Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a beautiful day, with the sky clear and a little breeze that was preventing them from overheating under the bright sun.
They were at one of the named clan’s house (Maomao didn’t bother to remember who was their host, honestly) for the weekend. It was under the pretense for the named families to celebrate amongst themselves the birth of the new imperial babies birthed by Consort Lihua, a pair of twin of a boy and a girl. In reality, like all the other meetings, it was mostly to establish connection between clans and find a good match for their offspring or accelerate a promotion.

But unlike all the other meetings, the Moon Prince, younger brother of the Emperor, was present. He was the guest of honor and had all the difficulties in the world in turning down all the hopeful parents and daughters without seeming to do so. It brought back Maomao to his days in the rear palace under the identity of Jinshi the eunuch. It looked like he was a beautiful flower surrounded by ambitious bees. With his lustrous black hair, fair skin, beautiful eyes and toned body he was indeed the most beautiful flower of the day. After all, he could have brought the country to it’s knees if he was born a woman instead of a man.
Basen, his body guard, was never farther than a step behind and seemed distressed by the constant presence of the delicate ladies. Even if their center of attention wasn’t his person, they were still way too close to him. As always, he was afraid of causing them physical harm by simply pushing them out of the way if needed be.
Chue, or Miss Chue as she liked to be called, was one of his two ladies in waiting attending the event. She was oddly behaving herself, not trying to eat half the plate she was supposed to only taste for poison, not doing any magic tricks and keeping her quips for herself. Maomao suspected her mother in law, Basen’s mother, to be behind this strange conduct.

Maomao wasn’t part of the Moon Prince’s party. She was here as La Lakan’s daughter, accompanied by her adoptive brother Lahan. After so many years, and mostly the year spent at the western capital, she couldn’t deny anymore the fact that the Freak was her birth father. Plus his father had married her mother and she was officially into the family’s registry. As such, it made as much sense for her to be here as a representative of the La clan than Lahan.
She didn’t have the occasion yet to approach them. She missed spending time with Miss Chue lately, being to busy at work to do anything else than go straight to bed when she returned to the dormitory. And as much as she hated to admit it, she missed the easy conversation she could have with Master Jinshi (as she still called him when only those closest to him were present).

Luckily, Yao was here as well. Niece of the Vice Minister Lu of the Board of Rites, she was here as his representative since he still was in the western capital. She was accompanied by En’en, her colleague / lady in waiting. The three of them were good friends and Maomao was glad they were here.
Yao wasn’t interested in Lahan anymore (interest that Maomao couldn’t understand in the first place) and seemed disappointed the he came alone. En’en and Maoamo hadn’t said anything, but they both suspected Yao to have a crush on Lahan’s brother. Fact that was causing conflicting emotion for En’en since he seemed to be the perfect man for her mistress but she, as the same time, couldn’t let go of her.

After the banquet, during which they were served plenty of savory food and dry wine (just as Maomao liked it), most of the men went hunting in the nearby mountain forest.
The women went back to their chambers or stayed in the garden to enjoy the warm rays of sunshine while drinking tea and enjoying some snacks. Lahan was enjoying tea with two beautiful ladies quite older than him.
Maomao wished she could have gone to the forest. But looking for medicinal herbs and mushrooms while a hunting party was ongoing was decidedly not a good idea if she wanted to stay unharmed.

Miss Chue was returning from the Moon Prince quarter, where she probably helped Suiren with some chores, and went straight to where Maomao and her friend’s were to spend some quality time.

The day was nice, the food was delicious and she enjoyed her friends company.

Suddenly, a big commotion was heard at the gate.
Then, a horse bursted into the garden. On the horse, Jinshi.

Without realizing it, Maomao jumped onto her feet and sprinted towards him. As she grew closer to him, she started to notice some dark red spots on his otherwise light blue clothing.
He was holding his right side and blood was dripping from his right arms, staining the reins.

"Maomao, help me" he breathed.

His eyes closed and he fell directly into the arm of Basen, who had arrived just in time to catch him.

Chapter Text

She needed to act, and quick.

Without opening his cloth, she could guess than there was a gushing wound on the right side of his abdomen. There must have been other wounds, the other second most serious one being somewhere on his right arm.
His face and hands were covered in scratches, and she noticed some defense wounds too.

"I’m a doctor, let me see ! said some old man, coming through the crowd.
Stay away from him ! answered Maomao, already planing on what to do.
Didn’t you hear me ? I’m a doctor !
I said, stay away from him ! she shouted back."

Since this idiot had branded himself with Gyuokuyou’s flower emblem that fated night, she was one of the few that could look at his naked body.

"Sir, I’m afraid you won’t be able to tend to the Moon Prince injury. She received the Imperial order to do so and you didn’t. Please back away."

That was Chue, using her deep and commanding voice. The doctor had no other choice but to step back. The other onlookers also took a step back, intimidated by both the yelling of Maomao and the strange aura Chue was displayig.

"Basen, bring him to his room. Yao and En’en, bring all medical supplies you can find there. Chue, go arrange for a carriage to bring us back to the palace as soon as possible. A smooth one."

As the guest of honor, Jinshi had the whole annex all to himself. It was relief, since she was most certainly going to do surgery and it wouldn’t look good on her if it was to be known. Or if someone caught a glimpse of the prince’s scar.
When they got to the annex, Suiren had somehow already prepared his bedroom for the surgery. The mattress was covered by a thick white cloth to protect it and there was candle lit to compensate the windows being shut. There also was some bandages and balm next to it, and a little brasero with water already boiling.

Basen put Jinshi on the mattress and went back outside to stand guard.
Yao and En’en arrived with the medical supplies and started organizing them.

"You can go now, thank you.
- But we can help ! protested Yao.
- You can’t do this alone ! added En’en.
- No you can’t. Suiren will help. Now go."

Understanding that the subject matter wasn’t up for discussion, both of them left the room.
Only remained Suiren, who came next Maomao and asked what she needed her to do.

Maomao took a pair of scissors and cut open Jinshi’s clothes. It was a shame, but they didn’t have time and she wanted to move him as little as possible.
The view of his torso wasn’t a pretty sight. While Suiren was applying pressure to the injury on his abdomen, Maomao took a look at the other wounds.
Without surprise, the one on the right side of his abdomen was the most serious one. It looked like someone had twisted a knife in it. She got straight to work. She asked Suiren to cut up Jinshi's sleeve and put pressure on his left arm. She would start with the abdomen.

She disinfected as much as possible the wound and took a needle with a thread made from animal product. Slowly, she closed up the organ that was cut open as best as she could. For good mesure, she disinfected the wound once again before closing it up with silk thread this time.
Then she got on to the wound on the arm. Luckily it wasn’t a deep one and she was able to close it up quickly before bandaging it.
She instructed Suiren to clean the other wounds. The old lady's cleaning revealed a deep cut on his left palm. He must have stopped a blade with it. Wincing at the thought of the pain he must have felt, Maomao bandaged his hand carefully after stitching it up. He wouldn't be able to use it for a while.
The minor cut and scratches would require balm, but she didn't have one with her. All she could do was maybe stitch some of them. But she didn't have enough, she would have to prioritize.

The voice of Chue could be heard from behind the closed door :

"There is a carriage ready just in front. Do we move him now ?
- I can finish treating the other injuries on the road. Let’s get him out of this place. answered Maomao"

The journey back took only a couple of hours, but it felt like an eternity.
Chue was driving, as Basen was still in a state of shock, looking at his master laid down. At first he had tried to explain himself, how he could have failed at his mission so badly, but the words couldn’t come out of his mouth.
Suiren spent the whole time silent, appart from asking Maomao how she could help.
Jinshi had numerous cuts, some deeper than others, a swollen ankle but nothing seemed broken. She had managed to close up his two biggest wounds, and the one on his palm, but he had lost a lot of blood, and she didn’t know if he got hit in the head.
After a few hours, he still hadn’t woken up.
After she finished bandaging his torso, she let Suiren put some clothes on him and turned her attention to Basen.
They must have fell into an ambush since he, too, was injured. She forced him to show her his wounds and started treating them too. Even if he was riddled with guilt and felt like he was underserving of it, not taking care of the wounds wouldn’t do them any good.

Chue must have sent a pigeon to the palace because they were let in quickly, the doors being opened for the carriages one after the other.
When they got to the prince residence, there was a stretcher waiting for them. And Gaoshun. And Lakan ?

Maomao didn’t have time to care about the presence of the freak here as she quickly followed the two eunuchs holding the stretcher with the prince in it straight to his chamber.

It was the first time back in his room since the time she was summoned, and heavens did she wished the circumstances were different.
This time there wasn’t any incense or specialty food waiting for them. Only some medical supplies next to his, already open, bed.

He was laid down delicately by the eunuchs and she put the covers back on him. She needed to keep him warm and comfortable.

Maomao was worried sick. It has been a good couple of hours since his loss of consciousness and he still hadn’t woken up. Has she made a mistake while tending to his wounds ? She checked them all once again, reapplying balm were needed be. She also took the liberty of inspecting once again his scalp, looking for something she may have missed the first time. But no, nothing.

So why wasn’t he waking up ? Where did she mess up ? How could she fix it ?

"I’m sorry, Master Jinshi" she broke down crying. "I’m sorry for not being good enough. I will never be as good a doctor has my father. I will never be half good as any other lady from a good family. I’m only the daughter of a freak and a courtesan, raised in a brothel. I’m just some court lady that will never be more than the assistant to another physician.
You branded yourself for me and yet I am not good enough for you. But please, Jinshi, wake up for me. I beg of you. I lo-"

She was startled by the door being opened wide.

"Your Majesty !" she said while struggling to do the deepest bow she could despite her legs falling asleep.

With a forced smile, the Emperor came into the room.
He gestured to her to sit back down and he came to the prince’s side. Gently, he put some strand of hair behind the young man’s ear. He traced over some of the scratches on the otherwise perfect face.

"Will those disappear ? asked the Emperor, softly.
- Th-those aren’t deeps cuts, your Majesty, and they should heal without a trace.
- And his other injuries ?
- His ankle is swollen, but not broken. With proper care it will heal perfectly fine. Most of the other wounds on his torso should heal without a trace. As for the one on his abdomen, I’m afraid it will leave a scar, and the same for his right arm.
- Did you perform the surgery yourself ? he asked, worried.
- Yes, sir. I didn’t let anyone approach him, except for Suiren (the Emperor seemed relieved by this answer). But…
- But ?
- Your Majesty, my medical training isn’t complete yet. Maybe we should let a Master Physician look after him instead of me ?
- Have you done your best ?
- Yes sir.
- Is there anything else we can do ?
- We need to monitor his breathing, pulse and temperature to make sure he doesn’t have a fever. she explained.
- I don’t know much about you, but I know you can reduce a fever with medicine. We don’t need another physician. You are good enough to me. »

Maomao felt at the same time a weight lift off her shoulder and another one being put on. The Emperor thinking she was good enough was a huge relief and a huge burden at the same time. She wished she could ask for the help of Luomen. But he already have suffered enough because of the Imperial Family drama.

"Yue !"

This time it was Lady Ah-Duo. But unlike the Emperor who was showing nothing but restraint and a little bit of worry, the previous High consort was obviously extremely emotional. She was wearing plain clothes and her hair in a loose braid. She obviously left her residence in a hurry, not taking the time to make herself presentable.

"Yue, do you hear me ? she said while caressing his cheek.
- I’m sorry, lady Ah-Duo. Your son hasn’t woken up yet."

Lady Ah-Duo looked up from her secret son to focus her attention on Maomao.

"Maomao. You look terrible. she said. There wasn’t any malice in her words, it was just a matter of fact.
- Indeed. You have blood everywhere. added the Emperor. You should at least clean up and change your clothes.
- Bu-but… started to protest Maomao, not wanting to leave his side.
- You can ask Suiren to prepare you a bath. You don’t have to leave the pavilion. We will look after him while your gone."

