flow as at the garden party and such. I don't think there's much need to explain, but since this is a diplomatic occasion, we'll be hiding behind seats toward the back."
"Indeed."
"So just get a feel for things on the spot, if you catch my meaning."
(Half-hearted — no, calling it half-hearted was generous. She was being downright sloppy.)
Still, it was less stressful than if she'd been overly thorough.
At first, she seemed to have a similar air to
En'en,
but if anything, she reminded me more of Maomao.
"Oh, and I'm heading to the Moon Prince's room now."
"To the Moon Prince's quarters?"
"Mm-hm. You'll understand once we get there."
Suzume flashed a wide grin and set down the tea set.
Jinshi's room was at the end of the corridor, straight ahead from the room Maomao had been shown to.
Being such an important figure, he had guards posted.
But with Suzume's face,
passage
came without issue.
When they stepped inside, Jinshi,
Bazen,
Suiren,
Momoyo
and
Maro
there was a section with curtains drawn, as though something might be hiding behind them.
It was several times wider than the room Maomao had been brought to, and outside there was
a terrace
attached.
(I remembered the name—I'm impressive)
Maomao was praising herself for no good reason. With the arrival of Suzume, an intensely individualistic maid, she'd been on the verge of forgetting Momoyo's name, but she'd remembered it after all. Impressive.
Li Bai was stationed outside the room.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Well, not so much 'help'..."
Jinshi was making that vaguely uncomfortable face once again.
"Maomao."
Suiren placed a hand on Maomao's shoulder.
"We have a guest. Please step back a little."
"...Yes."
Wondering what on earth they were after, as she stepped back, a large man entered the room followed by a woman. The man was supporting the woman's body with a kind of deference toward her condition.
(Wait, is that her?)
Maomao felt she recognized the woman's face.
"Lady
Furou.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. I boarded a different ship, so I'm afraid my visit has been belated—my apologies."
(Furou!)
That was her. The consort who had been dancing on the wall.
That meant the man accompanying her was probably a military officer she had been bestowed as a gift.
"Lady Moon, I shall never forget the kindness you showed me before. My return to my country is also thanks to you."
Fufurou bowed slowly. Though she wore voluminous robes, her movements seemed somewhat heavy.
The man likely refrained from speaking because, in this setting, the wife's rank was higher than the husband's.
(Wait a minute...)
Could it be that the people who had ridden in a separate carriage with Maomao were actually Fufurou and her group?
Li Bai had said that Raikou wouldn't release an excellent officer, but they must have sent Fufurou back under the pretext of her pregnancy.
(What will happen to her husband?)
Will he remain in Raikou, or will he return to A-Nan?
The full story wasn't clear, but being able to give birth in one's home country was surely a significant benefit.
(I see.)
Fufurou and her companion treated Jinshi with utmost courtesy before withdrawing from the room.
(They seem like a devoted couple.)
The officer was so attentive to Fufurou it was almost embarrassing to watch.
Fufurou had been bestowed as a reward for the officer's service, but her subsequent return to her homeland was probably thanks to Jinshi. Also, Fufurou must know what Jinshi had been doing in the rear palace.
(She's perhaps a bit too soft-hearted, or something like that.)
It was a personality trait of hers—unable to completely sever emotional ties.
A virtue in a person, but a weakness in someone with power.
This was also part of the reason Maomao had been feeling unsettled lately.
"Alright, you can go out there now."
It was Suren who gave her a push on the back. The vaguely meaningful tone of her words was a bit irksome, but there was nothing to be done about it.
"Lord Jinshi. Thank you very much."
Maomao bowed her head.
"It's nothing. Regarding Lady Fufurou, since I had made a previous request concerning her, I thought it best to be informed."
"Yes, I feel a bit clearer now."
Maomao glanced around.
"This room is quite impressive. It even has a balcony."
"If you're curious, feel free to take a look."
"In that case, I'll do just that."
Maomao marched straight toward the balcony.
"H-hey!"
Bashin called out something, but someone seemed to stop him right away. There was no sign of anyone following.
(Ho ho.)
A bow, or
a crossbow,
would make this just about the perfect spot for an assassination — but.
(Hiding in the tree shadows makes for a tricky shot, and there's nowhere around here to set up a sniper's position either.)
She imagined safety had been taken into consideration.
And so, even though Jinshi had come out to the balcony alone to follow Maomao, no one else trailed after him.
Judging from the incident with Furufuru, he must have a good relationship with Anaan.
(Good or not, it does mean there's a chance someone could sneak in at night.)
"Jinshi, do be careful tonight."
"I was wondering what you were going to say out of nowhere, and it's that?"
With his attendants out of sight, Jinshi had leaned back against the wall.
"If you think back to your nights in the Rear Palace, shouldn't you be able to more or less figure it out?"
"Mm."
Jinshi either hit upon something or other, wearing a suspicious expression.
And then he looked as though he wanted to say something, yet couldn't quite bring himself to say it clearly.
"Ah, well, in any case, Lady Furufuru will be returning to her family home. It isn't exactly a replacement, but apparently the niece of King Anaan will be entering the Rear Palace."
"How troublesome."
"Ah,"
"Gyokuyou's"
"niece will be entering the Inner Court as well."
"Is that so?"
Her reply suggested she'd barely heard a word of it.
"Since you're no longer Lord Jinshi, you should stop meddling in the Rear Palace's affairs and just focus on your own work."
"I suppose so, but I can't cut ties completely."
Maomao fixed Jinshi with a cold stare.
He gazed back at her, his expression uneasy.
Maomao grew irritated all over again.
"Lord Jinshi. You are a person of authority now, so act the part."
"...I know."
"You should use whatever you can."
"...I am."
"Then..."
Maomao moved closer to Jinshi.
Flashing a wide grin, she looked up at him. She slammed her palm against the wall beside his head, pinning him in place.
Jinshi's eyes went wide.
"I find being used by others distasteful. But—"
She whispered, at a volume meant for Jinshi's ears alone.
"I'd rather be used like a tool than become someone's burden. Your hesitation is the kingdom's hesitation. A moment's wavering could cost tens of thousands of lives. You'll regret it regardless, so stop dithering and pick your path."
Maomao pulled back from Jinshi.
"If you're going to use someone, do it openly. Medicine only works when you use it."
Maomao closed her eyes and let out a soft breath.
She had finally said everything that had been building up inside her.
There's more I want to say, but this is probably the limit.
(Jinshi would forgive something like this... right?)
She opens her eyes. Checks whether the other person is angry.
(He's not... angry?)
Jinshi's face was bright red. But it wasn't anger. If anything, it was—
"M-Maomao."
"What is it?"
Jinshi was grabbing Maomao's sleeve.
Even though he should have been looking down at her from above, somehow it felt like he was looking up at her with puppy-dog eyes.
"Could you... hold me?"
"...Why are you on the receiving end?"
She refused, naturally.
*wall slam!*