Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

It may not be entirely correct to say the mystery has been solved, but Maomao has figured out how the kanzashi was lost.

However

(This is problematic in and of itself.)

By comparing the information gleaned from Infa with her own guess, it could only head in a fishy direction.

She wanted to give Empress Gyokuyou a peace of mind, but should she tell the truth?

While she was lost in thought, morning came around.

Rubbing her eyes, Maomao looked at the kanzashi.

Given that she had asked Infa about this and that, Maomao had no choice but to say it.

Maomao, lets have breakfast!

Infa quickly showed up.

Maomao took up her offer. Guien and Airan were also at the breakfast area. Guien had the same gentle demeanour, and gained a bit of weight. Did Airan grow a little tallerher gaze was higher than before. Maomao, who was short, envied Airans height.

Maomao also smiled a little at the nostalgic gathering.

I made the breakfast fancy and added dried abalone!

Ooooh!

Maomao found herself clapping along. Could it have been pinched from the ingredients for Empress Gyokuyous night meal?

It was a simple meal consisting of good soup stock with a tiny bit of salt, but it was delicious, with the ingredients being what they are. The rice was also first classas expected of being part of the empress entourage, the maids meals have also risen in ranking.

As the four people chatted, Maomao looked around.

What is it? Guien asked Maomao, who looked unsettled.

No, are the others eating a good breakfast?

Alongside Hakuu and two others, the number of maids should have increased when Gyokuyou became Empress.

Yeah, Hakuu-san and the others are eating elsewhere. The other maids dont eat here.

Yup, I want to get closer to them but those three are diligent.

(I think only the three of you are laidback.)

Thats why theyre easy to get along with, though.

Infas group had been around longer with Empress Gyokuyou in the inner palace as maids. However, they probably affixed an honorific title to Hakuu and the others since the latter were acquainted with Empress Gyokuyou from the start.

As the head maid, Honnyan stood at the top, but for some reason, in terms of standing, Maomao couldnt help feeling that Hakuu was higher up than Infas group.

Hey, Maomao, you still havent figured out who the culprit is? Infa asked her.

theres a difficult part, Maomao replied vaguely.

The three girls expressions fell.

If you havent figured it out, Maomao, you can come back here again. It might be difficult for you to compound medicine and the like, but if we provide a reason, we can get permission.

Thats right. There are many more rooms here than at the Jade Palace. A lot of cooking stoves as well.

I think we can also get our hands on imported medicines.

(Imported!)

She found herself falling for it. Not good, not good.

Maomao drank some tea, calming herself. Currently, my adoptive father and the other court physicians are teaching me the work. Itll also inconvenience the other colleagues. Theres no way I can easily change my job.

She understood that working at Empress Gyokuyous place also has its charms. However, by heading to the empress side, in a different meaning, it wouldnt work with various adjustments.

(Like that weirdo.)

The monocle tactician might show up at the empress place. That man might only see it as that hes visiting Maomao, but other people will take it differently.

Empress Gyokuyou probably isnt oblivious to the relation Maomao has with the weirdo tactician now.

(I only see him as a complete stranger.)

Maomao honestly wondered if she was actually the child of a different male customer. Thats what she wanted to believe. But the chances are low.

It would be less troublesome if Empress Gyokuyou saw Maomao as a pawn, but the woman valued Maomaos abilities.

(I cant flat out refuse her.)

Moreover, Infa and others gazes were painful.

As she wondered how she could struggle through it, a woman with a red hair cord showed up. She looked very similar to Hakuu, but a little younger.

What is it, Sekiu?

If Maomao remembered correctly, Sekiu was the same age as her. Hakuus younger sister, the youngest of the three sisters; unlike Hakuu, Sekiu seemed to speak casually.

Empress Gyokuyou is calling for Maomao.

Maomao picked up her finished bowl at the frank reply.

Ahhh, well clear it away later, so leave it.

Going along with Guiens words, Maomao left it as it is.

Were waiting for a good answer

Bowing once at the three people who were waving their hands, Maomao headed to where Empress Gyokuyou was.

.

.

.

In the empress room was Honnyan, Hakuu, the imperial princess, and the crown prince.

The imperial princess was showing toys to the crawling crown prince. Was she meaning to pacify him?

Noticing Maomaos arrival, Hakuu picked up the crown prince. Sekiu, the Imperial Princess.

Understood. Sekiu, who had guided Maomao in, took Imperial Princess Rinriis hand.

Play more.

Was she two years old? It seems the imperial princess can say words. However, she regarded Maomao as if seeing an unfamiliar face, apparently not remembering her.

Feeling a little lonely, Maomao waved her hand lightly. Cant be helped.

Hakuu also made to leave the room with the baby in her arms. Maomao inadvertently grabbed her sleeves.

What is it?

Although they met before, they didnt have much contact. Hakuu looked a little stiff at the rude gesture.

