Records

April 19, 1620——————————

It was already afternoon when Maomao and Lianhua parted ways. Not so long ago, they left together to have a snack.

(Jinshi called for me, he wants me to meet him at his office soon, most likely to try and find out who "Ruyue" is. The consort who I believe doesn't exist.)

She begins to walk over to Jinshi's office. On her walk over to Jinshi's office, she met up with Xiolan. Near a water fountain. A girl she used to hang out with very often when she used to live in the inner palace.

Xiolan's eyes widen in surprise and contempt. It's been a while since she's last seen Maomao. Maomao's eyes also widen, but her surprise is quickly changed to a look of happiness.

Xiolan starts to run over her.

"MAOMAO! ITS BEEN SO LONG! IVE MISSED YOU SOOO MUCH!"Xiolan says (yells) this while wrapping her arms around Maomao. Maomao's body stiffens to this but she eventually eases herself and gently places her hands on the small of Xiolan's back.

"It has."

Ever since Maomao was moved out of the inner palace, leaving Xiolan to work with other people, she felt a bit alone. Xiolan was one of the many few people that could actually bring a smile to Maomao's face.

They both end up sitting on a bench near the water fountain, catching up.

"How have you been?!"Asked Xiolan.

"I've been great. Jinshi recently ordered me to clean the late concubines quarters."

Xiolan's mood drops at the mention of the late concubine. She's heard of rumors, but didn't know if they were true or not. She has a look of condolence on her face.

"So it's true? I heard she was a really nice woman, with pretty features. I'm so sad she passed."

"It is."

"May she rest in peace. Anyways, have you heard of the rumors recently?"

Maomao looks intrigued.

"No I haven't."

"So basically, a new maid has come to the rear palace! She has really pretty blonde hair and fair skin! She looks really really pretty. Too pretty to be a maid. Her name was...Meifen I believe?? Anyway, I tried talking to her but I rarely see her at the maids quarters. Actually, I don't think any of the other maids have seen her in the maid quarters!" Xiolan explains this.

(Not seen around the Maid's quarters? Aren't they ordered to be there though? I have an excuse since I've been moved out of the inner palace, but should she still be attending there for role?"

"I know about her. At first, we were both assigned to clean the hallways but they ended up assigning me somewhere else."

"Really?? Is she nice?"

Maomao got shivers down her spine, remembering Meifens creepy gaze.

"Yeah...yeah you could say that."

"Really??? I love it when someone's appearance is pretty just like their personality!"

At Xiolan's words, Maomao suddenly got a flashback of Jinshi's face, she quickly shook it off though. Why did she think of him of all people. She suddenly remembered that Jinshi was expecting her.

"I should probably get going now. Someone's waiting for me"

"Ooooohhh, do you have a special interest, Maomao?"

"It's not like that"

"Hehe, only teasing Maomao, alright then. I hope I can see you soon!"

Xiolan hugs Maomao, maomao gently hugs her back before Xiolan skips away. Maomao watches her with a smile on her face, before remembering she had to meet up with Jinshi.

(Shit! I can't be late!)

She quickly gets up and speed walks her way over to his office. Her speedy footsteps echoed through the outdoor halls. The aroma was filled with laundry detergent, that was coming from the maids working area, where they worked in laundry. The different conversations of the people around her made the outter palace feel lively and bright. She eventually made it over to his office, knocking on his door.

"Come in!"Jinshi's voice is heard from the other side of the door.

Maomao walks in, to see Jinshi with a rather...un-contempt face. Gaoshun was standing behind him. She quickly bows.

"My apologies, I got caught up with an old friend"

"I heard gossiping was bad"

"Yeah and how do you know we were gossiping?!"

They were.

Jinshis face quickly changes into one of a smirk. He enjoyed seeing her like that.

"Anyway, I want to find out more about this "Ruyue" lady. I also don't remember anything about her, or if she even existed."

Maomao becomes professional.

"Right. In the note, it said she was a consort. I don't believe she was one of High ranking, obviously, but I believe she was a private consort."

"Hmm...what exactly did the note say"

"Well...if I can't remember very well but I know she said she was scared, she felt like someone was watching over her, and she mentioned Ruyue, that's all I remember."

Maomao looks behind Jinshi to see Gaoshun intently taking notes. Jinshi nods in acknowledgment.