The Emperor words didn’t leave any room for negotiation. After another deep bow, she left them and followed Suiren who was waiting at the door.
It’s only once in the bath, looking at her messy clothes on the floor, that she realized how much she was tired. She had dried blood all over her arms and face, and even some in her hair. There was also a bit of dirt mixed in, this the carriage let some of it in. Her clothes were simply ruined.
Her whole body was strung like a bow.

She took a deep breath and put her head under water. She needed to calm down.
Jinshi was safe, now, in the palace. Basen surely had already said everything he could to Gaoshun and Lakan, and those two were probably already hunting down the culprits. Nobody but her and Suiren had seen his injuries, and they did all they could. There was nothing left to do but monitor him.
The Emperor had said she was good enough.
She came back to the surface, gasping for air.

She took the time to wash every nook and cranny of her body. She felt a bit guilty, knowing that Jinshi was still lying down unconscious in his bed, but she enjoyed the moment of solitude in this warm bath. It helped her clear her head.

After putting on clean clothes, that looked a lot like a night gown, and an over dress, she went back to Jinshi’s chamber. She could hear the Emperor and Lady Ah-Duo talking softly. She knocked on the door and waited for their autorisation between coming in.

"We know we are asking a lot, but could you stay by his side tonight ? asked Lady Ah-Duo.
- Of course ! I was planning on checking on him every hour but I can do it more often.
- We would prefer you stay next to him all night. ordered the Emperor."

She bowed her head.

After another look towards their secret son, the Emperor and Lady Ah-Duo left the room, leaving Maomao alone with Jinshi.
She sat next to him and put her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. No fever. She let her hand glide down to his cheek and run her fingers over his scar. If only there was something she could do about this one too.
Her eyelids were heavy and her body felt as if it was made out of lead. Maybe if she laid down just a bit, nobody would notice ?

Chapter Text

She woke up to someone stroking her hair. Jinshi had woken up.

"How are you feeling ?
- Like shit.
- It means you are alive."

She sat up and tried to make herself a bit more presentable. She was sure her hair had a consciousness of their own, and wanted to embarrass her at this point.
Jinshi tried to sit up to, but he groaned in pain.

"Don’t move yet. Your wound are sever, you needed a lot of stitches. You have to stay in bed for the next few days."

She put the blanket back on him before standing up.

"Where are you going ? Don’t leave me alone. he complained.
- I’ll ask for Gaoshun, I’m sure he has a lot of questions for you. she explained. And I need to send a message to the Emperor that you woke up.
- And then you’ll come back ?
- I need to go to my dorm, to the infirmary…
- And then you’ll come back ?
- Yes, I’ll come back and look at your wounds.
- And stay with me ? »

Maomao rolled her eyes. How did he get even more clingy than usual ?
She ignored the pout on that too beautiful of an imperial face and left the room in search of Suiren or Gaoshun.
Once she gave her messages, she put on new clothes given by Suiren (once again, it was her daughter’s) and went back to her dormitory. There she took care of her unruly hair and put her own clothes on. She contemplated taking a nap. She didn’t sleep very well that night. She fell asleep before even realizing it, and her body was protesting.
But no. She had a job to do.

So she went to the infirmary to work.
There she was greeted by En’en and Yao.

"Maomao ! called Yao.
- Hi guys.
- What happened ? Is he okay ? said En’en.
- I can’t get into details."

Maomao couldn’t possibly discuss about the Emperor’s son brother’s health with people outside of his entourage. It was more than a health matter, but also a political one. There would soon be huge repercussions, without a doubt.
She couldn’t go around giving clues about his wellbeing without autorisation. Would the Emperor want to let people think Jinshi had died, hoping the culprits would make a mistake by being too confident ? Does he wants people to think that Jinshi’s wounds are not that serious, making the culprits nervous ?
She started working in silence. Understanding that she couldn’t give them more, Yao and En’en started a light conversation instead. But Maomao could feel the gaze of one of the new physician on her back.

"I guess you reap what you saw. he ended up saying.
- I’m sorry, what ? asked Maomao, hoping he wasn’t meaning what she thought.
- After all these years killing the Emperor’s children and then the governor of the Western Capital, it’s not surprising it’s coming back to bite the Moon Prince in the ass.
- I beg your pardon ? asked Yao, incredulous.
- Come on, we all know that guy want nothing but the throne ! I’m sure he would put poison in the Emperor’s plate if he had the chance !"

SLAP

"This is the first and last time I’m warning you. Speak ill of the Moon Prince one more time and you will experience for yourself how good I am with poison. I like them virulent and traceless."

She had slapped this son of a bitch so hard her hand was killing her. And if their was a poisoning, she would be the first suspect because of her knowledge. But that asshole didn’t need to know that.

"What you have just said is akin to treason. said Court Physician Liu. I cannot risk keeping you here and not denounce you.
- I will be a witness ! said Yao and En’en in unison.
- That would not be necessary. interjected a deep voice."

They all turned their head back to the entrance of the infirmary where Gaoshun was standing.

"Young man, you are under immediate arrest for lèse majesté."

Two guards entered the infirmary and took the man away. Gaoshun turned to Maomao.

"They were here to help carry medical supplies but I guess we’ll have to do without them. Take what you need, we are going back." He turned to leave first, be he added : "And please don’t threaten people with poison. »

She bowed her head, put supplies in her bag and followed him.

When they got to Jinshi’s chamber, the Emperor was present. She bowed as deep as she could with her arms full. Gaoshun and Maomao’s faces must have looked more tense than they thought because the Moon Prince asked them what was going on.

"Maomao got into an altercation with a colleague. said the older man, staying vague.
- Nothing to worry about, he was getting on my nerves for quite a while now."

Telling Jinshi what atrocities had been said wouldn’t do him any good. Gaoshun would report the incident to the Emperor and that would be it.

"Apothecary, called the Emperor, I need you to explain to us the Moon Prince injuries while you tend to them."

She bowed her head.
Instead of staying on the floor, she got into the bed, facing the two older men. This way, they were able to have a good view of what she was going to do. She wasn’t going to clean anything, just look, so there wasn’t any risk of getting the expensive bedding dirty.
She took his pulse, checked his temperature and undressed Jinshi before starting her explanation as she went checking on the wounds.

« Those are minor scratches, probably done my branches. These injuries here, there and here are defensive wounds indicating that he fought back.
- Of course I did ! interjected Jinshi, vexed.
- Theses wounds here, here and in this area are from the assailants. continued Maomao, unfazed. It looks like it was made by swords and considering the angle of the cuts, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was several of them.
- Indeed, Basen told us they were five. said Gaoshun.
- Those wounds should heal without a scar, thankfully. I’m afraid I cannot say the same for the injury on his arm, but I shall do my best. I will remove the stitches in a few days. It was also made by a sword.
- And the last one ? asked the Emperor.
- This one is the most sever, I had to stitch his intestines. This wound is more prone to infection, and as such need more attention. »

She also had a theory as to what blade was used and the profile of the assailant but her adoptive father had taught her to ne speak her thoughts without concrete evidence. Evidence that she didn’t have.

« I can see that you have more in mind. Speak with no fear, we understand that it is just an educated guess. ordered the Emperor.
- The attacker used a smaller blade, indicating maybe that he acted after the main culprits.
- That is true. I was running back to my horse, indicated Jinshi. He jumped from behind a tree. He had his face covered and wore the same outfit as the others.
- Considering the location of the Moon Prince injury, it was a man knowledgable in human anatomy. A few centimeters higher and Jin- the Moon Prince would have died from blood loss before I could do anything.
- That is very interesting. thanked the Emperor. »

Having finished examining and explaining the wounds, she dressed Jinshi back. She had tried her very best to hid the flower branded on his body, not knowing if Gaoshun was aware of its existence.
She felt Jinshi taking her hand in his own.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me. he said in earnest.
- I don’t really have a choice."

Jinshi looked genuinely hurt by her words. Oops. And in front of the Emperor, no less.
Thankfully, the later was in an animated discussion with Gaoshun.
As to apologize, she started gently massaging his hand, moving up to his elbow and back to the hand. Maybe she should be more gentle with him. He needed to be in good spirits to make a speedy recovery.

"Oh, Maomao, you are still here ?"

Maomao looked at the door, where Suirei was standing with a bucket of water and a several pieces of clothe. The two older men were gone.

"Could you help him clean up in my place ? I’ll go prepare his meal, and make some more for you."

The old lady didn’t leave Maomao much of a choice, putting the bucket of warm water next to the bed and leaving the room.
So she undressed him once again to clean up the young man next to her. She started with his legs, that weren’t harmed, and his feet. Then she took another cloth, instead of dipping the precedent in the water, and carefully cleaned his torso and arms. She took the opportunity to change his bandages too. Finally, she took the softest one and gently cleaned his beautiful face.
She noticed his face reddening. Panicked, she checked his pulse and temperature once again.

"Everything’s alright ! protested Jinshi.
- What do you mean ?! You’re red all over !
- I’m just embarrassed !
- Uh ? What for ? she was clueless as to what could be so embarrassing.
- What you are doing… he muttered.
- I don’t get it. I’ve seen you half naked dozen’s of time.
- Yeah, but I don’t know… If feels more intimate ! »

Did it felt like she was caressing him ? Was it because she took care of his whole body (minus a frog) for the first time ?
Great. Now she could feel herself blushing too. She couldn’t be embarrassed while taking care of her patient ! She needed to snap out of it !

Thankfully, Suiren came back with the food. She had prepared the perfect meal for a sick person. Easy to digest but full of nutriment. And tasty too !

"I need to get back to work. announced Maomao after finishing her bowl of rice.
- Already ?
- Yeah. I need to wash these bandages, and they must have chores for me back at the infirmary.
- But I’m work too. he pouted.
- You are not work. You are Jinshi, you’ll never be work. she said gently"

She surprised herself when she put back a strand of hair behind his ear and her hand lingered there for a bit.
Embarrassed, she rushed out of the room.

This time, Jinshi definitely wasn’t the only one blushing.

Chapter Text

The next few days followed the same routine.

She woke up, worked all day at the clinic and then tended to the Moon Prince’s injuries and shared a meal with him before going straight back to the dormitory.
Gaoshun had asked her what she knew of the insolent apprentice but she couldn’t give him his name. She only knew he had arrived just before they came back from the Western Capital. Maybe if she had showed some interest towards her peers for once she could have been more helpful. And now she to was curious about his background.
He must have come from a well doing family to show such confidence and absence of fear of repercussions.

She missed Xiaolan. She would have been able to learn everything about him in the blink of an eye. She was good at getting people talking and getting information out of them, without them noticing.
Should she tell Chue about her ? Maybe she could put her skills to better use ?
No. Working near the Moon Prince was dangerous, she couldn’t send Xiaolan into harms way.

Shaking her head, she focused on her task at hand.
She was grinding herbs into a fine powder and she needed to do it correctly.They were going to be part of an anti emetic medication. It looked like there was some kind of gastric related disease going around the palace and their medicine reserve was going down.
Maomao hoped she wouldn’t catch it. Spending a few days in her bed sweating and puking didn’t sound like fun. And she wouldn’t be able to see Jinshi.
But mostly the puking.
After finishing, she carefully poured the powder into a paper bag, labeled it and put it with the others on the table.

Aah. She was exhausted. They were doing longer hours than usual at the infirmary because of the outbreak and all her personal time was spent on the Moon Prince. She didn’t get as much sleep as she should have.

The young woman was worried because there still wasn’t news of a culprit being arrested. Even the freak was too busy with the investigation to come annoy her at her place of work.
Maybe she should prepare herself something to give her more energy ? Or prepare something in case the illness got to Jinshi ? Or for herself ?

Just in case, she put some ginger, ginseng, echinacea and other ingredients in her bag. After a moment of hesitation, she took verveine and chamomile too, even if she wasn’t sure what she was going to do with those yet.
Yao came to sit next to her as she was packing.

