Volume 3, Chapter 17: Shisui (1/2)

The person leaning over was looking at Maomao with a blank expression. The face shes making somehow reminds me of a squirrel, Maomao thought.

Ill be happy if you could move aside.

Maomao said, but the girl didnt budge. Her hands, placed right on top of Maomaos head, didnt move. She was making a somewhat awkward expression.

Maomao could pretty much guess what happened.

Ill be happy if you move aside quickly. I dont want to have the insect stuck on my head.

The moment the girl sprang upon her, she heard a crunch. What she guessed, was that something got smashed.

The girl, making a bitter smile, slowly moved off Maomao.

It felt good when she poured cold well water over her head. It felt good, but it didnt get rid of the gross feeling.

The girl held out a towel to the soaked Maomao. Maomao took it with thanks and dried herself.

The insect cage that was hanging from the girls sash had several burnt-coloured bugs inside. Their wings trembled and they made a bell-like sound.

Were you trying to catch those insects?

Yeah.

With some awkwardness, the girl faced Maomao with her eyes sparkling. It seems this was because Maomao was talking about insects.

What should I do if thats the case? Maomao thought. The girl took Maomaos hand and dragged her over to the other side of the well. They were under the shade of the trees, and there was a wooden box in a place where it was easy to sit. Sit here, the girl tapped the wooden box.

(.)

She had a very unpleasant premonition. And she was pretty much on the mark.

So you see, this insect lives in the island country of the east. It makes a sound when it flutters its wings.

The girl spoke, gazing at the insect cage.

It is likely, that these guys were escapees from among the trade goods. I think, they only inhabit here, in this country.

It seems so, Maomao sluggishly made an agreeable response.

Its colours are somewhat similar to cockroaches, but its alright since its a different creature.

I shouldnt have asked, Maomao thought. She scrubbed her head with the towel once again.

And just like so, the girl who spoke without a lisp, slowly talked about the insects for a quarter-dual-hours(30min). Maomao tried to cut in every now and then to break it up, and each time, her sleeves were tugged and she was stopped. She had no choice but to listen.

She understood that the girl was focused on talking about her own interests, but she wanted to tell her that it was troublesome to listen.

(If its medicine, that would still be fine though.)

That saying, Maomao remembered.

Hey, you know much about medicines?

She decided to force a topic change. She was pretty sure this girl turned up at the medical office to pick up medicine. If the quack doctor was telling the truth, she should be able to compound.

Eh, medicine? I suppose so. I can do the simple stuff since my older sister taught me to remember it. Before, I got medicine from the old man here, but it was terrible. If thats the case, it would be better if I made it myself.

What an awful way of putting the quack doctor. Well, it cant be helped. It was true.

Your older sister taught you?

Im kinda interested in that, Maomao thought. It wasnt absent, but female pharmacists were few. She was super interested.

Yeah, when I was young. I only know the simple medicines though.

Is she in the inner palace?

Not the inner palace, shes being a court lady in the imperial court.

Thats unfortunate, Maomao thought.

With the conversation paused, Maomao could finally stand up.

I have work to do.

Ehh, lets talk a bit more.

, Ill consider if its something other than insects.

No, caterpillar grass might work though.

When she tried to return the wet towel as it is, the girl smiled in delight.

Im, called Shisui[note], Zi Cui in Chinese.[/note].

Maomao.

Maomao, after just saying that, decided to return to the Jade Palace.

Shisui waved her hands widely, See you.

She thought she wasnt a bad child, she thought but.

Maomao touched her head. There was still the feeling of that crunch.

When she returned to the Jade Palace, the regular eunuch was in the middle of visiting. The eunuchs who followed Jinshi were waiting outside the palace. As it was Jinshi and Gaoshun who entered the palace, the eunuchs aside from them had to wait outside.

(Its tough in the middle of the heat.)

The eunuchs fanned themselves as it was hot. She saw the water laid out on the outside table; someone must have given it out. This season, if you neglect hydration, you could faint. Good call, Maomao thought.

Maomao.

As soon as she returned, Guien called out to Maomao.

Gyokuyou-sama is calling.

Maomao hurried over to the guest room where Consort Gyokuyou was.

She could imagine the gist of what was up at this sort of time.

As she thought, sitting comfortably on the couch, was the waiting eunuch.

Maomao briefly greeted him with a nod and went to stand in front of Consort Gyokuyou.