Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

Volume 8: Jinshi 2

Mmmm, so tired Yao stretched widely. She had a dust cloth clenched in her hand.

Is this everything? Enen also washed and wrung the dust cloth.

Isnt it good enough? Maomao closed the drawer. They had been cleaning the medical office for the past couple of days. With the spring cleaning over, their work came to an end.

At the end of year, court ladies get a holiday. The court physicians will be taking shifts at the imperial court, but it appears Maomaos group wasnt needed.

According to what shed heard, the parents will kick up a fuss if the court ladies werent given a proper break.

(Since theyre here for housekeeping training in the first place.)

Or groom searching.

However, both Yao and Enen were here for the sake of work, so they probably wont be spending the holiday at home. It seems the uncle had taken over the household with the passing of Yaos father; the same uncle who was trying to marry Yao off.

For Enen who lived for her young lady, Yaos uncle could only be an enemy.

Hey, Maomao, what are you doing over the break? Yao asked as she dried the dust cloth and washed her hands.

On the contrary, itll be peak season for me, Maomao answered.

Peak season?

Not all gentlemen with fat wallets end up going home, you know.

Yao tilted her head, but Enen scowled at Maomao, seemingly in realisation. This well-informed woman knew about Maomaos family business.

Maomao, please dont talk about vulgar things in front of milady.

(You say its vulgar, but its the truth.)

Simply put, men with high wages will go out to buy night butterflies. Doctors are also on break during this time, so the madam ordered her to keep the pharmacy open. So long as Dad doesnt come home, Maomao had to watch over it. Moreover, she was worried about whether Sazen, who is still more of a novice than a pharmacist, could do a good job.

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(I want to believe everythings fine since I left it to Kokuyou.)

She recalled the cheerful man with pox scars on his face. His skills as a doctor was assured, but she was still uneasy, considering his careless attitude.

Theres no leisure for the poor, so I dont get a break.

Not only the pharmacy, Maomao had to look after the fields too. There was also the madam, who was surely going to pin some work on her.

After packing away the cleaning tools, Yao looked up, mumbling. She looked like she had something to say.

What is it? Maomao asked.

Umm, Maomaos home is a pharmacy, right?

I guess so.

Yao was now fidgeting.

As Maomao tilted her head, Yao opened her mouth at last, as if finally finding her resolve.

D-during the break, can I come to Maomaos home, for studying purposes?

M-milady. Enen was shocked. It seems she was displeased with Yaos words.

(With the place being what it is, huh.)

Enen looked at Maomao and appealed her to turn Yao down with an excuse.

The public order is bad so please dont. On top of that, theres a crowd of gentlemen who are stinkier than military officials. Its a dangerous place for Yao-san, Maomao said.

but, doesnt Maomao live in such a place? Yao retorted instead of flinching.

Ive lived there since I was born. Its strange to put yourself in the same boat as me, since Im already used to it.

She intentionally pointed out the obvious, but it seemed to ignite something in Yaos unyielding heart.

Then, I just have to get used to it!

M-milady. Its dangerous, please spend your time at home during the holidays.

If Im at home, that man is going to come.

Even without mentioning who that man is, Maomao could already tell. It was the aforementioned uncle.

(So she wants to use it as a place of refuge, huh.)

It would be unbearable if he were to bring a marriage interview partner to their home.

I dont mind if you come in the afternoon, but what do you plan to do at night? Maomao asked.

Customers come in and out during nighttime, and more importantly, Maomaos abode is a dilapidated shack. With Sazen and Chouu living there at the moment, she couldnt allow them to stay overnight.

To be frank, Maomaos home is not suitable for living in, so I dont think its possible for Milday to stay there, Enen said.

How does Enen know this? Yao said.

(But I live there.)

She also investigated the state of her home. What a prudent servant.

Dont you have any other acquaintances? Like a friend wholl let you stay over or something.

It seems Maomaos question was a no-go.

Yao paled. She also looked a little tearful.

Enen held onto Yaos shoulders and appealed to Maomao to apologise.

(Ah)

She figured it out. Yao probably didnt have friends.

Maomao was the one at fault for not realising. She has to be astute with her response. Many homes will be filled with relatives, so theres nothing you can do about being turned down.

Thats true. I thought Maomaos place would be fine. Milady?

Enen gave her a thumbs up. However, is it really okay? At this rate, she would have no choice but to invite Yao to the pleasure district.

(Shall we rent a room at the Rokushoukan?)

Not possible. There are a lot of customers coming and going so there are no vacancies. Even if there were, the madam would hike up the price. And even if they paid, it was a room where you hear heavy breathing in the middle of the night, she had no idea if Yao could remain conscious. Enen could be tempted to attack the owners of the voices midway.

The other stores were similar. She wondered if there were any good lodgings somewhere in the capital.

wouldnt a normal inn be better? Maomao asked.

I guess so, Enen answered on behalf of Yao. We were a little noisy last time, so when we moved to another house, we were caught the next day.

(Just who is this uncle?)

Could Enens proficiency in espionage be trained by him?

Wouldnt he find you quickly at my home too?

No, its probably fine if its in the vicinity of Maomao.

What could that mean?

(Ah)

She got it.

Incidentally, the ideal lodgings Yao and Enen were currently looking for came to mind.

A place with good public order, cant be found by relatives, and even if found, cant be meddled with.

She does, but it was hard for her to say aloud.

Maomao, you seem to have an idea? Enens face closed in. If there is, you can tell us?

There was a one cun distance between their nose. At this distance, she cant even avert her eyes.

Enen, youre too close. Yao stopped her. Maomao breathed a sigh of relief.

So, where? Yao also pressed.

Maomao raised her hands in resignation. Its the house of someone you know. Ill never be the middleman, so if you want, you two can ask, please.

They were originally a distinguished family, so they should have free rooms.

How about you ask that bushy-haired glasses?

It was Rahan.