"You took a lot ! Is something wrong ? she asked.
- It’s mostly for me. I don’t want to be sick.
- It would be bad loosing on more pair of hands… sighed Yao.
- Yeah. With the other guy in jail and Tianyu being sick… said En’en, joining them.
- That’s why we are so short staffed ! realized Maomao.
- You really need to pay attention at what’s going on around you. scolded En’en.
- Yeah, you could have told Sir Gaoshun who he was !
- It turned out he come from a family with several high ranking officials among it. It’s not looking good for them, even if he was coming from a minor branch of the family.
- Xiaomao. »

That was Gaoshun deep voice’s calling for her. She jumped on her feet, said her goodbye to her friends and hurried towards the large and intimidating man.
His usual serious face had been looking even more serious since the assassination attempt, if that was even possible. But contrary to the majority of people, she had been so often in his company these last few years that she felt completely at ease.

Maybe too much, she just realized.

But she already had put her bag of medicine in his hands and done some stretching.

Oops.

With an apology, she tried to grab the bag back but Gaoshun put it over his head, making it impossible for her to take it back.

"You must be tired from working overtime. I can carry the bag. We are not that far.
- I’m not the only one working overtime here. And as you said, we are not that far. I’ll carry the bag."

Gaoshun shook his head, so she walked next to him in silence.
Maybe the culprit hunt wasn’t going well and he needed to feel a bit helpful. The apothecary shook her head. She shouldn’t overthink it. Maybe he just wanted to be nice without hidden motive, because that’s what kind of man he was.

Maomao noticed the faint smell of sandalwood when they entered the Moon Prince’s bedroom. Suiren must have burned some incense earlier in the day. She took a deep breath, liking the sense of normalcy it gave her.
Jinshi meant exquisite and expensive incense and perfume. Not blood and injuries.
Except the self made one. Maybe she really could try to get a bit of skin from his buttocks ?

Jinshi was sitting upright in his bed, a good amount of very nice looking pillow supporting him. He couldn’t move properly yet, but at least he was now able to to eat by himself and spend some time reading. She knew he wasn’t doing much more because she sometimes arrived while he was sleeping.
His porcelain skin and silk like hairs had recovered their famous shine and his eyes were bright. No sign of fever.

She was taken aback by the presence of the Emperor, but most of all by the Freak.
Both were sitting on sofas, with a tea table between them.
Jinshi smiled at her, but he too was unsettled by the strategist presence.

Maomao took back the bag and went to stand in a corner of the room. Gaoshun went to sit on the sofa placed on the right of the Emperor. Lakan was on the left one. Jinshi, from his bed, closed the square.

"Come on ! Don’t be shy ! said Lakan happily. Come sit next to your dear father !
- Apothecary, take a sit. invited the Emperor."

Maomao bowed her head and she took a sit. Next to Gaoshun.

The atmosphere in the room was a bit tense. The subject matter of their meeting was of the upmost importance and Maomao didn’t understand why she had to be privy to it. There wasn’t even some tea or snacks to occupy herself with.

"Please start. ordered the Emperor.
- The assassination attempt took place during a hunting party at the occasion of a meeting of the Clans. started recapitulating Gaoshun. Basen and the Moon Prince were ambushed and the former clearly targeted. Four men attacked them at first, but as the Moon Prince made his way back to his horse, a fifth one came and wounded him.
- We found the four men this morning. They all had taken poison. Two of them had already passed away, but my men got medical intervention for the two remaining. announced Lakan. There is no apparent link between the. It is possible that they were just hired and didn’t know the true identity of their victim.
For now, we don’t know if they ingested the poison voluntarily.
- Our only lead was the fifth one. Xiaomao ?
- Hum. she cleared her voice, nervous. Considering the Moon Prince’s and Basen’s injuries, only the former was attacked with a weapon made of a smaller blade. As for the wound, a few centimeters away and I couldn’t have done anything. There wasn’t any trace of hesitation. The culprit fully intended to kill, by twisting his blade. I suppose he has received some sort of medical training.
- Was there someone with this profile ? asked Lakan.
- There was a doctor, but the time window was too short for him to be the culprit. »

Why was he asking ? They must already have combed through the guest list !

"Do you have anything else on your mind ?
- That is only a supposition on my part, but I wonder if he had hidden himself because he has received next to no martial training. So instead, the four other men were hired as mercenaries to incapacitate Basen and the Moon Prince and he was only supposed to act after to fatally injure them.
- That’s my daughter !
- Plus the incident at the infirmary.
- I thought you just had a fight with an annoying colleague ? asked Jinshi, curious.
- Xiaomao threatened to kill him with poison. said Gaoshun as if he was talking about the weather and not Maomao possibly committing a serious crime.
- What ?! Why ?
- He insinuated the Moon Prince responsible for the death of Sir Gyokuou and the death of the Imperial Infants.
- Nothing new, I’ve already heard these rumors. waved away the prince in question.
- But also that you would poison his majesty yourself if you had the opportunity. That you had it coming.
- He was an apprentice at the infirmary. said Gaoshun to the Emperor. He was immediately arrester and interrogated.
- He comes from a minor branch of the Fa family. His father is a well known physician in the Eastern Capital and he followed in his steps. His uncle was present at the clans meeting. said Lakan.
- The physician, could he be that uncle ? asked the Emperor.
- Exactly. But the young man doesn’t match the rough description given by the Moon Prince added Gaoshun.
- So a dead end ? his majesty looked disappointed.
- Not yet. The Fa’s had a lot of meetings lately with the faction that has formed behind the Second Prince. revealed Lakan.
We had been able to determinate that the Wise Consort wasn’t involved as she had cut ties with her family recently over the issue of the heir.
- Now that they are two princes, they are making their moves uh. commented Jinshi.
- We cannot say for sure if they are responsible and still don’t know who was the fifth assaillant. reminded Lakan.
- As of now, the security around the Crown Prince has been reinforced and we are also monitoring the faction behind him. finished Gaoshun. »

Maomao was deep in thought.
Was the apprentice representative of the Fa family's mistrust in the Moon Prince ? Was the presence of the uncle just a coincidence ?
Was Jinshi attacked because the other factions believed he was responsible for the Emperor’s children deaths ? Or because as the Moon Prince, there was too much of a risk he could take the throne if the Emperor passed away before any child were of age ?

Or because they knew he was his first born ?

She could hear the Emperor sigh.
She was now alone with the imperial brothers, she hadn’t noticed Gaoshun and Lakan leaving.

The Emperor looked anxious and tired. Exhausted even.

"Can you tell me how Zuigetsu is healing ? Like last time ?"

She bowed her head.

As usual, she started by checking his temperature and pulse.
She got her bag and started the treating of injuries.
She started by redoing the bandage on his upper arm and the one on his abdomen, explaining to the Emperor at each step. She untied the bandage on his hand.

"I think this is the last time I’ll be bandaging his hand.
- Good. Does he have to take medicine ?
- Yes. I brought with me some echinacea to help the healing process. she said, getting it out of her bag.
- Perfect."

She started preparing the medicine when she hear the Emperor sigh once again.

For heaven’s sake, couldn’t the Emperor wait for her to leave before talking about this ?! She didn’t want to be involved !

Chapter Text

Before the subject of the interrogation or Maomao could react to the Emperor’s words, the later left the room.
The young adults looked at each other, not fully believing what his Majesty had just said. The arrival of Suiren with their diner gave them an excuse to not talk about what had just happened.

After diner, Maomao opened one of the window to bring in some fresh air. They were well into summer, but the nights air was still cool and refreshing after the damp hot day.
The young woman sighed. She wouldn’t be able to sleep more than a couple hours tonight.

"You look exhausted. said Jinshi from his bed.
- You look bored. she replied, turning back to face him.
- At first I was sleeping all day because I was exhausted. But now I sleep all day because I have nothing else to do.
- You could read a book. Or work.
- I have already read all the book in this house. And the Emperor refuse to give me any work. he complained.
- He wants you to focus on your recovery.
- But I’m bored ! he pouted. Heaven, could he be childish. Today was the first time I got any information about what was going on !"

So that’s why the meeting was in his bedchamber ? So he could get up to date at the same time as the Emperor ? And he wanted Jinshi to hear the medical aspect directly from her, hence her presence ?
Maomao started packing her things. She didn’t get to prepare more medicine than she had planned because of the meeting. "What a shame" she thought while yawning.

"I’m sorry for giving you more work."

Jinshi apologizing to her for giving her work was very out of character for him. But…

"Master Jinshi. First of all, none of this is your fault. she stated plainly.
- But still, you are working overtime.
- Second of all, and most importantly, you are not work. I already told you.
- Thank you. »

Letting the Moon Prince alone with his thoughts all day wasn’t doing him any good. His gloomy disposition and self deprecating thoughts were coming back.

"I can smuggle one of my books about poison, if you’d like."

He laughed, sounding like a celestial nymph. That’s how Maomao imagined a nymph’s laugh.
Hearing him laugh was reassuring, even if her proposition was nothing be serious.

"I guess learning a thing or two wouldn’t hurt."

She brought back the dinner leftovers to the kitchen and packed as a midday snack for tomorrow. She would share with En’en and Yao.

Finally getting into her bed felt like entering heaven. But despite her level of fatigue, her anxiety kept her awake.
Why was Jinshi attacked, exactly ? Was the Empress Gyokouyou’s child also at risk ? If that was the case, was Maomao going to be sent back as a food tester ?
And did the Emperor really meant it when he wondered if he should make Jinshi the Crown Prince once again ? Was the Emperor planning on revealing to the realm that the Moon Prince was in fact his son ? How would he go around to do that ? Was Jinshi going to do another stupid thing to get out of the situation ?

Aah… So much interrogation, and no definite answers…
In the end, she only got to sleep for about an hour. That day would be a rough one.

The sanitary situation had worsened.
Despite the instructions shared by the Health Bureau concerning the precautions to be taken, many worker of the palace didn’t follow them. The result was dozen and dozen of people too sick to work, some even vomiting several time through the day, but still refusing to stay in bed.
An executive order was given that any workers presenting any kind symptoms were to stay in their bed until full recovery.

Half the staff of the infirmary spent the day going dormitory to dormitory to check on patient and deliver drugs. With the summer heat, even a little bit of walking was exhausting. They often had to stop to drink water and cool themselves.
Thankfully, Maomao, En’en and Yao were assigned to the preparation of medicine.
The room dedicated to the making of medecine was designated to have a constant temperature throughout the year. And as such, it was feeling nice and cool inside. The apothecary could ease her mind a bit by doing something she loved, sharing food and having fun conversations with the ones she ended up considering her friends.
It gave her a sense of normalcy for a few hours.

Then it was time to go to the Moon Prince’s pavillon. She felt her anxiety coming back with each step she took.

"Maomao, you look awful. said Jinshi instead of a normal greeting.
- Why, thank you I can’t reciprocate the compliment I’m afraid. she replied sarcastically.
- Pfff. Did you bring the book ?"

Maomao was surprised he remembered and how hopeful his too beautiful of a face looked.
With a smile, she took it out of her bag and handed it to him.
She felt strangely wam, seeing Jinshi peruse through the book with obvious interests.

She ended her usual tasks quickly and finally started preparing the medicine she had in mind.
His wounds were healing nicely, he didn’t need what he had yesterday.
Instead, she grabbed the ginger and white snakeroot. Neither she nor Jinshi needed the latter for the moment, but it would be good to have some already on hand if needed be. She didn’t bring bitter orange with her since she could always find some in the kitchen.
She looked at the rest of her loot. Some muskrat root, even if she doubted its effectiveness, and other ingredients for antiemetics, stomach pains nausea and… let’s say digestive troubles.

"What’s all this ? enquired Jinshi.
- There is an outbreak of gastroenteritis. I prefer to have anything I could need here, already prepped. I’ll decide on what I’ll use depending on the symptoms. Just in case."

She prepped some of it and, to avoid having all of this confiscated by Suiren, she hide her treasure in a chest he pointed at.
Just in time ! Suiren entered the room for a few seconds, their dinner in her hands.

This time, there wasn’t any left over to bring back with her. What a shame. Her friends back at the infirmary would be disappointed tomororw.
She started to get up to leave, but Jinshi grabbed her arm.

Uh ?!

