A nap in the Jade Pavilion

It was a calm, peaceful afternoon. Maomao was sitting in a room of the Jade Pavilion on the floor with her elbows on her legs and her cheeks resting on her palms and silently observing the little princess, who was playing near her without a care in the world. Consort Gyokuyou had invited Consort Lihua for tea and was now getting ready for the event with the other ladies-in-waiting helping her, hence Maomao had been tasked with watching Lingli once again. Which was actually quite a surprise after what had happened last time, to be honest. Lady Gyokuyou really trusted her. “After all, you already have saved my child’s life once,” the consort had told her. “I guess I have,” Maomao thought, letting out a sigh and unconsciously rubbing the back of her head at the memory of the “very stern warning” she had gotten from Hongniang the evening before when she had been informed about today’s task. To make sure she would sleep properly during the night, so that something like last time wouldn't repeat itself. The apothecary frowned slightly at the thought. “I understand her concern, but she really didn't have to slap me that hard. I am not so careless as to let it happen again.” Although she had to admit that she had been pretty lucky in that regard, having gotten away with a few mere slaps for neglecting such an important duty. It had been a really dangerous situation, because if something had happened to the imperial daughter for real while Maomao was asleep, it would have been the apothecary's fault alone, and she would have probably lost her head for that. Which would have been logical, she found. She was really, really lucky that Consort Gyokuyou was such a kind, understanding person and refrained from punishing her. But why had Maomao been so exhausted that day in the first place? Well, Lady Gyokuyou had been complaining about having trouble sleeping at night lately, thus, Maomao, as the passionate apothecary that she was, had made it her task to mix up the best sleep aid that wouldn't harm the consort’s unborn child. Hence, she had locked herself in her room just as nighttime came and started experimenting with different sleep-inducing herbs. And while doing that, she had gotten quite a whiff of her own concoctions which had resulted in a strong fatigue the next day.  Now, Maomao wasn't actually that susceptible to these kinds of things, especially not after all those years of testing remedies on herself, but a whole night of sniffing these herbs plus the lack of sleep did have an effect even on her. However, she knew that this was no excuse. So again, she had been very lucky that nothing serious had happened. “Cat!” Suddenly, the high-pitched voice of a child reached Maomao's ears. Snapping out of her thoughts, she lifted her head from her palms and noticed that Lingli was toddling over to her, holding a wooden animal in her hand and smiling widely. Maomao smiled back. She wasn't very fond of children, but she had to admit that she did like the little one. Lingli was so cute she had managed to melt even Maomao's heart, which wasn't made of stone, even if it might seem so at first glance for those who didn't know her. “What is it, princess?” The little girl slumped down on the apothecary’s lap. “Cat!” Maomao glanced down at the toy the child was holding. “No, princess, this is a horse.” Lingli pointed her finger at her, holding up the animal with her other hand. “Cat! Play!” “Oh, do you mean me?” The child nodded. Ever since the last time Maomao had “watched” the princess, the toddler had started calling her that. The apothecary had wondered about the reason at the beginning, but since it wasn't the first time by far of her being compared to a feline, she just assumed that Lingli must have picked it up from her mother or one of the ladies-in-waiting, and decided to not spare it too much thought. But before Maomao had the chance to say another word, she suddenly perceived movements from the corner of her eye and turned her head towards the door, noticing that a guest had arrived: a much too familiar “heavenly nymph” entered the door with a big smile on his face. Looking as gorgeous as ever and sparkling so brightly, it would have blinded anyone. Anyone besides Maomao, of course. She just blinked a few times and then stood up, lifting Lingli into her arms and taking a few steps towards him. “Greetings, Master Jinshi.” His smile got even bigger, like that of a boy who had been waiting to get a present for a long time and finally opening it. As always, it was the genuine one he was showing whenever it was directed at Maomao. “Long time no see, apothecary! And good day to you as well, princess!” “He looks carefree today,” Maomao thought. “So I guess this is just a simple visit, and he has no special task for me this time, either. Maybe he’s here to attend the tea party as well.” She contemplated his face for a few seconds and noticed with some relief that he didn't have dark circles around his eyes. So he had been able to sleep well recently. The child started squirming in Maomao's hold once she spotted the guest and stretched out her arms into his direction. “Brother!” “Huh?!” Maomao's eyes widened, not quite believing what she had just heard. But she composed herself quickly. After all, she couldn't claim she understood small children very well, so maybe that was just a toddler’s thing. “I think the princess wants to be held by you, Master Jinshi,” she said, a bit baffled that Jinshi didn't bat an eye neither at that word Lingli had pronounced nor at her behavior.   "Alright, why not. Come here, little one,” he readily agreed, still smiling. He grabbed Lingli under her arms and took her out of Maomao's hold, raising the girl high into the air and making her laugh and kick her little legs from joy. “Oh my, you are heavy! Have you grown since the last time I saw you?” he asked, feigning surprise. The child laughed even louder. Maomao, in the meantime, was watching them with genuine amazement, not knowing what to say. “He’s quite good with children, I have to admit,” she thought. “I didn't expect that. But then again, he’s like a child himself, so no wonder.” Her lips curved into a slight smirk at the last idea, which she instantly wiped from her face as soon as Jinshi returned his gaze to her. Carrying the child in his arms, he smiled at the apothecary once more, letting out a quiet “ow!” when the princess grabbed a strand of his long hair and pulled at it like she always did with the Emperor's beard. “I see you are awake today, apothecary.” Maomao wasn't very pleased to be reminded of “that incident”. She hid her hands in her sleeves and bowed slightly. “Yes. I apologize that you had to see me in such an unseemly state.” Gyokuyou had informed Maomao that Jinshi had come to visit them that day yet again, so he must have seen her without any doubt. How embarrassing. Though she didn't understand why the consort had been giggling while telling her that, but found that it was not her place to ask. “Don’t worry about that,” Jinshi shrugged it off. “You make me take naps when I’m exhausted, too, so why shouldn’t you take one?” “Because your documents aren’t toddlers that can run away or kill themselves accidentally when you take your eyes off them for a minute,” Maomao thought, frowning a little, but didn't say it out loud. “Would you mind watching the princess for a bit, Master Jinshi?” she asked instead. “I’m going to go get some tea and sweets.” He was their guest, after all, so it would be rude to not offer him anything. “No problem.” Gently removing Lingli’s tiny hand from his hair, Jinshi walked over to the couch that was in the room and sat down, placing the princess on his lap, while Maomao left for the kitchen. He was extremely happy that this day, he was finally getting the chance to talk to his favorite apothecary. But still, he had to admit that watching her sleep had been very enjoyable too. Even though he had been interrupted by his baby “sister” that time. Jinshi smiled down at the little girl on his lap. It was still a bit odd for him, but he did like the idea of being an older brother, even though he wasn’t. The princess was just too adorable and still very small, so he decided to not correct her for the time being. However, it would be necessary to teach her to call him “uncle” when she got older. Lingli smiled back and presented him her toy. "Horse!" Jinshi chuckled and patted her head. “I see you are learning your words, princess. Very good! Just a bit and you’ll be able to speak in sentences soon.” The little one beamed at the praise. “Brother! Play!” “You want me to play with you? Sure!” And while Lingli was playing with the horse on Jinshi's lap, letting it “gallop” over his hand and forearm, the young noble was just watching her silently with a soft look in his eyes. He really hoped that little one would continue to have a happy childhood as long as possible. A happier one than his own. Where no one would ever take her toys away from her like they had done to him and where she would never have to suffer from that crippling loneliness he had to endure most of his life. Because he knew exactly what it was like to grow up in the golden cage of the imperial family. Oh, how he knew. There was a hint of sadness in his gaze now that he wiped off as soon as the little one looked up at him again with her big, round eyes. A couple of minutes later, Maomao came back with the tea and the sweets and placed them on the small table in front of the couch. Jinshi thanked her and took a cup, offering the child a piece of a sweet bun, which the girl eagerly accepted, dropping her toy to the ground. The apothecary, in the meantime, sat down next to him and started munching on a salty rice cracker she had swiped away in the kitchen while preparing the tea. She wasn't very fond of sweets. Jinshi knew that well and didn't say anything. Suddenly, Lingli pointed her