Chapter Text
There was nothing quite as unpleasant as the Crystal Pavillion.
That wasn’t to say there was anything wrong with the architecture or decoration— no, it certainly stood as a place worthy to host a high ranking consort. It was more of what occupied the pavilion that Maomao had come to disdain. (Or rather who , if you considered those women to be anything other than she-demons. Although Maomao’s mind would not be changed on the matter.)
Every time she approached the pavilion, Maomao was sent away. Whether it was in her servant or concubine form, those vicious ladies in waiting sent her right back where she came from with any plethora of insults or excuses (depending on which form they faced).
Maomao couldn’t decide if they were overly protective or downright stupid. Both may have been the case, but she was sure they justified their actions by thinking the former. That’s just the kind of women they were.
In comparison to her own pavilion staff, Lady Lihua’s servants were at least a little more refined. They weren’t quite as boisterous nor energetic, but Maomao would prefer it that way if it at least meant they were somewhat amiable.
They were not. She didn’t think they were capable of doing so.
And that made her current predicament feel all the more futile.
She stood again at the large pavilion doors, staring at them silently as she thought of what she might say. It was hard to think of an angle she hadn’t already exhausted, and she herself was starting to feel the same way. Maomao didn’t expect fixing the Rear Palace’s problems to be easy, but could someone give her some leeway??
Just as Maomao heaved out a sigh of defeat, a large hand clasped down on her shoulder. She jumped, instantly twisting towards wherever the hand had come from with trepidation.
Her startlement had the figure recoiling his hand before she could fully absorb who she was looking at. But a quick glance over him revealed the familiar silky, purple hair and curious eyes of the prettiest man in the Rear Palace. Objectively speaking, that is.
His greeting was just as elegant as his arrival to the situation: “You again.”
Although it wasn’t said with any contempt. Rather, a bit of surprise.
“Oh, Master Jinshi. Hello.” Maomao replied, her body instantly relaxing out of fight or flight.
She had half a mind to scold him for grabbing her without warning, but she was in no position to do so at the moment. She was just a servant, after all. But perhaps she could tell her mistress about it…
Ah, revenge for another time! Focus.
“Are you the one who helped Lady Gyokuyou and her child?” Jinshi asked.
It didn’t sound entirely like a question. He probably knew by now that Lady Maomao was involved— but exactly how was still in question.
“That is correct.” Maomao replied, turning back to the closed door. “I recognised the symptoms of the illness stated in the rumors about it. It’s a type of poison you see often in my hometown.”
This time, it was Jinshi’s turn to jump.
“A poison?!” His voice became more shrill than Maomao knew a man’s voice could be. “But the child is too young to eat or drink anything other than what his mother produces— how would it be poison?”
Maomao could feel Jinshi’s worried stare burning into the side of her head, but she kept her gaze on the door.
“Cosmetics. Specifically, a face powder that makes one’s complexion paler.” She supplied, evenly. “Why one would choose to put it on an infant eludes me— but it is the clear culprit.”
Something about her reply seemed to inspire doubt in the Head Eunuch. His eyes flicked from Maomao to the door and back again.
“Are you certain?” He asked, his voice unsure.
“That was the case with Lady Gyokuyou’s child— and their symptoms are one in the same.” Maomao replied.
That was all there was to be said about it. Maomao could certainly over-explain the subject, or throw in some womanly charm in an attempt to be more convincing. But something like this would either be believed or it wouldn’t, no matter what way it was stated. So she left it at that.
Her audience fell into what appeared as contemplative silence. Maomao finally spared Jinshi a glance in an attempt to gauge how he felt by the expression on his face. But he didn’t leave much to go off of, despite how expressive she knew his features to be.
Her limited ability to identify and sympathize with the emotions of others didn’t help, of course— even if she had improved somewhat during her time at the Verdigris house out of necessity. That left her to only assume one of two extremes: Either that understood her perfectly, or that his beauty was a supplement for his brain.
It was hard to imagine the former, but harder to stomach the latter. Because what would he do if he didn’t believe her? Would she be banished? Executed? Or shooed away only to hear the sour news of a baby’s death she could have prevented?
