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“Dr. Kan, is that you?”
Luomen looked over his shoulder to see a sprightly woman in her mid 50s entering the pharmacy. “Why, Ms. Suiren. You look as lovely as ever,” he responded. As far as he was concerned, she looked exactly the same as he remembered except for her white hair and a few minor wrinkles.
“And you're still a terrible liar,” Suiren twittered. “I’ve become an old granny in the past twenty years.”
Luomen smiled his gentle smile. “I would never attempt to lie to one so perceptive as you, Ms. Suiren. I believe the years have treated you kindly. What brings you here this morning?”
Suiren pulled a short list from her sleeves and handed it to the junior doctor behind the counter “I'm just refreshing some basics for the household,” she said as the junior went to the back to retrieve her order. “I got out of the habit of coming here while your Maomao was with us. She did the compounding herself for everything she deemed necessary, and I've only now started to run low.”
The elderly doctor shook his head fondly. “I do hope she wasn't too much trouble,” said Luomen. “Maomao tends to get a bit overexcited about her interests.”
“She was quite a capable worker, and I was sad to see her go, even if she was trying to turn the palace gardens into an herb field,” Suiren answered, “not unlike a doctor I used to know.” She politely covered her smirk with her hand.
Luomen’s smile remained in place as the juniors returned with his and Suiren’s medicines. “Before I take these to the Rear Palace, may I offer you my transportation for your return to the Young Master’s residence?” he offered.
Suiren happily accepted, and the two left the pharmacy together.
As they neared his carriage, Luomen broke off to request the detour from the driver, and the young man was reluctant until Suiren presented the token that allowed her unfettered access to the Moon Prince. After it was settled, the driver had a dusting of pink across his cheeks.
“I see the Moon Prince’s security remains a top priority,” Luomen commented as the carriage picked up speed. He busied his hands with arranging his cane against the carriage wall.
A dark look passed over Suiren’s features, but it didn’t last long. “Beauty can be a curse,” she said lightly. “That’s part of why I was loath to lose your Maomao back to the Jade Pavilion. She’s one of the only maids we’ve ever had who wasn’t trying to steal the Young Master for herself… although truth be told, I don’t think he’d have minded if she tried,” she added with a mischievous look in her eyes.
Luomen had gathered that his daughter had a unique relationship with the prince, but he hadn’t decided what to make of it yet, so for now he kept his answers more bland than Suiren probably wanted. “I have to say, I was somewhat surprised by Mamomao’s eagerness to return to the palace after her dismissal.”
“Even after you met the Young Master for yourself?” Suiren teased.
Luomen gazed briefly out the carriage window. “You know Maomao, she isn't swayed by the type of things most young ladies would be,” he explained.
“Oh, you misunderstand, Dr. Kan,” said Suiren, though he was certain she thought no such thing. “I don't mean his looks. I mean the way he looks at her.”
Luomen’s expression didn't change. “Notice from those in high places does not often bode well for those who live below the clouds,” he said carefully.
“Maomao said something similar once,” Suiren sighed. “I’m sure you recognized the Young Master the moment you saw him. Did you ever consider telling Maomao who she was truly working for?”
He had; the moment Jinshi the “eunuch” had met Luomen in the Inner Palace to escort him into the Rear Palace, there was no mistaking the look of the former emperor. Or Ah-Duo’s, for that matter; he'd watched her grow up alongside the future Son of Heaven. It was a small miracle that so few people remembered the youthful visage of the former sovereign enough to recognize “Jinshi” for who he truly was. Luomen did believe Maomao deserved to know how deep she was getting into imperial politics… but it wasn't in his nature to stir the pot. “It wasn't my place,” said Luomen at last. “Good men who conceal identities often do so with good reason.”
Suiren fixed her piercing gaze upon the old doctor. He remembered this gaze from the rear palace, and he had seen this look make assassins turn tail, spies flip loyalties, and bystanders flee as though the area would become a crime scene.
“You knew, back then, didn’t you.”
Luomen neither confirmed nor denied; it was unnecessary. “Does the Moon Prince know?” he asked, his tone unchanged.
