Volume 3, Chapter 21: Ghost Story First Part (1/2)

A couple of days after coming back from falconry, the new maids that had been mentioned before had arrived. There were three new people in the Jade Palace. With the exception of Maomao, they were acquaintances.

(Hmhm.)

Maomao looked at the three maids with her eyes squinted. And she thought right away.

(I cant match their names with their faces.)

From the start, Maomaos memory is only good for things she is interested in. And so, it would be difficult for her to speak to the newly entered maids for a while. Well, Maomao originally didnt speak that much, Ill just gradually learn it, so she went to clean up.

The problem before all that-.

Maomao. Properly return to your room.

Both hands on her waist, it was Infa who declared it.

You told me that my room is here.

Maomao said, trying to cling to the storage shed that was in the garden of the Jade Palace. The compounding tools and lots of dried medicinal herbs were placed inside there. Even though she had finally brought them all here from her room. What am I to do with the bracket fungus and ten thousand year mushroom I gathered a few days ago after this? She thought.

Thats obviously a joke! And yet you took it as truth.

Dont set a bad example for the new maids, she scolded.

No problem. I want to just use this as it is.

I told you that you cant! Come on, arent the new maids looking at you with weird eyes!

And this way, Maomao who was clinging to the pillar of the shed and Infa who was dragging her created a strange spectacle. If two court ladies did such a thing, the head maid Honnyan wouldnt be silent, and the two received friendly fists together.

In the end, Maomao had to return to her former room. However, Honnyan, who had seen the large volume of compounding tools and the many medicinal herbs, had seemingly reported it to the master, Consort Gyokuyou, out of duty. The consort, who liked amusements, while laughing pleasantly, had allowed her to use the shed however she liked.

She was told that she must to use her room for sleep, but everything else, in particular, was as she pleased.

What a nice boss, Maomao thought, and as expected, Infa looked dissatisfied. She looked at Maomao who started to work cheerily in the storage shed. The tea parties were also over; there were no jobs until dinner time. Since three new maids had entered, the work in the Jade Palace had noticeably decreased.

(This is not good.)

Infas proposal was meddlesome for Maomao, but she was thinking about Maomao. So she could quickly get used to the new court ladies, she probably said that. Today when they were having snacks, she recklessly tried to insert Maomao to talk with the new maids. Infa was a considerate girl like this.

Maomao placed down the bracket fungus she was holding onto, and stealthily looked at Infa from the storage shed.

My apologies. Ive just been doing as I pleased.

Its fine.

As Infa said that, her lips were pouted.

Maomao, while hiding with half her body behind the wall, peeked at Infa.

Its fine.

Infa said, holding between the wall and faced Maomao.

And then.

Ill have you accompany me for a bit today.

She firmly grabbed Maomaos wrist, and an evil smile appeared on her face.

(Oh no.)

Just now, the ones free tonight is just Maomao and me! Just as well

She shook Maomaos hand she was holding onto with a truly playful tone.

(Ive been done.)

As Maomao sighed deeply, she looked at the calculative maid.

That night, the place she was led to was an old building located on the south side of the inner palace. She was worried about whether Honnyan would allow them to go outside at night, but unexpectantly, the head maid readily passed down her permission.

Occasionally, you should participate in something like this.

(What is this something?)

Just what could this be? Maomao thought as she followed.

They walked relying on small lantern lights. The lukewarm wind was gross, the sounds of insects by her ears were noisy, but she couldnt complain.

Here, Maomao. Wear this.

Infa said. The thing she held out to Maomao before the entrance was a thin cloth.

Isnt it hot?

Its fine. Itll get cold. Come on.

While tilting her head, Maomao did as she was told.

Infa knocked on the entrance, and a court lady appeared from the inside.

Welcome. Two participants, right?

Yes, please take care of us.

Best regards.

Maomao followed Infa, also lowering her head. The court lady who greeted them, passed over small candles to the two of them while smiling. She told them to put out the lantern in turn.

The inside of the building looked just as old as the outside. More than saying that it got old from the passing of the long months and years, she felt it got suddenly damaged by the lack of residence. The barest minimum of cleaning was done, but the fittings were bad at places, and the floor creaked.

This place was used during the era of the previous emperor.

I see now, Maomao thought. The current inner palace seemed like a large family, but the previous era had way more court ladies. The women had been gathered from all over the country to bear the emperors children and were imprisoned here.

In the present times where the court ladies had decreased, the places that are no longer used are sometimes utilised like this. And, speaking of what it is used for-.