Certain options were worse than others, but it felt as though they all carried the same weight. Not only her duty, but her morality hung by a thread that dangled in the hands of a humanoid peacock .
To say Maomao was uneasy would be the understatement of the century.
Much to her surprise, Jinshi broke his silence with an abrupt, yet firm, nod of his head.
“Alright then.” He spoke up, his gaze hardening on the door ahead of him. “Allow me to assist.”
And before Maomao could stop him, Jinshi attempted to do just that. He knocked on the pavilion door without hesitation, despite how long Maomao herself had stood and stared at it in dread.
Without thinking, her hand shot towards the Eunuch’s wrist as if she could undo what he had just done.
“Master Jinshi, I wouldn’t–”
But it was already too late. The pavilion door swung open, one of Lady Lihua’s most entitled servants standing in its place. By this point, the woman was so used to the routine that her eyes didn’t raise any further than Maomao’s height. It took less than a second before a glare settled on her, followed by the oh so enjoyable,
“You again!” The woman snipped. “When will you get it through your thick skull that you aren’t welcome here?!”
Brash, but not unexpected. Although this is the least amount of insults she’s hurled at me so far. That may be my greatest achievement of the day– not getting verbally assaulted.
Ah, wait. I guess Lady Lihua didn’t pull her punches in that regard, either. I kinda forgot about that part after she hit me. Oh, well. Back to square one.
The woman must’ve been prattling on as Maomao was entertaining herself with an inner monologue. When she snapped back to attention, the servant was halfway through a sentence, her words dripping with venom.
“--I have half a mind to–”
And then she abruptly cut herself off.
A shame— Maomao wanted to hear what new threat the woman had come up with. Certainly nothing worse than Maomao had already imagined doing to her with any variety of poisons. But that was neither here nor there.
“--Maaah–aster Jinshi!” The woman yelped, her expression enveloped in complete and utter shock.
As it turned out, Jinshi’s presence was not quite as obvious as Maomao thought it to be. With the woman’s anger completely aimed at tiny nemesis, she had neglected to glance every slightly to the right. His head was a good distance up from where the woman’s attention was originally placed, but Maomao assumed his beauty was a natural magnet.
Apparently, if the peacock actually kept his mouth shut, his stealth increased dramatically. That, or the woman was just stupid.
Maomao considered both of these to be viable reasons.
“My, what ferocity you have in defending your mistress,” Jinshi spoke as soon as he was noticed. “I wasn’t aware women could act in such a way.”
His voice was starkly different from how he had addressed Maomao moments ago— suddenly light and airy, as if he had no care in the world. A ploy, for certain.
And the woman fell right into it, a blush springing to her face. It happened so instantly that Maomao vaguely wondered if blood had rushed to the woman’s head in the process.
“M-My sincerest apologies!” The woman spouted, frantically. “I simply intended to ward off this –”
Her hand motioned to Maomao, but she didn’t get to finish that statement.
“Servant girl who has come to aid your mistress?” Jinshi finished for her with an innocent tilt of the head.
The woman’s face went blank. Her head made a slow, stiff turn to look at Maomao.
“Ah… is that what she told you?”
And the original glare came back for a second wind.
The woman was trying to be subtle, making sure only Maomao could feel the wrath behind such a look. But Maomao had seen looks far worse from others far more threatening— so she met it with narrowed eyes of her own, letting out a quiet huff.
“That is what the Emperor has told me.” Jinshi corrected, not unkindly. “Lady Maomao has so graciously offered her resources at his request. Do you really think it reasonable to deny such a kind gift to your mistress?”
Huh.
Maomao had to keep herself from looking over at Jinshi with the amount of disbelief that phrase inspired.
Are eunuchs allowed to lie so blatantly? I mean, he isn’t exactly /wrong/— the Emperor did as me to help the concubines of the Rear Palace. But he isn’t supposed to know that, and I’m certain he doesn’t! So it must be a bold-faced lie to make Lady Lihua’s servant comply with his request. But to put words in the Emperor’s mouth so brazenly… he is either the most cunning or idiotic man alive.
…Perhaps I was incorrect about where the Emperor’s favor lies.
