54話 宿屋にて
ともあれ軒車を建物の前に横付けすると、店内から店の者が飛び出してきた。
「ようこそお越しくださいました」
「やあ、世話になるよ」
丁寧な態度で出迎えられ、太子はゆったりと応じた。
出迎えの者は相手が太子だと気付いてはいないだろうが、軒車に乗るのは金持ちだと決まっている。
これが身なりが貧しく見えると断られたりするのだろうが、おかげで特に揉めることもなく。
すんなりと店内に通されたら、旅券の確認を終える。
「お部屋はどうなさいますか?」
そう尋ねる店の者の視線は
どうやら宿には使用人用の部屋もあるらしく、お供の雨妹にはそちらがあると勧めているのだろう。
酷い場合は供には部屋が無くて厩で一泊ということもあるので、これは高級宿だからこその破格の待遇と言える。
と同じ格の部屋を用意してくれた。
――別に、使用人部屋でもよかったんだけど。
この宿だったらきっとそちらの部屋だって、下手な安宿よりもいい部屋だったに違いない。
けれど格の高い部屋に泊まれるのが嬉しかったのも事実であり、雨妹は思わず頬を緩ませる。
「あの、ありがとうございます」
小さく礼を言うと、太子は微かに笑みを浮かべた。
「なに、ケチな主だと思われたくないからね」
こうして部屋を決めたところで、宿についての説明を受ける。
ここは役人用宿のように全てが宿側で揃えられており、食事も提供しているという。
お金持ちだと、旅をするのも楽なものらしい。
それに一階が食事処でもあるようで、部屋に案内されがてら通り過ぎる際に眺めた食堂は、そこそこ賑わっていた。
――この分だと、ご飯に期待できそう!
しかも沐浴までできて浴槽が使えるという。
旅の最中に湯に浸かれるとは、さすが高級宿である。
床几
とフカフカの布団、お洒落な机のある上品な内装だった。
雨妹としては部屋でゆっくり落ち着きたいところだが、先に沐浴で旅の汚れを落とすように勧められる。
時間的にしばらくしたら夕食なため、その前にさっぱりした気分で食事をしてもらおうという心配りだろうか。
――じゃあ早速お風呂へ行こう!
こうして素直に沐浴場へ向かえば、なんとそこには世話人がいて。
この国にはドライヤーなんてものがないので、洗髪した後は自然乾燥に任せるのだが。
世話人に手触りのいい布をふんだんに使って拭ってもらえば、当然乾くのも早いもので。
おかげで夕食の部屋に向かう時には、さっぱりした姿でいた。
ホカホカ状態で夕食へ行けば、そこには既に太子と立勇がいた。
どうやら雨妹の沐浴が一番長かったようだ。
「お待たせしてしまいまして、申し訳ございません」
「はい、明様のおかげで得しちゃいました」
「君はいつも働き詰めみたいだからね、ご褒美だよ」
正直に告げると、太子は楽しそうに笑ってそういった。
それにしても太子も立勇も沐浴後のために髪がしっとりとしているためか、色気のようなものが滲み出ているように思える。
一方で雨妹が沐浴場にあった鏡を覗いても、そんな雰囲気は微塵も出ていなかった。この差は一体なんであろうか?
ともかくこうして雨妹が揃ったところで、夕食となるのだが。
これが後宮であれば先に太子が食事をして、雨妹と立勇は待機か、もしくはどちらかが毒見をするかだろう。
しかしこの場では、太子は雨妹と立勇に一緒に席に着くように促した。
「こんな時くらい、誰かと食事をしたいんだよ」
そう言われても、「はいそうですか」と座るわけにもいくまい。
どうすればいいのかと立勇を見ると、あちらは即座に椅子へ着いた。
すると早速料理が運ばれて来て、まずは前菜の皿が並ぶ。
「さあ、食べようか」
普通なら立場が上の者が先に食べるのを待つのだろうが。
――やっぱり毒見するんだ。
こんな宿の食堂で毒の心配があるとは思えないが、必要ある無しに関わらず、形式を踏むことが大事なのかもしれない。
だが本来毒見役をするべきは、一番下っ端な自分のはず。
――美味しい!
