Yang After discussing what to do about the shy physician among them, Jinshi would bestow something upon him — that was the resolution.
"Well, as long as it's just something to wear!"
In fact, he thought that wearing it might attract even more fawning attention — but was Yang aware of that?
(Whether it be a belt, a jade ring, or whatever, just take it and be done with it.)
Incidentally, Li the physician was also going to receive a gift, but he was extremely reluctant about it. When told after work, he had tried to decline.
"Th-there's no need for something like that for me!"
"Hey, hey, you're not trying to make me the only one doing this, are you?"
Physician Yang pestered Physician Li. Physician Li looked at his superior with an exasperated expression.
"Just the two of you?"
Ten'yū chimed in.
"If Physician Li won't accept it, I'll take it. We share the same surname — 'Li,' after all."
Physician Li and Ten'yū shared the same surname, so they were stuck using given names to distinguish themselves. Incidentally, Maomao had no idea what Physician Li's given name was. For that matter, there was also a Li Bai, so there were three people surnamed Li present.
"I'm not giving it to you!"
Physician Li snapped in anger. Having difficult people both above and below you in the hierarchy was probably exhausting.
"Well then, it's gotten late, so shall we head home?"
Suzume She gathers the luggage. Competent as ever, she makes sure to tidy up properly. She's still cleaning the room now.
"Excuse me—what's in this cloth bundle?"
Suzume asks. It was something Tenyu had brought back during the day.
"Oh, that thing."
Tenyu tries to grab the cloth bundle from Suzume, but drops it instead.
"……"
Everyone falls silent. Fortunately, Basen and the other guards had gone to the latrine and were away from their posts.
"Hey, missy."
Rihaku looks at Tenyu with a grave expression.
"Should we restrain her?"
"No, let's just check it first."
Maomao looks at the fallen bundle once more. Inside was a human arm. Just the arm—a severed limb from a human body lying on the floor. It was grotesque beyond measure, yet the only people present were the court physicians, along with Maomao, Rihaku, and Suzume.
"What happened to this arm?"
"Ah, well—the cross-section is too damaged to reattach."
Tenyu picks up the arm and thrusts the severed end forward. Indeed, it was crushed and mangled—there was no way it would attach even if they tried.
"The owner said she didn't need it, so I took it back."
"Took it back, she says."
It had been torn from her own body. When she says "take it back," Maomao assumes that means to bury it properly—but— "The consort too, along with the rest of the—"
Tenyu started to say, but Doctor Li snatched up the severed arm and smacked Tenyu on the head with a fist.
(Ooh, that's a solid hit) "Ow! I was just trying to study—"
"Quiet! This is getting a proper burial! And for the love of—don't just leave it lying around! It'll start to stink!"
"Ah..."
Ten'yu gazed after Official Li's retreating back, looking reluctant to see him go.
(Official Li, you've gotten stronger.)
A person who seems overly serious — when pushed to the limit, they look like they'd snap but somehow manage to adapt perfectly. No, if they already had that potential from the start, Liu— and Official Liu had the eye to spot it and select them, that's truly impressive.
As for Ten'yu, there were frightening aspects to him under these circumstances, but perhaps his unshakable composure was worth praising. Also, he absolutely must not be given any bestowed gifts.
Official Yang watched Li Bai and Sparrow with a beaming smile.
"Let's pretend that just didn't happen."
"Yes, Sparrow won't breathe a word about it."
"Understood."
What the medical officials had been doing was autopsies — a forbidden act, and a secret. These two would be able to read the room.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Ma Shan, who had returned from the privy, looked at the sulking Ten'yu.
"It's nothing."
Maomao replied with a perfectly innocent expression.
The condolence visit appeared to have gone off without a hitch, but a journey isn't over until you're safely home.
The moment Maomao stepped out of the clinic, it happened.
"Miss!"
Suddenly Li Bai grabbed Maomao and pulled her backward.
A rotten fruit had splattered on the ground. It appeared to have been thrown right at Maomao.
"You're the ones who brought the bugs! This is all your fault!"
It was a child's voice. Maomao looked around, unable to tell where it was coming from.
"Maomao."
Sparrow was standing behind her.
"I remember their faces. I could have them arrested right now, but what would you like me to do?"
Sparrow had asked Maomao because Maomao had been the one pelted with fruit.
(Well, at least it was me.)
They had probably aimed for whoever looked the slowest, but it was a relief that it hadn't been Ma San.
"It didn't hit me, so there's no need to arrest them, Lady Sparrow."
"Understood."
That was probably the easiest outcome for Sparrow, too. What good would come from arresting the children here in a fit of frustration? Once arrested, punishment would be mandatory. A light spanking on the rear would be the best-case scenario, but on the charge of committing violence against a lady-in-waiting serving as the imperial brother's proxy, they would need at least a hundred strokes at minimum.
Maomao felt grim about it, and Sparrow probably felt the same.
(Sparrow would probably do it if told to, though.)
But it was better not to.
(So you guys brought the bugs, huh.)
"The bugs came from the west, though."
"Yes, and we came from the east."
Sparrow played along.
The children's claim that someone had summoned the bugs wasn't about that kind of thing.
For those who believed in omens and curses, it came down to this: people who had no business being in the western capital had arrived, and a locust plague happened to occur. The visitors were to blame.
Honestly, Maomao wanted to explain and talk her way out of it, but they probably wouldn't understand. They likely wouldn't even try to.
"This is a terrible mood."
Maomao cast a sidelong glance at the rotten fruit and headed for the carriage.