In the depths of a room draped with layer upon layer of curtains, a banquet had been set up—more of a banquet than a tea gathering,
Maomao
thought.
(It's got
Anan
vibes to it.)
Carpets were spread across the floor, with sweets and tea arranged on top.
At the center sat a shogi board, and on it, a scruffy-looking man and an unfamiliar, equally unkempt old man were locked in a standoff. The scruffy man was none other than the eccentric strategist. The other one was—
(So that's the old man playing shogi against him?)
Being alive at the age of eighty was a rare thing indeed. The man who must have once held a position of considerable standing now walked with a bent back, his entire body trembling. He held a sturdy-looking cane in his right hand, and behind him, a middle-aged man watched with a worried expression.
"I've brought her!"
Suzume
cheerfully raised her hand. Her guard,
Li Bai,
had come along as well.
At Suzume's voice, it was the scruffy man who finally looked away from the shogi board.
"M-Maoma—"
The eccentric strategist started to speak. But he was cut off halfway.
The old man had struck his cane against the floor. The force was such that, had it not been for the thick carpet, the cane might well have snapped.
"I'm in the middle of a match!"
The voice that came from the seemingly dazed old man was surprisingly firm. Maomao had heard his speech was slurred, but at least individual words came through perfectly clear. The old man picked up a piece and set it down with a satisfying click.
The monocled eccentric narrowed his eyes slightly as he turned his gaze back to the board. He merely gave Maomao a wave of his hand, keeping his focus on the game.
"That's quite the fine move."
Suzume struck a dignified pose, looking sharp.
"I haven't the faintest clue what that means, but do you get it, sis?"
Li Bai laughed heartily, like the jovial fellow he was.
"Something about the atmosphere, I guess."
Suzume was merely saying whatever she felt like saying without understanding the meaning at all. Same old Suzume.
"Come now, Maomao, let's have some tea."
"Otherwise, Suzume won't be able to eat her dim sum."
Even in the sweltering Western Capital, it was pleasant enough with good airflow.
Perhaps it was because there was no humidity.
(But they really are wealthy, huh.)
Being a prominent merchant family, even the carpet was splendid.
Its smooth texture was like silk, with fine patterns woven into the surface and embroidery on top.
(It's all going to get crumbs on it anyway.)
The eccentric strategist was eating steamed buns while playing shogi.
Maomao wondered whether they were plain or filled, and if filled, whether the filling was sweet or savory.
The one restocking the strategist's snacks was a long-suffering aide.
As always, Maomao didn't know his name, and even if she'd heard it, she'd have forgotten.
"Ahaha, that looks like hard work, Onso-san."
Li Bai treated it as someone else's problem. They seemed to be on familiar terms as fellow military officers.
The man called Onso, upon noticing Maomao, had a nearby servant prepare a meal for her.
"I'm terribly sorry, especially since you've come all this way."
Whether from practice or not, Onso bowed his head at a perfect angle.
(Now that's some good talent.)
His way of apologizing was exactly what a shrewd madam would want to get her hands on.
He wasn't exactly young, but humble without looking incompetent—the sort you'd put to use when an inexperienced courtesan angered a customer.
Of course, if it were a genuine complaint, the men would throw the person out of the shop without a second thought.
(If you're thinking of switching jobs, I could put in a word for you)
The person stuck handling apologies at the pleasure quarter usually ends up with stomach problems, but it has to be better than serving that eccentric strategist.
Jinshi still hadn't shown up at the tea party. Or perhaps he wasn't coming at all.
(If too many people gather here, it'll probably stoke more jealousy)
If he wasn't coming, then he wasn't coming—Maomao and the others would just have to gather information themselves.
Either way, there didn't seem to be anything they could do until the shogi game was over, so she decided to eat.
"Maomao, these baked sweets are really something!"
"You've already started eating, I see. Suzume."
"It's a taste test."
"I can do it myself."
It really felt more like a banquet than a tea party. Dishes kept being carried in. Sadly, there wasn't a drop of alcohol anywhere.
As she nibbled on steamed buns, Onso came by again.
"If you'd like, please take this."
"What might that be?"
What Onso brought was a book. It was made from sheepskin parchment, and its contents were a collection of short stories. She would have preferred an herbal reference or a medical text, but the taste wasn't bad.
"If you need any other books, I can bring them. Or perhaps board games or
card games
would be more to your liking?"
His oddly solicitous behavior struck Maomao as peculiar.
"There's really no need to go to any trouble."
"No, it's just that..."
Onso was being strangely tongue-tied.
"
Lord Rakkan
and...
Lord Lin
had
begun
making his moves about an hour ago —"
"But?"
"I estimate it will take the two of you at least
two hours
to finish."
"
Two hours
......"
"Also, Miss Moon came shortly before Maomao and already left. She has quite a bit of work, so the plan is to call her once things are wrapped up."
Jinshi had no time to spare. That much was understandable — but then why couldn't Maomao go home either? She had her own matters to attend to, what with tending to herbs, grinding medicines, and drinking tea with the quack doctor.
"May I go home now? Just call me when it's time."
She held out a plate of fruit and steamed buns to take with her. The quack doctor would be delighted.
"No. If you leave now, Lord Rakkan will lose his concentration. He'll start making bizarre moves, and Lord Lin will grow tired and doze off."
(Good grief, what a hassle.)
She worried that an eighty-year-old man playing shogi for two hours straight might simply collapse on the spot.
(And now I can't leave, for an entirely different reason.)
Maomao decided to keep watch and make sure the old man didn't keel over.