The sharp look melted gradually from Suiren’s face. She was still guarded, but Luomen was known for keeping his head down and staying out of everyone else’s schemes. “He's never been told, and he’s never voiced suspicion to either me or Master Gaoshun,” she answered. “Everyone worked very hard to ensure he had no reason to suspect… Has Maomao worked it out?”
“She's never brought it up.”
Neither had given a definitive answer, but there was nothing either could do.
The next few minutes passed in comfortable silence before Suiren broached another topic best discussed away from prying ears.
“The Young Master told me that your grand nephew brought Maomao home from the west due to a family matter. May I inquire if all is well?”
At this, Luomen couldn't stop a sigh. “Unfortunately, matters with Lakan are much easier to resolve when Maomao is around, much as she dislikes it. The matter in question had become particularly difficult… his wife passed away, you see, and he took it rather hard.”
“Oh dear, what awful news to return to,” said Suiren. Her face contracted in worry, and Luomen saw that it was genuine. “Was there an accident, or did she fall ill?”
Luomen shook his head. “The illness was one she had borne for many years. Maomao and I did what we could to slow its progress, but Fengxian was much too far along when the illness was brought to my attention. No remedy could do much besides dull the pain,” he answered. “Lakan knew this when they married, but knowledge does not lessen the loss when it finally comes.”
“And is Maomao holding up alright?”
Luomen sighed again. “There is no love lost between Maomao and her mother,” he said simply.
It was Suiren’s turn to shake her head. “I always assumed she'd learned how to handle men like the Young Master from her mother, but I suppose that came from those sisters she talks about.”
“They're good girls,” he said, “though I hear that Pairin gave Master Gaoshun’s youngest quite the fright.”
Suiren had a chuckle at Basen’s expense. “That reminds me,” she said, though Luomen was certain the woman had never forgotten a single thing and had been planning for an opening since she saw him. “I confess, with the Young Master sending Basen to the Verdigris House in his stead lately, I'm afraid something may have happened on their travels to the Western Capital. Has Maomao mentioned anything to you, Dr. Kan?”
Luomen shook his head. “When it comes to personal matters, Maomao tends to keep to herself,” he answered honestly. “She did mention correspondence, so I believe they write to each other,” he added.
“They used to, but not lately,” snorted Surien. “She wrote him once recently, and the letter he sent back was so dry it could have gone to any bureaucrat.” The woman shook her head and folded her hands into her lap. “I had hoped the Young Master would take advantage of the long trip to explain the situation before springing the banquet on Xiaomao. No one expected him to come home with a bride on his arm, but I assumed he would have made some progress with his intended. Instead, he threw himself back into work the moment he got off the ship, won't say more than two words about the entire journey, and now it's been months since they’ve seen each other.”
Luomen thought he heard her mutter something like “At least he's not growing mushrooms this time,” and he decided it was time to get some of the answers he would never be able to wheedle out of Maomao. “Does the Moon Prince truly intend to take a pleasure district apothecary for his legal wife?”
“ Only wife, if he has his way.”
Luomen couldn’t stop his eyes from widening in surprise. “How romantic,” he said flatly.
“Even I wasn’t expecting such a declaration from him, but once he has his heart and mind sent on something, no substitute will do,” Suiren admitted. “But do keep in mind, whether she accepts her position or not, Maomao is the daughter of Grand Commandant Kan Lakan. With the Shi clan gone, Master Lakan is functionally the highest-placed advisor in His Majesty’s court. The daughter of such a man would be a well placed match for a prince, if I do say so myself,” she added, her hand rising to cover most (but not all) of her customary smirk.
Though he strove for objectivity in all things, Luomen couldn’t help his fatherly concern that had nothing to do with the young suitor’s rank, or even the suitor himself.
But then Suiren’s tough demeanor began to melt away again. “Admittedly, I’m not certain if that path is something that Xiaomao would accept, and while I remain the Young Master’s ally, I worry for her as well.”
Some of Luomen’s apprehension faded at Suiren’s confession, and he decided it would be all right to explain some of the confusing aspects of his daughter's demeanor. “Trust does not come easily for Maomao,” he began. “May I ask what you know of her life from before she was brought to the Rear Palace?”
