The Golden Lotus will bloom (Apothecary Diaries)

Chapter 23

Once we got there, I watched out for the brother, but it seemed he hadn't caught wind of us visiting yet.

We arrived at the kitchen. I took a quick glance at the whole room. "It hasn't been used since the poison incident." The servant informed us.

"Hey!" Basen yelled when Maomao just walked around as she liked.

"Who let you in here?! Get out!" A man yelled. Maomao stood in front of me as I held onto her skirt, but I smirked seeing my speculation was right.

"What are you doing?! Did you bring these people here?!" He grabbed his servant.

"Is this how the master of this house treats his people?" I asked. He turned to me and then froze recognising my hair and eyes.

"Princess! He wasn't-!" He went to make an excuse.

"We have gotten permission from the mistress, and this is official business." Basen intervened.

"Is that true?" The man asked.

"I'm not a trespasser or are you accusing me of being one? I see I have mistakenly called you the master of this house. I apologise." I hummed and he went quiet, but I could see the rage bubbling up. "Go on, Momo...I learned all I need."

The man leaned against the entrance of the kitchen and I stayed beside Maomao.

"Who is that?" Maomao asked me.

"The late master's younger brother. He gladly took to managing the mansion and has already changed things once his brother was dismissed from the position and his mistress became ill from the shock." I explained.

"...I see." She let out knowing I already had the culprit in mind, but I needed her to find what he used against his brother. "I will do my best."

"Thank you." I grinned.

Basen also searched, but Maomao was the one who looked into a pot to find seaweed and I looked at it then sighed. "What is this?" Maomao asked after noting my reaction.

"Ah, the master loved that." The servant spoke up. "It's his favourite. He ate it often. I don't think it's poisonous..."

"So that's that." The murderer spoke up. "If you are done here, please leave."

"You used to things being quick." I hummed as Maomao snuck some of the seaweed. "Then it's time for us to leave."

"Why does a Princess want to play around here? Oh, I apologise I forget the Crown." He smirked as I stopped beside him and Basen was pissed.

"Ap-!" Basen went to yell.

"Yes, I won't have my title forever. I am a girl." I stated and the man paused. "But what can I do? The only solution would make me a monster, but I would be able to attain what I fought for, unlike someone."

I walked on leaving him behind seething in anger, and fear knowing he wouldn't be able to run.

The evidence hasn't been fully found yet, but I will make sure he pays for what he has done to his own brother.

"You need to be careful, Princess." Maomao hummed as she helped me into the carriage.

"Such a monster shouldn't be allowed a moment of hope or peace for knowingly doing that to your own brother," I stated confusing Basen as he joined us inside the carriage then we headed back.

Maomao started to get out the cloth she used to store the seaweed in to take it away. "You brought it with you?" Basen gasped.

"This is strange," Maomao commented confusing him.