When Jinshi finished his breakfast, the boar-like man, no–Basen showed up.
“Why are you stomping your feet?” Taomei scolded her son.
“Mother! I can’t keep silent about this situation!”
“Who is Mother?! We are at work!”
Taomei slapped Basen. It was quite unreasonable, but this was the daily life of Gaoshun’s family, so it is what it is. Jinshi was used to it too. He was used to it, but tired of it. He wanted more replenishment.
“My, my,” Suiren laughed, laying a hand on her cheek. Chue was unusually quiet as if she couldn’t escape. Also, Baryou was staying behind the curtains as usual. Jinshi heard the sound of pages flipping, so the civil official was probably preparing Jinshi’s work.
“Basen, you should be more self-aware as a member of the imperial guard. Retainers falling into a panic is the shame of the lord.”
“However, how can you just keep watch silently in this situation, Taomei-dono!” Basen was told Mother was out of bounds, so he rephrased. Chue held back laughter. “An official from the capital would still be fine. But what’s with the officials of the western capital! ‘The Prince of the Moon does nothing, a leader only in name.’ They laughed saying that they want him to follow Gyoku’ou’s example!”
Taomei’s hand flew again. This time it was a backhand chop. Chue covered her face with a squeal and sucked in her cheeks. As if concerned, Baryou looked out from the gap of his curtain.
“Be respectful. No matter how much of a bastard he is, his position is higher than yours. The moment you pick a fight, you’ll besmirch the Prince of the Moon.”
Jinshi understood that Taomei couldn’t put up with it either, seeing how she said “bastard”.
Unfortunately, Jinshi got used to this kind of language during his eunuch days, so he didn’t care much for it.
It was troubling that the mother and son pair were arguing, so he helplessly stepped forward. He could get Suiren to stop them, but the old woman was staring at Jinshi, so he had no choice. “Can’t you two stop?” he asked.
““But.””
Only in times like this, do their voices match.
“So, my impression isn’t good at the western capital, right? I already know about it. It’s belated,” Jinshi said.
“But Gyoku’ou…dono took away the Prince of the Moon’s achievements. Wouldn’t this be of utmost urgency to come out in public?” Basen asked.
“…Is there a good reason for me to make an appearance?”
““….””
Everyone was silent.
Jinshi first looked at Suiren.
“We’d have to increase the number of guards,” she said.
Next, Taomei.
“Position-wise, shall we get permission from Gyoku’ou-dono?” Even Taomei saw Gyoku’ou as ‘dono’ instead of ‘sama’.
“Shall we have court physicians accompany us too via a consolation visit to sick and ill people?” Basen said something unusually decent.
“I have completely forgotten about it recently, but how many people are resistant to the Prince of the Moon’s face?” Chue said, and everyone groaned.
“…I don’t want to deal with complaints of wives and lovers changing love interests.” They heard Baryou’s voice from behind the curtain.
““…””
Everyone fell silent.
They heard the clatter from outside. Was there another fight happening somewhere today?
“How about this?” Chue spoke first. She had taken out a sash from Jinshi’s clothing box, and held it out to Basen.
“My, there is that way.” Apparently Suiren understood what Chue wanted to say.
“What is this supposed to mean?” Basen tilted his head, as if he hadn’t caught on.
Chue grinned. “Nothing really. Even if the Prince of the Moon doesn’t make an appearance, if he looks like he’s doing work, it shouldn’t be a problem right?”
Jinshi also understood Chue’s meaning. “Basen.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’ll give this sash to you. Hurry up and put it on, so you can work in my place.”
“Hah?” Basen, with a dumbfounded look, stared at the sash.
〇●〇
The space that was a remodelled formerly unoccupied house near the public square of the western capital became a simple medical office. It was prior to opening, but there was already a queue.
It was said they will examine injured and sick people affected by the locust plague for free. It was also close to the food bank, so the medical office was crowded.
“Is Nyannyan helping out?” Court Physician Ri asked her. He was an overserious, straitlaced, mid-ranking court physician. However, he remembered the wrong name.
(I wonder what happened when he was told to come to the western capital.)
