「呪いの元のくせに、こんな所に堂々と居座って。一体どういうつもりかしらね?」
「そうよそうよ」
「ここから消えなさいよ」
口火を切った梅に、お仲間も同調する。
「おはようございます、皆さん朝から元気ですね」
相手は一応先輩なので、雨妹は口の利き方で文句を言われないために、朝の挨拶をした。
怯んだ梅だったが、しかしすぐに持ち直す。
「呪いを振りまいて宮女が減った隙に、自分を売り込んでちゃっかり気に入られようだなんて、なんて厚かましいんでしょう」
「みんな呪われるわよ」
食堂にいる他の宮女たちを扇動するように言うと、みんなコソコソと器を持って食堂を出ていく。
これは雨妹がどうのというより、梅たちが面倒なのだろう。
――面倒起こして御免。
雨妹は朝食の席を騒がせたことを申し訳なく思うが、騒いでいるのは梅たちだ。
そう捨て台詞を吐いて足早に去っていく梅を、お仲間が慌てて追いかける。
食堂には雨妹と美娜の二人だけが残された。
――そうかあの人、太子を狙っていたのか。
だから太子に直接会えた雨妹の存在が、余計に悔しいのだろう。
ため息交じりに零す美娜に、雨妹は肩を竦める。
「ああいうのは構うと喜びますから、放っておきましょう」
「阿妹って、歳のわりに達観しているね」
前世の記憶がある分、考え方がババ臭いのは自分でも認めるところだ。
相手に朝から疲れてしまったが、朝食が終われば仕事だ。
「今日もお掃除しちゃうぞぉ~♪」
雨妹が小声で歌いながら掃除道具を持って回廊を歩いていると、正面の方から宦官がこちらに来る。
「早く通り過ぎろ」と心の中で唱えていたが、何故か宦官は雨妹の前で足を止めた。
「ここにいたか、宮女の宿舎まで行かずに済んだな」
後宮では聞き慣れない低い声は、非常に違和感を覚える。
「私になにか御用でしたか? えー......」
雨妹は頭を上げて聞こうとして、途中で言葉が止まる。
そう言えば、この宦官の名前を知らない。
「では立彬様、私になにか御用でしたか?」
雨妹は改めて尋ねる。
貴妃はたいそう喜んでおられ、その話を聞いた太子も嬉しそうであった。
太子が礼をしたいと申されたので、こうして伝えに来たのだ」
というか、もしやこの男はこれを言うためだけに雨妹を探したのではあるまいな。
ただでさえ悪目立ちしている雨妹なので、これ以上騒ぎの種になりたくない。
「話がそれだけなら、失礼します」
「お前は、いつもその格好でうろついているのか?」
立彬がそんなことを尋ねてきた。
「......そうですけど?」
雨妹の今の格好は、宮女のお仕着せにおなじみマスク布である。
「その髪、まとめて布に仕舞っておけ」
立彬は雨妹の後ろで縛ってある髪を器用にくるくると纏めると、懐から出した手巾で頭を覆う。
「これでいいだろう」
立彬の手が離れたので髪を触ってみると、雨妹がするよりも綺麗に纏まっている。
雨妹はどうなっているのか見て見たくて、窓のガラスに映る姿をしげしげと眺めた。
「......はあ」
「ではな、邪魔をした」
曖昧に頷く雨妹に、立彬はヒラリと手を振って回廊を戻って行く。
とりあえず絹の手巾を持っていた掃除用の頭巾に代えて、目深に被った。
この絹の手巾は、なにかに使う時が来るかもしれないので、大事にとっておこうと思う。
"You're pretty thick skinned, aren't you? You're the source of the curse and yet there you are, brazenly sitting. What the heck do you mean by this?"
"Yes, that's so true."
"Go and disappear right now."
Mei started an argument, and her minions sang the same tune.
"Good morning. It's still early yet everyone's pretty energetic."