Chapter Text

"You are not well enough to do that kind of activities ! protested Maomao, feeling herself blush. Plus, I didn’t do any preparation. I didn’t purify myself and I don’t have the drugs on me… "

Jinshi laughed, a blush creeping on his cheeks.

"I meant just sleeping next to each other. No such activity.
- Oh."

What should she do ? How to respond to such demand ?

Wait, why was she feeling kind of disappointed ?

"Honestly, I feel lonely. confessed Jinshi. No one spend time with me, they are all too busy with the investigation. You are the only one that takes the time to talk with me. Yesterday was the first time there was the first time there was so many people for so long in my room. And they didn’t take the time to interact with me."

Okay, that was really sad, she honestly had no idea. Maomao felt pity for him.
Should she agree ? She knew how nice his bed was. She could get some good quality sleep in there. And more time of it too.
But still…

"Okay. But no activity !"

Jinshi was positively beaming.
Grumbling, she dressed down to her underwear and climbed in bed next to him.

Even if they were just laying down next to each other, Maomao could feel her heart racing. They weren’t touching yet she could feel his body heart. Was her heartbeat audible for the young man ? It sounded so loud in her ears.
The mattress was so comfortable, the blanket so soft and the pillow fluffy that she was soon drifting to sleep.
But the soft sobbing of the man next to her got her attention.

"What’s wrong ? she asked, worried.
- I’m afraid."

Well, that was new. But not that surprising.

"I don’t know why I was their tarred, I don’t know how to react.
Is the Crown Prince also in danger ? Do they really think I’m a threat to the princes ? Why does the Emperor wants me to make me the Crown Prince again ? After all I’ve done… Is it to protect Gyoukouyou’s son ? Or does he intent to reveal I’m his first born ?
- What ?!"

Jinshi took a deep breath.

"I always had doubts about my lineage. At first, I thought the Empress Dowager had a lover and I was the result of their affaire.
But one day I noticed that the Emperor sometimes looked at me the same way he was looking at his children. And I realized Lady AhDuo looked at me the same way.
That’s when I understood.
- Oh."

He kept silent for a bit, just wiping the tears escaping his eyes. Then he continued his confession.

"And it’s strange but I wasn’t truly unconscious after the attack.
Sometimes I could hear what was going on around me, but it felt like I couldn’t wake up properly.
I heard you refer to me as her son when lady Ah Duo came. She called me their son herself when she was alone with the Emperor.
I feel relieved to finally know for sure without a doubt who my parents are. But I’m also so afraid of what it means if the secret gets out.
I don’t want to be the Crown Prince. I don’t want to be the next Emperor.
But I don’t want to live a lie anymore."

He was no full on crying.

"But most of all I don’t want to lose you."

She didn’t know how she could use her words to offert him confort.
So instead, she carefully took him in her arms, resting her chin on the top of his head and stroked his hair to soothe him. He clinged to her tightly.
She wondered if he heard her begging him to wake up.
Just before falling asleep, she thought she hear him murmuring "I heard you. You are more than enough to me".

It took some time for Maomao to remember where she was and why. The warm sunshine came through the window into the bedroom of the Moon Prince. The sun was already pretty high in the sky.
They didn’t move one inch during the night. Jinshi was still holding her tightly and she still had her hand in his hair. All things considered, she had a pretty good night of sleep.

"Maoamo ?! What are you doing here ?!"

Suiren’s voice woke Jinshi up and the both of them scrambled to get away from each other.

"I, hum, I asked her to keep me company. explained Jinshi, a bit bashful.
- I see. Maomao couldn’t understand what her intense gaze meant. I guess I should prepare more food then.
- That won’t be necessary. assured Maomao. I need to go.
- Already ? You could at least eat something ! protested Jinshi, grabbing her wrist.
- The sooner I am at the infirmary, the better. We have a lot of work. she explained.
- I see. he let go of her. Take at least one of the bun with you. It’s not good to work on an empty stomach."

Maomao had never put on clothes so quickly. She checked herself in the mirror and tried to tame her hair, wondering why they were such a pain lately. Her freckles were gone and her face felt itchy. She would have to live with it for today.
In her way out, she bumped into Suiren who put some food in her hands. She thanked her, put the food in her bag and hurried towards the infirmary.

Once she got there, she wiped her mouth to make disappear any trace of the bun she had taken from Jinshi’s plate. After a deep breath, she entered the place.

"Nyangnyang !"

Oh no. Tianyu wasn’t sick anymore. He was full of energy, skipping happily towards her.
He stopped in front of her and scrutinized her face, brows furrowed.

"You look different. Did you put makeup on ?
- No, I didn’t.
- But your freckles are gone !
- Exactly."

She passed by him and went to great Master Physician Liu.

"Good morning to you too, Maomao. You look well rester.
- Hem. she changed the subject. What do you need me to do today ?
- I need you to make the inventory of our drugs (yay !). When finished, you’ll clean the used bandages."

He didn’t look in a good mood. It wasn’t yet time for their usual big inventory. The last person in charge must have messed up big time.
She got to work straight away. She really loved doing inventories, as she could fantasize about the medicine she could do as she handled their stock. And no one interrupted the person in charge of the inventory, that was the rule. Which meant she spent the morning without anyone interrupting her in her joyful solitude.
There was indeed big discrepancies between what they were supposed to have and what they actually had.
Who was the imbecile in charge last time ?!
She sat down at a desk and started writing a clean copy of the inventory.

"Nyangnyang ! said Tianyu, jumping out of nowhere.
- Tianyu.
- You look really pretty today, that’s a surprise !
- Shouldn’t you go deliver drugs to the patients or something ? she groaned.
- Nah, they don’t want me to get sick again."

What a pity.
He kept silent for a moment before speaking again.

"I heard there was an attempt on the Moon Prince life !
- I know.
- Of course you do ! he laughed. The rumors says you are the only one permitted to treat him. Very impressive. How is he ?
- That doesn’t concern you.
- Aw, come on ! You can tell a colleague !
- No.
- You know I really like you ?
- This isn’t mutual. she was exasperated.
- Maybe I should ask Sir Lakan for your hand. I would love to have a pretty, skilled wife with connection to the higher ups !
- I swear I’ll go find some poison if you continue saying such nonsense. hissed Maomao.
- Maomao ! yelled Yao. Sir Gaoshin told you to not threaten people with poison !
- Tianyu, go work or something. Stop bothering her. said En’en."

The apothecary thanked the heavens for the existence of those two young women.
She gave the new inventory to Master Liu and the three of them went outside for their pause.
Breathing some outside air and feeling the warm sunshine was very nice.

"I can’t wait for my next day off. I’m so tired. complained Yao.
- Me too. I haven’t been able to feed you proper meal lately. replied En’en, always putting her young mistress’s need before her own.
- Speaking of food."

Maomao brought back the food Suiren had given her earlier in the day.

"Wow ! How much was there yesterday for you to bring so much ?!
- It still looks very fresh. said En’en, suspicious. Was it given to you this morning ?
- Now that you say that En’en, Maomao why didn’t you put on make up today ? added Yao."

Maomao looked away, uncomfortable. They were too observant sometimes.

"Did you sleep there ?! With the Moon Prince ?! asked Yao with a strong enthusiasm.
- Young mistress, calm down. She must have used a guest room.
- Ye-yeah. There is I don’t know how many guest room in this place. It’s easy to get lost if you don’t know the place.
- But you do know the place. said Yao, teasingly."

To avoid having to answer, she put a bun in her mouth.

They were discussing about nothing in particular when they heard a big commotion inside.

"That’s it ! Tianyu, you’ll handle the washing of the bandages ! And you’ll bring the rest go the laundry to be cleaned !
- But I thought the girls were on laundry duty ! he protested.
- No discussion !"

What has he done this time ?
They could hear someone coming towards them. It was Master Physician Liu.

"Young women, you can take your afternoon. You’ve worked hard the past few days and there isn’t much to do today. Enjoy yourself."

They quickly finished their meal and left before he had a change of mind.

"What should we do ? asked Yao.
- I could take the time to cook a proper dinner… thought En’en out loud.
- I need to wash my hair.
- Let’s go to the bath ! It’s been so long ! And at this hour, there won’t be a lot of people."

They agreed and made their way to the outer palace communal bath.
It wasn’t as luxurious as the one in the inner palace, but enjoyable all the same. And it was way bigger to accomodate both the men and women who worked in the outer court. But there wasn't private spaces, like the ones reserved to high consort in the inner court. Or maybe there was on the men's side ? Maomao, for obvious reasons, wouldn't know. And she wasn't curious enough to ask one of her male acquaintance.
After thoroughly washing themselves, the 3 young women got into the main bassin. Since it was the beginning of the afternoon, the water was still hot, but very pleasant. Very effective at relaxing their aching muscles.

"I heard there is going to be a Grand Assembly of the Court tomorrow, the Emperor just called it. said one court lady to her friend.
- It must be about the Moon Prince. My friend at the military office said there was some arrest made for high treason.
- No one has seen the Moon Prince since he got back. I heard the Emperor was at his place the other day.
- And now he called for an assembly… Do you think he’s dead ?
- Don’t say that, you’ll get us in trouble !"

The pair of court lady got out of the water.

"It must be hard for you to be the only one to treat the Moon Prince. said Yao, sympathetic.
- Do you know why the Emperor has called an assembly ?
- I honestly have no idea."

Sensing it was a touchy subject for Maomao, their conversation went in another way.

After the bath, she went straight to Jinshi’s place.

"Good afternoon, Maomao. You are here early. said Suiren, a bit surprised.
- My boss let me go early. Can I do anything to help you ?
- Do you think it’s okay for the Young Master to take a proper bath ?
- I’m afraid we’ll have to wait for his abdomen to heal a bit more. Maybe in two weeks.
- That’s a disappointment. she paused. I was called by the Empress Dowager today and didn’t have time to help him bath yet. Could you do it in my place ?
- No problem, right away."

The Empress Dowager ? What kind of business could she have with her ?

Jinshi was pleasantly surprised when he saw her enter his bedroom.
After cleaning him up and checking on his wounds, she took some time to answer Jinshi’s questions he had about the book she had smuggled in.
He had read almost all of it and his questions showed he really wanted to understand it all. And when he heard Suiren’s foot steps, he quickly hide the book under a pillow. Maomao had a soft smile on her face, but only Jinshi noticed it.

"How are you feeling today, Young Master ? I’m sorry I wasn’t very present today.
- I don’t mind. he lied, Maomao knew it.
- Here is your dinner. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
- Thank you very much. said Maomao.
- And please, Maomao. Please give me a heads up before staying the night.
- I will. she promised, embarrassed."

She felt guilty about it but she didn’t stay long after they had finished their meal. But she needed to rest.
She brought everything back the the kitchen, took the leftovers to eat the next day and went back to her dormitory.
When she got to her room, she was exhausted. One good night wasn’t enough and she soon fell asleep.

The next morning, it was with a sense of relief that she put on her freckles. She always felt kind of naked if she went out without them. And she disliked the attention she got when she didn't have them on. Like the day prior with Tianyu.
She hoped he wasn't serious about asking the freak for her hand. She knew he was more interested in En'en, but it was a dead end and she knew he also could be quite ambitious.

Once a the infirmary, she noticed that all the master physicians were tense. Something must have been going on, explaining the outburst of Master Liu the previous day.

She also noticed one of the young physicians wasn’t present, despite being healthy the day prior.
Was he linked somehow to what had happened during the hunt party ? Were the Fa guilty ? Were they planning a revolt if they didn’t get their way ?

Was the Emperor really planning on making Jinshi the Crown Prince once again ?
Why was Suiren called by the Empress Dowager ?
What was going on at the assembly ?

"Guys ! Guys ! screamed a physician, running inside.
- Calm down. What’s going on ?"

The physician took a moment to catch his breath. It looked like he had ran all the way to the infirmary.

"The Empress Dowager interrupted the beginning of the Grand Assembly !
- What ?! Why ?!
- She said the Moon Prince wasn’t the late Emperor’s son !"

