58話 検査結果
「では始めます」
が用意してもらったものとは、四つの味の溶液である。
並べられた小皿には、甘い・塩辛い・酸っぱい・苦いの四つの味を、濃度の薄いものから濃いものまでを揃えてもらった。
公主の舌の所定位置に置いて、四つの味のどれに該当するかを答えてもらうのだ。
「潘公主、何も感じない時には『味がしない』と、何か感じるが区別できない時には『わからないけどなにか味がする』とお答えください」
そう説明した雨妹は、四つの味の溶液を一種類ごとに匙でちょっとずつ取ると、潘公主の舌の上に乗せていく。
「どうですか?」
「......なにも」
薄い味から始めたのだが、雨妹が尋ねても潘公主の反応は芳しくなく。
次第にかなり濃い味になってきたのに、まだ首を横に振るばかりだ。
そしてようやくそんな反応が出たのは、どの味もかなり濃いものだった。
もはや、これで決定的だろう。
「やはり潘公主は味覚障害です、それもかなり重篤の」
雨妹はそう結果を告げると、潘公主が少し味を感じた塩の溶液を、他の三人にも匙を勧めて舐めてもらう。
すると全員が口に含んだ途端にしかめ面をした。
「これで、少しなのかい?
太子がそう感想を言うと、他二人も同意する。
「え? そんなはずは......」
皆の反応を見て戸惑いを見せる潘公主に、雨妹はさらに告げる。
「風味障害も少しありますね。
も頷く。
そう、潘公主がようやく反応を示した溶液らは、少量であっても強烈な匂いを発していた。
塩なんて普段あまり匂いを感じない調味料なのに、塩辛い香りがするくらいだ。
出来立ての料理の音は食欲をそそるものだし、美味しい匂いを嗅ぐだけで唾液が出る」
「そういうことです」
そしてそれが損なわれた潘公主にとって、砂や石を食むような食事と言う時間が、さぞ苦行だったことだろう。
けれど生きるためには、食事は食べねばならないわけで。
「潘公主は、できる限り味を感じない食事を楽に終えたいと、粥などの食事が早く済むものばかりを召し上がっていたのではないですか?」
「それは......」
顔を伏せて黙る潘公主に代わって、利民が「その通りだ」と教えてくれた。
どうやら雨妹を信頼できると思ってくれたようだ。
しっかり噛むことも大事であり、それが噛まずにただ飲み込むばかりとなっては顎が弱るし、胃腸によくないのだ。
――でもなぁ......
潘公主の症状が分かったものの思うところのある雨妹に、利民が肝心な質問をしてきた。
「玉殿は治るのか!?」
真剣な表情の利民に、雨妹は「もちろんです」と答える。
「風邪の後遺症としての味覚障害は、それほど長引かないものなのです。
そう、潘公主が症状を引きずるのが、少々長すぎる気がするのだ。
通常よりも重症化したということは、通常とは違う点が潘公主にあったと考えるのが自然だろう。
「そこでまたお尋ねしたいのですが。潘公主は風邪になる以前、食事はなんでもきちんと召し上がっておられましたか?」
「......」
雨妹の質問にまたしても沈黙する潘公主に代わって、利民が口を開く。
「実は冬の前から玉殿は小食で、肉や魚をあまり好まずに野菜ばかり食べていた」
すると予想した通りの答えが返って来たことに、雨妹は眉をひそめる。
雨妹の指摘に、潘公主が驚愕の表情を浮かべる。
食べないのは良くないとわかっていても、食事がそこまで必要なものとは思い至らなかったのだろう。
「でも、肉や魚は食べたくなくて」
言い訳めいた潘公主の言い分を聞いた雨妹は、しかしまた別のことを尋ねた。
「それと潘公主、普段水分をきちんと取っていらっしゃいますか?」
「......あまり、飲みたくないわ」
これまた拒否する発言に、雨妹はしかめ面をしそうになるのをぐっと堪える。
「潘公主、それはいけません。
「なんてことだ、私がもっと玉殿に強く飲食を勧めていれば、こんなことには」
潘公主がこうなった原因を知った利民が、がっくりとうなだれている。
Chapter 58
"Let us now begin."
Yui Mei prepared four types of solutions with different tastes, and she promptly began the examination.
