Volume 8, Chapter 25: The Western Capital (2/2)

“It’s been a while.”

Tenyuu responded alongside Maomao. Only the quack was looking at Maomao’s face, imploring, “Who is this person?”

(Tenyuu’s acquaintance, huh.)

Although he is a court physician apprentice, he has been employed longer than Maomao. With the medical office so close to the military grounds, it wouldn’t be odd for the two of them to be acquainted.

Maomao glanced at Tenyuu. He said his greetings, but he didn’t seem particularly interested. The quack as well, on top of not being acquainted, was shy of strangers. They won’t pass through at this rate, so Maomao had no choice but to speak.

“This here is Court Physician-sama. I came to the western capital as his assistant this time.”

“Court Physician-sama?” Rikuson tilted his head, looking at the quack.

(Umm, the quack’s name is…)

She forgot again. If she remembered correctly, it was Gu’en. He had said it was Gu’en.

“Gu…”

When she was about to speak, Tenyuu stepped forward.

“He’s famous, you know. You’d know if I tell you that he’s the high ranking court physician who has been in the inner palace for many years, right?”

“Ahh, is this person the one?” Rikuson clapped his hands.

Maomao was confused for a second, then realised Tenyuu’s intention.

(The quack is dad’s body double.)

He was being treated like so.

Did Tenyuu also reach the same conclusion as Maomao? It was preferable for the eunuch court physician to been seen as Ruomen rather than Gu’en here.

And there was no way Rikuson wouldn’t know of the weirdo tactician’s uncle, Ruomen. From Tenyuu’s hinting, he must have understood that the quack was currently the only court physician in the inner palace.

(We don’t know where there are eyes and ears.)

They may be in the same country, but the western capital can be considered strange land. More importantly, Rikuson’s entourage all seem to be people from the western capital. They have to be careful with their words.

When Maomao realised her own blunder, Tenyuu didn’t seem like he was in the mood to speak.

Maomao didn’t have anything worth talking about too, so she decided to end it here. “Rikuson-sama seems busy. My apologies for taking up your time.”

“No, I was returning from an excursion. I’d feel down if I’m always cooped up in my office, so I go outside once in a while.”

He was smiling, but his sleeves were muddy. Though it was drying, the mud was originally dark, the colour of fertiliser.

(Did he go out to the fields?)

The western capital is dry. There are no puddles on the roadside. Even if there were, they would be a more whitish innutritious colour. If fertilised black soil were stuck on him, it would have to be from watered fields at least.

If so, it would mean that he was returning from a distant place. It was better to think that he likely came back at the same time as Maomao’s group came from the capital rather than a coincidental meeting.

“Then, I’ll see you again. If we chat for too long, my former boss’ eyes will be on us.”

It seems Rikuson still wanted to say something more, but he was probably also busy. Tenyuu chuckled, knowing who the former boss referred to.

Only the quack couldn’t get a word into the conversation. He looked lonely from start to finish. It can’t be helped, so she had to fill him in on the identity of the man called RIkuson along the way.

Maomao, who had a lot to think about, recalled Court Physician You’s words.

(Court physicians can only do a court physician’s work.)

So, pharmacists can only do a pharmacist’s work.