明賢が書類を読んでは判を押す作業を繰り返していると。
「明賢様、ただ今戻りました」
「どうぞ」
そして今は立彬として、ある噂について聞き込みに行ってもらったところだった。
「お前たち、席を外せ」
明賢が室内にいた官吏に告げると、彼らは無言で退室する。
はやはり、先輩宮女の嫌がらせにあっているようでした」
そう、雨妹の悪い噂が蔓延しているらしく、太子宮でもその話が聞かれる始末。
その中でも看過できない事を聞いたので、立勇に直接確かめに行かせたのだ。
「物置へ追い出されたというのも、真実でした」
立勇の話に、明賢は眉を顰める。
「それで、雨妹はどうしている?」
大部屋から物置へ追い出すなんて、宮女の監督役の
明賢の問いかけに、何故か立勇が微妙な顔をした。
「個室ができたと、物置への引っ越しをとても喜んでいました」
これを聞いて、明賢は一瞬思考が止まる。
実際、明賢は口利きをしようと思って立勇を行かせたのだ。
ようやく絞り出した感想に、立勇も頷く。
「不足はないかを聞きながら、少しずつ話を詰めようとしたのですが、
皇帝を前にして雨妹がどんな反応をしたのか。
机から身を乗り出す明賢に、立勇が重々しい口調で告げる。
「陛下よりも饅頭の方が大事らしいです」
皇帝との遭遇に多少は驚いたらしいが、特別な反応は見せなかったという。
皇帝は労働後のおやつよりも優先順位が低いということで。
明賢が同じ台詞を言うと、立勇もまた頷いた。
Ming Xian's work revolved around reading the memorials and stamping them.
"Your Highness Ming Xian, this one has returned."
"Come in."
He was deployed to investigate the rumors currently circulating around.
"You are all dismissed."
Ming Xian declared to the ministers, and they wordlessly left the room. After making sure they were already far away, Li Yong closed the door.
"Yes. Yui Mei was indeed harassed by the senior court ladies."
Indeed, the rumors regarding Yui Mei became widespread, to the point that it also reached the crown prince's palace. Those rumors were proactively spread by the eunuchs who did not help Yu Xiu, along with those senior court ladies who bore ill intentions towards Yui Mei.
The crown prince could not turn a blind eye against the incident, so he had Li Yong investigate directly.
"It was also true that she was driven out to live in the storage room."
Ming Xian furrowed his brows as he listened to Li Yong's words.
"So, what is Yui Mei doing now?"
He did not believe Yang, the court ladies' manager, was someone who would tolerate outrageous demands such as driving one to live in the storage room.
Li Yong surprisingly made a complicated expression at Ming Xian's question.
"She was ecstatic about moving out to the storage room, saying that she obtained her own room."
Ming Xian blanked out for a moment after hearing that.
The truth was, he sent Li Yong in order to intervene. He thought Yui Mei could become a maid, instead.
Li Yong also agreed after he finally expressed his impression.
"I tried to glean the details while I asked whether she was dissatisfied, but our conversation was cut short because Lady Wang arrived."
'What reaction did Yui Mei have in front of the emperor?'
Ming Xian leaned forward on his desk. Li Yong solemnly replied.
"Apparently, she thought manju was more important than His Majesty."
Although she was initially shocked at meeting the emperor, she did not show any extraordinary reaction. She was even concerned at the manju's outcome, because the emperor came.
For her, the emperor's priority was way below the manju she got after working.
Ming Xian repeated, and Li Yong once again agreed.
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