Volume 2, Chapter 4: Boredom (1/2)

(There really isnt much in winter.)

Maomao was sitting cross-legged in her room, groaning with her arms crossed. The plants she gathered in the morning during her work intervals were a paltry amount, still not enough for her to compound.  There was nothing she could do about it, so she washed them, and hung them off to dry on the walls of her room.

Since she did this sort of thing every day since coming to the Imperial Court, Maomaos room has turned into quite a questionable place. She thought it was an exceptional room for one provided for live-in maidservants, but cramped was still cramped. It was around the same size as the room that was provided to her in the Inner Palace. Even so, the current room was cumbersome as, at the Jade Palace, she could use the kitchen if she got permission and she could compound at once since ingredients were abundant there.

(Well then, what should I do?)

Maomao was used to it, but it seemed like this room reeked quite a bit. It was like the saying Good medicine tastes bitter, there were a lot of medicinal herbs with strong bitterness and stench. Although the rooms beside Maomaos were currently unoccupied, seeing how the maidservants blatantly quicken their steps when they pass by, it seemed to be the case. Theyll eventually complain about it, Maomao understood with her experience she had so far.

(I wonder if theres a somewhat good place thats unoccupied.)

Like this, she cant compound comfortably. The beautiful fungus she specially received would spoil. Maomao gazed at the paulownia box she placed with great importance on top of her luggage. Sealed with a silk cord, it was a herb that grew from a bug as a source. Maomao, seeing that, felt herself inadvertently break into a wide smile. Her face ended up cramping from the eerie grinning.

(Not good not good.)

The other day, she ended up raising her voice like this, and her door was kicked in protest by the people who lived two rooms down. Dont make a strange sound in the middle of the night, I cant sleep, that sort of thing. Maomao eased her slackened cheeks with her fingers and went to lie down on the bed. A maidservants job was early in the morning. She had to wake before the rooster crowed. The person she served was the beautiful noble one, although he lost his important thing. She must not hurt his good mood.

Maomao heaped several layers of clothes as a thin cover on top of her, and closed her eyes.

Is your current room cramped?

The beautiful eunuch said as he ate his morning porridge. Maomao blinked once at Jinshis words.

The room you provided me is good enough for a maidservants hospitality.

What she really meant but didnt say was Indeed, its cramped. If its possible, I want to move into a room adjacent to a well that has a kitchen range. Even Maomao knew that much.

Really?

.

The eunuch, who still wasnt fully awake, was enjoying his breakfast, clothes slightly dishevelled.  His messy hair that was bundled up simply was unnecessarily seductive. Maomao knew very well why there was only, aside from herself, Gaoshun, and another person, a middle-aged court lady, in this eunuchs room. If it were women, they would rush in, affected by his seductiveness and get infatuated. If it were men, they would ignore and push down the gender barrier.  He really has a sinful nature.

(Hes kinda like a bug in mating season.)

There are female bugs that release a mysterious scent to attract males. Tens, hundreds of males are lured and gather in response to a single female. Maomao has also caught some using that nature to gather bugs that can be medicinal ingredients. If she thought of it that way, he might have a very interesting nature.

(If I can collect that scent and make it into a perfume, I might be able to sell that.)

In that manner, she ended up looking at the raw materials for a love potion, uh, Jinshi. It was a bad habit that her consciousness will jump to the other side when she thought of other things. Because of that, there were many times where she often lost track of the conversation around her.  Even though she wasnt listening; it was like only her head was listening, nodding along, which was all the more puzzling.

I can prepare a new room if you would like.

(Hah?)

Jinshi, who looked somehow satisfied, asked the middle-aged court lady, Suiren[note], Shui Lian[/note], for seconds of the porridge. Suiren, with a calm expression, dished out a new bowl of porridge, added vinegar, and passed it over.

I dont know whats happening, but hes preparing a better room for me? Maomao accepted, and met eyes with Gaoshun who was clutching his head. The world-wise person, who constantly looked tired, looked like he wanted to say something to Maomao, but she only wrinkled her brows.

(I wont understand what you want to say unless you tell me clearly.)

Maomao thought that, but said nothing, seeing as she had a lot of times where she didnt say enough too.

Its a godsend that you came here. Frankly, my knees are hurting in winter. My age is wearing on me.

Suiren was smiling cheerfully as she spoke to Maomao. Certainly, it is excessive overwork for one court lady to work in Jinshis large building. Moreover, itll wear out various parts of the body for someone whos past her fifties. For human lifespan, if there are people who live for a hundred years, there are those who die as soon as they are born. The typical thinking is that living fifty years is good enough.

There were many times a new child has come in. Well, they cant continue for various reasons though. For that, it should be fine if its Shaomao.