Maomao
was being
led by Suzume
to
Jinshi's
palace — or so she thought.
The place the carriage arrived at was a warehouse near Jinshi's palace.
In the glow of the fires stood Jinshi and
Maoshan,
as well as
Mamei. There were also familiar-looking guards present, but as usual, she couldn't remember their names, so she'd spare the reader the trouble.
"Sorry to bother you so late!"
The warehouse was surprisingly warm. Lights had been lit and several braziers placed about. However, concerned about ventilation, Maomao quietly checked that there were gaps in the windows and doorway.
"Sorry for calling you out so suddenly."
Jinshi sat in a makeshift chair, gazing at the suspicious jar. Though this wasn't the palace, it was clear those around him had made an effort to keep the space as comfortable as possible. A small, room-like area had been set up inside the warehouse.
"Sorry to rush you, but could you take a look at this?"
He kept glancing over at Maomao, but then shook his head lightly as if to say now wasn't the time.
"That's a pretty nasty jar."
"Don't call it dirty and then try to touch it."
Jinshi swatted Maomao's hand away.
"I can't tell what's inside without touching it."
"Isn't that the sort of thing you leave to someone else?"
It was a jar small enough to fit in both palms. It was sealed tightly, with paper talismans pasted in layers over the lid. The talismans bore written curses, making it look like a cursed jar straight out of a storybook.
Bringing cursed objects into the palace was—
Water Lily
They probably wouldn't have permitted it. That's why they're doing it in a warehouse like this.
"What's inside?"
"Haven't checked yet. Seems to contain some sort of liquid. Probably not insect venom or anything of the like."
"Well, you wouldn't want to leave something so long it turns to liquid."
Maomao had once neglected a snake she'd been keeping. By the time she got back to it, the thing had turned into jerky.
"Could it be blood or something of that sort?"
"You certainly have a knack for saying things nobody wants to picture."
Sparrow made a show of being frightened.
"So this was found in a high-ranking official's home."
"Yes."
"And it was brought to Lord Jinshi."
"Yes."
Maomao let out a long breath.
Bringing a cursed jar to the imperial brother—never mind that Jinshi was also a eunuch. It would take extraordinary nerve to attempt something like that. In any normal circumstance, it should be considered an act of treason.
(There was one person who came to mind as capable of this.)
But it probably wasn't that person. The first one Maomao had thought of was the eccentric strategist. If it were to harass Jinshi, they'd surely come up with something far more creative. And if someone had done something harmful, the eccentric strategist would handle it personally—they wouldn't bother borrowing Jinshi's hand.
(Which means—)
She considered by process of elimination.
"Could this be... someone connected to the Grand Empress Dowager's family?"
She hesitated whether she should voice it, but it was too late now. Instead of answering, Jinshi let out a deep sigh.
Besides, Ma San's reaction had been so obviously shaken that it was practically a confirmation.
"Apparently, it was buried under the eaves. A cat they kept found it."
"What a clever cat."
Maomao pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wrapped it around her right hand.
"What are you going to do?"
"If you're telling me to investigate, I can't do anything as things stand. Would it be all right if I at least touched it for now?"
"But—"
Jinshi looked like he wanted to object. Suzume watched with amusement, while Asami offered a handkerchief to Bashin.
"I'll do it."
Bashin wrapped the handkerchief around his hand and spoke.
"I don't have a weak body that would fall to some curse or another."
"Well, no, but—"
Both Jinshi and Maomao wore uneasy expressions. What was the word for moments like these? It seemed as though little flags were fluttering everywhere.
"If Bashin is going to do it, I'll do it myself."
"No, Maomao. Surely even my hopeless little brother can manage something like this—"
Before Asami could finish speaking, a sharp crack rang out.
In Bashin's hand was a broken jug. His expression was awkwardly stiff.
"Through the handkerchief, I couldn't gauge the pressure right…"
"This hopeless little brother of mine!"
Asami's composed face twisted into a demon's mask, and her fist shot toward Bashin's chin. The other guards weighed whether they should intervene.
"Bashin shouldn't handle breakable things, I see."
"Yeah. I knew that. I knew it."
Jinshi held his head in his hands.
Maomao crouched down to examine the broken jug and the spilled liquid.
"Maomao, can you see?"
Suzume held the light closer to make it easier.
"Yes, that helps."
The contents were a dark liquid. It had a peculiar smell. It didn't appear to be blood.
"…"
"Hey!"
Jinshi stopped Maomao from sticking her finger into the liquid.
"What if you get cursed?"
"I won't get cursed. It's just more troublesome than a curse."
Maomao sniffed the liquid clinging to her fingertip. It smelled like brown tea.
"Just as I thought — poison. Specifically, it was a toxin still in the process of aging."
It was strongly brewed tea.