142話 急がず、のんびり
そんな中で、雨妹は東にすぐに与えられそうなのは目的だろうと考えてから、口を開く。
「東さん、明様ってば寂しい男暮らしですから、あなたがいると楽しくて、生活に張りが出るみたいですよ?」
雨妹がそう告げるのに、明がギロッと睨んでくるが、おそらくは「人様の暮らしを『寂しい』呼ばわりするな!」とでも言いたいのだろう。
しかし、口に出しては言わずにいる。
するとさらに。
「そうですねぇ、この老婆も旦那様の顔だけを見る生活にはほとほと飽きておりますよ。
老女がどういうつもりで言ったのかはわからないが、心底そう思っているようにニコニコ笑顔で告げた。
――いや、これは本気の言い方だな。
老女の目を見て、雨妹はそう察する。
痛風の治療前の明の世話に、よほど思うところがあるのだろう。
明もバツの悪そうな顔で、老女に苦情を言ったりはしない。
戸惑うような東に、雨妹はもう一押しする。
「物事は『急がば回れ』だと、どなたかが言ったらしいですよ。
時が来たら嫌でも思い出して、そうなったらきっと忙しくなってしまいますから、今のうちに休暇だと思うんです」
雨妹の言い分に戸惑うようであった東だが、やがて「ふふっ」と笑いを漏らした。
どうやら東の気分を少しでも変えることに成功したようで、雨妹はニコリと微笑む。
「そうですよ! それにせっかく都にいるんですもの、都でしかできないことをしたらいかがですか?
そうなのだ、雨妹が今世で音楽を聴いたことがないという話をすると、楊から都には流しの琵琶師が多くいると聞いたのだ。
当たり外れが大きいらしいが、流しの琵琶師を自宅の宴席に呼ぶのが流行りなのだという。
「庶民でも音楽を聴きながらお酒が飲めるなんて、都って優雅ですよねぇ。
――まあ、流しの琵琶師の正体がそうなんだろうとは思ったけどさぁ!
「ですけど、今の私は琵琶っていうのに興味津々なんです!
そう、人間とはなまじ近くに接してしまってそれが手に入らないとなると、余計に欲しくなるもの。
徐という琵琶師を知ってしまって、その音楽を聴けないことで、余計に聴きたくなっているのだ。
――この際徐さんでなくてもいい、とにかく音楽が聴きたい!
こんな「私に音楽をクレクレ」状態の雨妹に、立勇は「面倒な奴め」と呟く。
一方で、東が驚いたような、なにかがひらめいたような顔をした。
――なにか、引っかかったのかな?
もしかすると東は、音楽を聴けるような優雅な生活をしていた人なのかもしれない。
Chapter 142
In the midst of this, Yui Mei thought that at the very least, she could give Dong a purpose, so she decided to speak out.
"Mr. Dong, Lord Ming lives a really miserable solitary bachelor life, but now that you're here, it seems like he's also enjoying himself, and it's making him more energetic in life."
Ming glared daggers at Yui Mei, apparently inwardly saying something along the lines of "Stop saying somebody's life is miserable!"
However, he remained silent.
And then...
"Yes, that's true. This old woman here is also tired of living with only Master to look at. As expected, having young guys around is truly great."
Yui Mei didn't have any idea what the old woman's purpose was, but she looked really sincere as she laughed and said those words.
'Nah, she really mean it.'
That was Yui Mei's guess as she looked at the old lady's eyes.
She must've endured a lot while taking care of Ming back when he wasn't  being treated for gout yet.
Ming had a murderous look plastered on his face, but he didn't dare say a bad word to the old lady.
Dong seemed bewildered, so Yui Mei pushed on.
"It's like the saying "more haste, less speed" that somebody said. Rather than getting depressed over worrying about it, it's better to enjoy the fun things in life.
The time will come that you'll remember them even if you don't want to. If that happens, you'll definitely become busy afterward, so it's better to enjoy the moment and have a break while you still can."
Dong was still baffled even after hearing Yui Mei's explanation, but he eventually chuckled
Yui Mei smiled, perceiving that she succeeded a bit in changing Dong's feelings.
"That's it! Besides, it's a rare opportunity to be in the capital, so how about doing the things that you can only do here in the capital? Yep, I heard from somebody that there are things like that. Like watching a play or listening to music. Oh right, I heard from someone that there are traveling lute players. I came from the countryside and lived in the Hundred Blossom Palace ever since I arrived, so I've never met one."
Indeed, when Yui Mei mentioned that she hadn't listened to music -- in this life -- Yang told her that there were many travelling lute players in the capital.
Apparently, the quality was very unpredictable, but it was a very popular custom to invite these travelling lute players to a banquet held in the private households.
"The people in the capital are really refined; even the commoners could enjoy music while drinking. I also want to look for a travelling lute player and listen to her."
'Well, I already know that the travelling lute players' identity is like that!'
"But I'm really, really interested in the lute! I want to listen to music!!"
Indeed, humans were like this, when they came across something unobtainable, the more they wanted to have it.
Ever since she encountered Xu the lute player and learned that she could no longer play music, Yui Mei's desire to hear it become stronger.
'I want to listen to music! It doesn't matter if it's not Xu this time!'
Li Yong muttered under his breath as he stared at Yui Mei who looked so adamant in listening to music.
On the other hand, Dong seemed taken aback, and he looked as if something struck him.
'Oh, did he think of something?'
Then, perhaps, Dong was someone who led a refined life where he could listen to music.
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