188話 徐と陳
それから二日後、
刑部の建物へ勝手に入るわけには行かないので、途中であちらが寄越す案内人と落ち合うことになるわけであるが。
「来たな」
約束の場所で雨妹と陳を待ち受けていたのは、
「......もしかして、刑部に入るための案内人ですか?」
「そういうことだ」
どうやらあの同期だという刑部の男から、またもや頼まれてしまったようだ。
確かに知らない役人を寄越されても、それが本当に本物の刑部の役人なのか雨妹には判断できないため、信頼性という点ではこの上ない人選なのだろう。
――でも太子殿下の安全、大丈夫なのかな?
まあ、立彬一人だけが警護しているわけでもないだろうし、許可が出ているからこうしてここにいるのであろうが、どうも便利に使われ過ぎているのでは? と立彬に同情してしまう。
「お前さんも、難儀だなぁ」
雨妹と似たようなことを考えたらしい陳からそんな声をかけられた立彬は、大きくため息を吐いている。
結果として、なんだかんだでいつもの顔ぶれと言える面子で、刑部の建物へ行くこととなった。
建物へ入ると、勝手にフラフラとされないようにか、案内人の立彬とは別にもう一人見張りがつくらしいが、それは見慣れない相手だ。
――あの人じゃないんだ、忙しいのかな?
あの男はおそらく刑部でも偉い部類の役人だろうから、そうそうこのような案内役に出てこないのもわかる。
一方で雨妹たちを先導するのはまだまだ少年っぽさが抜けない、おそらくは雨妹と変わらないくらいの成人したばかりであろう人物だった。
「あの、こ、こちらです!」
彼は立彬をチラチラ見ながら緊張してガチガチになっているのがまるわかりだ。
立彬は宦官の格好をしているものの、近衛として鍛えている身のこなしには隙がなく、威圧感があるのだろう。
――大丈夫だから、立彬様は取って食ったりしないから!
雨妹は彼の背中に心の中でそう励ましの言葉を投げかけつつ、いかにも新人らしい初々しい様子にほっこりする。
そんな雨妹を、立彬がチラリと見た。
「お前だって立派に新人だろうが、なのに老練者が見守るような視線は余計に酷だぞ」
雨妹は言われて気付き、それからできるだけ彼を見ないようにしておいた。
確かに同じくらいの年頃の人から慣れているような雰囲気を感じると、「もしや自分は人として大きく不足があるのではないか?」と思ってしまうかもしれない。
雨妹自身は新人らしくしているつもりなのだが、ところどころで前世の自分が出てしまうのは、もう仕方のないことだろう。
これもまた自分自身の一部なのだし、変に隠して取り繕うより、立彬のように「変な娘だ」と諦め気味に認識される方が気が楽というものだ。
そんなこんながありつつも、雨妹たちが案内されたのは、以前よりも広そうな部屋であった。
「私は外にいますので、用事が済みましたら声をかけてください。
案内の彼にそう言われ、雨妹はこれに頷いてから戸を叩く。
「徐さん、雨妹です。
雨妹は一声掛けてから戸を開くと、中は普通の部屋だった。
狭い中庭に面した窓があるが、その中庭は刑部の官吏が休憩に出入りするし、外部者に見られない区域になっているようだ。
前にいたのはちょっとマシな牢獄といった感じであったのが、今の場所はちゃんと部屋であるので、徐の居心地は段違いであろう。
「徐さん、今日は約束通りお医者様を連れてきましたよ」
雨妹が話しかけてから、陳が一歩前に進み出る。
「医局で医者をしている陳だ。
「......よろしく、お願いします」
そう言って頭を下げた。
Chapter 188: Xu And Chen
Two days later, Chen received the permission to conduct a doctor's visit to the penitentiary.
She couldn't just waltz into the penitentiary whenever she wanted to, so it was decided that she would meet halfway with the person sent by the penitentiary.
"You've come."
Libin was waiting at the appointed place to receive Yui Mei and Chen.
"Are you perhaps the guide that will allow us entry to the penitentiary?"
"Yeah, that's right."
It seemed the man from the penitentiary who was said to be Libin's contemporary entrusted this duty to Libin once again.
Indeed, even if they sent another person, Yui Mei wouldn't be able to discern whether the stranger was really from the penitentiary. Thus, there was no other choice but this person on because of trust.
'But, is the Crown Prince's safety still okay?'
Well, it's not like Libin was the only one who guarded him, and he was here so he must have been permitted to leave. Still, wasn't he being used too thoroughly? She couldn't help but sympathize with him.
"It's been hard on you too."
Chen seemed to be thinking the same thing as Yui Mei so he said that, and Libin sighed heavily in reply.
As a result, the same faces were grouped again to go to the penitentiary.
Another person was waiting inside the building when they entered. Aside from the guide Libin, it was an unfamiliar guard tasked to prevent guests from wandering round without permission.
'He's not the guy from earlier...Maybe he's busy?'
That man was probably one of the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Justice, so it was understandable that he wouldn't be here just to act as their guide.
The person who would guide Yui Mei's group looked like a young lad that was around Yui Mei's age.
"E-Excuse me, t-this way please!"
It was obvious just how nervous he was from the way his body shook and how he stole glances at Libin.
Even though Libin was wearing the garb of eunuchs, his attire did nothing to suppress the pressure he exudes and the seamless way he carried himself, being the imperial guard that he was.
'It's fine, Libin-sama won't bite!
Yui Mei inwardly cheered the guy in his heart, and she couldn't help but feel warm at the innocent noobie's appearance.
Libin glanced at Yui Mei while such thoughts ran through her head.
"You're a rookie yourself, and yet you have the guts to look at someone else like you're a veteran. That's appalling."
Yui Mei also realized her mistake, so she tried to refrain from looking at him as much as she could.
Indeed, if she felt somebody her age sympathizing with her, she would also question herself whether she was lacking as a person.
Yui Mei did try to act like a rookie, but she couldn't help it if her habits and her personality from her previous life would sometimes show out.
It was a part of who she was, and instead of trying to act weirdly just for the sake of keeping appearances, it would be far easier to be resigned to being thought of as a "weird girl" like how Libin saw her.
While this exchange happened, Yui Mei and the others were taken to a room that was bigger than the one before.
"I will be waiting outside, so please call for me once you are finished with your business. However, please do not close the door."
The guide said, and Yui Mei nodded in response before knocking on the door.
"Miss Xu, it's Yui Mei. We will enter now."
Yui Mei called out first before opening the door. It was a normal room.
There was a window facing a narrow courtyard, but it was where the other officials of the penitentiary were taking a break, and it was situated so that people outside wouldn't see what's going on inside the room, apparently.
The one Xu was previously in felt like a proper prison, contrary to this place that felt like a proper room. There should be a wide difference in Xu's comfort.
"Miss Xu, I brought a physician with me today, just as promised."
Yui Mei called out, and Chen stepped forward.
"I'm Chen, the physician from the clinic. Are you Xu Zi? Allow me to check you."
"...I am in your care."
She bowed her head.
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