Yui Mei could not retort, since Mei was her senior, so she decided to greet them, instead. They were waiting for her to grimace and show a bad attitude. However, Yui Mei shut them up with her seemingly ordinary demeanor. This evasion technique was her method of saying she won't go with their flow.
Mei and the other girls flinched, but they soon regained their composure.
"You're such a shameless person. You're spreading the curse so the court ladies decreased, yet there you are, selling yourself without batting an eye."
"Everyone will be cursed."
They continued inciting the other court ladies, until everyone stealthily left the dining hall while carrying their bowls.
Rather than bothering Yui Mei, it was Mei and the girls who were expending unnecessary effort.
'Sorry for troubling you guys.'
Yui Mei regretted disturbing the other court ladies' breakfast, even though it was Mei's party who made a ruckus. It seemed that Mei and the girls would continue pestering them, so Yui Mei decided to counter attack.
Mei angrily threw those words, and briskly walked away, followed by her minions.
Yui Mei and Mei Na were the only ones left at the dining hall.
'So that person is targeting the crown prince, huh.'
That's why she was extremely vexed that Yui Mei met the crown prince directly.
Mei Na heaved a deep sigh and grumbled. Yui Mei shrugged.
"Let's leave them be, they'll be happier if we pay attention to them."
"Ah Mei, you're quite farsighted for your age."
Yui Mei also acknowledged that she sounded too old-fashioned, since she had memories of her previous world. Nevertheless, she still intended to enjoy the feelings of a maiden her age.
Yui Mei felt tired after dealing with Mei; however, she had to work after eating her breakfast.
"Today's another day of cleaning..."
Yui Mei hummed as she walked through the corridors while carrying her tools. She then saw a eunuch approaching from the other end. It was someone familiar.
Yui Mei inwardly said, but contrary to her expectations, the eunuch stopped before her.
"So you were here. Good, I don't have to go to the court ladies' lodging house."
His low voice, which was something one won't often hear in the Inner Palace, made Yui Mei extremely uncomfortable. However, apparently, the eunuch had some business with her.
"How may I help you? Ahm..."
Yui Mei raised her head to ask, but she suddenly stopped when she remembered that she didn't know the name of this eunuch.
"Wang Libin's the name. You can call me Libin."
"I understand. Libin, how may I help you?"
Yui Mei repeated her question.
"Noble Concubine Jiang was delighted with the mushipan you gave her. The crown prince heard about it, and was also pleased. He sent me to bestow his reward upon you."
So he came to deliver the reward.
Libin did not reply. Yui Mei thought that since the conversation ended, it was time to return to her work. However, it was quite explicable that this man came looking for her just to relay those words.
Yui Mei was already sticking out like a sore thumb; she did not want to be conspicuous any more than this. She didn't know what rumors would fly should someone see her alone with the crown prince's attending eunuch; moreover, with just the two of them.
"If that is all, then please excuse me."
"Are you always wandering around with that appearance?"
Libin suddenly asked.
"...Indeed?"
Yui Mei was wearing her court lady uniform, and her mask. Speaking of, she forgot to remove it. She thought he was pointing it out, however -
"Cover all your hair with a cloth."
Libin stood behind Yui Mei. He gathered her hair and skillfully coiled it into a bun, before covering it with the handkerchief he took out from his bosom.
"This should be fine."
Libin removed his hand, and Yui Mei touched her hair. It was more beautifully arranged than how she did it.
Yui Mei wanted to see how it was, so she peered at her reflection on the glass windows. Libin stared at her from behind.
"....Huh."
"Well, sorry for disturbing you."
Libin waved his hand at Yui Mei, who nodded uncertainly, before returning to the corridor. Yui Mei followed his retreating figure until he was out of sight, before touching the hood wrapped around her head.
She reminded herself, trying to suppress her curiosity and desire to solve a mystery. She was sure it must be a troublesome and complicated matter. In the meantime, she took the kerchief off, and changed it with the cloth cover she used during cleaning. She pulled it low to cover her eyes.
This silk handkerchief might come in handy someday, so Yui Mei decided to treasure it,
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