Lost in her own train of thought, Maomao managed to miss the rest of the conversation between Jinshi and the servant woman. But it wasn’t hard to tell what the outcome was.
In the face of a man so pretty, every woman eventually buckled— this one, far quicker than others. Any composure she had left was reduced into a puddle, leaving the woman with a lovesick smile and the resistance drained out of her. She stepped out of the doorway without hesitation, making a motion for Jinshi to enter.
It was the first time Maomao had actually seen the inside of the pavilion without the door (and many annoying servants) obscuring her view. It matched the elegance of the architecture as well as its resident Consort. The color scheme greatly reflected both the pavilion’s name and the hue that enhanced its mistress’ beauty. It was certainly a place to be admired.
The view wasn’t without flaw, though. It was greatly sullied by the rest of the ladies in waiting who were skulking nearby, pausing to watch the scene. Almost all of them were enraptured by Jinshi’s elegant stride as he entered, but they didn’t neglect Maomao’s presence. Each took a moment out of their ogling to glare at her as she trailed closely behind the peacock, trying to use his beauty as a shield to remain unnoticed.
If there’s one thing Master Jinshi is good at, it's hoarding attention. But even that won’t stop them!
Oh well. What can I do? Women are still women– and spite is something in which most tend to be proficient.
“Fair ladies,” Jinshi addressed all of them at once. “Could you point us in the direction of your mistress? We need to speak with her urgently.”
The woman all but stumbled over each other to grab his attention, their answers becoming a cacophony of overlaid voices.
Maomao had a hard time picking out anything coherent in the noise– and given the falter in Jinshi’s step forwards, he was likely experiencing the same issue.
“Now, now,” He held his hands up, motioning for the women to calm themselves. “One at a time, please.”
Maomao could do nothing else but heave out a sigh at the antics before her. She was slowly getting used to the energy that her ladies in waiting presented on the daily, but there were only four of them. Lady Lihua had a handful more than that, and they all appeared to be of one mind. Seeing such a collective, mass reaction almost hurt Maomao to watch.
If my ladies are a cart accident, then this must be a burning city. Crumbling houses, mass hysteria… yes, very suitable for this view. How can Master Jinshi put up with such a thing so often?
Just one obstacle after another. Would they ever get to—
“Lady Lihua!” One of the women gasped, finally quieting all others.
Everyone’s attention followed the servant’s gaze to the top of the central steps, where a figure appeared. To call her Lady Lihua seemed like an insult to the Wise Consort’s name. Worse for wear was an understatement to her current condition.
Her countenance was wobbly, and the concubine was already winded just from leaving her room. She was utterly and completely disheveled— not unlike how she was earlier in the day, but certainly worse.
An outer robe sagged off of her shoulder, her eyes heavy with sleepless bags and a withering ferocity. Even the very thing that considered a woman utterly beautiful made the consort look rather deathly instead… bloodlessly pale skin, as if she were a walking corpse.
Despite this, Lady Lihua hardly paused before she came barreling down the stairs.
It was a sloppy and uncontrolled descent, her foot catching the final step before she could safely reach the ground. The Wise Consort stumbled to keep her balance, her ladies in waiting flocking to her in an instant. But Lady Lihua only shoved them away, her sights fixated on one person alone.
“You–” She croaked out, pointing an indignant finger at Maomao. “Did she send you?”
Jinshi placed himself further in front of Maomao in anticipation of the Consort’s wrath. Given how she had behaved earlier that day, it wasn’t a stretch to assume what would come next.
But Maomao pushed her way back around him, meeting Lady Lihua head on.
From what she had seen of the consort earlier, there was no intent to harm in the way she approached. The fire in Lady Lihua’s eyes was still there, but it was mellowed out into something… desperate. This was not the same kind of aimless wrath she had exhibited before.
“I am a servant of Lady Maomao.” Maomao replied, resolute.
She could feel Jinshi’s worried gaze flick from her to Lady Lihua as the consort’s body and voice both stilled.
Then, suddenly, Lady Lihua lurched forward and seized Maomao’s hand with both of hers, crumpling to her knees. Her grip was tight and unrelenting, but not painful. Glossy, ruby eyes upturned to meet the shocked, sapphire eyes of the servant she clung to.
