28話 雨妹という宮女
話を終えた
「まったく、あの娘には会うたびに驚かされる。小さな嵐のようだな」
明賢は椅子の背もたれに身体を預け、大きく息を吐く。
「いいではありませんか、元気がよくて」
「秀玲、雨妹をどう思った?」
「なかなか利発そうなお嬢さんでしたね。
立勇が言うには、あの娘はいつも楽しそうにしているとか」
雨妹は敵視されている先輩宮女に、日々嫌がらせを受けているという話なのに、その影響を全く感じられず。
むしろおやつを貰える人と仲良くなって、饅頭を幸せそうに頬張っている姿は、後宮での生活を満喫しているようだ。
「実に図太い性格をしているようだね」
明賢がしみじみと言うと、秀玲が淹れたお茶を差し出しながら告げる。
「......本当に、一体誰に似たんだろうね?」
雨妹の父母とも、あのような性格ではないはずだが。
雨妹にはそんな母の気性が受け継がれず、むしろ弱き者を目にすると突撃しかねない激しさが垣間見える。
雨妹が公主として存在できていたならば、きっと明賢にとって大きな手助けとなっただろうに。
――本当に、掃除係にしておくのはもったいないな。
明賢はあの才能を惜しみながら、しかし違うことも思う。
もし雨妹が公主であったならば、後宮で宮女となることはなく。
そしてあの時玉秀を助けたように、きっと友仁も助けるのだろう。
そんな雨妹を皇太后の手から守るのが、明賢の役目だ。
「今度こそ、私はあの娘を守るよ」
明賢がそう決意を語ると、秀玲は深々と頭を下げる。
「殿下のお気持ちに、私どもは従うまででございます」
どこまでも付いて来てくれる秀玲たちに、明賢は有り難くもあり、申し訳なくもある。
「そのために、立勇にますます頑張ってもらう必要があるけどね」
明賢自ら動くと皇太后を刺激してしまう。
ただでさえ近衛の彼に宦官のフリまでさせているのに、さらに仕事を増やしてしまうのは心苦しいのだが。
明賢の苦悩に、秀玲はニコリと微笑んだ。
「殿下のお役に立つことはあの子の喜びでしょう。
雨妹を送って前を歩く立彬が、ふいにくしゃみをした。
「風邪ですか? 立彬様」
「いや、違う。
雨妹が尋ねてくるのに、立彬は鼻をムズムズさせながら返す。
雨妹がしたり顔で語る一般論に、立彬は顔をしかめる。
その小さな呟きが雨妹に拾われることはなかったが、ある意味母子で気持ちが通じているのであった。
Chapter 28
The conversation ended, and Yui Mei left. Inside the room, Ming Xian was drinking tea that the lady-in-waiting freshly brewed.
"Really, I'm totally caught by surprise every time I see that girl. She's like a little storm."
Ming Xian leaned back in the chair and exhaled deeply.
"Isn't it great that she's sprightly?"
"Xiuling, what did you think of Yui Mei?"
"She is quite a clever young lady. It seems that she had adapted well in this place even though she had just arrived. "
"Indeed. According to Li Yong, that girl seemed to be always having fun."
It was said that Yui Mei was harassed daily by the senior court ladies who regarded her as an enemy, but she remained completely unaffected.
Contrary to that, she became friends with the people who gave her snacks, and her appearance while stuffing her cheeks with manju seemed to show that she was enjoying life in the Inner Palace.
"In fact, her personality seems cheeky, no?"
Ming Xian softly remarked, and Xiuling replied as she served the newly brewed tea.
"... Really, who did she take after?"
Yui Mei's parents shouldn't have that kind of personality.
Rather than that, Yui Mei did not inherit her mother's temperament but she had a strong personality, ready to rush when she saw a weak person.
Had Yui Mei been able to live as a princess, she would have been a tremendous help to Ming Xian.
'Really, what a waste to keep her as a housekeeper.'
While Ming Xian lamented her talent, he also thought about a different outcome.
If Yui Mei was a princess, she would not be a court lady in the Inner Palace. There was a high probability that Yu Xiu, who was saved by her, perished. With that consideration, it could be said that it was a good thing that Yui Mei was a court lady
And just as she helped Yu Xiu at that time, she would surely help Youren.
It was Ming Xian's role to protect Yui Mei from the hands of the empress dowager.
"This time, I will protect that girl."
When Ming Xian expressed his resolve, Xiuling bowed deeply.
"We will obey your desires, Your Highness."
Ming Xian was grateful and at the same time apologetic towards Xiuling and the rest who would faithfully follow him anywhere.
"Because of that, Li Yong had to work harder, though."
The empress dowager would be provoked If Ming Xian made a move himself.
However, he felt pained to increase Li Yong's workload since he was already masquerading as a eunuch on top of being an imperial guard.
Xiuling smiled sweetly at Ming Xian's distress.
"Being useful to Your Highness is that child's happiness. Please use him to your heart's content. No need to worry, my son is not one to be exhausted with this much."
Libin was walking in front of Yui Mei as he sent her off when he suddenly sneezed.
"Do you have a cold, Libin?"
"No, I don't. I feel like someone is talking about me behind my back."
Libin replied to Yui Mei's question as his nose itched.
Libin puckered his face while Yui mei teasingly told him about that common belief.
Yui Mei did not hear him whisper, but in a sense, the feelings got through due to their mother and child bond.
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