"I see, Gaoshun, where are the palace records held again?" Jinshi asked.

"The records with the ones of those with lower ranks are in the department, outer palace. The records with the records of the emperor and his family, along with consorts of mid to high ranking are held in the department of the inner palace."

Maomao thinks for a second before speaking up.

"We should check both just to be safe."She said this very calmly.

"I agree, we should first check the department in the outer palace, since we're already here, and then we should check the department in the inner palace." Jinshi suggested.

Maomao and Gaoshun nod in agreement. They all stay quiet while Jinshi thinks. His face then lights up as if he just had a brilliant idea. He perks a smirk before speaking.

"Gaoshun..."

Gaoshun looks at jinshi with curiosity.

"Go spend some time with your son, Basen. I heard father-son quality time is very important."

Maomao subtly narrows her eyes, and Gaoshun furrows his brows.

(What is he planning now?) Maomao thought this to herself.

"Are you sure, Jinshi? I could tag along, you guys might need m-"

"I'm sure"

"Alright then..."(I'm a bit disappointed...but I guess I should spend some time with my son. -Gaoshun internal thoughts)

Jinshi's fave sparkles in happiness. He seems happy to spend time with Maomao...even if it's when they're trying to solve a murder case. Mentally ill or not, he seriously feels something strong for her.

"Alright then, Maomao, we should check this out during midnight! Yknow,  so that no one sees us together lurking through the night."

"Aren't you of really high rank? Can't you just request to check the files?"

"I can...and I did! It just feels right...to do this during the night."

"Right"

(Is this actually about secrecy or does he enjoy dragging me around into trouble..?)

The room falls into an akward silence between the three of them. The sound of the wind rustling the grass, the birds chirping. It all felt too quiet. Maomao finds herself very uncomfortable so she bows.

"If that's all, I'll be taking my leave then."

"Alright then, Apothecary. I'll meet you at my house at 12:30pm sharp, don't be late this time!"He said this in usual cheery tone.

Maomao sheepishly looks away, remembering how she was a bit late to this meeting. She then nods.

"I'll be taking my leave then."

She excuses herself and leaves his office, shutting the door behind her. The air is fresh, blowing a few pieces of her hair out of her face. The smell of fresh grass filled the outer palace, bringing a sense of comfort to Maomao. She takes a big breath before starting her short walk to her quarters.

———————Once Makmal finally arrives to her quarters, she takes this time to clean up and organize her room. Cleaning little scraps of clothes she might've left in the floor, notes and books, and plates she left on her desk. She still had plenty of time until midnight, it was around 6 at the moment, so she decided to give the baths a visit.

On her walk over to the female public baths, she comes across the maids area. She looked around before walking into the Maids area. She looked around, trying to find someone, until she spotted her. A short girl with brown hair that was styled in two space buns decorated with braids. Xiolan!

Xiolan hasn't noticed her yet but Maomao eagerly approaches her, tapping her back. At this, Xiolan turns around a her face is lit up in joy seeing Maomao.

"Maomao! Are you headed to the baths?"

It was routinely for them to go to the baths together.

"Yup! I was wondering is you were willing to tag along?" Maomao only sounds this excited when she's around xiolan.

"Of course! I was wondering when you were gonna drop by! Let's go! I'm already packed!"

Maomao gives her a subtle smile before they head to baths together. Talking to eachother on their walk there.

The other maids around them only gave them dirty looks. They gave maomao dirty looks because of how Jinshi's demeanor changed around her, which they were jealous of. Why is this man always finding his way towards her. They gave Xiolan a dirty look simply because she hung around with Maomao.

Everytime they would walk past a group of girls, they noticed that they'd go quiet at the site of them, but they didn't really care, instead they continued talking and heading over to the baths.

———————

They arrived to the baths lockers, they didn't actually have lockers, instead, they had baskets where the maids would put in their dirty clothes to pick up later.

Both Xiolan and Makmao dressed in their bathe garments and headed over to the actual bath.

It was empty, which was rare, there were only about a few other girls taking a bath at the moment. They were having conversations of their own, their words filling the baths with lively sounds. The mist making the environment feel very humid.

"So Maomao, how is it over there in the outer palace? Is it any different from the inner palace?"

"It's alright I suppose, it is different"

Maomao says while dipping her foot into the bath, to check how the temperature is.