“Can you save my son?” Lady Lihua’s voice broke, tumbling out of her quivering lips in a desperate plea.
Being surrounded by women her whole life, seeing tears and distress was something that Maomao was accustomed to, despite her inability to properly empathize with such a feeling. But seeing a mother knelt before her, stripped down to her most vulnerable because of such a simple thing as her child… it struck Maomao in a way she couldn’t quite explain. But one thing was clear to her:
…There is no doubt that this is what a mother’s love looks like.
Stealing her resolve, Maomao gently squeezed Lady Lihua’s hand in return. With a firm nod she said,
“I will do my utmost.”
The Wise consort let out a shuddery breath, her shoulders slumping as if a weight had been lifted off of her.
Maomao gave a gentle tug at Lady Lihua’s hands, signaling the woman that she wanted her to stand. The consort used her grip to tug herself upwards with Maomoa’s assistance, although it nearly tugged both of them back to the ground.
Seeing this, Jinshi was quick to shift beside the two woman, spotting them in case either or both went down. Thankfully, it never came to that.
Once Lady Lihua was back on her feet, her hands loosened from Maomao’s, intending to let go. But Maomao kept a firm grip on one of them, walking past the consort and using it to pull her along. They were headed back towards the stairs, in the direction Lady Lihua had come from. If Maomao had to guess, that’s where the baby would be.
“You must be seen to as well.” She paused at the bottom of the stairs, glancing over her shoulder at the Wise Consort. “It appears that your child isn’t the only one being poisoned.”
It didn’t seem like Lady Lihua fully processed what Maomao had told her, but the bystanders were well receptive to her words. A panicked murmur spread among the ladies in waiting like a wildfire, giving Maomao a sense of dejavu from earlier in the day.
Rumors, speculation… none of it mattered. These women could believe whatever they wanted, but one of them was surely responsible. Grief could cause one to be sickly, but not to this extent— especially over a child who is still alive.
The symptoms were grimly familiar— the ones Maomao was more accustomed to seeing in the pleasure district. It was how adults were affected by the very same poison the babies were suffering from.
Someone was going to get punished for this. For ignorance, for stupidity .
For making a mother fall to her knees and beg for the life of her son.
And the moment Maomao figured out which of these women were responsible…
…Well, perhaps Lady Lihua’s method has some merit.
* * *
Women were very fickle creatures.
This was a concept Jinshi was well acquainted with. Seeing a woman go from a scowl to a smile wherever she saw him was almost a constant.
But this was different.
Lady Maomao’s servant– quiet and indifferent – did not seem the type to show her wrath. But the moment it was discovered which servant was responsible for Lady Lihua and her son’s condition, the woman was slapped so hard she tumbled to the ground.
The look on the servant girl’s face as she dragged the woman across the floor was almost as intense as the expression her mistress had aimed at Lady Lihua during their confrontation. It felt karmic, watching Lady Maomao’s servant return the treatment her mistress had received.
The entire scene had Jinshi frozen in place, his chest noticeably tight. But the feeling ebbed away as the servant girl went to work taking care of Lady Lihua and her baby— her anger disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared.
When all was said and done, Lady Lihua and her son were resting peacefully in bed and the responsible servant was removed to be punished. The rest scattered about the pavilion, fearful of receiving the same treatment. That left only Jinshi and the epicenter of both gratitude and fear– Lady Maomao’s servant.
It felt odd to only think of her that way. She had certainly proved to be her own entity, capable of many feats her mistress wouldn’t dare to attempt. It was time he found out what exactly to call her.
But, he made sure to breach the conversation with grace.
“You did well,” Jinshi hummed, leaning down to better meet the servant’s height. “I’m sure your mistress would be proud.”
The girl’s nose wrinkled in indignation. She took a small step back, putting distance between herself and Jinshi.
“I was only doing as I was asked.” She replied, her gaze flicking elsewhere in the room. “I am in no need of praise. I’m certain my mistress would agree with that.”
You’re certain, are you? Just how much of Lady Maomao’s personality are you privy too?
“Surely not,” Jinshi took another step towards her. “Your talents are worthy of recognition. Those you’ve helped would agree.”
