扉の外から声をかければ、官吏に囲まれて机の上に広げた書類を見ていた志偉が、顔を上げてこちらを見る。
「明賢か、どうした朝から」
その様子は見るからにやる気がなさげで無気力で、人生がつまらなそうな顔をしていた。
――相変わらずこの調子か。
二十年前は勇猛にして英明なる皇帝と言われた人であるのに、現在はまるで幽鬼のようだと言われる様である。
そんな明賢の内心など無視して志偉が言った。
貴妃が臥せっているのではなかったか?」
志偉も昨日の騒ぎを耳にしたらしく、「こんなところにいる場合ではないだろう」と言いたげだ。
しかし明賢は首を横に振る。
「ご心配なく、玉秀は回復しています。
「......そうか、それはよかった」
話を聞いた志偉が、目を細めて顎を撫でる。
――小川に落ちた現場に例の宮女がいなければ、計画は成功していただろうけどね。
あれは明賢にとっては幸運だった。
玉秀付きの宮女や女官の入れ替えが上手く行かずに、後手に回っていた際の事故に、己とて正直絶望が
明賢がその場で野次馬していた宮女らから集めさせた話によると、彼女の行いは「呪い憑き」と同じくらいに奇異で不気味な行動に見えたという。
『死人に口づけをして、胸をひどく叩いて暴行しているようだった』
その宮女らはそう言って怯えていたという。
しかし陳先生によると、彼女の行為は医者の間でもあまり知られていない、異国の人命救助法であるらしい。
医療行為とはいえ、第三者の大勢いる場では姦通を疑われてしまう。
けれど不幸中の幸いというもので、彼女のおかげで玉秀は助かった。
――決して皇太后の横槍は入れさせない。
そう決意するのはいいが、明賢の今回の訪問の本題はこれではない。
「面白いものを手に入れましたので、ぜひ父上にも差し上げようかと思いまして」
明賢は微笑みを浮かべて、父のいる机の側に寄る。
「なにか珍しいものでも手に入れたのか?」
「まあ、見てください」
明賢がそう言って背後に控える部下の
「......その噴霧器が、どうかしたのか?」
「父上、これは中身が大事なのですよ」
明賢は盆から噴霧器を取ると、志偉に向かって吹き付けた。
「なんだ!? 酒臭いぞ!」
顔を顰めた志偉に明賢は笑みを深める。
「医局にいた者が言っていたのです、これは今流行っている病にとても効くのだと。
志偉は侍医の顔を思い浮かべたのか、顔をしかめる。
あの医者は金を使って皇太后に取り入った者なので、腕前の方は推して知るべしである。
皇帝を診るべき侍医よりも医局の医者の方が腕がいいとは、困ったものである。
「こちらは差し上げますよ。
「そうか、有り難く貰っておこう」
志偉が噴霧器を受け取ると、しげしげと観察していた。
He called out from outside the door. Zhi Wei, who was surrounded by several officials, looked up from the memorials that were spread on his table, and glanced at him.
"Ming Xian. What brings you here so early in the morning."
His side profile revealed his apathetic and unmotivated expression. His demeanor exuded lethargy, as if humans were not worth his interest.
'His condition is still the same as usual.'
It was said that he was a valiant and wise emperor twenty years ago, but now, his appearance was as if he were a ghost.
Zhi Wei disregarded Ming Xian's inner thoughts.
"Isn't Honored Consort Jiang bedridden?"
The ruckus yesterday also reached Zhi Wei ears.
It was as if Zhi Wei was tacitly implying that with his words. However, Ming Xian shook his head.
"There is no need to worry. Yu Xiu has recovered. I went to visit her yesterday evening. She was lively, albeit still weak. Doctor Chen, the clinic's physician, said that she could return to the palace in two to three days' time."
"...Is that so. That is good."
Zhui Wei narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin as he listened. Aside from Zhi Wei, the rest of the officials in the same room also heard about it, naturally. With this, the person behind the scheme would learn that their plan to eliminate Yu Xiu through the disease had failed.
'Their plan would have been successful if the usual attendants were not there when she fell into the stream.'
For Ming Xian, it was their good fortune.
The replacement of court ladies and maids attending to Yu Xiu did not push through, and they were able to forestall the circumstances of the incident. Ming Xian frankly thought that destruction had brushed past him.
From the information he gathered through the rubbernecking court ladies at the scene, that girl's actions were queer and ghastly-- as if she was possessed by a curse.
'She was kissing the corpse, and assaulting it by beating the chest fiercely.'
Those were the words of the frightened court ladies.
However, according to Doctor Chen, the girl's actions were a form of life-saving method that came from a foreign country, and was not well known among the physicians. Without her, it would have been difficult to attempt that rescue method.
Even if it was in the name of medicine, he would be accused of adultery in a crowd of bystanders.
It was a blessing in disguise. Thanks to that girl, Yu Xiu was saved. Moreover, he now had a reason to push the blame onto the useless people to drive all of them at once. He would be able to secure her safety by surrounding her with people that he trusted.
'I will never let that empress dowager interfere.'
It was a good resolve; however, it was not the purpose of his visit to the emperor.
"I obtained something interesting, so I would like to present it to Father."
Ming Xian smiled as he drew closer to his father's desk.
"Did you acquire something rare?"
"Indeed. Please see it for yourself."
Ming Xian gestured to Li Yong, his subordinate standing behind him. Li Yong handed a tray covered in cloth. Ming Xian removed the cloth himself. It held a sprayer.
",,,Is there something wrong with that sprayer?"
"Father, the contents are important."
Ming Xian took the bottle, and sprayed it onto Zhi Wei.
"What!? It stinks of sake!"
Ming Xian deepened his smile at Zhi Wei's wry face.
"A person at the clinic told me that this is very effective against the current disease. Apparently, it must be sprayed on the hands frequently. Ah, drinking tea is also good, according to her."
The face of the court physician floated to Zhi Wei's mind, and he scowled.
That physician used money and became the empress dowager's underling, so his ability can easily be surmised.
It was troubling that a mere physician from the clinic was more competent than the court physician who was in charge of the emperor's health.
"I offer this to you. I am praying for your health, Father."
"Is that so, then I will receive it with gratitude."
Zhi Wei closely inspected the sprayer upon receiving it.
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