Chapter Text

A Grand Assembly of the Court had been called the previous day.
All the high officials had cancelled their schedule. The next Grand Assembly wasn’t supposed to take place before next month. But since the assassination attempt, a lot of them were prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice.
The Ministers were in front, then the other high officials, then the one of lower ranks all the way in the back.

They all knew the Emperor had an announcement to make regarding the Moon Prince. There were rumors he had succumbed to his injuries and there presence everyday of that strange apothecary, daughter of the freak strategist, was but a ruse. To let people believe he was still alive.
After all, even his usual staff was nowhere to be seen.

Arrests had been made, but the charges were unclear. Except for the young man from a minor branch of the Fa clan who had the genius idea to insult the Moon Prince in presence of the right arm of the Emperor, Ma Gaoshun.
His charges were crystal clear. What an idiot. His arrest was followed by several others in his family. Most notably his father and uncle, which wasn’t surprising.

The air was buzzing with anticipation in the Assembly Hall, where the Emperor would soon sit on his throne.
The main entrance doors opened and the Emperor made his way up to the throne. Even while deeply bowing, the officials could almost see his powerful aura.
Some of them couldn’t refrain themselves from shuddering.

"The Grand Assembly is in session !" announced Gaoshun, who had taken place at the right of the Emperor.

"I shall get right to the point. started the Emperor, his voice reverberating a little bit in the hall. This Assembly is to discuss the attempt on the Moon Prince’s life.
First of all, the attempt was unsuccessful. He will soon be able to resume his duties.
Second of a, I hereby declare the Fa Clan enemy of the realm for their implication in the assassination attempt. For their crimes, they are to be deposed of their functions, their belongings repossessed and their privileges taken away. For those directly linked to the treasonous plot, they shall face death.
However. The Fa clan won’t be the only one facing repercussions. Their accomplice in this scheme will be found, and they will face the consequences of their actions.
As for the Moon Prince-"

The entrance doors suddenly flew wide open. The sound of the doors hitting the wall resonated in the room.
All eyes were turned to the entrance.

On the threshold was standing the Empress Dowager, in her full Imperial attire.
Behind her was standing Lady AhDuo, previous Pure Consort, as beautiful as a nymph.

"What is the meaning of this ?! yelled an official in protestation.
- With all due respect, your Majesty, you cannot be present during this Assembly ! said another."

A single look was enough to shut their mouth.
A heavy silence filled the room.

"What is the purpose of your presence ? asked the Emperor, suddenly nervous.
- I must confess a grave crime. declared the Empress Dowager. A crime I committed years ago.
- And what is it ?
- The Moon Prince is not the previous Emperor’s son."

The Assembly erupted in exclamation of surprise, disbelief and indignation. Even Lakan, usually impassible, was shocked.
Two cards finally stepped out of it and closed the doors. They stood un front of it to prevent anyone getting in.

"From the moment I saw him ! said loudly the Empress Dowager, bringing silence and the attention back on her. From the moment I saw him, the very moment I gave birth, I hated the second son I had given my husband. I wanted nothing to do with his son. But the Emperor needed a second son.
Then I learned your consort at the time, Lady AhDuo, had given you a son. I then made he unthinkable.
I convinced her to exchange our babies, and I raised hers as my own."

There was an audible common gasp in the Assembly.

"Your Majesty. Your son didn’t die not long after his birth. The Moon Prince is your son."

The Emperor was at loss for words.
How we he supposed to react to this confession of guilt ?
She had found a way to reveal the truth, that he wanted to do for so long, in a way that would put blame only on herself. But how was one supposed to react in a way that would be satisfactory for the Ministers and other officials present in the hall ?

"Your Majesty. said Lady AhDuo, taking a few steps forward. I am not asking you to make the Moon Prince your heir. Your Empress already gave you one.
I am humbly asking you to recognize him as our son. To give him the protection and love your other children are receiving.
I have already lost the late Emperor’s son, whom I truly loved and grieved as my own.
I cannot bear the thought of losing one more."

They would never admit it, but quite a few members of the Assembly were moved buy this mother’s desperate plea for her son safety.
Other were already calculating the new balance of power.

The member of the faction behind Consort Lihua’s sons were getting arrested.
But Consort Lihua had already borne two sons and she had refused to align herself with the faction behind her sons. And she was the one with the most prestigious lineage, as a distant relative of the Emperor.

The Crown Prince was the son of the Empress, making him the most legitimate for the title. But he just had lost his status of eldest son. And the Empress was only party Linese and her children didn’t look Linese at all. Princess Lingli was the spitting image of her mother, and it looked like it was going to be the same for her son. They didn’t like the idea of foreign blood on the throne.

The position of the Moon Prince was now uncertain since he was still officially the late Emperor’s son and was raised as such. It would be hard for the Emperor to claim him.
But it was now known he was in fact the very first born of the Emperor, and he was of age to truly fulfill his duties as the Heir.

Lakan’s voice broke the silence, and everyone train of thoughts.

'Your Majesty. As your humble servant, and with only the Moon Prince’s safety in mind, I am merely asking the possibility of making your first born the Crown Prince be taken into consideration."

As always, the famous strategist had made his calculations faster than anyone. And for the first time in his career, he had made his alignment clear to everyone.

"I need time to make such decision. declared the Emperor.
The Assembly is dismissed. Mother, you are to stay in your quarter. Lady AhDuo, you are to stay with her until further notice."

The Emperor stepped down form his throne and made his way towards the exist, followed by Gaoshun.
He had already regained his composure and there was no sign of being troubled on his face.

The news that the Moon Prince wasn’t the late Emperor’s son spread in the inner outer courts like wildfire.

Master Physician Liu promptly took action. Until further notice, it was strictly forbidden for anyone to speak about the subject.
Maomao was thankful for that decision. She wouldn’t have been able to go through the day if she had to suffer non stop questions from her colleagues.

She didn’t know which version of the story the Emperor would chose.
She didn’t know what Jinshi wanted.

Once again, she has able to leave the infirmary sooner than expected.
On her way to Jinshi’s quarter, she could hear the name of Ah Duo going around. The news that he was her true son was evidently going around.
As he said, Jinshi wouldn’t be living a lie anymore. But was it for the best ?

When she got in his room, his red eyes gave away the fact that he had been crying.
Was it relief ? Sadness ?

The apothecary decided to not talk about it first. She knew he would open up to her when he would be ready.

"You are doing a very good job at healing. she complimented him.
- I’m not sure I deserve praises for that.
- Well, it’s yours body isn’t it ? And it’s healing nicely. Starting today you can take some short walks. But don’t overdo yourself.
- What about taking a bath ? I miss it.
- Not for two more weeks. You have to keep theses bandages on at all times until then.
- And for bedroom activities ?"

She knew he was teasing her. And she knew the bester course of action was to stay completely serious.

"You’ll have to wait at least a month. Nothing too experimental. And you should warn you partner a few days before.
- I’ll keep that in mind."

She didn’t know what to do now. There was still a bit of time before dinner.
In the end, she decided to breech the subject first.

"How would you like me to answers peoples questions about you ?
- Tell them half the truth.
- That being ?
- Yes, I am indeed the Emperor first born. No, you didn’t know about it. Or you figured it out yourself, if you must. No one told you directly.
- Okay."

They both fell silent for a bit.

"How are you feeling about it ?
- I don’t really know. he confessed. I think I’m just afraid he’ll make me the Crown Prince. And that it would put a bigger target on my back.
With that stupid idea of yours to brand yourself, you won’t stay the Crown Prince forever anyway.
He could keep me as such until Gyokouyou’s son is of age, so until his tenth birthday or so. I wouldn’t be able to bear the position for so long alone. And I cannot trap you in such life. I want to marry you and for us to be free of all of this.
I want to receive a name."

Silence, once again.

"I heard sir Lakan requested I be the Crown Prince again.
- That nuisance of a man !
- I believe he has something in mind.
- He only works for his own benefits. I don’t trust him."

She wished that freak would stay out of the succession debate. He was too unpredictable for her to trust the outcome would benefit Jinshi.

"Can you help me stand up ?"

Maomao helped the Moon Prince get out of his bed and walked with him to one of the window that she promptly opened. He took some deep breaths.
They walked slowly around the room, taking breaks by leaning on the delicate furniture.

Suiren was pleasantly surprised when she saw him standing.

"Young Master, I’m glad to see you on your feet. Your father will be pleased to hear about this.
Maomao ?
- Yes ?
- The Emperor asked when he would be able to do public appearances.
- He should be able to walk by himself in just a few days. But Jinshi would be the only one to say if he is feeling well enough for it. And he’ll need a place to rest either way.
- Understood. I shall send a message to his Majesty right away."

From that day on, the presence of Maomao wasn’t needed everyday anymore.

She was eating dinner at the canteen when she heard the news.
The Emperor had formally decided to recognize Jinshi as his first born and was once again his heir.

When she arrived to her dormitory, the lady managing the building gave her a letter.

She waited until the very end of her night routine (that consisted of washing her face, do some stretching before getting in bed) to open the letter, dreading what the message would be.

It was an official summon to present herself at the Bureau of Investigation tomorrow first thing in the morning.
There was also a note added. She wasn’t allowed to see Jinshi for the time being.

What the hell was going on ?

Chapter Text

That morning, Maomao put extra effort to look presentable.
She didn’t know what was awaiting her and she wanted to put all the chances on her side.
It was maybe a bad idea, but she went on an empty stomach. She was too nervous to shallow anything.
The Bureau of Investigation was maybe one of the most intimidating place in the whole outer court, maybe second only to the Assembly Hall. Was it a tactic to instigate fear into the mind of the suspects ? Maomao was sure it was very effective.
She entered the building and presented herself with her summon.
She was showed the way to a small meeting room, where someone was already waiting.

"Basen ?
- Maomao ? he said, standing up.
- What are you doing here ?
- I don’t know. And you ?
- Not a single idea."

Was Basen here because he was suspected of being in league with the assassins ? Because he wasn’t as injured as his master ?
But what would Maomao’s charges be ? Did they found her stash of herbs and the book about poison that was still in Jinshi’s room ?
While waiting, they put each other up to date.

Basen, after spending a few days resting, helped his father hint down the culprits. They used Chue’s network of informant and that’s how they found the four main attackers.
I the end, only one survived the poisoning. But he was still very unwell and in no shape to be under investigation, as far as he knew. But by interrogating his entourage, they found out his last gig was for the Fa Clan, but no much more was known. One of him had been more talkative, which is how Chue got wind of them, but a dead man tell no tales.
Thank to the overconfidence of the apprentice at the infirmary, they ended up being sure of the implication of the Fa Clan and some of their acquaintances. The investigation was still on going, but Basen was confident they would soon see the end of it.

Maomao hadn’t as much to say. She worker at the infirmary and took care of Jinshi’s injuries. He was getting much better and it seemed like he would soon male a public appearance. That was all.

Basen was relieved to learn Jinshi was getting better. His father wouldn’t tell him anything and he wasn’t allowed to go see him.

"By the way, did you know he was the son of Lady AhDuo and the Emperor ? asked Basen, still not believing it.
- Oh, yeah. I figured it out years ago.
- What ?!"

Basen was nothing if not a kind man. And an unbelievably strong one. But he could bit a bit clueless as to what was going around him.
Not that Maomao was much better.

They turned their heads when they heard the door opening.
Entered Gaoshun and Lakan.

They weren’t in trouble then ?

"My poor daughter, you look so thin ! They are working you to death, I was sure of it !
- I can handle myself. answered Maomao, stepping sideways to avoid the Freak’s hand reaching to her.
- You do look more frail than usual. said Basen.
- Don’t encourage him !
- It’s just the truth !
- Hum hum. Gaoshun cleared his throat. Do you have any idea why you are here ?
- No idea. they said in unison.
- You are here as witnesses. Please behave yourself. You are well known for being part of the Crown Prince entourage. I ask of you to act with the appropriate decorum."

What was this warning ? What was waiting for them ?