Can you stay here? Maomao asked.

Why?

I think I want you to listen to the discussion together.

Hakuus expression was unchanged.

Honnyan went out to the hallway and called Airan, who had showed up nearby, to a stop. Look after him.

The crown prince was transferred from Hakuu to Airan. The crown prince laughed as he tugged Airans hair. Airan smiled wryly as she took him away.

Maomao, whats this discussion about?

Empress Gyokuyou and Honnyan didnt comment on the fact that Hakuu had remained. Apparently, they wanted the discussion to proceed quickly.

Its about this. Maomao took out the kanzashi that had been entrusted to her.

Did you figure out who the culprit is? Gyokuyou asked.

I dont know the answer to that. As to why the kanzashi turned black, and whether the stone inside is missing, I believe I have an explanation for those two things.

Really?

Yes. Maomao took out the sketch Infa had drawn for her last night. Empress Gyokuyou, you headed to the palace to change your dress, right? And whilst doing that, you noticed the kanzashi was missing.

Thats right. We were short on time, so changing clothes took precedence over looking for it.

(I knew it.)

They didnt make a commotion when the kanzashi went missing.

You thought you dropped it, right?

Yes. Since we were in a hurry. I thought I dropped it along the way when my head collided with the tree branches.

could it be, around here? Maomao pointed at the sketch.

Yes, thats right. There was a pallet at my side. To avoid it, I came into contact with a tree branch.

Pallet, in other words, where the pot was?

Maomao glanced at Hakuu. Her expression was unchanged.

(Was I wrong?)

But, it would faster to explain with her here.

Frankly speaking, I wondering if this kanzashi was dropped rather than stolen. Maomao said.

what do you mean?

Exactly what I said. Empress Gyokyou is worried that the kanzashi has been stolen without your knowledge and then returned as a threat, correct?

The kanzashi was blackened and missing the stone inside it, as if threatening the owner with the same fate. The darkened silver suggested poisoning.

As to why the kanzashi was blackened and why the stone is missing, if there was no malicious intent, will Empress Gyokuyou gain a peace of mind?

my.

Also, Empress Gyokyou, do you have an idea about why the stone disappeared?

Empress Gyokuyou twirled the ends of her hair. Her eyes wandered.

Please explain it already. Why is the stone in the kanzashi missing? Honnyan said.

Empress Gyokuyou. Do you still have the rock?

so we cant avoid explaining it, huh. The empress stood in resignation. She went deeper into the room, bringing back a small box from which she produced a clear, six-sided crystal.

May I use it? Maomao asked.

It was Maomao who gave it to me in the first place.

Maomao pick up the stone and a pitcher of water. Can you lend me a container?

Hakuu brought over a bowl. Maomao placed the stone inside it and poured water over it.

its dissolving?

Its salt.

SALT!?

So Honnyan actually hadnt known. Otherwise, she wouldnt have allowed it to be used in the kanzashi worn at the garden party.

G-Gyokuyou-sama. Whats the meaning of this?

Fu-fufufu. I mean, its pretty. No one noticed, right? Empress Gyokuyous mischievous expression was certainly just like her.

I didnt think rock salt could take such a pretty form though. Hakuu watched the dissolving salt.

Yes, I crystallised it nicely and picked a pretty looking one, Maomao said.

Maomao, dont tell me, you made something like this at the Jade Palace? Honnyan said.

Its past the time to be told this now.

So, the rock had dissolved in water. What about this blackening then? Gyokuyou asked.

There are many reasons as to why silver will cloud up. For example Maomao drew an oval on the edge of the sketch. Egg.

Egg? The three people looked mystified.

Yes, egg. Do you know what rotten egg smells like?

The three people shook their heads. Its fundamentally the maidservants job to clear out the kitchen waste, so they might not have come across the stench of rot before.

Its hard to explain, huh, she thought as she looked for a different example.

You would know what boiled egg smells like, right?

In that case

It has a characteristic smell, but in fact, hot springs also have the same smell.

Hot springs. Ahhh, now that you mention it.

It seems Empress Gyokuyou had bathed in hot springs before. There might be one or two hot springs on the journey from the western lands to the capital.

Hot springs contain sulphur. In reality, so do boiled eggs. Silverware will tarnish when you eat egg with it.

I see.

Honnyan made a face that said, Why didnt I realise this?

She knew about the dishes at the garden party, so shed probably have an idea about why the kanzashi blackened.

The reason something happened to the kanzashi was that it fell into a pot containing boiled eggs. The salt crystal inside it dissolved and the silver blackened because of the eggs.

The extremely salty soup that Rihaku mentioned, was probably because of the salt crystal.

Then how did the kanzashi end up in the pot?

I dont know. It could have fallen in coincidentally when Empress Gyokuyou dropped it, or someone put it in.

Someone put it in, you said. What was their intention? Hakuus eyes narrowed.

