Volume 3, Chapter 15: Shin Latter Part (2/2)

Consort Rifa had feelings towards Shin. However, what about Shin? The woman was biting her lips, facing Consort Rifa was a look of hatred.

what eyes from above are you speaking as?

A voice of scorn leaked out from the lips of the head maid.

That part of you, I hated from a long time ago. I was better at studying than you. Even on a whole lot of other things, I surpassed you, and yet why was everyone around us-

(The size of the chest though.)

Maomao was ashamed of herself for thinking that. Even though Shin was pretty big herself.

Because you were the clan heads daughter? I was lower than you? Theres no way. It was I who was raised to become the empress dowager since forever.

Shin bared her wolf-like fangs. Maomao thought it wouldnt be strange if she sprang upon the consort at any time now, and promptly headed to the front of Consort Rifa, but Gaoshun and Jinshi had already entered the space.

Can I take that as a confession?

In response to Jinshis question, Shin picked up the bottle of perfume oil on the table and threw it towards Consort Rifa. Gaoshun swept his hand, the small bottle smashed onto the floor.

You should wither in the flower garden as a barren woman.

Gaoshun grabbed the hands of Shin who sounded like she was laying down a curse and pinned her back.

Unhand me, you likes of a eunuch! Such filth!

Shin struggled but she couldnt win against a man though he was a eunuch. Filthy language steadily rushed out from her noble lips.

(It exists huh, these type of people.)

Maomao stood in front of Shin, who took a breather after finishing her spiel, and smirked.

What the hell do you want!

No, its nothing. It just seems like that Shin-sama yearns for the emperor very much.

No shit! What are you spewing!

No, I can surely see that you love the position of the empress dowager. Unlike Consort Rifa.

Maomao once again smiled with her teeth. Shins mouth gaped open in shock.

What Consort Rifa had, that Shin did not. That much was clear.

Shin, so you thought this way.

Consort Rifa said, in a dignified poise despite her trembling eyes. And then, she stood before Shin, raised her hand high overhead, and slapped Shins cheeks.

(Oh my, shes that angry.)

Maomao thought in such a way, and Consort Rifa then said something outside her expectation.

Jinshi-dono, Im dismissing this head maid. She spat out abusive words towards her master. To the point of me raising my hand.

Jinshi gaped his mouth in surprise.

Consort, that is.

A palm isnt enough, is it.

Consort Rifa seized the collar of Shin, who was distracted from her cheeks being slapped, and used a fist this time.

Jinshi and Gaoshun went to stop her in a panic. Only Maomao involuntarily burst out laughing.

(Good work.)

Consort Rifa wasnt the same consort from long ago. She wasnt the fickle woman who held onto her own wasted thread of life.

I dismiss this one. And also, hereafter with no exception, I want to ban her from entering the inner palace.

Consort Rifa declared with dignity. Shin was distracted from being beaten up.

This woman should know how kind she was. She shouldnt resent her in return.

(No, it doesnt matter either way.)

It didnt matter how noble a lineage she had, a woman who was expelled from the inner palace due to a scandal had no way of giving retribution to a consort. Maomao thought that was still a generous measure, but this kind of treatment for a prideful woman, being how humiliated she would be, she considered just that.

Shin was lead out of the room by Gaoshun just like that.

There were observers gathered outside the room, wondering whats going on, but when Maomao glared at them, they scattered like spiderlings.

(Will it be fine, this palace?)

Maomao though that, and then saw large fingers before her eyes. Maomao unconsciously retreated half a step.

What are you doing? All of a sudden.

The owner of the fingers was Jinshi.

the wound, treat it.

Jinshi made a sulky expression and held out a towel to Maomao. Maomao finally recalled that her cheek had been scratched.

(The wound isnt that serious.)

The towel that Jinshi handed to her was a first-class item that was imbued with incense.

Maomao squinted. It was wasteful to get blood on it. So she wiped her face with her own towel she had put in her bosom. Normally, she should give it back, but since Jinshi was stingy, it was fine for her to think that he gave it to her. Who can I sell this to later, Maomao wondered.

(For now, has it been resolved?)

Though Maomao thought that, she looked by the window of the room. The consort with a beauty that was like a large rose was gazing out the window.

It goes without saying who was there.

Can I ask one thing?

What is it?

Jinshi said as he walked along the corridor of the Crystal Palace. The direction of his gaze was the storage room where the maidservant was locked up in.

You knew where the sick person was immediately since you were at the Crystal Palace many times. It wouldnt be strange, with you having visited many times, and yet you came here specifically in a disguise.

Thats right. Donning that outfit was also a consideration to stand out so she could break Maomaos face at the Crystal Palace. She would be basked in attention either way as the court lady who was following the medical officer, but she would be judged more with her own face.

The maidservants of the Crystal Palace were tight-lipped. She understood that the higher maids probably forbid them to speak.

I found it immediately.

Maomao had already decided on the kind of place. She figured it was a place that was slightly distanced from the maidservants sleeping quarters, otherwise, it would be in an inconspicuous place. She gave consideration from the time she was there, unwell maidservants changed their beds to not pass the disease. That exclusive place was also inside the court.

(To think it was the storage shed.)

She had a strange feeling from the smell that was emanating from Shin, but she didnt think it would be something like that. It was by chance that she found that.

Its that.

Maomao pointed towards where the flowers were growing. They were white-powder flowers[note], Mirabilis Jalapa. Four o clock flower is one of its names in English. In Japanese, it is called the face-powder/white-powder flower because of the white powder that is found in its black coloured berries that can be used as face powder.[/note]. As if it was transplanted not too long ago, the colour of the soil there was different. For a gardeners job, it was poorly positioned. It was right next to the storage shed.

It had black coloured berries, and inside of those were a white powder that becomes face powder.

Why those?

It seems that in Fengshui, green things are good for health. I had heard that it is good to put it together with white.

The blooming flowers were all white. Though the name was white-powder flower, the flowers were mostly red. She noticed that white flowers were specifically chosen from the stock and transplanted. Certainly, it wasnt in the Crystal Palace in the beginning. It must be blooming somewhere in the inner palace.

She didnt know who transplanted them. Just that, they did that with the sick person in mind. There are people like that. Considering that, Maomao felt somehow relieved.

(At any rate, white-powder flower is-)

Maomao thought it was ironic when she considered the things that were found with the sick person.

She sighed tremendously, but she noticed someones gaze then.

Suddenly, when she looked back, there was someone looking this way with their body half-hidden behind the pillar.

What?

Jinshi looked at Maomao who had halted. The person who was hiding behind a pillar was slowly swaying and making a face like she was affected by someone.

Jinshi-sama, please go on ahead.

Why?

You are a hindrance.

Maomao said starkly, and Jinshi made a somehow sullen expression. For that, Gaoshun, who had returned, will talk to him for her in a way that will pacify even a cow. It truly is nice to be able to read the atmosphere, Maomao put her hands together in thanks to Gaoshun.

What is it?

Maomao looked at the girl who was hidden behind the pillar. She looked older than Maomao, but she was somehow cowering. Whether that, was in response to Maomao, or she did that to other people as well, she didnt know.

Ah, um. About the person who was over there.

There were fresh white flowers in the girls hand. Green and white, distinct colours. She spoke clumsily and she cowered, but her nature wasnt bad.

No longer here. She will be leaving the inner palace, but she can get treatment in an environment that is better than here.

so shes leaving.

The maidservant covered her face, but on the hand, it would seem that she was relieved.

The girl rubbed her face like she was hiding her moist eyes. She bowed her head at Maomao and returned to her work post.

Small white flower petals fell in the wake of the girls leaving.