Volume 10 - Chapter 33

The Apothecary Diaries

Compromise #

The sleep taken after several days proved greatly beneficial in restoring Jinshi’s vitality.

Gently, he looked at the sleeper on the bed. Maomao, dirtied with dust and dried blood, curled up sound asleep. Perhaps exhausted, there was no sign of awakening even when Jinshi lifted and placed Maomao on the bed.

There were marks resembling punches on the cheeks, scrapes on the body, and a visible cut on the neck. The blood-stained clothes indicated that they had dealt with a severely injured Chuee.

“What a terrible state.”

Even if Jinshi were to ask what had happened in the past few days, Maomao would likely speak in a business-like manner, explaining things as if providing a work report. There was no emotional plea for concern or attention. Whether it was to avoid becoming a burden to Jinshi or because expressing emotions seemed pointless, it was unclear.

If it was the former, Jinshi would feel unsatisfied unless he did something about this detestable Maomao.

Having stopped taking eunuch medicine, Jinshi now possessed enough masculine functions. Did he understand that without the chain of reason, he could become a mere beast?

“Young master.”

The lady-in-waiting, Suiren, spoke. She held a change of clothes in her hands.

“It’s about time. Please have your meal.”

“I know.”

“What about a bath?”

“… Let’s skip it. There’s not enough time.”

“Though it’s not hygienic to leave you covered in blood.”

While Suiren scolded, she seemed to be smiling more than usual.

“Shall I at least prepare hot water?”

Suiren’s gaze was directed toward the bed. Even if Jinshi didn’t need it, Maomao should be given a bath.

“Also, prepare a change of clothes.”

If the perceptive lady-in-waiting understood, even if Jinshi omitted the specifics, whose clothes needed changing would be clear.

“Understood.”

Suiren bowed respectfully.

Stretching, Jinshi stood in front of the bed once again.

To avoid waking the deeply sleeping Maomao, he leaned in close.

“Isn’t this level of replenishment permissible?”

As if reminding himself, he whispered, then gently touched Maomao’s forehead with his lips.

After changing clothes and finishing the meal, Jinshi headed to the main residence’s hall. It seemed to be a place often used for banquets, located in a separate building. However, today, only the minimum number of people, including the guards, were allowed in. Care was taken to ensure that no one overheard their conversation. Accompanying Jinshi was Taomei. Today, she was not acting as a lady-in-waiting but had come in the role of a deputy officer.

In the hall, there were already guests. Each sat in chairs around a long table.

One was a robust man, resembling the one who had served him hot soup, Gyoku-you. However, the other man lacked a beard. Expressionless, but with wrinkles on his forehead, it was Gyokuen’s eldest son, Gyoku-ou. Jinshi had rarely spoken to this man, but he had been observing him closely during the inheritance discussions. He resembled and didn’t resemble his father at the same time.

Facing Gyokuou was a young man who seemed to have recently come of age. He was Hulan, who had been working under Jinshi for some time now. His face looked nothing like Gyokuou’s, possessing a modest stature that seemed still in the process of growth.

And there was one more.

Normally, there should be an eldest son, a third son, and then a second son, but it was different. Wearing a triangular cloth on her head, a smiling woman was present. Her face had scratches, and she wore a stiff kimono, suggesting some kind of treatment to her torso. To keep warm, she had cotton padding on her shoulders, similar to what Baryou often wore, although he wasn’t present.

“Lord of the Moon, it’s been a while~”

Jinshi thought that her voice didn’t sound much different from usual, wondering if she was truly injured, given the traces of Maomao’s vomit, she seemed quite severely injured.

“I apologize, but is it alright if I remain in this posture?”

The one checking Jinshi with fleeting glances was Taomei. She was not concerned with Jinshi but rather gauging the mood of her mother-in-law. Even Taomei, strict as she was, wouldn’t be harsh with her injured daughter-in-law.

“No problem.”

Jinshi replied on behalf of his mother-in-law.

Gyokuou and Hulan had already stood up, bowing respectfully to Jinshi.

“Thank you for inviting us repeatedly; we truly apologize.”

The first to speak was Gyokuou. His attitude was much more courteous than during the previous inheritance discussions.

There seemed to be something on Shikyō’s mind.