The overserious court physician was now tanned, and his cheeks were a little gaunt as if he was working hard every day. But rather than skinny, he looked toned; there was a rough charm added to his model student vibe she got initially.
“Yes. It was an order from the Prince of the Moon. Gu’en-sama cannot leave the Prince of the Moon’s side, so I’ll be acting in his place.” Maomao was learning too. She remembered the quack doctor’s name.
(The quack doesn’t know he’s dad’s body double though.)
In the room, there was also Rihaku, Chue, Basen, and Court Physician Ri–only four people. So it should be fine to say it. It was just a greeting, but she felt sorry that she was postponing the patients.
Moreover, Maomao was responsible for Basen and he had finished his greetings a long time ago. Basen was agitated, looking at the interior of the medical office. There were two more guards outside the room to protect Basen, but she honestly couldn’t say that they were unneeded.
(He can’t calm down, huh.)
Basen wasn’t in his usual military official uniform; it was more stylish. And, at his waist was a sash granted to him by Jinshi. The vibrant purple that had been dyed in shellfish wasn’t an item ordinary people can obtain. It was perfect to make sense of his social standing.
So, he was here as Jinshi’s representative for a consolation visit.
(Although it’s a consolation visit…)
People are suited for different things, Maomao thought, but Jinshi probably can’t make an appearance in this situation.
“I heard from Tenyuu that you’re taking the initiative to make medicine,” Court Physician Ri said.
“Is that so?” Maomao was resigned to hearing complaints about the lack of decent medicine.
“The medicine sent over was passable. You’re doing your best considering how it’s substitute items.” It sounded like he was praising her.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.
“We have plenty of work. Washing the bandages, boiling them, giving medical treatment to people injured from the unending scuffle.”
“Understood. Shall I prioritise treating the injured?”
“Then I’ll be washing.” Chue poked her nose in.
“What should I do?” Rihaku asked.
“Guards can sit quietly. That would be most helpful,” Court Physician Ri replied with strangely glazed eyes.
“Got it.” Rihaku went to stand by the entrance.
“I-I will…” Basen was terribly uncomfortable since his social standing was different from normal. It was easier to be ordered around by someone, he looked at Court Physician Ri.
“Umm, Basen-sama will…” The honour student from the start, Court Physician Ri seemed to find it difficult to reply. Thinking it was rude to command for argument’s sake, he was nervous. “Basen-sama, how about you sit over here and pass the medicine over? I’ll prepare it, so put it in the bag and pass it over to me please.”
“Got it.”
This was a compromise since they cannot strangely put him to complicated work nor manual labour.
“And while you’re at it, please give words of recognition,” Court Physician Ri said.
“What should I say?”
“Mmm, something like “I want the citizens of Rii to live healthy lives. ‘Take care of yourself’ would be a little strange to hear from Basen-sama,” Chue said. She added ‘sama’ to her brother in law.
“That’s true. I would like you to not forget the words ‘Citizens of Rii’”.
Maomao was little bothered by Court Physician Ri’s words.
“Where is Court Physician You?” she asked.
“That person won’t be able to come to the medical office. He’s going around seeing patients. He’s from the western capital, so he knows his way around.”
Court Physician Ri had some biting words concerning Court Physician You.
“What happened to Court Physician You?”
It would be nice if she could probe a bit more, but the patients were waiting. Let’s get this over and done with.
“Court Physician You isn’t really a relative of Gyoku’ou-sama. But, I think the patients are his relatives. Court Physician You is a splendid court physician, but he’s ignorant about politics. That’s how it is.”
I see, Maomao clapped her hands.
The more Court Physician You worked, why was it not Jinshi, but Gyoku’ou who was being evaluated?
(I wonder if the choice in personnel was bad.)
No, it must have been the best choice in the beginning. It was just bad timing.
While she was on the topic of personnel selection, she remembered Tenyuu’s existence. “Where’s Tenyuu-san?”
“He’s accompanying Court Physician You today. He’s actually good at stitching up wounds.”
Maomao also remembered that he was certainly good. Being the youngest here in a variety of ways, it seems he was being worked hard.
“Then, the patients are waiting too, so shall we open up the medical office?” Court Physician Rii said.
Maomao and the others nodded.
