Chapter Text
Maomao found that her work in the Jade Pavilion was much easier than she expected. Though, she had reason to believe that the other ladies-in-waiting were babying her. When a stack of books needed carrying, Maomao found that her pile contained a significantly smaller amount of novels than the other women. When she was meant to dust the bookshelves, the other women took the duster from her hands before she could reach the top shelves. They even followed behind her on the stairs to ensure she didn’t fall down them. Really, it was all too extreme.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but why do you all insist on babying me?” Maomao had asked one day, she hoped their response wasn’t indicative of a former ineptness of Maomao at her job.
It was Yinghua–if she remembered correctly–who answered her, “Well, we just worry about you, you know? You’re so fresh from such a serious injury, we just want to make sure you’re okay.”
The three exchanged puppy-eyed looks, and Maomao had a feeling that there was more to it. But she wasn’t particularly inclined to ask.
She would admit, if only to herself, that perhaps this change in scenery was too abrupt for her. Knowing that you used to know where things were and now you suddenly don’t was stressful, but not unexpected. Still, it wasn’t like she was having a particularly good time.It would probably have been better for Maomao to stay somewhere more familiar, but duty calls, she supposed.
She enjoyed the taste testing though. That was fun.
“My Lady, this food is safe to eat.”
She stood up, ready to leave.
“Maomao, wait. I must ask you something. How has your leg been? Are you okay with walking?” The question sounded sincere for the most part, but Maomao had an inclination that there was more to it than mere concern.
She answered honestly, “There has been a bit of pain, but nothing extreme. I apologize if I have been completing my tasks at a slower rate than before. It doesn’t really hurt to walk, necessarily, but I do limp a bit.”
Lady Gyokuyou let out a soft chuckle that was guarded by her hand, “No, no, don’t worry about that. You can walk a bit though, correct?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Perfect. I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while, but I wasn't sure if you were well enough. You see, I’m concerned that my Xiaoling has been cooped up in the pavilion for too long. She’s running now, you know? I feel that it would be good for her to get some air. Do you think it would be alright if you took her out for a short walk? I'd have Hongniang accompany you.”
Maomao thought for a moment. It certainly didn’t seem like a bad idea. Being outside can help strengthen the immune system, Maomao only wished that she didn’t have to be the one to do it. Not that she particularly minded, it was just that her leg may have been a little worse for wear than she had let on. It wasn’t that it didn’t hurt, she just had an above average pain tolerance. Maomao wasn’t exactly eager to continue being injured, at least she could control the progression of her leg wound–to an extent. But of course she understood that Lady Gyokuyou was in no position to leave the pavilion herself and bringing staff with medical training along wasn’t a bad idea. So, Maomao agreed.
“Of course, my Lady. It would be no issue.”
—
It was nice outside, that was one thing that Maomao couldn’t complain about. Although, she was getting an odd vibe from her partner.
The princess walked a few paces ahead, enough space to grant her freedom but close enough that they could keep an eye on her. Maomao looked at Hongniang who had her own face tilted towards the pavement. Maomao decided that she was acting strange, for her at least. From the few conversations that she'd had with the other ladies in waiting, Hongiang was stern but nice. She had a lot of dignity and certainly a lot of respect for Lady Gyokuyou. Maomao found herself staring at the other woman and wondering where all of those traits went. Besides her brief reintroduction, Hongniang hadn’t really spoken to Maomao all that much other than to relay assignments. She found it a little odd, Maomao hadn’t been under the impression that they were on bad terms before she lost her memory, but is it possible for that to be the case? She wondered, but what could she really do about that?
In her analysis, Maomao realized that something had caught Hongniang's attention. Her face perked up quite perceptibly. Maomao looked straight and realized that two tall figures were approaching, she sighed once she recognized them.
“Ah! I see that the princess is out for a walk. How are you both faring?” Master Jinshi smiled at them.
“Very good, thank you Master Jinshi. Might I ask where you are headed?” Hongniang asked, maintaining a certain level of professionality which surprised Maomao a bit. It seemed like Hongniang didn’t have much care for Jinshi. In fact, she seemed more focused on… Master Gaoshun?
It was information that Maomao stowed away for later.
Jinshi smiled that too-wide smile, “Actually, I was just headed to the Jade pavilion myself. I had something to discuss with the Apothecary.”
Maomao’s brow furrowed at that. She thought that she had been rid of him. Why was he so persistent?
“Oh? What's the matter?”
“I have orders from the emperor,” Maomao’s eyes widened. “He wishes me to speak with her about matters leading up to the accident.
“Oh!” Oh indeed, “Well, in that case… I suppose we can accompany you back to the pavilion. Our walk was just about over anyway.”
