Volume 7, Chapter 10: Go Tournament – Morning of the First Day (1/2)
Maomao beat the bandages with an audible slap.
The dried, white bandages fluttered in the autumn breeze, reflecting the blue sky. A blue sky devoid of clouds. The skies have stayed clear ever since the heavy rain from the other day.
The temperature will start to drop quickly from here on, so washing duty will probably become more tedious. En’en, who lived for her lady, was researching the making of salves to prevent Yao’s skin from becoming rough.
Other than the occasional annoyance, the generally peaceful times continued.
(What was that drawing about?)
Maomao suddenly remembered a certain drawing. The ominous drawing by the girl called Jazuguru.
Speaking of which, the Western Priestess remained in Rii, but was she living comfortably? Of course, it was Ah Duo who was entrusted with this responsibility, so nothing strange will come of it—
However, she once again felt that Ah Duo, as a former consort, was bearing the entire weight of this country’s darkness.
The surviving children of the Shi Clan; though informally, the grandchild of the previous emperor and niece of the current emperor, Suirei; and the Sha’ou Priestess who was considered dead.
The beauty in male-garb handled everything flawlessly, but how does everyone around her see it? No, naturally, it was all under the veil of secrecy, so she didn’t think it would be exposed so simply.
However, the imperial court is a terrifying place, filled with those with excessively sensitive noses.
(It’ll be fine as long as it’s not sniffed out by weird people)
Caught in her musings, Maomao suddenly poured the leftover water in the tub into the canal.
.
.
.
“We have no work for the entire day,” Court Physician Ryuu remarked, dumbfounded.
The sound of crickets chirping filled the medical office. Usually, injured military officials would be arriving in droves around this time.
“There’s nothing we can do if they’re just following the supreme commander’s lead by skipping out.” The young court physician flashed a wry smile, looking somewhat disappointed. He clutched a Go book in one hand.
“More civil officials are skipping, it seems. There was even a dispute over whose turn it was to take a day off. The military officials have it easier, they can just use going out on patrol as an excuse.”
Maomao knew about it. About how desperate this young physician was for a day off, but had to show up for work in the end.
Since the medical office requires a minimum number of working court physicians at one time, compared to other departments, it was harder to take days off.
“If there’s no work for us to do, can I go home?”
Such feeble protests were ineffective against Court Physician Ryuu. “You have free time. How about compounding some medicine that are low in stock?” He smiled cruelly.
Upon hearing the word ‘compound’, Maomao’s eyes lit up and she started edging towards Court Physician Ryuu. “What shall we make?”
“Ah, yeah, sorry, I can see that you’re keen, but.” Court Physician Ryuu carried over a cloth pouch. “Go on an errand for me.”
Maomao’s expression turned displeased in an instant.
“What did you say? Mind sharing it with this old man?”
“Don’t be absurd,” she replied monotonously. Apparently, it reflected on her face.
“I-if it’s that errand, I can….”
“You can’t.”
The young court physician was shot down completely. Because Maomao was the one nominated, the person herself became uneasy about what it could mean.
“Deliver it to this place.” Court Physician Ryuu took out a map and indicated a location to her. It was a plaza in one block of the capital. It was near the shop where Lady Pai had displayed her magic previously.
“…here?” she asked.
“No need to look so reluctant.”
Speaking of she why she was unwilling, the plaza was smack bang in the middle of that programme. A Go event. Needless to say, she could imagine just who was going to be there.
“Court Physician Kan should also be there. He’s off-duty, so he took the initiative to go out. It’s not his job.”
Somehow, Maomao understood what he was implying.
“With so many people, even if they’re just playing Go, some people are still bound to feel unwell. I hesitate to bother the court physician under normal circumstances, but after all, this is the type of situation where we should ask for help, right?”
How contrived.
Perhaps, most of this can be attributed to arrangements made by Rahan, as the organiser of this entire tournament. Allegedly, the weirdo tactician was eager to play Go, but since his intentions in doing so are unclear, they probably decided to take precautionary measures.
Dad wouldn’t refuse them, and even Maomao was exploited and forced along by Court Physician Ryuu.
(Good for nothing.)
Even though due to En’en’s interest in Go, Maomao had come to work on purpose so that she can take the day off together with Yao.
“You’ll do it properly since it’s work, right?”
Since Court Physician placed emphasis on those words, Maomao could only nod.
Let’s ignore the profoundly envious look the young court physician was giving her.
.
.
.
Even without a map, Maomao could find her way to the hall just by looking at the streams of people carrying Go books.
Crowds of people, irrespective of age or gender, gathered around the rows of Go boards at the plaza. There were a sorry amount of sunshade cloths, and crude setups where games boards were stacked atop wooden boxes.
(But then.)