They followed the older men through doors and corridors.
Then they climbed down a stairway and stopped in front of a heavy metal door guarded by two soldiers, who crossed their lance at the sound of their footsteps.

Recognizing Lakan and Gaoshun, they quickly opened the door to let them through.
They walked in front of several jail cell, some occupied and some not.
They got into an interrogation room.

Not surprisingly, the room was pretty bare.
It was well lighted by the lanterns on the stone walls. There was a wooden screen in the back of the room, a simple wood table in the center of the room. Three chairs were on one side, only one on the other.
On the single chair’s side, there was some kind of metal loop, probably to tie up the suspect to it.
There was also a bunch of paper on the table.

Curious, Maomao started reading them, forgetting to even ask for permission.

"Do you know what this is ? asked Lakan.
- Of course. This is the inventory of the medicine in stock at the infirmary I have done recently. And this one is the previous one.
- How does your inventory making works ?
- We make a big inventory regularly, and it becomes the main one. As we take things out of the inventory, we write it on a sheet. At the end of the week, we subtract the weekly’s numbers from the main’s one and change the main’s one with the results. My opinion is that it result on a messy main inventory, but that’s how it is.
- And was it time to redo the main inventory ?
- No.
- So what was wrong with this one ?
- Some quantities of drugs weren’t correct… »

She hadn’t really paid attention when she had redone the inventory, but this time she did. Something was bothering her.

"There is a lot of gold seal missing, she thought out loud, above the error margin. It’s the same for aconite, which is used once in a blue moon because of the possible toxicity. Ginger, but that wasn’t that much of a surprise. It is often out of the usual error margins, after all. There is also some mulberry missing. Velvet lead, nothing to worry about… Jimson weed ? Some others too…
- Have you found something ? asked Basen.
- It looks like someone used our stock to make poison. Multiple. If you look at the ingredients outside of the error margins, most of them can be toxic if not handled properly.
- Can you determinate what was made ? asked Lakan.
- No. There is different possibilities, even without taking into account what they could get outside of the palace.
- Can you follow me ? it was more of an order from Gaoshun."

He leaded her to the cell just next door, Basen following them. In there was lying what must have used to be a large man. His skin was pale and his body emaciated. Maomao did a quick examination.

"No doubts about it, he was poisoned.
- With what is missing ?
- Most probably.
- But I thought he had gotten better ! Why did you move him here ? asked Basen, surprised"

They were both leaded back to the interrogation without any answers.

Lakan was sitting in the middle chair and invited them to take a seat next to him, Gaoshun leaved the room once again.

Behaving herself, Maomao sat next to the Strategist. Her foot was ready to act at the first move the old man next to her would make.
Gaoshun came back with a young man in shackles. He sat him across the table and locked him to it. He wouldn’t be able to get away from it, not matter how hard he tried.
Maomao knew him.

"Hello Jian. said Lakan. I don’t think we had the pleasure to meet yet. Let me introduce myself. I’m Grand Commandant Kan, in charge of the investigation into the assassination attempt of the Crown Prince. Do you recognize the two young persons beside me ?
- She’s a colleague, Maomao. The other one, I don’t know who he is.
- Really ? What a shame. Now, do you have any idea as to why you are here today ?
- No.
- You were in charge of the health of the Crown Prince’s attacker, were you not ?
- Only because my colleague got sick.
- Oh ? What was wrong with him ?
- Oh, hum… Vomiting, fever… he stayed vague in his answer. A common illness.
- Are you surest wasn’t poisoning ?
- What ? he wasn’t expecting that question. Wha-what would make you say that ?
- It just happened that your colleague complained that he got sick just after you gave him some food. Could poison could have been made with what is missing, Maomao ?
- Yes, without a doubt.
- That doesn’t mean anything ! The illness could have been incubating for some time ! Plus, Maomao is the one obsessed with poison ! She even threatened Tao the other day !
- Indeed. But isn’t strange that the assailant got violently sick under your care ?
- The-the man was already sick. He had ingested poison.
- But he was on the mend, wasn’t he ?
- It could well be a relapse. With the poison he took, it’s not that surprising.
- Really… Lakan strocked his beard. You know what poison he ingested ?
- Hum. My colleague told me.
- That’s very curious, you see, because your colleague didn’t know the poison that was used. And neither did we, all physical evidences had disappeared already when we got to them."

All the blood drained from Jian’s face.

"He… he must have guessed which one it was, then. A very common one.
- White goldenseal ? asked Maomao
- Yes, and some aconite, obviously.
- And Jimson weed ?
- No, not this one."

Gaoshun put a little pouch in front of Maomao. Jian’s face got even whiter.

"Maomao, would you be able to identify some of the herbs in this pouch ? he asked.
- Let’s see. Licorice, aconite, Goldenseal, Jinson weed too… And a lot of ginger, enough to cover any other smell. I can see non threatening ingredients too.
- Would it be usual for a physician to go around with the first herbs mentioned ?
- Certainly not.
- Now, Jian, would you be so kind as to tell us whose pouch it is ? asked Lakan.
- I don’t know. Jian was starting to sweat.
- How strange ! Correct me if I’m wrong, but it was on your person when you were arrested, was it not ? seeing that Jian kept silent, he turned to Maomao. Could those ingredients used to poison the poor soul next door ?
- Yes. but she wasn’t sure he really was a poor soul.
- Well then, it is settled. Jian, you are charger with the murder and attempted murder of the Crown Prince’s assailant.
- Murder ?! On what ground ? he was starting to lose his calm.
- My bad. he smiled, looking like a fox. I forgot to mention you were recognized but the man next door. He said you gave them a drink of wine that tasted strange, as a reward for the work they had done for you.
- What ?! How can you trust the words of a criminal ?! protesting Jian, completley losing his temper.
-Then we shall hear the words of a decent man. Young Basen, do you have anything to add ? this time, he looked like a wolf who had caught his prey.
- It-it’s him. he replied, his voice weak. He’s the one that stabbed the Moon- the Crown Prince. »

Lakan clapped his hands joyfully.

"In that case, Fa Jian, you are also charged with the attempted murder of a member of the Imperial family and high treason."

Fa Jian slumped on his chair, defeated.

Gaoshun put him back in his cell. Taken took the papers and the pouch and went behind the wooden screen.

"Have you written everything ?" Silence. "Very well. Do you have red ink ? Perfect."

His head appeared from behind the screen.

"Please come here. We need your signature and your fingerprints on the report.
- No problem. said Basen, going first. Brother ?!
- We need to keep the investigation as close as possible. And he is the fastest scribe in the whole realm.
- Good morning, Baryou. greeted Maomao."

She had a feeling he was hidden there since she saw that wooden screen and no visible scribe.
She signed and put her thumb previously dipped in red ink on each pages of the report. Then she cleaned her hand with the cloth handed to her.

She felt at the same time satisfied and guilty.

They got this lowlife dead to rights. But how she couldn’t notice that he was so close, all this time ? The drug disappearing, their colleague being sick but not with gastroenteritis, the fact that we was close to Tao (so that was the name of this asshole !), him disappearing so mysteriously…
Deep in her thoughts, she wasn’t ready for Lana’s next discussion subject.

Chapter Text

"I’m sorry, what ?!"

What was he on about ? That came completely out of nowhere!

"Why should I get married ?
- Because you are of age, dear. We should find you a fine husband before it’s too late. Thankfully, I already received quite a few requests for your hand. he paused. And it would be better for the Crown Prince.
- How so ? said, raising her chin.
- The fact that the Crown Prince spend so much time with a young maiden is starting to make people talk. It would do both of you no good to be suspected of having something akin to an affair.
- Getting married would means stopping my work at the infirmary. That cannot happen. she said categorically.
- Do you really think they would keep a young woman whose virtue is questioned ?"

Maomao could feel a cold sweat running down her back. He had a point.
But most importantly, he wasn’t looking at her with his usual gaze full of stupid adoration that she hated so much.

No.
He was looking at her as if she was just another piece in his game of shogi.
He was seriously considering marrying her off.

"Plus, Rikuson has already promised he would let you pursue your medical vocation."

On these words, Lakan left his daughter and Basen in a room where food was waiting on the table.

"Maomao, are you okay ? asked Basen, worried.
- Ye-yeah…
- This marriage talk…
- I’ll find a solution to get out of it!"

She wasn’t hungry, but she started eating, pretending that the subject didn’t bothered her.
She looked over at the man in front of her.

"Are you okay ? this time, it was her turn to be worried.
- Yeah. Just not realizing that we got him quite yet. I’m so happy we got him, relieved I was able to recognize him… But at the same time, I’m mad it took us so long.
- You’re not blaming yourself for what happened that day on top of that, are you ? she asked, almost accusing him.
- No, my sister beat the guilt out of me. he said, smiling."

Well. That was disturbing.
Now that she had started eating, she realized that she was actually starving.
She was hearing about Basen’s duck latest accomplishment when Gaoshun entered the room.

"Once you’ve finished eating, you can go back to your workplace. You may be summoned again, so stay in the palace for the time being.
- Isn’t the investigation over, now ? said Basen, surprised.
- Of course not. he glared at his son. We still didn’t catch the brain behind the whole operation and there is still some aspects that needs examination.
- Regarding ? asked Maomao.
- The Emperor’s sons. I cannot say more."

Maomao nodded, that was understandable. And she understood that Jinshi, as he had feared, wasn’t their only target.

Were they doing an internal investigation of all the palace workers ? After all, there was 2 members of the Fa clan just at her infirmary. Who knew how many people linked to the rogue faction was currently working here ?
That must be why the investigation was so secretive, and the suspects they just saw locked up so far away from prying eyes. Were all the other prisoners related to this investigation?

Lost in her thoughts, she greeted her friends mind absently and put on her work clothes the wrong way.

"Maomao, let me help you. said Yao, fixing her clothing
- Thank you…
- Is everything alright ? Where were you?
- Yeah, I was called at the Bureau of Investigation.
- Are you in trouble ? questioned En’en, worried.
- I mean, I don’t know ? The Freak wants to marry me off."

She couldn’t speak a word of the investigation and she knew the subject of her potential marriage would attraction all attention to it. Even if she didn’t want to think about it.

"So it’s true… said Yao.
- Why are you saying that ?
- We heard Tianyu saying that he asked your father for you hand. He said he was asking jokingly but Sir Lakan seemed to take it seriously. she explained.
- I swear on Luomen’s life, I’m gonna-
- You’re gonna nothing at all. interrupted Yao. You are not going to spike his food. Or his drinks. Or threaten is life in any way.
- Don’t worry, I’ll beat his ass when no would will be looking. assured En’en, only half joking.
- Since Tianyu was only joking, you should be alright, shouldn’t you ?
- There is other candidates. Maomao could feel her hands started shaking.
- I’m sure they won’t consider them any good. declared En’en.
- One of them is Rikuson. He’s kind of in charge of the Western Capital and is his previous assistant.
- Oh, Maomao…"

Yao took her in her arms, knowing what it felt like to feel threatened by the news of marriage. Maomao wasn’t going to cry, but she had to admit that she was close to do it.
His gaze had been so cold and calculating. For the first time in a long time, she was properly terrified of him.

She needed to ask Luomen for help. But he was once again working with the quack, inside the inner court walls. She wasn’t able to come and go as she wished anymore. And she couldn’t ask Jinshi for his help.

That night, she wrote a letter to her adoptive father. She wasn’t begging him to stop Lakan’s wedding project, but she wasn’t very far from it.

She tried to go on with her life, without thinking about a possible marriage being on the horizon.
But when she got Luomen letter, she was crestfallen.

He had talked with Lana and, after hearing his arguments, was agreeing with them. She indeed needed to find a husband. She just had to trust Lakan for once.

But how could she ? After the way he had looked at her, not as a father but as a shogi master ?

Jinshi had declared to the Emperor he would make her his wife. Should she tell Lakan ?
No, that was a bad idea. She had to get out of this mess all on her own. She couldn’t risk having Lakan bother the Emperor about this. And Jinshi couldn’t learn of that freak’s plans. He needed to focus on his recovery, not on her.