"The inner palace has a more feminine feel to it, I suppose since it is filled with very hygienic women. The outer palace feels rough compared to the inner palace, but I don't mind. But I do prefer the inner palace."

She dips her whole in body once she decides the water is the right tempature. Xiolan stays out of the water, since it's too hot for her, instead, she prefers using buckets and rags to wash off her hair and body.

"Oh wow! I'd like to visit the outer palace one day, but I don't think I'd like to work there."

Maomao chuckles at this. She grabs a bottle of hair detergent, which is better known as shampoo and pours some on her hand, massaging them to create a bubbly concoction in her hand with a nice scent, she then proceed to message it into her scalp.

"Ooooo let me have some?"

Maomao hands over the bottle to Xiolan and xiolan Mimics Maomao. Rubbing the soapy liquid into her hair.

"So, do you know more about Meifen, Xiolan?"

"Hmmm...I know she isn't really seen at the sleeping quarters, or so I've noticed at least. It's really rare for her to show up. She looks very...western."

"I see. Does she hang out around anyone?"

"Not that I've seen, I often see her hang around Yue though, they seem pretty close, but a lot of the time, they're seen out of the maids area."

(Wierd...)

"That's odd" Maomao said.

"I know!"

They continue to wash up, chatting while doing so. After a long soak, Maomao gets up from the bath, wrapping a long piece of cloth they used as towels around her body, xiolan following aswell. They enter the lockers to change into clean garments.

Maomao noticed it was already dark out, it didn't seem that late since the inner palace was still bright and lively. She quickly fixed herself before looking over at Xiolan, who was doing her hair.

"Ready?"Maomao asked.

"Mhm!"

The both of them left the public baths, the contrast of the cold night air hit their still damp hair, making them shiver a bit. They said their goodbyes and Maomao left, parting ways with Xiolan before exiting the inner palace, where  she entered the outer palace.

She arrived at her quarters. Patiently waiting for it to turn midnight. She knew it had turn midnight when it got notably quiet and dark outside. She exited her quarters, making shre to lock the doors behind her and she made her way over to Jinshi's (huge) house.

Since his house was basically a mini palace, it did have a gate to enter to which she didn't have a key so she had to stand there, outside in the cold for about 5 minutes, when Jinshi finally came out.

"Look who's late now..."Maomao said with her eyes narrowed. Jinshi grew a smirk.

"Hmph, in my defense, I was working on some very important documents!"

He had a look of pride, he studied Maomaos face for a second. Her freckles were gone. He knew she wore makeup and he also knew she looked more attractive without her freckles, but doesn't bring it up since she had explained to him the reason she keeps them on.

Maomao noticed how he suddenly got quiet but still maintained eye contact. Jinshi raised one of his hands towards her face, grabbing a piece of her still damp hair.

Maomao flinched a bit at this.

(Huh? It's wet...) Jinshi's internal thoughts.

"Maomao...your hair is wet. You can get sick with the cold night air hitting you wet hair!"

He seemed very concerned.

Maomao looked noticeably shocked that he had noticed, but explained to him.

"I was at the baths not so long ago, I guess my hair didn't dry in time."

"Don't you have someone to dry it for you?!" He asked, as if that was the norm.

"No?"

"Oh...right, heh...but anyways, do you feel sick or anything...?"

"I'm fine Master Jinshi, I'm used to this and my body has been able to build a resistance to this."

"Do you pinky promise?"

He holds up his hand, sticking out his pinky.

(Pinky promise? Is he two?)

"I promise..."

"NO PINKY??!!"

Maomao sighs.(I can't believe I'm about to do this.)

She lifts her hand with her pinky extended and curls it with Jinshi's. This moment is very quiet. The cold air send a wave of a subtle breeze, making both of their long hair gently dance in the wind. You could hear Jinshi's faint heart beat. It's almost like anything they have an interaction like this, the world gets quiet and the sound of nature gets louder. His hand is very warm compared to hers.

(Warm...)

"Pinky promise..."She said.

His face lights up in excitement, and he looks very cheery.

"Alright then! Should we get going now?"

Maomao nods. Not being able to hide the small smile she had in her face, which Jinshi didn't notice since he had started to walk infront of her, their pinky's still linked.

The rest of the walk to the department of records was filled with a comfortable silence that the both of them enjoyed. She feels very comfortable around him...but why?