春雨の和え物はさっぱりとした口当たりだし、
「た、じゃない明様、美味しいです!」
雨妹が思わず報告すると、太子も料理を取り分けようとしていた手を止め、微笑ましそうに笑う。
Chapter 54
The innkeeper rushed out of the shop as soon as they drove the carriage beside the building.
"Welcome, thank you for coming."
"Yeah, we'll be in your care."
They were politely welcomed, and the crown prince replied in a relaxed manner.
Although the receptionist didn't know that he was talking to the crown prince, he probably gauged that he was wealthy due to their carriage.
If they looked poor, then they might have been refused, but thankfully, there was nothing to dispute.
And so, they entered the inn without trouble, and their travel documents were verified.
"How about your preferred room arrangements?"
The receptionist directed her gaze at Yui Mei while saying so.
Apparently, there were rooms allocated for servants, and he was hinting that she could also stay there.
In worst case scenarios, servants did not have rooms so they had to stay in the stable, but since this was a high-end inn, the service was also extraordinary.
However, the crown prince turned him down, and he made them prepare the same type of room Li Yong, who was an Imperial Guard, had for Yui Mei.
'I'm fine with the servant's quarters, though.'
Because this was an excellent inn, the rooms for servants wouldn't be too shabby, for sure.
However, she was also grateful that she got to stay in an elite room, so she unwittingly grinned.
"Ahm, thank you very much."
She quietly thanked the crown prince, who then beamed.
"No worries, don't want to be thought of as a stingy lord."
After deciding on their rooms, they were oriented about the inn.
Just like the official inns, this inn also had all the necessary facilities, and even the meals were provided.
Wealthy people could travel in comfort, so it seemed.
The first floor was a restaurant, and they could see how bustling it was when they passed by as they were guided to their rooms.
'Oh, I can look forward to the meals, then!'
Moreover, they could also use the bathtub for washing up.
Having an amenity that could use hot water in the midst of their trip proved that this was indeed a luxurious inn.
It was the most extravagant sleeping place she had been to since she came to this world.
Yui Mei was guided to a huge room with a splendid wooden bed and soft blankets, and a stylish table, all of them with high quality.
Yui Mei wanted to slowly rest right then and there, but she was told that it would be better if she took a bath first.
Since there was still a while before dinner, it would be better to feel refreshed before eating.
'Alright, then let's hurry to the bathroom!'
And so, she obediently followed her guide to the bath house. Surprisingly, an attendant was waiting for her. She was provided great service. Her hair was washed and then wiped gently.
This country did not have anything like a hair dryer, so she could only let her hair dry naturally.
Since the attendant wiped it for her with a soft cloth, it dried faster.
Thanks to that, she had a refreshed appearance when she headed towards the dining room. They did not have their meals in the restaurant on the first floor, but in a separate room of the inn.
When she arrived, the crown prince and Li Yong were already there.
Yui Mei had the longest bath, apparently.
"I apologize for making you wait for so long."
"Yes, it is all thanks to Lord Ming's generosity."
"You are always working so hard, so this is your reward."
After saying that directly, the crown prince laughed, seemingly having fun.
Regardless, both the crown prince and Li Yong were oozing with sexiness, maybe because they just came out of the bath and had their hair let down.
On the other hand, Yui Mei had also looked at herself in the mirror, but not even an atom of appeal came from her. What's up with this huge difference?
Anyway, Yui Mei arrived, so it was time for their evening meal.
If they were in the Inner Palace, the crown prince would eat ahead of them while Yui Mei and Li Yong were on the side serving him, or else doing poison-testing somewhere else.
However, the crown prince urged them to sit with him.
"I wanted to eat with someone at times like this."
Even if he said so, there was no way she could say 'that's right' and take her seat.
She turned to Li Yong since she didn't know what to do. He already took the seat opposite the crown prince.
The dishes were served immediately, and dishes of appetizers were lined up.
"Alright, let's eat."
In normal cases, though, the superior ate first.
'As I thought, poison testing, huh.'
Poison was probably not a concern in the dining room of an inn like this, but maybe it was important that they followed protocol regardless of whether it was necessary or not.
However, the one who should do the poison test was supposed to be her, the person with the lowest status among them.
'So yummy!'
The thin noodles dressed in sauce was refreshing, and the char siu also aroused her appetite.
"Cr, er, Lord Ming, it's very delicious!"
Yui Mei unintentionally reported, and the crown prince who was about to get his food paused and laughed happily.
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