So instead, she acted as if everything was going as she wanted in her life.
Sometimes, Basen would come see her in secret just to tell her that the investigation was doing well. He never gave any details, but Maomao appreciated him taking the time to tell her that.

She was once more summoned, but this time she just had to formerly identify the plants that had been found in a bag.
They didn’t tell her any details, but she was pretty sure that the bag belonged to a suspect they apprehended.
And it was the smart decision. There was a lot of poison in here.

A few weeks went by. The gastroenteritis was once again devastating the workforce of the palace, and the work-life equilibrium of the physicians. Once again, Maomao didn’t have time for anything else than work and taking care of her basics needs. She even didn’t have the time to pick up a book that seemed very promising, sent to her by Sazen.

Today was her day off. She wanted to go see her sisters at the Verdigris House. But she had been reminded that she needed to be in the palace at all time in case she was needed for the investigation.
She decided to escape everything by going to the communal bath. It was the only place left in the palace where people weren’t looking at each other with suspicion. The multiple arrest and secrecy of the investigation was starting to take a toll on the employee’s moral.

When she got into the hot water, she recognized the two court lady not far from her. They were the one that loved to gossip.
Wondering what kind of absurd rumors they were going to talk about today, she angled herself to hear them better.
She usually wasn’t one to gossip, but she did have to admit that their crazy stories were quite effective at distracting her from her own problems

"Do you know Lakan’s daughter ?
- I know of her. Why ?
- Well, I heard her father is looking for an eligible bachelor for her."

Oh, for heaven’s sake !

"Isn’t it going to be arduous ? I heard she was very… peculiar. And not very gifted in the physical department.
- Maybe. But I heard she’s super smart. And she knows how to make friend with powerful and up coming people. She’s good friend with that military officer, Lihaku.
- He’s so handsome. sighed the friend.
- Yeah, he is… But she’s also one of the protégée of the Empress and was seen entering the former consort Lady Ah Duoh’s place multiple times. And of course, she once was the pet project of the Crown Prince (hey ! That was very demeaning !). Any ambitious man would kill for a wife with such connections.
- You are right. But honestly, I thought she was the Crown Prince’s mistress.
- What kind of father would try to wed his daughter if she was the mistress of the next in line for the throne ? He’s The Strategist after all !"

With the description given by that court lady, Maomao did sound like a catch.

She immersed herself, enjoying the feeling of the pressure of the water all around her. It was calming.
She didn’t want to go back to the surface and hear them gossiping about her, but she was only human and as such needed air.
A new woman had just joined the couple of friends. Another friend, probably.

"Girls, girls ! she said, overexcited.
- What ? What’s going on ?
- The Emperor has called another Grand Court Assembly ! announced the new comer.
- Already ?!
- Yeah, for tomorrow !"

She kept silent for a moment, before telling them :

"There’s a rumor saying that Consort Lihua is going to be expelled from the palace."

Chapter Text

When Maomao arrived at her place of work the next morning, two guards were waiting for her.

What was going on this time ?

She was to follow them, no question asked. So she did.
She was expecting to once again go to the Bureau of Investigation but, to her complete surprise, they lead her inside the Assembly Hall.

Also know as the throne room, since it’s where the throne itself was, it was the most impressive room of all the palace.
There was ornamented lanterns hanging down from the very high ornamented ceiling, the pillars masterfully carved. The wooden walls were painted with a deep red.
The floor was made of large stone slab, since people kept their shoes on inside.
In the back of the room, there was a several leveled platform.

On the highest step was the throne of the Emperor, as it always was. It was so large it could fit 3 persons comfortably. In front of it was a small table were scrolls were waiting.
But contrary to customs, a step below on the right of the throne, was another impressive looking sitting. Maomao wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a very expensive chair or a simple looking throne. Same for the one on the left side.
On the lowest step were three chairs. They were expensive looking one, but they didn’t quite look like throne. But they were reserved for very important people, with no doubts.

From each side of the central alley were waiting official, their positions determined by their rank, standing up.
The Ministers were of course in front of everyone. Then the other High Officials, and then the lesser ranking ones.
But being in the far back didn’t necessarily meant one hadn’t a successful career. In the contrary, having a place in the room meant you had made it. It was just a bit frustrating to be in the far back, that’s all.

Maomao saw Basen and Chue standing not far from Gaoshun and quickly made her way towards them.
She was really happy to see the ever eccentric young woman.

Official Ho was fulminating. He was a stickler for protocol and the presence of non official was decidedly not in conformity with the protocol. Two of them were even women !
He hadn’t been able to climb up the ladder since the last Grand Assembly and was consequently still stuck in the far back of the room.
But he was still able to see the Empress Dowager, Consort Lihua and Lady Ah Duo enter the hall and sit next to each others on the chair. Three more women, sitting not far below the Emperor ?!
No, he shook his head. He couldn’t submit an official complaint. It wouldn’t do any good to his career.
He could also see the Empress Gyokuyou enter the hall, in her full Imperial attire. She must have felt so offended when her son lost the title of the Crown Prince, thought Official Ho. Good. He really disliked the fact that the Mother of the Nation looked so foreign. Not that he would ever express his opinion. He wasn’t a complete idiot.
Then the Crown Prince appeared. Even from afar, Official Ho could see his porcelain white skin, his silk like hairs, his body reminiscing of a celestial nymph. Thankfully, he was born a man. He was too beautiful for this world and, had he been a woman, he would have brought the realm on its knees. The ethereal beauty sat on the maybe throne on the right of the Emperor’s throne.

Finally, the Emperor made his apparition and took his place on the very top on the platform.
The doors closed and the Assembly was in session.

Maomao didn’t pay much attention to what was being said. The subject matter was the investigation into the assassination attempt on Jinshi and she had already heard most of it.
The intricacies of how Gaoshun and Lakan had supervised the investigation wasn’t interesting to her. Even when her name came up at several occasions, she didn’t care.

No, all her attention was on Jinshi.

Maybe to others he looked like his handsome celestial self.
But to Maomao, his back was a bit too straight, his skin a bit too pale and his eyes a bit too focused on the front of the alley are Lakan was talking.
This worried Maomao. He must have been in agony since he got the title of Crown Prince back again. And had his body not yet recovered?

When she sensed Lakan’s exposé coming up to and end, she made the effort or turning her attention on him.

She then learned that had also been an attempt on Gyokuyou’s son’s life. Maomao thought of the content of the bag she had to identify that time she went to the Bureau of Investigation alone.

In total, including the relatives of the accused, more than two hundreds people were arrested.
Their trials would soon begin, and the expected sentencing would range from simple banishment to death.
Then, it was time for the rewards to be distributed.

She hadn’t noticed, but there was a couple dozen military personnel in attendance. They went to the middle of the alley to hear what their recompense would be.
Without surprise, it was monetary and even a promotion for some of them. Lihaku was among them.

Then it was the turn of the Ma Clan. Gaoshun, Baryou (where was he hiding until now ?!), Basen and Miss Hue got paid handsomely. The Emperor reminded Basen that he could ask a favor of his.

Consort Lihua was also called. Her actions against her sons supporters got her a monetary reward too. Maomao had a thought about the gossiping court ladies. Once again, they were wrong. Consort Lihua wasn’t going anywhere.

Then Maomao was called. Not letting her nervousness, she stepped forward.

"For saving the Crown Prince’s life and your crucial participation in the investigation, La Maomao (she couldn’t refrain a shudder at the association of the La surname and her name) shall receive five thousands silver"

She bowed deeply, not believing her ears.

"Maomao. it was the Emperor. Your implication has been deeply appreciated by the Imperial family. You may ask for a favor."

What should she ask for ? Her mind went blank for a minute, but she decided to play it safe.

"May I take some time to think of an appropriate request ?
- You may. When the time comes, I will be ready to hear it."

Lakan was the last one called.
He, too, was handsomely paid. Lahan would be ecstatic when hearing the news. It was more than enough to repay the debt and then some. He too received a favor.

"All I ask of you, You Majesty, is to give your blessings when my daughter will be married in a year or so."

So he really was serious about it. He had made his choice.

It was impossible to say who between Jinshi and Malmo was the most devastated by the Strategist request.
The Emperor nodded.

Seeing none of the Imperial Family members stood up, the officials took the hint and left the hall. Official Ho was once again fulminating at this new breach of protocol.

Only the Ma, Lakan and Maomao stayed behind.
Jinshi turned to the Emperor

"Your Majesty, please… he started.
- I made a deal with Sir Lakan. interrupted the Emperor. And I shall honor it, Zuigetsu.
- Yes, your Majesty. You must honor it."

Maomao hated that fox like smile on that freak’s face.

She didn’t get the chance to talk to Jinshi.
Instead Chue took her by the arm and told her brother in law and husband to follow her.

Without surprise, their destination was the dining hall. Food was always a huge priority for her, after all.
As they ate, Chue asked Basen and Maomao for every single details on their participation to the investigation. She had enthusiast reactions and a lot of opinions to share.
Baryou was just trying to survive being among so many people.
Then, Chue started talking about what she would do with the money she was soon to receive.

"And you, Brother in law, what are you gonna do with the money ?
- I think I’ll put it aside for when I’ll leave the house.
- Not a bad idea. And with the favor ?
- I-I don’t know yet
- What about getting yourself a wife ? I heard you spent a good amount of time with Lady Lishu !
- Ho-how could I ask for a former consort hand ! he said, his face crimson red.
- With a favor, of course ! she turned to Maomao. And you, Miss Maomao ?
- First, I’ll repay my debt to the Verdigris House. Then maybe renovate our shack ? Make it a proper house ? I want it to be more comfortable for my father. I’ll buy him a comfy bed and warm comforter. He’s not getting any younger after all.
- But what about you ? asked Basen.
- Obviously I’ll buy medicine. And treat myself to some good food. I’ll put the rest aside.
- And for your favor ?"

She spent the afternoon answering her colleagues questions as best as she could. There was no escaping their curiosity this time.
Even Master Physician Lin was listening, even if he pretended not to.
In consequence, she still didn’t know what she wanted when she got to her dorm.

Should she ask for a full pardon for her father ? Or for Loulan to be able to live freely as Shisui ? Allow women to become proper physician, at least for the rear court ? Or to prevent the wedding planned by the Freak to take place ?
Or for Jinshi to…

She shook her head. She couldn’t ask for anything regarded the Imperial family.

She was about to undress when someone knocked at her door. It was Gaoshun.
She refrained a deep sigh. What now ?

"Good evening, Xiaomao.
- Good evening, Master Gaoshun. How can I help you?
- I need you to come with me.
- Must it be now ? Can’t it wait until tomorrow ? I must admit I had a long day and need to rest.
- No. You must come now."

She couldn’t stop herself from sighing this time, but she still followed him outside. A small vehicle was waiting for them. At least she didn’t have to walk.
The ride was a short one and boring one. Gaoshun didn’t talk and the windows were shut close to prevent anyone from looking in. Or out.

When she stepped down at her destination, she could feel her heart beat just a little bit faster.
They were at Jinshi’s pavilion.

They greeted Suiren and went straight to Jinshi’s room.

There was sitting Lakan, Jinshi and the Emperor.
The first ones were facing each other and the Emperor presiding.

Not wanting to sit next to the Freak, she took the liberty to sit next to Jinshi. She thought she felt Jinshi moving closer to her, but it could just be wishful thinking.

Suiren entered the room to place tea and treats on the table between them before leaving them, Gaoshun following her.

The Emperor was the first to speak.

"Maomao. I wanted to thank you personally for all you have done. From saving Zuigetsu’s life to helping getting the culprits behind bars. Thank you.
- You flatter me, your Majesty. she said while bowing. I only fulfilled my duties.
- What is the deal about ? snapped Jinshi."

His whole body was tense, his fit tightly closed on his laps. His emotions were on the verge of bursting out.

"Why did you make me the Crown Prince again ? Why keep me in the dark about the investigation ? Why was no one allowed to see me ? Why ?"

His voice was full of frustration, anger, incomprehension. Sadness. A deep, deep sadness.