The saucers were lined up, each containing one of the four flavors - sweet, salty, sour and bitter, ranging from thinned to very concentrated.
She would then place each of them at a specific spot on Princess Pan's tongue, and have her answer which taste was it.
"Princess Pan, please answer as follows. 'No taste' if you didn't taste anything, 'Not sure which it is, but there's a taste' if you sense anything but can't distinguish it."
After explaining that, Yui Mei took a little bit with a spoon from one type and placed it on top of Princess Pan's tongue.
"How is it?"
"...None."
They started with the lightest flavor, but Princess Pan couldn't taste anything.
They continued on until they reached the relatively strong flavored ones, but Princess Pan still shook her head.
She finally reacted, but no matter which flavor it was, she could only taste those that were concentrated.
It was decided, then.
"As I thought, Princess Pan has a taste disorder, and it is serious."
Yui Mei declared the results, then she had the other three taste the salty solution Princess Pan reacted to as having a slight flavor.
All of them puckered their faces after tasting it.
"What's 'slight' about this? It's so salty that it's intolerable."
The crown prince said, and the other two agreed.
"Eh, no way..."
Princess Pan was dumbstruck when she saw their reactions, and Yui Mei then further explained.
"You also have a little loss of taste. Well, with that rich color, you should be able to identify it by its smell."
Li Min also nodded at Yui Mei's words.
Indeed, the liquids that Princess Pan finally reacted to were emitting a strong smell despite their small amounts.
Salt was a usually odorless seasoning, but this one had a strong briny smell.
"That's understandable. The freshly made food's sound arouses the appetite, and the delicious aroma is also enough to make one salivate."
"Indeed."
Mealtimes that seemed like she's eating sand and stone must have been a terrible experience for the ill Princess Pan.
However, she still had to eat in order to live.
"Princess Pan Yu, perhaps, you have been requesting porridge and similar foods that are readily consumed, in order to finish your tasteless meals as soon as possible?"
"That's..."
Princess Pan averted her face and fell silent, so Li Min said "That's right."
Apparently, he already had confidence in Yui Mei.
However, chewing was also very important. If she continued drinking without chewing, her jaw would weaken, and it would not be good for her stomach and intestines.
'But still....'
Li Min then asked the crucial question, believing that Yui Mei would have the answer since she understood Princess Pan's illness.
"Will Lady Yu be cured!?"
Yui Mei answered Li Min, who appeared very serious.
"The taste disorder that happened because of a cold usually doesn't have long-term effects. However, Princess Pan Yu caught the cold near the end of winter, is that right?"
Yes, this illness had dragged for far too long.
It was a more serious illness than normal, so perhaps there was something different - it was only natural that she thought that way.
"Sorry, but please let me ask you a question. Before catching a cold, did Princess Pan Yu properly eat her meals?"
"...."
Princess Pan remained silent once again, and Li Min answered for her.
"Actually, Lady Yu had a small appetite, and she disliked meat and fish, only preferring to eat vegetables."
Yui Mei raised her brow when she heard the answer she was expecting.
Princess Pan was shocked at Yui Mei's revelation.
She already knew that she should be eating them, but she didn't realize that it was important to this extent.
"But, I don't want to eat meat and fish..."
Princess Pan tried to reason out, but Yui Mei asked her another question.
"Also, Princess Pan, do you usually drink plenty of water?"
"...I don't really like drinking."
When she heard Princess Pan's answer, Yui Mei tried to stop herself from grimacing.
"Princess Pan, you shouldn't do that. Since your intake of fluids had been reduced because you've been eating less, you need to drink more. Taste disorder can also occur if there's not enough saliva, and the mouth is dry."
"My goodness, if I had been more diligent in persuading Lady Yu to eat and drink, this would not have happened..."
Li Min was depressed after he heard the reason why Princess Pan became this way.
Housekeeper of the Hundred Blossom Palace
百花宮のお掃除係～転生した新米宮女、後宮のお悩み解決します。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/housekeeper-of-the-hundred-blossom-palace/
Fantasy Romance Shoujo Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Ancient China Complex Family Relationships Different Social Status Female Protagonist Imperial Harem Love Interest Falls in Love First Reincarnated in Another World Royalty
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4104ev/
黒辺あゆみ