Glass House (Jinshi x Reader)

Chilly Apothecary, Warm Herbalist

Your POV

"What an honor getting to serve a high-ranking concubine!" Xiaolan whined.

"Yeah," Maomao sighed, "living the dream." We were currently getting our belongings, and had changed from our servant garbs into more colorful ones that made it known we were slightly higher in ranking now.

We suddenly heard a bunch of squealing girls, followed by the sound of Master Jinshi's polite laughter. He paused, turning around and seeing Maomao and me. "Oh, it's you," he smiled, walking over with the women following close behind him. "Are you ready to move, Herbalist and Apothecary?"

"Yes," I replied simply, "We're on our way to the Jade Pavilion soon, unless you needed to ask us something first."

"No, nothing at all," he replied. I tilted my head slightly with wide, innocent eyes. He took a step forward, the only thing separating us was the basket I held in my hands. He reached up and began twisting a lock of my hair between his fingers. The girls behind him couldn't help their squeals and gasps. "I'm positive that you'll serve Concubine Gyokuyou well," he said, the flirtatious, yet innocent gleam in his eye.

A look of distaste made its way onto my face as I side stepped, muttering a, "Please, excuse me." Maomao followed close behind.

"Best of luck, you two!" Xiaolan called after us.

As we walked, I couldn't help but grumble under my breath at the high ranking official. He infuriated me to no end. Why can't men just be genuine? Why does it always have to be a sport to entice women?

At the Jade Pavilion...

"I take it you are Maomao and Y/N?"

"Um, yes," Maomao nodded to the other lady in waiting.

She was quite pretty, and her garments were neat and very fine. "I am Hongniang, the head lady in waiting," she introduced, "It's good to meet you. Since you're new, I'll show you around the pavilion. This way."

We followed after the woman as she showed us around, stopping first at Lady Gyokuyou's room. "Welcome to the Jade Pavilion," she greeted with a kind smile, "I've been waiting for you girls." Her baby girl cooed in her arms. "And Xiaoling's happy to see you too. We're pleased to have you around."

I couldn't help the small smile that grew on my face. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "Thank you for the kind words," I bowed.

Continuing with the tour, we stopped at the parlor, the kitchen, and the living room. In the living room, we were introduced to the other ladies in waiting.

"Gather for introductions!" Hongniang instructed them.

"Yes!"

They all gathered in front of us and introduced themselves. The girl in the middle went first, "I'm Yinghua, nice to meet you! If there's anything you want to know, ask me!"

Then, the girl on the left, "Name's Guiyuan, welcome to the Jade Pavilion. You'll love it here."

Finally, the girl on the right, "And you may call me Ailan. We're all so pleased to make your acquaintance."

"I'm Maomao. It's a pleasure," my friend bowed.

I bowed as well, adding, "I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you all."

"We're quite exclusive," Hongniang said, "meaning we don't hire serving girls. All the tasks performed at the Jade Pavilion are done by us."

"It is the least we can do for Lady Gyokuyou! We need to ensure her life is comfortable," Yinghua stated proudly.