Volume 3, Chapter 27: Bell Cricket (2/2)

But, if Maomao didnt move here, a more wretched thing might occur.

(Bad insects carry calamity.)

She didnt understand what kind of meaning that had. However, it wasnt that she understood even if she stood at a standstill here.

Maomao stared at Honnyan.

Honnyan-sama.

What is it?

Seeing Maomaos expression, Honnyan returned a dubious face. Maomao made a momentary grim face and said what she needed to say.

I have a request. Is it alright if I return to being Jinshi-samas maid?

!?

Honnyan slapped the table. With a clatter, the dish on it momentarily hovered in the air.

What are you talking about all of a sudden!

At the expected response, Maomao gave a small sigh.

Dont you know that from here on is a critical period of Gyokuyou-sama!

Her expectation had a leeway of about another month. However, this was an estimation, there might be the chance of a premature birth.

If the consort gave birth in the inner palace, it was undependable with just the quack doctor. She wouldnt be relieved unless there was a more experienced and capable medical officer around.

However, Maomao replied to Honnyan, expressionlessly.

I am a doctor. I have witnessed childbirth before, but I have not taken it up. Rather, more than me who has half-baked knowledge, would it be better to prepare someone who has greater expertise in it?

In saying that, Maomao wrote characters on the table with her finger.

In the prostitution quarter, there is a former medical officer and eunuch. If it is him, he has plenty of experience in child delivery.

.

He was once banished from the inner palace, but he should be more dependable than the current medical officer.

Sorry, quack doctor, Maomao said as she apologised in her head.

Even if we dont directly tell the emperor, Jinshi-sama can try let it pass.

to have been banished from the inner palace, doesnt that make him a criminal?

Honnyan looked at Maomao with cold eyes. She understood. Everyone must have that kind of reaction. Since that was common knowledge.

He is a criminal, but his skill is certain. Besides, if youre particular about this, I wont be able to be here either.

Maomao raised the corner of her lips.

I was brought up by this criminal.

Its bargaining, she thought. Supposing, if she was prejudiced against her dad the criminal, Maomao was his daughter. It would become that the daughter of a criminal wont be able to become a food taster of a consort.

Even before, Honnyan had something up, Maomao recalled. That time, she felt that she was done in well by the other, but this time it wasnt the case.

Honnyans mouth was pressed into a shape

Honnyan was a capable head maid. On her scales, is what side would be beneficial or what for the consort, her master.

What about food tasting? Right now there is that ingredient mixed in here, right?

This isnt targeting Consort Gyokuyou.

Then, Consort Rifa?

Maomao shook her head.

If it is like this, she would go by the process of elimination. Excluding Consort Riishu who still wasnt chosen, there was only one other high ranked consort.

(What a thing.)

Maomao remembered the insect cage that she put in her room. Inside it was insects that made bell-like sounds with their wings.

She recalled that ghost story. What kind of story did the girl who had still assumed the name Shisui tell? It was the story where bell crickets appeared. It ate something else instead of the monk. Just what did the ayakashi eat?

Among insects, there were those who also ate the males after reproducing. Maomao, who saw praying mantis eating each other, first thought it was gross.

However, it was also the same here. If she gives birth to a child of an influential person, at times, the woman would become adverse to her father. So she could provide power to her child, at times, she could erase her father.

Same as insects.

(Bad insects come carrying calamity,)

The words that were repeated many times were repeated once again.

Is it something like this? Maomao sighed.

The girl who loved insects had no interest in power. She probably wanted to just carefreely pretend to be a maidservant.

While making sure that a child does not settle in her abdomen.

They didnt really socialise for long. It was no more than them just having silly talk once in a while.

Maomao didnt really mean to stick her head into this, but even so, she couldnt just not do anything.

For Consort Gyokuyous healthy child. I will be food tasting outside as well.

Maomao searched for a solution that only she could do.

I get it.

Thank you very much.

When she relayed her small thanks to Honnyan who only said that short phrase, Maomao picked up the contents of the dish before her eyes and put it into her mouth.

Right away, she was struck by Honnyan. It goes without saying that she was forced to spit it out.