171話 問題はどこだ?
雨妹
もちろん、その恋人が本当に亡くなったので、本人の生前の希望から届けられたという可能性もあるが、そうではない可能性だってかなり高い。
なにせ前世と違い、その遺髪のDNA鑑定なんてできないのだ。
その前世でも、戦争で亡くなった人の遺骨が実は別人のものだった、という話がたまに聞かれたものだ。
かつては届けられたものをそう信じるしかなかったが、DNA鑑定の技術が確立されて、初めてわかった真実というものである。
「その遺髪って、どういう風にして徐さんに届いたんですかね?」
雨妹は尋ねつつ首を捻る。
ただ人伝手に届けられたのか、それとも共に戦った兵士仲間の手で届けられたのか、それによっても遺髪の重要度が変わってくる。
この疑問に、
立彬のもっともな推測に、雨妹も「やっぱりそうか」と同意する。
「誰からともわからない人からの死亡の知らせって、ますます信用ならないじゃないですか、それ」
雨妹はしかめっ面で言うのに、立彬も思案気な様子で頷いて言った。
よほど信頼のある見知った者から届けられたのならばともかく、そうでないならば、髪なんてものはどうとでもなる」
都や大きな里であれば役所が死亡した人間の記録をとっているが、田舎になるとそのような記録を残すことはない。
ただ口伝いに「誰それが亡くなったらしい」という話が広まるだけである。
雨妹が育った辺境でもそうだったので、国境のような危険地帯であれば、余計に死者の扱いは曖昧だろう。
立彬曰く、実際にそうしたあやふやな死亡届で間違いが発生することが、たまにあるらしい。
ある人物が死んでくれると自分にとって都合がよかったりして、用事があって遠くに旅立った隙に「実は事故に遭って」と遺髪を渡して、その人物を死者にしてしまうのだ。
髪なんて、自分の髪のバレない内側のあたりを切ってしまえばいいのだから。
死人にされた者が帰ってきて「自分は生きている!」と主張したところで、後の祭りというわけだ。
そうなるとますますもって、役所が検分して死亡を認めたのであればともかく、会ったこともない自称友人からの死亡の知らせなんて、どれ程の確実性があるというのか?
――なんで信じちゃったの、徐さん!?
それとも、十年も待つのは辛過ぎたのだろうか?
なんとも言えない気持ちでいる雨妹に、立彬が話を続ける。
「死亡を捏造した場合を考えると、徐の恋人が死んでくれるとありがたい者がいたという話になるが。
立彬の言葉に、雨妹は「ふむぅ」と考える。
徐が百花宮に入った時点で、話にあった悪徳商人は手が出せなくなったのだし、その者が今更恋人をあれやこれやする必要はないだろう。
その恋人から不正を訴えられることを危惧したとしても、こういう言い方はなんだが、国境の争いで死んでしまうことだって十分にあり得るのだから。
そして徐とてその可能性を常に考えていたからこそ、恋人の遺髪を受け取って死んでしまったという話を受け入れたのだ。
では、遺髪を届けたのは一体誰で、なんのためなのか?
「その恋人さんに死んでほしい理由が、徐さん側ではなくて、出稼ぎに行った国境側にあったとか?」
雨妹が胸を張って自慢するのに、立彬が額を指で弾いてくる。
「それは冴えているのではなく、食い意地が張っているというのだ」
Chapter 171: What Is The Problem?
Yui Mei pondered about Xu's story.
Of course, there was also a possibility that her lover did really wish that his hair be given to her after his death, but the possibility that that wasn't the case was also quite high.
After all, they couldn't submit that hair for DNA analysis, unlike her previous world.
Besides, even in her previous life, there were instances when the remains of the person that supposedly died in war actually belonged to a different person.
In the past, they did not have any choice but to believe the thing that was sent to them, but thanks to the establishment of DNA analysis technology, they knew the truth for the first time.
"How did they deliver that hair to Miss Xu?"
Yui Mei was perplexed, so she asked Libin.
The credibility of that hair would depend on whether it was delivered by an intermediary, or if it was handed over by a soldier that fought alongside him in the war.
Libin responded to her question.
Libin's guess was spot on, and Yui Mei couldn't help but agree with him.
"As expected. Then, isn't that too unbelievable, especially since the news of his death came from a stranger from goodness knows where."
Yui Mei grimaced at the thought, and Libin nodded as he pondered the matter.
"Yeah, that's also a problem, huh. It won't be that suspicious if the person who delivered it was a trusted acquaintance, but if that's not the case, then there's no need to treat that hair seriously."
Local governments of cities or large villages kept death records, but there's no such practice in the provinces.
People would just use word of mouth to spread that somebody died.
That was also the norm back at the borderland, which could be considered a danger zone, where Yui Mei grew up. The way they handled the dead was even more vague.
According to Libin, there were times that they would actually make mistakes about the death announcement, given the ambiguity of the process.
If a person would benefit from the death of a certain person, then it was possible to send him off on an errand and have him travel far. The person who then plotted it all would use hair as proof that the other person "died", possibly saying things like "he met with an accident".
You could even cut the underneath part of your own hair and pass it off as long as it's not recognizable as your own.
Even if the person that had been declared dead came back and claimed that "I'm alive", it would be too late by then.
If the authorities confirmed the death by autopsy then it'd be understandable to have faith on that news, but just how much faith did she have on the words of a self-proclaimed friend that she never even met before?
'Why the heck did you believe it, Miss Xu!?'
Or was waiting for ten years too painful for her?
Yui Mei felt inexplicable, but Libin continued on.
"If we go with the perspective that his death was fabricated, then it means that there's somebody who wanted Xu's lover dead. For what reason? It's inevitable to have that question. I really can't think of any circumstance surrounding Xu that would warrant such."
Yui Mei fell into deep thought when she heard Libin's words.
Once Xu entered the Hundred Blossom Palace, she would be out of reach of the villainous merchant that was mentioned in her story. He wouldn't have any reason to hurt her lover after that, too.
Even if he feared that her lover would try to take revenge for her, there's already the possibility that he would die in battle, although it might be a bit too much to say this.
Xu always thought of his possible death, so there's also the possibility that she accepted the story that he died after receiving his hair.
So, who was the one who delivered the hair and for what purpose?
"Perhaps, the reason for wanting the death of her lover didn't come from Xu's side, but from the borderland where he went to work?"
Yui Mei proudly declared, but Libin just flicked her on the forehead.
"That's not being sharp, that's gluttony."
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