The military factions were broadly divided into three groups, or so she'd heard.
The first was the military's
pinnacle—
Grand General Lu. He had originally been a bodyguard for the Empress Dowager before being selected for promotion and rising through the ranks.
This faction was commonly referred to as the Empress Dowager faction.
The second was a group rallying behind a recently emerged figure named
Yuán.
Yuán was a civil official, but those from the provinces who had been shut out of advancement had gathered around him.
The faction's leader wasn't clearly defined, but even among the named, those dissatisfied with their current standing were also said to assemble there. Because of Yuán, this faction was also called the Empress's faction.
The third—would it be misleading to say it was led by the Eccentric Strategist? They claimed neutrality, but no one could tell which way the Eccentric Strategist's loyalties truly lay.
Still, he had a knack for drawing out talented but unfortunate individuals, and among them, those of strong loyalty had naturally gravitated together, one could say.
Asami
told
Maomao
all about this.
"His Majesty bestowed the character 'jade' upon the Empress's clan. In contrast, Grand Commandant Lu has been elevated to Grand General."
"Is there some meaning behind that?"
He had originally been the highest-ranking person in the military, after all.
"Even if it means pulling out an old, unused title, they had to elevate him to maintain appearances. The Grand General isn't a named, and there likely won't be any new named appointed for some time after the 'jade' characters were bestowed."
Even someone as exalted as the Emperor still had to tread carefully around his vassals, apparently.
"One question. Is Vice Minister Lu of the Ministry of Rites a relative or something?"
"I believe they're too distantly connected to call it a family relationship. Something like a cousin's cousin."
"Practically strangers, then."
It was safe to say there was no connection to Yáo.
"As for why I deliberately bring up such topics..."
Amy narrowed her raptor-like eyes.
"My, you certainly do insist on bringing up one exhausting topic after another."
"Because these are matters you need to know. At the meeting, the people you interacted with, Maomao, were Ou, Tatsu, and Uma — all long-standing members among those with given names. If anything, they could be called the Empress Dowager's faction. In contrast, the families that don't bear the characters of the Twelve Branches are the newcomers. Most are younger families compared to the 'Ra' clan."
Amy glanced quietly toward the carriage window. The clatter of wheels echoed outside.
"Recently, it seems those hot-blooded types have been making a fuss. Your department often deals with injuries from such incidents, so do be careful."
"Understood."
(You could've told me sooner.)
Maomao gazed outside as she thought this.
When they arrived at Jinshi's residence, as Amy had predicted,
Momoyo
was there.
Momoyo bowed politely to Maomao.
"How was the meeting?"
She fixed her daughter with a sharp expression as she asked.
"Without incident."
Though they were mother and daughter, the air between them clearly said this was a work matter.
"Then leave the rest to me and go home to report."
"Understood."
Amy promptly withdrew from the room.
"Maomao. His Lordship is waiting for you, so please go right in."
Jinshi's room, as always, had a pleasant fragrance. The coolness of the air was probably due to blocks of ice placed in the corners of the room.
(Luxurious.)
As Maomao thought this, Jinshi beckoned to her.
"Sit down."
「Understood.」
Maomao took a seat.
"Please."
Suien
appeared and set down a glass tea bowl before Maomao. Cold tea had been poured inside.
"Thank you."
For an instant, Maomao wondered how she should act toward Suien, but decided to simply behave as she normally did. It was best not to overthink complicated personal relationships.
From the way Asami had spoken about it without any particular concern, it was clear she had not been hiding anything. She simply had not explained because Maomao had never asked.
"I found out about that jade tablet you asked me to look into before."
"Whose was it?"
Maomao swallowed hard.
"The real name was not recorded. However, it is believed to have belonged to an imperial family member known as '"
Kato
"'—that is what they called him."
"Kato..."
It was a name Maomao had heard before.
"So it seems it is a famous name among the court physicians."
"It is the name of a legendary healer."
"Yes. But among the imperial family, the name carries another meaning as well. I hear there was once a former member of the imperial family who committed a taboo and was executed."
"What taboo?"
"The man was imperial royalty, but he was also a court physician. His skill was so extraordinary that he came to be called by the legendary healer's name. Always seeking new techniques, he went so far as to perform an autopsy on the prince the Emperor cherished most at the time."
Maomao swallowed with a gulp.
"Even among the imperial family, that was unforgivable, and his name was struck from all records."
"So the tablet belonged to that person?"
"That is correct."
Maomao squeezed her eyes shut.
The reasons for shaving down the jade tablet were more than sufficient. Autopsies were carried out in secret by the medical officers. And the fact that this was done only to criminals was because it was believed that damaging the corpse would prevent the soul from being reborn.
(Once you're dead, you're just meat.)
The emperor of that era could hardly have been so dispassionate as to think of it that way.
"The fact that this person's jade tablet is here means that Kata gave it to someone while he was still alive."
"...That would seem to be the case."
"The person he would do that for would be—"
"A woman carrying his child, no doubt."
Maomao scratched her head.
Truly and sincerely,
she had never expected
that Nü Hua was of imperial blood.
