Jinshi and Maomao Short Stories Collection

The gift

Summary:
Jinshi noticed how hard Maomao was working as his maid, and decided to thank her with a little gift… After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Notes:
A few months ago, I had the idea for a silly little one-shot and have now written it out to mark the end of the first anime season (because I refuse to believe that we won’t get at least one more!)

I uploaded my very first Apothecary Diaries-fanfic on the day of the premiere of the first episodes (to celebrate the beginning of the anime and also my birthday which were both on the 21st of October) and here comes my 11th one on the day of the last! (It won’t be my last fanfic, however, don’t you worry)

The gift

“Alright, Xiaomao. After you have wiped the dust from the shelves, please put everything back on its place and get over to the next room. I will clean the windows in the meantime.”

“Very well, Lady Suiren.”

“And be so kind as to hurry up a bit, otherwise there won’t be any time left for a tea break.”

“Yes!”

This was the conversation Jinshi heard as he passed one of the rooms in his residence on the way to his office where his usual work was already waiting for him. It wasn't by far the first time such a kind of dialogue between his two ladies-in-waiting reached the young noble’s ears.

He knew perfectly well just how incredibly merciless and strict his chief lady-in-waiting, Suiren, was regarding work, despite her usually calm and friendly appearance, hence he was really glad that she seemed to have taken a liking to the apothecary girl and that they were getting along quite well together. That was a relief, he had to admit.

However… constantly seeing how busy Suiren was keeping Maomao almost every day, Jinshi couldn't help but feel a tiny bit… guilty. Compared to her former tasks as a food tester at the Jade Pavilion, Maomao's workload had undoubtedly increased since she had started living at his house and… well… she had never uttered a single word of complaint, of course not, but from time to time, he did wonder whether she really liked it here.

Jinshi had already encouraged her to speak up if something shouldn’t be to her liking, but still… Who knew whether she really would?

After all, he didn't want her to silently start hating life as his maid and even eventually regret having accepted to let him buy her out. 

Jinshi shook his head. 

No, that would be terrible.

***

Having reached his office, Jinshi walked over to his chair, slumped down on it, let out a sigh and placed his left elbow on the desk, resting his cheek on his palm and starting to absent-mindedly rummage through the pile of documents lying in front of him with his other hand, barely sparing a glance at their content.

“What’s the matter, sir?” Gaoshun asked, who had been waiting for him by the door, and came closer. He must have noticed the slightly troubled expression on his master’s face.

Jinshi looked up at him, still half-immersed in thought.

“I should gather more information on rare medicinal ingredients,” he said quietly, picking up his brush and playing around with it, tapping it lightly against the desk. Seeing Gaoshun questioning gaze, he explained: “You know, I think I should buy something for the apothecary to express my gratitude for her hard work. So that she doesn't become dissatisfied with being my maid.”

“Xiaomao doesn't look dissatisfied to me.”

“Indeed, but still.”

Gaoshun cleared his throat.