の家から屋敷へと戻る。
利民は仕事があるらしく、港へと向かった。
雨妹はあらかじめ利民に相談して決めておいた部屋に、持ち帰ったエアロバイクを設置する。
元の製品を説明するために、屋外の見える場所に三輪車も置いておく。
雨妹はお茶を飲んでいた潘公主に声をかけ、運動室となった部屋へと導く。
「効果的に運動をするために、こんなものを作ってもらいました。
「まあ、利民様が?」
利民が手を貸したと聞いて、潘公主がほんのりと笑顔になる。
手を貸すとはすなわち、利民が己に興味を示しているということなので、それが嬉しいのだろう。
――うんうん、人間関係ってこういう些細な事の積み重ねだよね!
利民は自分がした行為を潘公主にわざわざ知らせることを、「恩着せがましい」と考えているのかもしれない。
しかしそれも加減の問題で、言い過ぎるといやらしいが、全くなにも言わないのも不安を煽るのだ。
それからエアロバイクの使い方を説明し、元となった三輪車も見せたのだが。
潘公主が存外、三輪車に食いついた。
――もしかして、新しいもの好きな性格なのかも?
だが知らないものに拒否感が強いより、この他国からの品が流れ込む港町では生きやすい気がする。
三輪車が走る所を見たがる潘公主に、雨妹は実演してみせる。
わたくしにも動かせるのかしらっ!?」
「......訓練すれば、可能かと思われます」
若干前のめりで、子どものようにはしゃぐ潘公主に、立勇が答えている。
その様子に、雨妹はホッとする。
どうやら立勇よりも頭が柔らかいらしい潘公主に、続いてエアロバイクを勧める。
明るい顔の潘公主に、お付きの者も頷く。
「ええ、こちらですと人目に付かず、要らぬ噂を流されずに済みますね」
本人がどれだけ前向きにやる気を出しても、周囲の視線というものはそう簡単には変わらない。
というわけで、潘公主にはしばらくこれで体力をつけてもらうことにした。
***
立勇が雨妹と共に持ち込んだ妙な車に、潘公主が夢中になった、その日の夜。
「さて、どうしたことか......」
立勇は庭にて独り言ちていた。
潘公主の治療というか、体力作りはある程度の結果が出ようとしている。
あとは本人の努力あるのみであり、潘公主自身も続ける意思が強いようなので、これでお役御免となってもいい頃合いではある。
しかし、潘公主が病んでしまった根本的原因は解決に至っていない。
そもそもは黄家の御家騒動で、それに潘公主が巻き込まれた形である。
それを多少なりとも楽な状況にしておかないと、また病んでしまう可能性がある。
そうなると、果たして雨妹がどう思うか?
雨妹は潘公主に妙に心を寄せている。
友仁皇子の時もそうだったが、弱者が理不尽に虐げられているのが見過ごせない性格であるらしいことは、だんだんとわかってきていた。
潘公主のことも、きちんとした生活が確保されていることを見届けないことには、すんなりと帰路には着けないかもしれない。
――そうなるとやはり、ある程度問題の根を枯らしておく必要があるか。
しかし、黄家の問題に明賢のお付きである立勇が口を挟めば、主の立場が微妙になってくる。
そんな大ごとにせず、今の自分に出来る事と言えば......。
立勇が悩んでいると。
「ふん、悩んでいるようだな、小僧」
立勇はその声に驚いて上を見上げ、姿を見て目を見開く。
「こちらの手の者からあなた方がいると聞いてはおりましたが。
ここ佳に残ったのは、表立っては立勇と雨妹のみだが、影には明賢が置いて行った大勢の護衛がいる。
そしてその影の者たちから、自分たち以外に動いている集団がいるという報告があった。
こちらとあちらは、これまで特に接触することはせず、それぞれ独自に動いていたのだが。
それはいい、問題は――
「御大が出張っているとは、思ってもいませんでした」
Yui Mei and the rest of them left Hu's house and returned to the mansion.
Li Min said he had work to do, so he headed to the harbor.
They went to the room that Li Min decided on after Yui Mei consulted him, and she left the exercise bike in it.
They also put the tricycle in a place overlooking the yard so that she could explain its origin later.
The princess was having her tea when Yui Mei called her out, then they went to the exercise room.
"I requested to have this made so that you can exercise more effectively. Lord Li Min introduced me to a craftsman."
"Oh my, Lord Li Min did?"
Princess Pan smiled when Yui Mei mentioned that Li Min had a hand in this.
She probably took it that he still held some interest in her, since he helped them, so she was elated.
'Yup yup, you build your relationship by accumulating trivial experiences, just like this!'
Li Min would probably think that they were patronizing him if he knew that she purposely told Princess Pan about what he did.
However, it was a subtle, tricky problem. Although it wasn't good for them to meddle too much, they might also end up fanning their anxiety if they didn't say a word.
Afterward, Yui Mei then explained how to use the exercise bike, and she also showed her the tricycle to her. She told the princess that this was the model for her exercise bike.
Princess Pan was unexpectedly enthralled.
'Hey, perhaps the princess likes novel things?'
She would probably thrive in this harbor city, where new items were always being introduced from different countries, because she wasn't quick to judge or feel repulsed with things that she didn't know anything about.
Princess Pan wanted to see how the tricycle operated, so Yui Mei obliged.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my! Can I also ride it!?"
"...It might be possible, if you practice."
Princess Pan was truly enthusiastic like a little child, so Li Yong answered her question.
Yui Mei was relieved.
The princess was more open-minded than Li Yong, so Yui Mei immediately recommended the exercise bike to her. Princess Pan slowly pedalled while Yui Mei, Li Yong, and her maid looked over her earnestly.
Princess Pan beamed, and her maid also nodded.
"Indeed, we could avoid the prying eyes of other people, and unwanted rumors, as well."
No matter how motivated the person was, the opinions of other people around her wouldn't change that easily.
That was why Yui Mei thought it would be better if the Princess regained her strength using this for the meantime.
***
Princess Pan was thoroughly absorbed in using the strange vehicle that Li Yong brought together with Yui Mei.
"So, what should we do now..."
Li Yong muttered to himself as he stood in the yard.
They could already see the effects of Princess Pan's medical treatment, or should they say rehabilitation to a certain extent.
The princess seemed determined and motivated to do her best in her own endeavors, so it could be said that they reached the point wherein they could be relieved from their duty.
However, they hadn't solved the root problem of the princess's illness yet.
The princess got dragged into the Huang Family's feud in the first place.
They couldn't just leave this situation be, because there was the possibility that she might fall into the same predicament once again. They had to help so that her life might be easier.
What did Yui Mei think of that?
Yui Mei was strangely drawn to the Princess.
She had gradually understood that she couldn't really leave the oppressed and weak people alone, as was the case with Prince Youren.
She probably wouldn't be able to go home with peace of mind if they didn't make sure that Princess Pan was living peacefully.
'Hm, in that case, then we have to destroy the root of the problem to a certain extent, huh.'
However, if Li Yong, who was considered as the representative of Ming Xian, interfered, then his master's position would be jeopardized.
If he could do something about this without taking that risk...
Li Yong fretted.
"Hmpf, you seem troubled, kiddo."
Li Yong abruptly raised his head, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"I heard from my subordinates that your group came. However..."
Li Yong and Yui Mei were the only ones who openly interacted with the people of Kai, but a large number of Ming Xian's guards were hiding in the shadows.
Those shadow guards had relayed the information that there was another group working aside from them.
They had operated until this point without any contact from each other.
That was good, but the problem was --
"I didn't expect the big boss to go on an official trip."
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