Maomao mentally cursed. Despite remaining silent during the whole interaction so as not to draw attention to herself, the sparkly eunuch sidled right up to her. Wasn’t he supposed to be walking in front of her? She supposed that he could get away with the excuse that he didn’t want to block her line of sight to the princess. But it was a thin excuse at best. Maomao thought that Hongniang would surely call him out, or at least recognize the discrepancy, but she seemed a bit too focused on Gaoshun.
—
They arrived back at the pavilion and Maomao had barely enough time to report on the walk before she was whisked away by Jinshi. She was led off into a side room for privacy, it was only her, Master Gaoshun, and Master Jinshi.
“Maomao,” She took note of the use of her name, “how have things been over here?”
Small talk? She’d rather get to the main issue at hand, but Maomao knew how to indulge.
“It’s a bit early to tell, but so far Lady Gyokuyou’s pregnancy shows no abnormalities. There is nothing to worry about, Master Jinshi. Of course, I'd have to stay to examine the fetus’ development when she is a bit farther along.”
Jinshi let out a breathy laugh while he shook his head, “Thank you for that, but that isn't what I was asking you. I meant, how have things been with you? Is everything okay with you working here? No panic attacks?”
Maomao willed her face not to scrunch, she didn’t appreciate him bringing that up–even in private. Her gaze shifted to Gaoshun who wore a weary look on his face.
“No… everything has been fine,” he didn’t have to pretend to worry about her just to make conversation, “Now, what was it that you needed? You said that the emperor wanted you to talk to me? Is everything alright?” Maomao grew serious.
But Jinshi didn’t match her. Instead he shifted his gaze to the side, scratching at the back of his neck.
“Oh… I… That was- you don’t need to worry about that. That was…” he faltered under her scrutiny, “I made that up.”
Maomao couldn't hold back her brow from furrowing. She wasn’t an expert, but couldn’t he get beheaded for that if the emperor ever found out? She was about to be angry but she recalled a moment from when she first came to.
“Wait… no you didn’t. When I first woke up Master Gaoshun said that the emperor wanted to speak with me.”
“...he did?”
“Well, he didn’t say it to me but…”
Jinshi sighed, “No, no, that’s been cleared up. We collectively wanted to speak with you about the incident leading up to your injuries, but that was before we knew about your… condition. You wouldn’t be able to answer those questions. Of course he’s not happy about it but there’s nothing we can do, if there was a way to instantaneously give you your memory back then of course we would have done it but it’s out of our hands. It- I would…” he trailed off.
Maomao watched as he walked over to a couch, sat down, and held his head in his hands. It was curious, Maomao always had trouble deciphering feelings. She could often tell what a person was feeling, but the cause of it usually eluded her. She could tell that Jinshi was upset, but there were numerous causes for it. She figured that the most likely one was stress, whatever his work was, she imagined that it was hard. But then… a memory forced its way into her mind. That look he'd given her, in the carriage, going to her father's shop. That look that she herself–as emotionally dense as she was–had labeled as “the longing.”
She walked over and sat next to him, she wasn’t very sure what went into comforting someone but she could try.
Maomao patted his shoulder twice, “There there.”
Jinshi picked his head out of his hands and looked at her. He stared at her with pursed lips before looking away as he nodded to himself. Clearly it was unsuccessful.
“I'm sorry,” she said.
"Why are you sorry?”
“Because I can't remember.”
“Oh, Maomao… Don't be sorry. It’s not your fault.”
“So how is it your fault then?”
"What?”
“The way you said that, ‘why are you sorry,’ clearly you blame yourself.”
He let out a small smile. This one was real, Maomao could tell.
“Nothing gets by you, huh…” he paused for a minute, “because if you hadn’t saved me then you’d still be- you’d… If I had just caught on to whatever you did then…”
“I don’t understand. That doesn’t seem like your fault, I was the one who made the decision to save you. It wasn’t like you ordered me to,” at least she didn’t think so.
“Yeah… yeah you’re right…” he sighed, “You're okay here? Truly?”
This again? “Yes, Master Jinshi, I am.”
“Okay… Because if you aren't then I could make up some excuse or something and you could come back home with me an we could-”
“Master Jinshi! I’m alright here, I promise.”
“Yeah… okay… You’d tell me if you weren’t right?”
No. “Yes, of course. If that’s what you want, Master Jinshi.”
“Well… if it's what you want. I want you to feel comfortable coming to me with things.”
“I will- I do,” she amended.
“Good… that’s good,” he stared at her an extra moment before standing, “Well then! Good talk, I’m glad to hear that everything is in order! Goodbye then, Apothecary!”
He didn't say anything else as he fled the room.