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the La clan was always known for its eccentricness and high capability in one specific domain , lakan in strategy (mainly go) , and maomao in herbs and poison . whenever he had a meeting with lakan and he'd (force) ask him to play a match of go , Jinshi was immensily reminded of their similarity , maybe that was one of the main reasons he could handle the eccentric fox (to a point where he doesn't rip out his hair at least) .By time he starts to wonder , that despite their similar personalities , maomao can't even stand hearing the name of the strategist or the mention of their relationship in anyway , even if it would mean making her life easier and safer with the high status . Even knowing their past and the misunderstanding that happened when she was a toddler , she seem to have deep hate for her father despite his clear affection for her (even if it's annoying) , so seeking an opportunity to have a deep conversation with his .... whatever their relationship is , he decides to ask her directely about it
Jinshi : "say apothecary..."
Maomao : "yes jinshi-sama"
he had repeatedely asked her to drop the formal name and just call him yuu but oh well
Jinshi : " about grand commandant la-"
he couldn't even finish his name before feeling daggers pointed at him from maomao's glare
Jinshi : "about ... that old fart , apart from story from your childhood , is there any other reason for your hate for him "
Maomao: "..."
Maomao:"nothing in particular , I don't hate HATE him , I just can't stand him "
Jinshi : "and the only reason for that is because of that memory?"
Maomao : "..."
Maomao : "I can't think of anything else "
Jinshi : "really , nothing at all"
Maomao seemed a bit unconfortable
Maomao : "Jinshi-sama , why are bringing him up now?"
Jinshi : "Just curious , he asks about you a lot , and by a lot I mean he keeps threatening me to give you back"
there was a clear shiver running through maomao
Jinshi : " but his affection seem to be completely blocked , so I kept wondering if there is another reason for your annoyance"
Maomao kept glancing to the side avoiding eye contact
Maomao : "It's nothing for you to be worried about sir , you already have your fair share of work to handle "
Jinshi : " But I'm curious"
Maomao : "really sir it's nothi-"
Jinshi moved to meet maomao's eyes
Jinshi : "I'm curious"
Maomao started looking mildly annoyed , Jinshi thought for a second
Jinshi : "Is it related to your adopted father ?"
other than poinsons , Luomen seemed to be the only person Maomao showed concern for
Maomao flinched at that statement , she was staring blankly at Jinshi like the motors of her brain were working full force , ' man , she really is bad with her emotions ' jinshi thought
Jinshi : " ... Maomao?"
Maomao started rambling , not particularely talking to Jinshi but to herself : "well it's not like I'm annoyed at how he got his position using only his brain , how he's a grand commandant and a great adviser for the emperor during wars despite being stupidely unathletic , while my father is exiled from the rear palace for a mistake that it not his own , and I'm not pissed at the way he laze arround annoying everybody around him and chasing me around like a hoodlum despite his workload that he used to dump on you"
Jinshi got chilling flashback
Maomao : " and most than certainly not jeolous at the fact that my father acknowledge his genious while telling me I have a ling way to go , yes , definetely not jeolous "
Jinshi is looking puzzled at Maomao , is she seriously that ignorant about her feelings ? he started wondering how long will it take for her t accept his feelings
suddenly Maomao stood up
Maomao : "well , I'll be taking my leave now "
Jinshi : " wait, we're in the middle of a conver-"
Maomao : "I believe your check up is done sir , see you tomorrow then "
then she hurriedly left his room
yep ,Maomao is extremely bad with her emotions .