NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Suspicious Eunuch Reappeared
Mei and her companions strode towards Yui Mei’s table.
“You’re pretty thick skinned, aren’t you? You’re the source of the curse and yet there you are, brazenly sitting. What the heck do you mean by this?”
“Yes, that’s so true.”
“Go and disappear right now.”
Mei started an argument, and her minions sang the same tune.
“Good morning. It’s still early yet everyone’s pretty energetic.”
Yui Mei could not retort, since Mei was her senior, so she decided to greet them, instead. They were waiting for her to grimace and show a bad attitude. However, Yui Mei shut them up with her seemingly ordinary demeanor. This evasion technique was her method of saying she won’t go with their flow.
Mei and the other girls flinched, but they soon regained their composure.
“You’re such a shameless person. You’re spreading the curse so the court ladies decreased, yet there you are, selling yourself without batting an eye.”
The other girls affirmed Mei’s outrageous exaggeration.
“Really, she shouldn’t be allowed to enter here.”
“Everyone will be cursed.”
They continued inciting the other court ladies, until everyone stealthily left the dining hall while carrying their bowls.
Rather than bothering Yui Mei, it was Mei and the girls who were expending unnecessary effort.
‘Sorry for troubling you guys.’
Yui Mei regretted disturbing the other court ladies’ breakfast, even though it was Mei’s party who made a ruckus. It seemed that Mei and the girls would continue pestering them, so Yui Mei decided to counter attack.
“You said I sold myself, but I was only doing the cleaning jobs at that time. Since Mei is my supervisor, they might also favor you if you work with me.”
Yui Mei implied that it was their fault for neglecting their duties and playing around. A tiny laugh resounded from the kitchen. Even if the dining hall was deserted, the kitchen staff was still there. Mei blushed furiously after being laughed at.
“Anyway, the uproar regarding the curse started way back before Ah Mei came, isn’t it? Don’t tell me you can’t compute the days, Mei?”
Mei wrinkled her nose when she heard Mei Na’s consecutive cutting remarks in defense of Yui Mei. She went through great pains to doll up with cosmetics, but it was ruined by her ugly scowl.
“You dare strut around just because you caught the crown prince’s fancy! Mark my words, when I became His Highness the crown prince’s concubine, I’ll definitely send you off to do heavy labor!!”
“Hey, Mei!”
“Wait!”
Mei angrily threw those words, and briskly walked away, followed by her minions.
Yui Mei and Mei Na were the only ones left at the dining hall.
‘So that person is targeting the crown prince, huh.’
That’s why she was extremely vexed that Yui Mei met the crown prince directly.
“Really, what an awful guy.”
Mei Na heaved a deep sigh and grumbled. Yui Mei shrugged.
“Let’s leave them be, they’ll be happier if we pay attention to them.”
She would just get tired if she were to confront them, so it was best to ignore them. Mei Na was amused at Yui Mei’s remark.
“Ah Mei, you’re quite farsighted for your age.”
Yui Mei also acknowledged that she sounded too old-fashioned, since she had memories of her previous world. Nevertheless, she still intended to enjoy the feelings of a maiden her age.
Yui Mei felt tired after dealing with Mei; however, she had to work after eating her breakfast.
“Today’s another day of cleaning…”
Yui Mei hummed as she walked through the corridors while carrying her tools. She then saw a eunuch approaching from the other end. It was someone familiar.
‘Wait, isn’t that the crown prince’s attendant?’
A eunuch had a questionable existence, but no mistake, they had a higher status compared to her. Yui Mei stood to the side and bowed her head, so as not to obstruct the other person’s path.
‘Hurry up and pass quickly.’
Yui Mei inwardly said, but contrary to her expectations, the eunuch stopped before her.
“So you were here. Good, I don’t have to go to the court ladies’ lodging house.”
His low voice, which was something one won’t often hear in the Inner Palace, made Yui Mei extremely uncomfortable. However, apparently, the eunuch had some business with her.
“How may I help you? Ahm…”
Yui Mei raised her head to ask, but she suddenly stopped when she remembered that she didn’t know the name of this eunuch.
“Wang Libin’s the name. You can call me Libin.”
He noticed her uncertainty, so he introduced himself.
The surname Wang was very common in the Inner Palace, so he wanted her to distinguish him from the rest. Yui Mei also knew a handful of people with that surname, including Lady Wang, and five court ladies.
“I understand. Libin, how may I help you?”
Yui Mei repeated her question.
“Noble Concubine Jiang was delighted with the mushipan you gave her. The crown prince heard about it, and was also pleased. He sent me to bestow his reward upon you.”
So he came to deliver the reward.
“For the crown prince to be satisfied, it is truly an honor. The court lady who made the mushipan
will also feel glad.”Yui Mei replied to Libin.
“….”
Libin did not reply. Yui Mei thought that since the conversation ended, it was time to return to her work. However, it was quite explicable that this man came looking for her just to relay those words.
‘Well, this is much more preferable than if the crown prince himself came here instead.’
Yui Mei was already sticking out like a sore thumb; she did not want to be conspicuous any more than this. She didn’t know what rumors would fly should someone see her alone with the crown prince’s attending eunuch; moreover, with just the two of them.
“If that is all, then please excuse me.”
Yui Mei turned to go.
“Are you always wandering around with that appearance?”
Libin suddenly asked.
“…Indeed?”
Yui Mei was wearing her court lady uniform, and her mask. Speaking of, she forgot to remove it. She thought he was pointing it out, however –
“Cover all your hair with a cloth.”
Libin stood behind Yui Mei. He gathered her hair and skillfully coiled it into a bun, before covering it with the handkerchief he took out from his bosom.
“This should be fine.”
Libin removed his hand, and Yui Mei touched her hair. It was more beautifully arranged than how she did it.
‘What a dextrous guy.’
Yui Mei wanted to see how it was, so she peered at her reflection on the glass windows. Libin stared at her from behind.
“Standing out in the Inner Palace is not a good thing. Your hair is too ostentatious. It would do you well to hide it.”
“….Huh.”
“Well, sorry for disturbing you.”
Libin waved his hand at Yui Mei, who nodded uncertainly, before returning to the corridor. Yui Mei followed his retreating figure until he was out of sight, before touching the hood wrapped around her head.
‘This is silk, though.’’
She must have looked ridiculous, wearing a hood that was a lot more expensive than her clothes. Since it was not made with cotton, Libin probably came from an affluent family. Then why on earth was he a eunuch? He was also very manly; he could’ve chosen to become a gate guard.
‘No, I shouldn’t bring this up.’
She reminded herself, trying to suppress her curiosity and desire to solve a mystery. She was sure it must be a troublesome and complicated matter. In the meantime, she took the kerchief off, and changed it with the cloth cover she used during cleaning. She pulled it low to cover her eyes.
This silk handkerchief might come in handy someday, so Yui Mei decided to treasure it,
———–
T/L Thoughts: Yui Mei and Li Yong meet again ? Is that a keepsake from our male lead??? (based on the synopsis, no spoilers intended). ?