The servant’s eyes flicked back to Jinshi at his movement. She took another step back.
“I am only glad I could be of use.”
Jinshi took a step forward.
She took a step back.
Forward, back, forward, back.
Their game only came to a stop when the servant’s back hit the wall. She looked back and forth frantically, searching for an escape route.
She must be nervous, how cute!
Maybe her indifference was just a coping mechanism for not knowing how to handle her feelings toward Jinshi. And now that they were alone again, and he was actively seeking her attention, she didn’t know what to do with herself.
It was a little bit of a disappointment, but it was only natural. He had never met a woman who could resist his looks— why would he assume she was any different?
The moment Jinshi closed the gap between them, leaving him and the servant almost chest to chest, she started blathering in an attempt to ward him off.
“S-Since I have completed what I was sent her to do, I should probably–” She turned with obvious intent to make a break for the door. But Jinshi’s hand shot out and pressed against the wall, his arm blocking her escape.
The servant girl looked back at him in an instant, her eyes wide.
“Before you go,” Jinshi said, his voice laced with honey. “I have one other thing I’d like to ask of you.”
The girl eyed him up and down suspiciously. “What else do you need of me?”
Jinshi smiled brightly, his head cocking a bit to the side.
“Only your name.” He chirped. “I don’t believe I’ve asked before.”
The servant girl stilled. She blinked a few times before her expression slipped back into the neutral one he was so used to seeing from her.
“It is nothing of consequence.” She replied, evenly. The look in her eyes was unreadable.
“But I insist— I must have something to call you.” Jinshi pushed. “Especially if we are to see more of each other around the garden.”
The servant’s gaze averted from his, one of her sleeves rasing to cover the lower half of her face.
“You can refer to me as you please. As far as I’m concerned, my name doesn’t mean anything for me anymore.”
That… wasn’t what Jinshi was expecting.
The girl didn’t sound sullen about it, but those words still didn’t feel right. It just seemed… wrong to think in such a way.
But given how helpful she had been, Jinshi figured he could spare her some mercy for now. He would just have to come up with a good nickname to use.
He let out a thoughtful hum, posing in a dramatic way to imply that he is really thinking it though.
That seemed to be enough to regain the servant’s attention. Her hand dropped back to where it was, her neutral face scrunching into a judgmental look as she watched Jinshi’s antics.
He’d never been scrutinized in such a way. It almost made Jinshi up the act, hoping to see a look even more scathing from her. But he restrained himself, deciding on,
“How about… Apothecary, then?”
The girl’s expression falls blank.
“Just because you saw me collecting herbs? Isn’t that a stretch?”
Jinshi had to contain his laughter. Surely she hadn’t forgotten what had just happened? That he had watched her work deftly to assess and heal Lady Lihua?
Or maybe she was so absorbed in her work that she had forgotten he was there entirely. Being neglected wasn’t a feeling Jinshi was familiar with, either. It seemed impossible for his presence to be skimmed over— but if anyone could do it, it would certainly be this girl.
“You said I could call you what I want,” Jinshi hummed, leaning down so his mouth hovered just beside the girl’s ear. He could feel her stiffen at his proximity, but that only tugged his smile wider.
Lowering his voice, he continued, “And I think Apothecary sounds fitting.”
Jinshi could see the full body shudder that ran through the servant as she let out a noise that sounded like she was trying to swallow a scream.
Feeling victorious in eliciting such a reaction from her, Jinshi recoiled his head back to full height and removed his hand from the wall.
“I’m sure Lady Gyokuyou would agree with me.” He added.
Jinshi could see the exact moment when realization dawned on the servant girl. The look was something akin to, ‘ Ah, you spoke with her. I should have known .’
But she didn’t seem interested in contesting the point now that she had gained her freedom.
The girl— Apothecary, he would now call her– offered a bow to him.
“As you wish, then.”
And without another word, she scampered towards the exit to make her escape.
Jinshi watched her go, of course, fully amused with this turn of events. But just before Apothecary could dip out of sight, she glanced over her shoulder with a scowl that made Jinshi’s heart flutter to life.
…She actually dislikes me…
An unwitting smile came to his face.