"Gaoshun told me. Lakan made you declare me as your Heir. What kind of leverage does he have on you ? What rotten secret do you have ?"

His voice had a hint of hate this time. Instinctively, Maomao put her hand on his arm, calming him down a bit. He was looking intensely at his knees.

"At first, I kept ou alone because I didn’t want people to know how you were. Our strategy was to keep it ambiguous, to force our enemies to make a mistake.
Then I told them to spend every waking moment on the investigation.
I kept you in the dark because I didn’t want you to do anything that could hurt the investigation. And I feared it would be in the way of your recovery.
I made you the Crown Prince to protect both you and Gyokuyou’s son. It will stay that way until things calm down."

Jinshi rose his head and looked directly into the Emperor’s eyes.

"And what does he knows for you to obey him ?
- He knows about your scar."

Jinshi didn’t know how to react.
He could feel cold sweat rolling down his back.

The fact that the Strategist was aware, even if not fully, of his secret terrified him. Now he understood why the Emperor didn’t have a choice.
He slumped against the sofa’s back, defeated.

"And what did you ask in exchange for your silence ? he asked Lakan directly.
- I asked him to help me marry Maomao."

The smug smile on his face was almost too much to bear for Maomao.

Chapter Text

Kan Lakan had asked for a private audience with the Emperor just after the Grand Assembly during which they learned of the Moon Prince true lineage.
He had specified that while not exactly related to the investigation, it was still relating to the Moon Prince safety.
The answer was quick to come to him. He was to present himself the very same night to the Emperor’s quarter.

Despite his rank in the bureaucracy, it was the first time Lakan saw the pavilion.

Naturally, it was the biggest building in the whole palace. Even in the dark of the night, the Strategist could distinguish the deep colors and intricate carvings decorating the walls and pillars.

After a swift body search, in case he had any weapon on him, he was showed the way to a sitting room.

It was relatively small, but decorated with taste.
Two cushioned couches were shielded from the view of someone entering the room with a screen made with a deep red cloth embroidered with gold threads. A thick carpet was the finishing touch.
This meeting room was very intimate.

He sat on one of the couches and looked at the snacks waiting on the small table in front of him.
Hungry, he took one in his mouth. The taste was amazing, a real treat.

" I see I don’t need to tell you to help yourself.
- Good evening, your Majesty. replied Lakan, unashamed."

The Emperor sat on the other couch and a maid served them tea before disappearing.

"Let’s skip the niceties. What is your reason for requesting an audience ?
- As I said in my demand, I come with the safety of the Moon Prince and the Crown Prince in mind.
- The Crown Prince too ?
- Yes. We have not formally reported it yet because of lack of evidence, but we have good reasons to think there will be an attempt on the Crown Prince’s life too.
- What do you mean ?
- The Moon Prince was attacked first because they thought he was a danger to your children, but mostly because he was an easier target outside of the palace.
But now that he has been revealed as your son, congratulations on getting your first son back your Majesty, they will think there is no reason for him to kill his little brothers. He could consider himself as the de facto Heir and would leave Lihua’s sons alone.
But your Empress’s son is still older than Lihua’s sons. And he has the legitimacy of being the Emperor’s son.
I think they will attack the Crown Prince next. The Moon Prince isn’t an immediate threat to anyone anymore and is unreachable for the time being. But your second son sometimes makes apparitions since he is the Crown Prince. He is now the easiest to reach out of the two.
I suggest you make the Moon Prince the Crown Prince. This way you can hide Empress Gyokuyou’s son away from the world.
- Wouldn’t that put a target back on Zuigetsu ? pointed out the Emperor.
- Not really. As the Crown Prince, he would once again benefit a high level of protection. The Officials won’t have any ground to protest the tightening of the security.
They don’t have to kill him anymore. Another way to permanently remove him from the line of succession would be to criticize his status as the late Emperor’s son and your son as the same time. They would submit a motion for his removal on the ground that the lineage is too confusing.
- I see.
- We’ll use the change of Heir to provoke confusion and get the conspirator we haven’t found yet. They are bound to make mistake and reveal themselves.
After the trials, you should let the situation calm down. I would say it will take a year or so. And then, your Majesty, you will take my daughter into your family."

The Emperor scoffed. The Grand Commandant really had no regards for basic etiquette.

"And why should I agree to such things ?
- Because she can be the the only one for the Moon Prince, and he absolutely cannot be your Heir for long.
- Pry tell me what could be the reason ? the Emperor’ voice was composed, but his face looked a bit pale.
- Why is my daughter, who is only an apothecary and not a proper physician, the only one allowed to administer medical care to the Moon Prince ? Why did it start at the same time the title of Crown Prince was transferred to your second son ? Why was the Moon Prince sent away for a whole year away from the Capital, as to punish him ?
Unless… »

Lakan took his cup and swirled the tea inside before taking a sip. It was lukewarm but still flavorful.
The Emperor thought that the man in front of him really had theatrics on point. The Strategist’s mouth curved in a small smile, but he looked like a wolf who had caught his prey. Not his usual fox like demeanor.

"The only explanation is that something happened to your son’s body. Something that cannot be removed or hidden. Something that happened in front of my daughter, hence her inclusion in this secret. Perhaps it is directly related to her.
It would be a shame if such rumor about the Prince was going around the palace, wouldn’t it ?
- What is it that you want ? asked the Emperor, angered by the threat.
- For my daughter to marry your son, as I already said.
- But why ? You could ask for so much more.
- My priority is for my daughter to be happy. Lakan said, a soft smile replacing the predator’s one. Do we have a deal ?
- We do."

Chapter Text

The smug smile on that Freak’s face was almost too much to bear for Maomao. She opened her mouth but the Emperor spoke first.

"Zuigetsu, Maomao. Once things calm down, in a year or so, I’ll strip Zuigetsu of his Crown Prince title. Then you’ll get married."

The two young adult didn’t know how to react.
They were both confused, relieved and angry. Couldn’t their fathers have made their intentions clear ? They could have avoided so much anguish !

Jinshi’s hand were trembling, Maomao was fuming and Lakan was just yawning.
How could he yawn right now ?!

After taking a treat, Lakan leaved. As always, he didn't care for basic étiquette.
Jinshi turned to the Emperor, still angry.

"I now know why you did all this. But it has caused me so much pain that I cannot forgive you. Not yet.
- I understand. I just want you to know that I did all this out of concern. Out of love."

He got up and went to leave but Maomao caught up to him at the door.

"Your Majesty ! she said, stepping in front of the door.
- Yes, Maomao ?
- I know what I want to ask as a favor !
- I’m listening. he answered, curious.
- I… she took a deep breath, she could get in trouble for this. Can you do as Master Jinshi had asked you ? May you bestow a name upon him ?
- I- I’ll think about it. he stuttered, giving away his troubled state."

And the after so long, far too long, Jinshi and Maomao were once again just the two of them in his room.

Jinshi sprang up and took Maomao in his arms. He hold her tightly against him, one arm around her waist and one hand in her hairs.
She reciprocated the embrace. When she fell tears on the top of her head, she patted his back softly.

"It’s over now. You’re alright. You’re safe. I’m here."

She repeated these words like a mantra until Jinshi pulled away.

"Let’s sit. he said, leading them to one of the couches. How are you ? What have you been up to ? Do you eat enough ? Get enough sleep ? You look frailer than the last time you came."

After reassuring Jinshi that yes, she was eating and sleeping properly, she told him how she spent her days at the infirmary and the times she helped with the investigation. Jinshi was very impressed by her retelling of the interrogation of Fa Jian. She didn’t mention that it was only at that moment that she learned Tao’s name. She had a pride to protect.
And Jinshi didn’t need to know that she sometimes was kept up at nigh by her worry for him. Or that she sometimes lost her appetite when she was hearing people gossiping about the investigation.

Jinshi told her that he was working on administrative matters. He had also started to exercise again, albeit not too much and not for long. He excitedly told her how amazing taking a bath after so long was. He stayed in it until the water went cold, to the dismay of Suiren. He had finished her book and written some questions he had.
And how much he had missed her.

Maomao couldn’t refrain a yawn. She wasn't bored, she was just properly exhausted.

"You should sleep here tonight. suggested Jinshi.
- I wasn’t planing on sleeping anywhere else than in your bed."

Maomao smiled at the view of Jinshi blushing furiously. She got exactly the reaction she wanted.
It was nice to be the one saying innuendoes for once.

She protested when he swept her off her feet. He was going to hurt himself !

He climbed in his bed and laid them down. Shaking a little bit, he cupped Maomao’s face with his hand.

"In a year or so, you will be my wife. he whispered.
- I know. plainly replied Maomao.
- You could show more emotions ! Jinshi was vexed.
- I’ve known for years that you would make me your wife. It’s not exactly hot news to me.
- Do you dislike it ?
- No. she reassured him. I’m happy that my husband is going to be you. I know you'll let me keep my freedom.
- I can’t wait to get rid of that stupid title. he paused. I have something to confess.
- Yes ? she replied, worried.
- To get rid of it, I was planning on doing something to my body again. »

She slapped his chest, annoyed. He yelped in pain, she really was stronger than she looked.

"You really are a piece of work, you know !
- I’m not work, I’m Jinshi. he replied cheekily."

Maomao laughed so much she felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t remember the last time she laughed so much.
Her laugh died when she felt Jinshi’s hand on her.

"What are you doing ?
- You’re not planning on sleeping fully clothed, are you ? he said as he was untying her clothes.
- I can do it myself you know !
- I know. But I want to do it."

He made her sit up and dragged her clothes down her shoulders, her arms before getting it completely off. Maomao shuddered, feeling like Jinshi’s long finger had burned where he touched her skin. He threw the top on the floor and the skirt soon met the same fate.
Maomao returned the favor and started to undress Jinshi. She now understood why Jinshi wanted to undress her. It was a bit exhilarating to reveal his body, one layer at a time. She also felt somehow powerful. His clothes soon fell next to Maomao’s.

Maomao was now sitting on Jinshi’s lap. It’s only then that the reality of the situation hit her.
She was almost naked, on the laps of her fiancé (!) who was in the same state of undress, in his bed, late at night.
She started blushing too and tried to cover her torso with her arms, but Jinshi stopped her.

"Why are you hiding yourself ? he whispered. You’re beautiful.
- You’re not so bad yourself.
- So beautiful…"

Without thinking, she lowered her face, sliding her hands along his shoulders, his neck, in his silky hair. Then their lips finally met each others. It didn’t feel like the previous one.
This time, it was electrifying and melting her body at the same time. She felt Jinshi’s warm hands slip under her underwear, exploring the skin on her back.
Maomao moaned softy.
Their kiss didn’t stay chaste for long and soon deepened.

Maomao was losing herself between Jinshi’s caress on her skin and the dance of their tongues. She could also hear Jinshi moan in their kiss. Her hands were wandering between his broad shoulder, his neck and his oh so soft hairs.

She broke their kiss, in search of air. Jinshi rested his forehead on her shoulder while his hands found their place on her hips.

"Maybe we should stop here. breathed Jinshi.
- Yeah. said Maomao, as quiet as him."

Sitting on Jinshi’s laps, she could feel a frog of respectable size. Or rather impressive one.

She got off him and slipped under the covers. Jinshi joined her and took her in his arms once more.
The young woman wriggled a bit and rested her head on his chest as he started to lazily comb his fingers through her hairs.
She was surrounded by Jinshi. The smell of his sandalwood perfume, the weight of his strong arms around her, the softness of his skin under her cheek and finger tips.

A few years ago, she would never have tolerated such proximity, such intimacy, with anyone. Less of all with Jinshi.
But now, she nuzzled closer to him, a sigh of contentment. Maybe she was too tired by everything to think straight ?

"Can you finish what you were going to say that night ? asked Jinshi, already half asleep.
- What night ?
- When you were asking me to wake up. You were going to say something but the Emperor entered the room.
- Oh…
- Please…"

Maomao thought about it. Was she ready to admit it to herself ? Admit it to Jinshi ?