They find themselves standing before a huge building, which was the building of the outer palace records, where they hoped to find any trace of the secret consort Ruyue.

Maomao felt Jinshi's pinky slip away from hers. She started to feel a bit cold.

"We're here, Maomao."

"I can see that"

Jinshi narrows his eyes at her sarcasm, which made Maomao fight the urge to chuckle. She really gave this "🤭"

"We should her inside, it's getting cold."

"Right!"

Jinsbi takes out the pair of keys that was lended to him by the palace officials, he then holds the door open for maomao, quickly following behind her. The building was dark and quiet. The only source of light were the candles that were left on, since they were expecting for Jinshi arrive, he was instructed to blow them out once he left.

It was noticeable warmer inside than it was outside. The warm dim light lit up the room, setting it into a comfortable mood.

Maomao immediately starts to look for the records room. Jinshi helping her.

"Maomao! It's right here!"

Maomao turns around to see Jinshi on the other side of the small lobby infront of the door, labels "records"

"Great!"

She eagerly rushes over to Jinshi.

"Heh, found it first!"

Maomao narrows her eyes at him, he seems too prideful.

He laughs at her expression but eh quickly opens the door, insisting she entered first.

(Why does this man always make me go first!)

She walks infront of him and closes the door behind them. Leaving them alone in the 'records' room. Inside, there were many boxes filled with files, the room was divided in two, a section of files that were for the eunuchs and a section of files that were for maids and consorts of lower ranking.

"Alright, with the two of us here, it'll make it easier to go through all the female files!"

(Jinshi nodded in agreement)

"Alright, let's get started!"He stretches his arms and cracks his knuckles, Maomao just subtly side eyes him.

(He's doing to much...)

Maomao starts in the left side of the files and Jinshi on the right. A few minuets go by of just checking files, Jinshi the suddenly shouts out.

"Maomao! Isn't this the girl you hang out with?"

He hold up a file which has a picture of Xiolan and her personal information.

"Oh, yea, thats Xiolan. I used to hang out with her before you fired me from the inner palace, but we still frequently meet up, we hang out at the baths often."

"Wha...you're making me feel guilty."

"If your feeling it then theirs probably a reason for it" she said sarcastically. She wasn't butt hurt and Jinshi knew this. Instead he just narrows his eyes at her.

"I can practically smell your sarcasm from here"

Maomao fights a smile but looses. Jinshi notices her smile and gets quiet. Maomao notices this and looks at him.

"Is...something the matter master Jinshi?"

"No it's nothing...just that you rarely smile and when you do, It's when you indecently making fun of me"

Maomao then softly giggles at this, which makes jinshi slam his head on the wall.

After a while, they concluded that Ruyue wasn't in these files, atleast not the ones in the outer palace, which means her files must be in the inner palace, but it was simply too late to head over there. At this point it was around 2-3am at night.

They cleaned up all the files the had taken out of place and and made sure it was nice and neat, everything back where it originally was. Jinshi and Maomao made sure to blow out any candles that were lit, to prevent any late night fires and headed out, Jinshi locking the entrance to the building.

He had a noticeably disappointed look on his face.

(Our time together ended pretty quickly...) he said to himself. Maomao noticed his look. Ur decided to not comment on it.

"So...nothing here, we'll try again tommorow, yeah?"

Maomao nods in agreement.

"We should head to our quarters now."

Jinshi only nods and begins to walk alongside Maomao. This time their walk feels different from the walk they took to the department. Perhaps it was because they weren't holding their pinky's anymore. Jinshi missed that feeling for obvious reasons, but Maomao wasn't sure why. Why did she feel more comfortable holding his hand than when she isn't. She felt very unsure and it made her stress a bit.

Jinshi walks her over to her quarters. They both stand infront of her quarters. A silence feeling the air.

"...see you tommorow, Apothecary. Get some rest"

"You aswell, Master Jinshi."

Maomao then turns around to open her door and once she is inside, she bows in goodbye before closing the door, leaving Jinshi alone with his own thoughts. After a few seconds of useless standing, he starts to make his way home.

————————

Ok that is for today, I gave you guys a lot of Jinmao. Also I'm planning on making drawings of Yue, Meifen, Xioling, Lianhua and Maomao, just so you guys could get an idea of what they look like, but anyways it's really late so, yea😼