On the other hand, the third son, Hulan, smiled brightly.

“Lord of the Moon, your complexion seems good. I appreciate the generous treatment of a sinner like me.”

“No one said they forgive you.”

Jinshi spoke without raising his voice. While Hulan maintained his smile in response to those words, Gyokuou’s expression stiffened.

The upcoming discussion in the hall would be about Hulan. They had gathered to investigate what Hulan was thinking and what he had done.

And the second son, Shikyō, who should have been here, was absent. That was because there was something he didn’t want Shikyō to know.

Jinshi signaled to sit with his hand. Shikyō and Hulan confirmed that Jinshi had taken a seat before sitting down themselves.

Though Chuee remained seated, she held a drink in her hand, emitting steam. It was likely a broth made with goat’s milk or something similar. Given the insufficient blood supply, it couldn’t be helped.

Jinshi decided to proceed with the conversation without concern.

“Hulan, why did you try to kill your older brother, Shikyō?”

No preamble was needed. Jinshi asked the question directly.

Hulan didn’t change his facial expression and maintained his smile.

“I considered what would be best for the Western Capital and the Inusai Province in my own way.”

“By killing your actual brother?”

Jinshi asked calmly.

Shikyō stared at Hulan without saying a word. As an older brother, his feelings must be complicated.

“Did you get along well with Shikyō? Wasn’t it troublesome for you that there was an older brother during the inheritance discussions?”

“Yes. Certainly, brother said he didn’t need the inheritance and told us to divide it as we pleased.”

“That’s right. I don’t need anything. You can divide Father’s inheritance among yourselves as you see fit. I have no intention of governing the Western Capital, and you and Hulan can discuss it as you please. Above all, my name is Shikyō. I won’t use my given name anymore.”

Shikyō’s proposal might sound like a rare opportunity for the second and third sons of the world, but for a family governing Inusai Province, it wasn’t such a simple matter.

“So, you suggest that Hulan and I should govern together, making inconsiderate remarks. Do you think everything will go smoothly just because Eldest Brother isn’t inheriting the legacy and responsibilities? Going forward, can Shikyō and Hulan handle the situation well together?”

“It will work, won’t it? Shikyō is reliable. He’s smarter than me. If you assist him, it should be fine. Even if he doesn’t immediately replace Father, in a few years, he should be able to handle it properly.”

“A few years? Is it okay to say that the most challenging time is in the coming years?”

Hulan let out a voice of disbelief.

“Certainly, Shikyō could do well if he worked as a bureaucrat in the capital. He would probably advance faster than Eldest Brother. But what about when it comes to making decisions and facing people?”

Hulan seemed to be directing his question not to Shikyō but to Jinshi.

“Ask your grandfather and uncles for help then.”

“Grandfather is elderly. I don’t think he can come back from the capital frequently. Also, how much can we rely on uncles and aunts? After all, Grandfather entrusted Father with the province because, regardless of ideology, Father had the ability to govern.”

“Perhaps it would have been fine as long as Grandfather was alive. Moreover, if the situation were as it was before the locust plague, we might have behaved quietly. However, with Father gone now, Uncles and Aunts will inevitably start meddling with the main family. And as neither the Eldest Son nor I have the power to suppress the Uncles and Aunts who are influential in their respective fields in Inusai Province, brother has been patiently waiting for Shikyō-brother to return. Shikyō has the strength to silence even the youngest Uncles, even if it comes to physical confrontation.”

“Yōdatsu” carries the meaning of the youngest or the youngest child. Among the children of Gyokuen, Gyokuha-hō is the youngest, but among the male siblings, it is said that the seventh son, who is engaged in livestock farming, is the youngest. I heard that he had a fight with Shikyō involving knives.

“Among our siblings, probably Shikyō is the most capable of governing the Western Capital. Knowing that, both Elder Brother and I have always considered supporting him as assistants.”

“You’re contradicting yourself. You’ve been praising Shikyō quite a bit. Why did you try to take his life, and I’m asking you?”

“I’m not contradicting myself.”

It was Chuee who spoke. She held something like soft-fried noodles in her hand.

“If Shikyō had continued to live, there would have been someone definitely supporting him, wouldn’t there? That would have been a hindrance.”

“That’s correct.”