Suiren touched her index finger to her chin as she appeared to gather her thoughts. “I’m aware that she was born while Master Lakan was delayed in the Western Capital, and I assume she was brought up by the Madame and the courtesans before you took her in,” the woman reasoned.
Luomen nodded, “Fengxian’s affair with Lakan damaged the house’s reputation for many years,” he continued, “and Fengxian wanted little to do with the child she blamed for her misfortune. That is why, even before the illness, the younger courtesans took over Maomao’s care.”
“How dreadful…” said Suiren, and the emotion in her eyes was genuine.
“Maomao and her sisters adore each other,” said Luomen, “but all of them knew that customers came first. Even before she could walk, I’m told that Maomao seemed to figure out that her cries would not always be answered. She was too young to remember, but we all suspect that is when she learned not to rely on anyone if she could avoid doing so. It’s made her self-sufficient, but also quite insular and standoffish. She finds it difficult to understand those who reach out for her, and she has a hard time accepting help, even sometimes from me.”
The words seemed to fill the space of the carriage with a heavy fog. Even though what Luomen had relayed of Maomao’s early life was only the polite version, Suiren still took her time absorbing the difficult information. Luomen suspected none of this was truly new to her, but the history likely added an uncomfortable context to the Maomao she had come to know.
It wasn’t all for naught, though. “That said, Maomao surprised me when she spoke of the friends she made in the Rear Palace,” he said. “There were a few among the laundry maids, and she also spoke fondly of the Empress’ ladies.”
“Oh yes, and they adore Maomao,” Suiren chimed in. “I’m sure you’ve seen for yourself during the Empress’ checkups.”
Luomen nodded. “I must also admit that Maomo does act differently around the Moon Prince, more so than I’ve seen with anyone else.”
As he knew she would, Suiren seized on the information. “Oh? When I asked her last, she merely said the Young Master was an ‘excellent employer.’”
A chuckle escaped Luomen. “I suspect that Maomao herself doesn't understand her feelings yet, but I’ve never seen her tease a young man the way she does the poor Moon Prince. Watching them converse is like watching a fearsome sparring match fought with words.”
It was Suiren’s turn to laugh. “She certainly keeps him on his toes, but I believe the Young Master gives as good as he gets.”
“No doubt he does,” Luomen agreed. “I am not aware of what twists and turns their relationship has taken since Maomao left the palace, but she is diligent and stubborn. If she has finally started to allow the Moon Prince in, she will not be quick to shut him out. Her feeling are apparent to those who have known her longest; even the Madame has been treating Maomao’s highborn acquaintance–and only him, not Master Gaoshun or Master Basen–as if he is a patron, or so I’m told by Joka and Meimei.”
“At least he paid in advance,” sighed Suiren, and both chuckled. “He always seemed so refreshed when he would return from a visit to Maomao. Master Gaoshun informed me that she often forces medicinal tea on the Young Master, and once she even marched him upstairs for a nap!”
Luomen smiled at this; Maomao probably hadn’t realized it, but providing care was her way of showing affection, and with the Moon Prince, she had gone above and beyond.
“Do the Moon Prince’s feelings toward Maomao remain unchanged?” he asked Suiren.
Suiren rolled her eyes and sighed. “A fiery tsunami sent by Heaven Itself couldn’t change the Young Master’s mind about her.”
“Then the children will be fine,” Luomen concluded. “Maomao rarely reaches out to others, yet she sent the first letter. She will be there when the Moon Prince is ready to reach back again.”
Suiren nodded in agreement.
As the carriage pulled up to Jinshi’s residence, an empty-handed courier was walking away from the front door. “Excuse me, Dr. Kan, I must see to this,” she said as she exited the carriage. Luomen asked the driver to wait while Suiren approached the courier and spoke to him briefly. A wide smile bloomed on her face when she sent the young man on his way and returned to the carriage window.
“It appears that the Young Master has just received some kind of antler he purchased from the traders. He then requisitioned a carriage, and he seemed to be carrying both the package and his mask when he left.”
The old friends shared a relieved smile.