Jinshi and Maomao Short Stories Collection

You are really here, Part 8 (1)

You might be wondering why the continuation came out that fast and is titled "Part 8 (1)", huh?
Well, while writing the 8th chapter, I thought at some point: "Wow, this would be such a great cliffhanger!" But the problem was that this "cliffhanger" was in the middle of the chapter...
So I decided to just divide the 8th chapter into two subparts! The second part of it will be uploaded this weekend, probably on Sunday!

Plus, writing more, but shorter chapters is actually easier for me! So I think, I'll do the same with the 9th chapter as well!

The next day, another heavy rain was falling outside, pouring like from buckets.

There was a heavy silence reigning in Jinshi's office. The only sounds were the rain's violent drumming against the window and the occasional sighs coming from the young lord himself. The latter was, once again, sitting at his desk with his cheek resting on his palm and holding his brush in his other hand. Grumpily looking down on the document lying in front of him without really seeing it.

Neither he nor Gaoshun, who was as always standing behind him, pronounced even one word.

But even if the aide had said something, Jinshi most likely wouldn't have listened to him, since he very obviously seemed to be completely immersed in thought. In thought about a certain someone.
 
"She and her plants," the young lord finally grumbled after a while, breaking the silence. "As if these things were worth risking one’s health like that..." Then he let out a snort. "But why am I even surprised? After all, we're talking here about someone who willingly ingests poison. And even enjoys it..."

Conveniently "forgetting" the fact that Maomao had made him similar reproaches regarding his work.

Gaoshun didn't comment on that. It rather seemed as if Jinshi was talking to himself, anyway, hence the aide decided to not intervene and to just let his lord let off steam to his heart's content.

A cup of tea was standing on the desk, but since Jinshi hadn't touched it, it had already turned ice-cold.

As cold as the atmosphere in the room was, despite the burning brazier.

Jinshi placed the brush on the desk, gritted his teeth, and buried his face in his hands for a moment. Then he turned around to his aide and gave him an exhausted look.

The circles around his eyes were the best proof of how horribly he had slept the previous night.

"Gaoshun."

"Yes, sir?"

Because he had been sick.

Sick with worry.

About Maomao.

His brows curved downwards, creating an expression of deep sorrow on his incredibly gorgeous face.

"This is all my fault."

These words expressed what was tormenting him the most right now.

The last time he had seen the apothecary before going to bed, she had been sniffling and sneezing from time to time, but actually looked pretty fine after her hot bath. The same Maomao as always, you could say.

And even though she had explicitly reassured him that she was alright, Jinshi still couldn't help ignoring her irritated gaze and placing his hand on her forehead in order to check her temperature himself.

The fact that she didn't have a fever had managed to bring him a slight relief, but somehow he still hadn't been able to get rid of the unpleasant feeling that everything was merely the calm before the storm.

And, unfortunately, his premonition had hit the mark:

***

The next morning had arrived. Suiren brought Jinshi his breakfast, and he thanked her, but didn't start eating. Instead, he let his gaze wander through his chambers with a frown on his face.