Pretend youre someone whos preparing the cooking. You find a kanzashi. Then a maid appears, looking for a dropped kanzashi. What do you do then?

Immediately present it, asking, Is it this?

Play dumb?

Or

Try and hide it somewhere in surprise and panic?

Are you saying, they unintentionally put it in the pot in front of them?

Yes. Maomao continued on with a slight sense of guilt at the ambiguous details. In the end, once inside the pot, it cant be retrieved right away. Even if it was dropped by accident and hidden inside the pot temporarily, it became blackened with the rock inside missing when it was taken out.

They probably kept silent and couldnt return it.

Just a moment. If a server found the kanzashi, wouldnt it be hard for them to return it?

Yes. Thats right.

Going by that, how was it returned to Empress Gyokuyou?

It is difficult for a server to return the kanzashi by hiding it amongst the empress gifts. I can only assume they asked someone else for help.

And so, how the missing kanzashi became a threat was due to the manner in which it was returned.

Maomao wasnt confident, but she had some theories.

The reason she had Hakuu stay behind was because of that.

However, as far as Maomao could see, Hakuu wasnt behaving strangely. She might be thick-skinned, or she might really be unaware.

What would happen if someone near the palace saw a maid part of Empress Gyokuyous entourage? It would probably be easy for that maid to slip the kanzashi in among the gifts.

When returned in such a worn condition, they should have known what the reaction would be.

Honnyan would surely report it. Knowing Empress Gyokuyous character, there was no way shed deliver punishment.

How about the Infa and the others, those three girls?

The three individuals also knew the crystal was made of salt. They could explain it properly, and they had no reason to hide it either.

Then, what about Hakuus group?

In terms of personality, Maomao is inclined to think theyd report it honestly. If you exclude a certain point

There are some incompetent individuals too. Nevermind the fact that it would have ended with no issues if it had been returned properly. With this, youd think that someone is threatening a poisoning.

And, for Empress Gyokuyou, who would fit the role of a political rival? Consort Rifa who gave birth to an imperial prince in the same year? Or

Jinshi, the former crown prince and younger brother of his majesty?

Maomao wasnt saying Hakuus group wasnt loyal to Empress Gyokuyou. However, something about them that was clearly set them apart from the old timer maids.

I have one question for Hakuu-sama. Do you think the person who stole and returned the kanzashi is Jinshi-sama? Maomao asked.

wouldnt it be the case if you think about it normally? Hakuu answered.

Hakuu, didnt I tell you that wont happen? Empress Gyokuyou smiled bitterly. Empress Gyokuyou was aware of the fact that Jinshi didnt want the right to imperial succession.

Honnyan and Infas group was also in close terms with Jinshi. They wouldnt think that he would mess with them.

Even Maomao knew very well that Jinshi found his own position as a pain above all else.

Thats why she decided to take it upon herself to say words that met halfway with Hakuu. From the look of things, Gyokuyou-sama, it seems strange people will enter your circle before you realise it.

My sincerest apologies, but it is the case. For some reason, Hakuu looked at Maomao.

Honnyan looked like she had an epiphany.

(Whats with this reaction?)

Maomao felt a little uneasy.

Gyokuyou-sama needs to understand that there are many enemies around you, Hakuu said.

I know. But, we dont need to bare our fangs against people who arent our enemies. hey, Hakuu. could this be a message from Father? Gyokuyou asked.

no, its my own opinion.

Then, this isnt something you did, right?

What are you talking about! Hakuu raised her voice.

Honnyan looked at Hakuu. Could it be Gyokuou-sama, then?

(T/N: , Yu Ying)

(Gyokuou?)

It was Maomaos first time hearing that name.

Its not something done under Older Brothers suggestion, right? Empress Gyokuyou said, checking.

(Older brother, huh.)

Maomao heard that Empress Gyokuyou has an older brother, who is currently governing the western lands on behalf of his father. She was sure that Rikuson, who had been the weirdo tacticians aide, was there as his advisor.

No. Hakuus expression changed. I

From her words, Maomao could clearly imagine who had done it.

The other two maids, Kokuu and Sekiu. Hakus younger sisters.

Empress Gyokuyou and Honnyan wore complicated expressions.

Empress Gyokuyous faction wasnt a monolith either. Though their objectives were the same, their methods varied.

(They succeeded when Empress Gyokuyou got a sense of danger.)

However, Maomao was hung up on the name, Gyokuou.

Empress Gyokuyou, from her colouring, has foreign blood. Her father Gyokuen is old, so theres a high chance that her brother was born from a different mother.

Specifically dispatching Rikuson to the western lands as well, could there be some idea behind it?

(I have absolutely no idea.)

Hakuu went to summon her younger sisters. Maomao, feeling awkward, fidgeted with the kanzashi.

She could go back to the dorms right now, but what could happen from here on?

Other than that, she felt a little gloomy when she realised it was nearly time for work.

Jinshi END