He didn’t think such a thing was possible, nor did he expect it to be so… enthralling .
He would have to speak with her again, he was certain.
* * *
When Maomao was finally able to return to her pavilion, it felt as though the wind was thoroughly knocked out of her. She assumed that, after everything she had done, damage control was over for the day.
Naturally, she was wrong. But of all the conflicts so far, this one was by far the most pleasant.
Yulan was quick to appear when she heard Maomao enter the pavilion. The rest of the ladies in waiting were likely sent to their quarters by now, given that the sun had set over the horizon. That left only Maomao and her head lady in waiting, who carried an unusual atmosphere with her.
Yulan looked as if she had laid away for days despite night barely falling since Maomao had left. Misery would be the closest word to describe the look on her face, but it didn’t seem quite that serious.
“Lady Yulan,” Maomao greeted her. “What troubles you?”
Yulan hesitated to respond.
“...I am weak.” She supplied, sullenly. “A disappointment to womankind.”
Maomao cocked her head to the side, completely at a loss. “Eh?”
Yulan’s hands flew up to cover her face. Between the gaps in her fingers Maomao can tell her face is heating up tremendously, a deep red peeking out.
Embarrassment.
Yulan’s eyes were squeezed shut as she squeaked out, “I fell victim to Master Jinshi’s charms you warned me about!”
She shook her head back and forth so fast Maomao worried she might get whiplash.
“My composure faltered and he— I led him right to you! I’m so sorry!”
Maomao couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped her.
Ah, just something stupidly sentimental. That, I can handle.
She approached Yulan, stopping just in front of her. Maomao then reached up, patting her head a few times.
“You did well.” She said, struggling to properly reach the top of her servant’s head. Nevertheless, her efforts don’t cease.
Yulan’s hands dropped from her face just enough so that her eyes were peaking out, wobbly and tearfilled.
“B-But you asked me to keep him away from you–”
“I did. But he was helpful.” Maomao assured her with a small smile. “You did well.”
Hearing that made Yulan’s hands retreat the rest of the way. Her head drooped down, allowing Maomao better access even if that wasn’t her intent with the motion. It seemed more like she wilted with that stress lifted from her chest.
“...You are too kind, my lady.” Yulan warbled.
“And you do far too much for me to doubt yourself.” Maomao retorted.
She recoiled her hand, taking a small step back to give Yulan some space.
Yulan’s head raised again, her expression draining from unnatural exhaustion to a more natural tiredness.
“You should get some rest— it’s been a long day.” Maomao said.
Yulan let out a playful scoff. “I believe I should be the one telling you that.”
“Certainly not,” Maomao made a motion to her current form. “This lowly one is only a servant. The head lady in waiting deserves far more concern than I.”
Yulan shook her head, her lips curving into a smile.
“I will rest if you insist. But allow me to help you prepare for bed, first.”
“That won't be necessary. Unlike my concubine clothing, I can easily navigate the removal of servant attire. It will be just like another night at home for me.”
It felt a bit cruel to play on Yulan’s sentimentality, but Maomao knew it would get her the result she wanted.
And as expected, the mention of ‘home’ made Yulan relent.
“...Alright, then. I will leave you to it.” She offered a bow. “Goodnight, My Lady.”
Maomao did the same in return. “Goodnight, Lady Yulan.”
She could see the disagreement flicker in Yulan’s expression from having her mistress bow to her, but it quickly washed away. With a gentle smile, Yulan disappeared towards the servant quarters to retire for the night.
Maomao heaved out another sigh.
With so much going on around her at all times, she hadn’t had a quiet moment to herself. And now that she was finally alone, it was becoming increasingly obvious that the stress of the day had whittled her down. Maybe sleep wasn’t such a bad idea.
But before she could consider retiring for the night, a masculine voice cleared his throat.
Maomao jumped, flipping around to see the Emperor, of all people, casually sitting on her couch. She had to blink a few times before her mind finally caught up with her.
“Your Majesty! How long have you–”
“Not long, I assure you. I’ve only just arrived.” He said, holding up his hand to quiet her. “I thought it best I didn't announce myself for the whole pavilion to hear, given your current state.”