"Maomao."
"Yes."
"Kata was of imperial blood from several generations back. His Majesty would hardly want to punish his descendant now."
"That is what I believe."
"However, the fact that someone is trying to obtain the jade tablet is a problem."
Nü Hua had come to Maomao for advice because someone had attempted to steal the jade tablet.
"What good would it do them to get their hands on a tablet that's already been removed from the registry and broken clean in two?"
"A righteous cause can always be manufactured."
"It's not as if this were some stage play."
"Countries have risen and fallen over reasons just as absurd as anything in a play."
Jinshi's eyes were serious.
"There have been cases where the Empress Dowager's lover tried to seize the throne, or a eunuch attempted to found a dynasty."
"Tried to, you say — meaning it ended in chaos, I take it."
"Very rarely, it succeeds."
"History is such an unpleasant thing, isn't it."
Jinshi gazed off into the distance.
"I'll be taking custody of the jade plate — is that all right?"
"If that's the situation, then there's nothing to be done. But would it be acceptable to explain this to the owner of the jade plate?"
It was Nyoka's business tool. Even if she handed it over, an explanation would be necessary.
"That depends on the gender of the other party."
"...She's female."
"It must be kept absolutely secret."
"...I'll let her know."
Nyoka probably regretted ever asking Maomao for this favor. It would mean losing her unique selling point.
"As long as she keeps her word, I'll guarantee her safety."
"Thank you."
Maomao let out a soft breath and picked up the glass teacup. Condensation had formed on its surface, and droplets of water fell in a patter.
First came a bitterness, then a subtle sweetness spread through her mouth. Unlike the semi-fermented tea she usually drank, these leaves had been completely dried.
"Is someone perhaps plotting a rebellion?"
"For now, it's best to nip any such buds in the crown."
"Then perhaps we should be looking for the other half of the plate that might be out there somewhere."
"There are other things to attend to — I can't exactly go searching for it everywhere."
Jinshi picked up a mooncake. Maomao kept glancing at Suiren, wondering if senbei would be served, but none appeared.
"By the way, I heard you attended that gathering of name-bearers. How was it?"
"Please sympathize with the fact that there were some oddballs present."
"...Understood."
"I'm sure all sorts of things happened, but your excellent intelligence officers will surely have their reports for you, Jinshi. I can't very well spill everything from my own lips."
The man born in the Year of the Dragon who had been hitting on Yao, and
Rabann
She could talk about her brother's duel, but she felt she shouldn't speak of the matter involving the Dragon and the Rabbit.
Jinshi looked somewhat forlorn, but Maomao had her own position to maintain.
"How about you, Lord Jinshi? Anything change recently? Your complexion does look a bit better than when you were in the Western Capital."
"I've been pulling fewer all-nighters."
"Because you're not getting stuck with everyone else's work anymore?"
"No, I've gained some capable subordinates."
As he spoke, Jinshi let his gaze drift into the distance.
"Capable, but troublesome subordinates?"
"If I said
a tiger-wolf—
would you know what I mean?"
"Ah."
Maomao nodded in understanding.
"Is it safe keeping someone like that so close?"
"As long as I think of them as a Rabann with a slightly different coat color, I can manage."
"Wow, what a perfectly awful subordinate."
They were good at their job, but they always seemed to be shooting strange glances at their superior.
"As a deputy, they're remarkably competent. Apparently they sometimes have leverage over civil officials in other departments too."
"That really is a Rabann with a different coat color, isn't it."
Rabann would probably deny it if she said so, but it didn't matter to Maomao.
"If we're talking about things on my mind, the jade tablet from earlier is one, but it's also about the military factions."
"It's been a hot topic lately."
"You should keep your wits about you too, Maomao. Over the past year, that eccentric strategist's influence has weakened somewhat."
"I have no intention of hiding behind that old man's influence."
Maomao made a thoroughly disgusted face.
"And then..."
"And then?"
Jinshi slowly extended his hand toward Maomao. He stopped just short of touching her hand—close enough to feel it, but not quite making contact.
"You're not going to touch me?"
"I want to. More than that, I want to grab you, squeeze you tight—"
"You won't, though."
Maomao said this with a taunting lilt. He was a man who, in the past, would touch her however he pleased no matter how many times she told him not.
"Just squeezing won't be enough—I'll bite and lick too."
"That just sent a shiver down my spine."
Maomao narrowed her eyes ever so slightly.
"That's incredibly rude."
Jinshi didn't get angry. He simply looked at her with a jealous expression.
"Then I suppose I'll have to be the rude one."
"Are you heading back already?"
"I think it's best to leave before the sun sets. I do have work tomorrow."
Maomao glanced outside. The sun had not yet gone down.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Maomao finished her tea, then turned her slightly damp fingertips toward Jinshi. She placed her index finger on his wrist and slid it across the back of his hand, up to his middle finger.
"..."
Jinshi wore an expression that defied description, and Maomao felt an inexplicable sense of victory.
"Until next time."
She gave a slow bow and took her leave of Jinshi's palace.