Jinshi and Maomao Short Stories Collection

A small revenge

Summary:
One evening, Maomao was sitting in her room, enjoying the time with her herbs. Too bad that Jinshi decided to pay her a visit now of all times...

Grinning from ear to ear and almost jumping with joy, Maomao entered her room at Jinshi's residence on a peaceful autumn evening. Oh, finally! Finally, she had finished polishing all the silverware and had been granted permission by the chief lady-in-waiting Suiren to retreat to her room until the next morning.

Clenching her hands, reddened from all the cleaning tasks, into fists from sheer overwhelming anticipation, the apothecary headed straight to the herbs she had managed to gather a few days ago and hung out to dry. Now, they were dry enough and ready to be used!

Maomao grabbed a handful and held them to her nose, deeply inhaling their wonderful fragrance. Then she lit a candle, grabbed her pestle and mortar with her free hand, took off her shoes and slumped down on her bed, a blissful sigh escaping her lips, in order to start grinding up her treasures.

Right now, she was the very picture of happiness...

...however, that impression, unfortunately, wasn't meant to last very long.

Soon, she heard someone knock on her door, abruptly interrupting her pleasant time alone with her beloved herbs. Followed by a more than familiar voice.

"Apothecary? Are you there?"

Maomao sighed in disappointment and glared at the door, as if wanting to pierce the person standing on the other side with her gaze. Farewell, wonderful tranquility!

"It's already late in the evening. What does he want this time?" she grumbled.

But since she was merely a lady-in-waiting and also living in his house, there was only one answer she could give her visitor.

"Please come in, Master Jinshi."

A second later, the door already opened, and a slightly disheveled and ill-humored Jinshi appeared before Maomao's eyes. Their gazes met.

He didn't say anything.

Neither did Maomao.

Since it would be quite rude to remain seated in her noble employer's presence, she put the mortar and pestle aside and wanted to get up. But before she could do that...

...Jinshi narrowed his eyes, approached her with large steps...

...and suddenly let himself fall onto her bed, placing his head on her lap and wrapping his arms around her waist.

The apothecary froze for a moment from surprise and then furrowed her brow. But, in the end, she didn't try to shove him away.

"Master Jinshi, what..."

"Apothecary, my head hurts..." he interrupted her in a whining tone and looked up at her with big, miserable eyes. Like a little boy.

Maomao sighed and relaxed her features.

"Looks like the celestial nymph is gone for today," she thought. "Well, he is easier to talk to when he's like this, anyway."

"I have some painkillers, sir. If you would please let me get them for you."

She intended to stand up again, however, the young lord grabbed her by the clothes, holding her back.

"No need. My painkiller is already here."

Maomao arched an eyebrow at these words, but gave up in the end, sitting back down.

Jinshi hugged her tighter and pressed the top of his head against her warm belly.