His hand dipped down in a motion to Maomao’s outfit.
She suddenly became keenly aware of what state she was in.
“Ah… I suppose that is reasonable.” She agreed.
The other servants in her pavilion hadn’t really seen her servant form before. They had only been told vague details about the ever-mysterious poison taster that assisted Lady Maomao. If all went as planned, they would never meet her.
That logic still doesn’t justify you breaking into my pavilion, though. Even if you are the Emperor, it’s still creepy.
Maomao shook away the thought.
“If you’ll allow me a moment, I could change into a form more worthy of your presence,” She offered, unsure if the Emperor was offended by what he was faced with or not.
Again, his hand raised to stop her.
“That won’t be necessary.” He said. “You can remain as you are.”
Maomao offered a quick bow in thanks. After that, nothing was said.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence Maomao feared to breach. Both parties stared at each other, waiting for something to be said.
Maomao assumed the Emperor was going to elaborate on something— the reason he invaded her pavilion, perhaps. But it seemed like he was waiting for her to prompt him. To ask something.
Why he would do such a thing was beyond her. But she had long since decided to stop guessing at his actions. In the end, it got her nowhere.
So, pulling as much bravery as she could muster, Maomao spoke up,
“If I may ask, Your Majesty, what brings you here?”
The Emperor let out a pleased hum.
“I was told you had a disagreement with Lady Lihua that led to an… unfortunate blow.” He said. “So of course I had to come check on my new favorite concubine.”
Maomao couldn’t stop herself from visibly cringing.
“Please, Sire, I have barely managed to make peace with two of your consorts— do not set me at war with the rest of your harem.”
The Emperor barked out a laugh. “Oh, you amuse me, Lady Maomao. But I would have to agree that you cannot supplant the role of my favorite.”
“I’m glad to have amused Your Majesty,” Maomao replied, unamused. “But surely you have not come only to tease me?”
The silence returned for a second wind, any prior amusement draining from the Emperor’s face.
Maomao’s chest tightened unpleasantly, apprehension chilling the blood in her veins.
Did I speak out of turn? Was my tone too brash?
The air in the room became stiff with tension as the Emperor’s eyes diverted to the ground. He did not appear to have any obvious anger, but his expression was quite serious.
“...I was told that a servant girl saw to the children of both Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua,” He finally spoke up, his eyes returning to Maomao. “...How do they fair?”
Realization and relief washed over Maomao.
This feeling, she did recognise: Fatherly love.
Luomen would always look at her like that when she managed to hurt herself, or eat something poisonous without his supervision. He was certainly far more lax than a father should be about such subjects, but she could tell he cared nonetheless.
Even if the prince and princess were born by two different mothers– one holding more policial value than the other— Maomao could tell that they were both important to the Emperor. It was a bit strange to think a man with so many women– so many chances to make heirs– would come to care so deeply. But that is what being a father was…
…What it /should/ be.
“...If my instructions are followed, then the next few days should be without incident. Past that, their health should start returning to normal.” Maomao answered. “I cannot account for every natural possibility, but… your children should be okay.”
The Emperor’s expression visibly softened. His entire demeanor loosened as if it had been wound as tight as a spring. His worry must’ve weighed him greatly.
The Emperor let out a small hum, pushing himself to a stand. He walked towards the pavilion’s exit, but paused to pat Maomao on the head as he passed her by.
“...You’ve done well, my saint.” He said, a genuine smile on his face. “I’m glad to see my faith is not misplaced.”
Maomao dipped into a respectful bow.
“As am I, Your Majesty.”
* * *
“...Are you going to sit quietly for the rest of the night, or will you finally speak your mind?” Gaoshun prompted at last, pouring some tea for Jinshi.
The young master had been unusually quiet since his return from the Crystal Pavilion. He did explain what happened to Lady Lihua and his run-in with Lady Maomao’s servant– ‘Apothecary’ , he now called her. But his report was short winded, and the room fell into silence the moment he was done.
Had it been any other circumstance, Gaoshun would’ve appreciated the lack of talking. He himself was not a man of many words— which is one way he and Jinshi greatly differed. But he could not enjoy the quiet evening with the pensive aura Jinshi exuded clouding up the atmosphere.