Hulan affirmed Chuee’s answer.

“But what happens now that Shikyō is gone? Didn’t you just say that both Eldest Brother and Hulan lack the strength?”

To Jinshi’s question, Chuee and Hulan smiled. Their laughter strangely resembled each other.

“Yes. But Hulan found someone, didn’t he? Someone more suitable to stay in the West Capital than the unenthusiastic eldest brother.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Hulan stared at Jinshi. A bad premonition struck him.

“Among the three sons of Gyokuen, the one most suited to govern is Shikyō. However, for you, Hulan, as long as there is another talent, there is no need to be fixated on the house. Your goal is to ‘develop the West Capital,’ isn’t it? Politically, it wouldn’t be strange for you to align with the Western Elder, and if the person is capable—”

Chuee also looked at Jinshi.

“If the Moon Lord says he will stay in the West Capital, leading the people of the Province, that should be enough. Hulan and I would have surely supported him as reliable assistants.”

Having said that, Hulan stood up from his chair, knelt on the floor, and bowed his head.

“I beg you with full awareness of the recklessness. Moon Lord, please stay in the West Capital and lead the people of Inusai Province. For that, I am willing to offer my head as many times as you wish.”

Hulan’s eyes, rubbing his forehead against the floor repeatedly, were unnervingly shining.

Jinshi involuntarily leaned back and looked at Taomei standing behind him.

“… I’ve heard that the members of the Snake Clan are taught to obey the master’s command as the greatest joy.”

“Even if it’s called the greatest joy—”

“Please stay in the West Capital. If the Moon Lord says so, I will gladly cut off my own head.”

“Cutting off your head would be troublesome.”

“Stop! There’s no need for such antics.”

Beside Hulan, who was kneeling on the floor, Shikyō sat down. Then, just like Hulan, he rubbed his head against the floor.

“That’s right. My younger brother acted with Inusai Province in mind. Please don’t think of cutting off heads.”

Jinshi hadn’t said anything about cutting off Hulan’s head. Hulan was saying it on his own.

“Shikyō, as you can see, I’m perfectly fine. If things go well in the West Capital now, that’s good, isn’t it?” Jinshi could only nod at Hulan’s words. Whatever motives Shikyō might have had, he had the strength.

In Hulan’s eyes, there is no hesitation whatsoever. Instead, he seems to question Shikyō for protecting Hulan.

Chuee, sitting down, observes the situation with narrowed eyes.

“It’s useless no matter what you say. I was raised that way since birth. First and foremost, our fundamental ways of thinking are too different.”

“How could that be true?! Why on earth would you throw away your life for something like this?”

“Something like this? If you’re going to say that, then it’s impossible for you to become the successor. It’s your own business if you want to think of yourself as a substitute for your pitiful little brother. But, Shikyō, you have no talent whatsoever as a successor. No matter how much you discard the name of Gyoku, adopt a tainted name, pretend to be wicked, and try to expand your connections behind the scenes, it doesn’t suit you at all. You’re just a hindrance. Be quiet on the front stage and play the puppet role. That’s the most decent way to protect your little brother.”

Chuee spoke in one breath and began drinking another cup of goat’s milk.

Stunned, Shikyō, Hulan still directed sparkling eyes towards Jinshi.

“Please give up too, Hulan. I understand your orders, but if they coincide with Chuee’s orders, she’ll have no choice but to crush you with any means necessary.”

“Chuee-sama. What can you do with such a serious injury? The aftereffects will remain, and your rank will surely plummet?”

“Even so, I’m still above Hulan. Chuee is skillful, so she can manage most things with just one left hand. However, Chuee is kind, so for a young fellow like Hulan, I’ll present a compromise.”

Chuee smiled at Jinshi.

“Shikyō-san also has talent. He possesses what Father Gyokuen-sama desperately wanted. Surely, he will stand as a splendid puppet in the West Capital.”

Chuee chuckled and looked at Shikyō.

“I’m sure you’ll be a splendid doll, standing in the West Capital.”

Jinshi quietly looked at Taomei. Taomei seemed to be concerned about the scraps of food scattered on the table. Perhaps she was avoiding delving too deeply into the thoughts of the Snake Clan.

Jinshi regretted not bringing more reinforcements in this situation.