In reply to Gaoshun’s prompt, Jinshi looked away from him. His face was dipped into a stoicism he usually preferred to avoid, even in situations that required it. But when something was troubling him… it was a habit.
“What is there to speak of?” Jinshi said. “I would say this was a good resolution. A better one than we could hope for, anyways.”
“And yet you pout,” Gaoshun said lightly, taking a seat beside the young master. “Because you believe that this end was anything but satisfactory.”
Jinshi puffed out his cheeks in a child-like indignation.
“The mothers’ children have been saved.” He argued, although there was little strength behind it. “The Emperor is content.”
“But you are not.” Gaoshun tacked on.
Jinshi’s gaze finally turned back to him. “And why do you think so?”
“Because you are sulking like a child,” Gaoshun teased, followed by a far more earnest, “And because you are Master Jinshi– the head Eunuch who knows everything about the Rear Palace. And now, there is something you don’t know.”
Jinshi raised an eyebrow, unamused. “Which would be-?”
“Any of the unknowns that come with Lady Maomao.”
It was something that he, too, couldn’t quite grasp. Just how complex this situation actually was.
“Her presence places you outside of your comfort. You cannot control something you do not know, therefore her actions are limitless and unpredictable.” Gaoshun continued. “And she had proven capable of not only bringing herself, but other tools into a given situation.”
The Apothecary .
“And what do you suggest I do, then?” Jinshi demanded.
Gaoshun let out a small hum. “Well… you are not one to run away from a challenge, are you?”
The hardest part of Jinshi’s nature to placate, by far. But it made him quite determined to obtain anything he sought. And that did have its practicalities.
“You have lost this fight, but you may still be able to win the war, as it were said.”
Jinshi’s expression was all but stupefied. Slowly, a smile overtook his expression.
“Are you encouraging me to snoop around about her?”
Gaoshun shrugged, picking up his own teacup to take a sip. “I only reiterated your initial plan, is all.”
“Oh how the mighty have fallen!” Jinshi teased. “Careful— if Suiren heard you , she might begin to think you’re a bad influence on me~”
“It’s quite the opposite, as I’m sure she’s already well aware.”
Jinshi snickered. “Ah, yes. I have corrupted you so thoroughly. My deepest apologies, Gaoshun.”
The rest of their conversation was menial quipping back and forth until the room fell into a comfortable silence. Seeing that Jinshi was in a better mood, idly sipping his tea as he watched the stars out the window, Gaoshun left him to his own devices.
Once he was certain he was out of earshot of the young master, Gaoshun pressed his back and head against the wall, heaving out a heavy sigh.
No, he was not the type to encourage Jinshi into trouble. But it was only a matter of time before Jinshi stumbled into it himself— so if Gaoshun could control the trajectory, then that was the best he could do.
Because trouble was coming. And Gaoshun had already seen more of it than he was supposed to.
Being observational can get you in the most precarious situations.
“Master Gaoshun,” A chilling voice greeted him from the pavilion’s second floor window. “We must have tea, sometime...”
Intense, amber eyes stared down at him with enough weight to kill.
Gaoshun found himself frozen in place as the gears turned, meeting her gaze despite wanting to look away.
The lady in waiting smiled down at him, congenial but heavy with underlying threat.
“...Perhaps even the Emperor might join us.” She finished.
That was enough to click something into place.
“...Is that so?” Gaoshun replied, cautious. “Then we certainly must.”
Nothing more was said.
The second floor window was pulled shut, any evidence of misdeeds vanishing as if something was not so obviously wrong. And Gaoshun circled back around the building, pretending that truly was the case.
When the lady in waiting appeared again, it was at the front door. By then, Jinshi had joined Gaoshun at Lady Maomao’s pavilion, carrying on with the issue at hand.
The woman spared Gaoshun a glance during her conversation with the young master. What it meant, he was still trying to decide.
Her name was Yulan, Jinshi supplied.
…There truly were a lot of questions about Lady Maomao that needed to be answered… but not tonight.
Tonight, wounds could be nursed, minds could be at peace, and all could rest easily.
And tomorrow?
Well… tomorrow would be tea.
Tea… and answers .