finger at her. “Cat!” “Yes, princess?” Maomao asked out of reflex before she could stop herself. Damn, she didn't know she had gotten that used to that nickname already. Jinshi looked as if he was about to explode, until he couldn't take it anymore and roared with laughter, almost spitting out his tea. “She’s calling you ‘cat’?! And you even answer to it?!” “Yes, ever since that incident where I fell asleep. I have no clue why, though.” “Oh, really?” Jinshi placed his cup on the table and grinned at her mischievously like a boy who played a prank. Was it only the apothecary’s imagination or had he just winked at the princess? Maomao frowned and glared at him as if he was… no, just glared at him “normally” this time. She didn't want to scare the princess, after all. “He knows something!” she thought, eyeing him suspiciously. “Just what exactly DID happen that day? And when did he and the princess get so close, anyway?” But her thoughts were suddenly interrupted once more. “Mao!” Maomao looked up and saw that Lingli was now holding Jinshi's thumb in one of her tiny hands, stretching out her second one towards her with a huge smile on her face. Jinshi was smiling as well, his heart melting with cuteness. “Ah, so she does remember who I am,” the apothecary thought. “What is it, princess?” she asked, genuinely not having any clue what the little one wanted from her and regretting the fact that Lingli couldn't speak properly yet. Well, it seemed like she really didn't understand small children, after all. “Mao!” “I think she wants to hold your hand as well,” Jinshi attempted to help. Well, only one way to find out. Maomao slowly moved her hand towards Lingli, and the child immediately grabbed her index finger, giggling happily. So that was really it. “She’s strong for such a little thing, huh?” Jinshi said, chuckling. “Eh?”  The two adults suddenly fell silent, their gazes locked at the toddler, who simultaneously started pulling at their fingers, seemingly trying to bring their hands together. And they allowed it, so surprised they could only watch. “Does she… want us to hold hands?” Maomao finally spoke after a while. “Looks like it,” Jinshi replied and then smiled gently at the apothecary. “Should we do her the favor, what do you think?” To claim that Maomao was very eager to do it would be a lie, but she didn't want to make the child sad. And besides, holding his hand wasn't exactly new to her. So she sighed. “Fine by me.” So the two of them took each other by the hand, making the little princess squeal out of joy. Carefully squeezing the apothecary’s small hand, Jinshi had the feeling as if her body heat was flowing directly into his own body and warming his heart. He wanted to forget everything and just sit there for all eternity, losing himself in Maomao's beautiful blue eyes that were looking up to him as well… or at least long enough to be able to bear not being with her until the next time he would get the chance to see her again. But apparently, that was too much to ask… Both Jinshi and Maomao flinched and returned to reality when they suddenly perceived crying and directed their confused gazes to Jinshi's lap, where little Lingli had broken out in tears. Maomao was the first one to react. She let go of Jinshi's hand, got up and lifted the child from his lap. “Oh, she needs a diaper change,” she stated calmly, without batting an eye and started heading towards the door, carrying the girl in her arms. “Would you excuse me for a moment, Master Jinshi?” Jinshi's expression was… well, pretty much indescribable. “Uhm, yes, sure, no problem,” he murmured with his eyes wide open while watching Maomao leave the room with the child. Briefly greeting Lady Gyokuyou, who had come to see whether everything was alright and was standing by the door, laughing so hard that tears were running down her face. *** Bonus: A bit later, when Jinshi was about to leave (parting with his favorite apothecary against his will, as always), he suddenly felt a tug at his clothes and turned around, looking down. And instantly putting on a gentle smile when he spotted the freshly changed Lingli, who was beaming at him again. She was holding a piece of paper with a mushroom drawn on it. “Brother!” “Oh, what do we have here?” He bent down to pat her head. “Poison!” Jinshi was stunned for a second and then grinned. “Hehe, I can see who has been teaching you. And I admit that it’s certainly useful to know what these things look like. But I hope you won't put any in your mouth. Like a certain someone.” He dedicated an amused sideways glance at Maomao, who shot him an annoyed look. “Don't worry, she won't,” she grumbled. “I certainly hope so. We don’t need a second Maomao here.” Jinshi walked over to the apothecary and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tapping her lightly on the nose with the index finger of his other hand. “One is more than enough.” Maomao snorted, removing his hand from her face.  And as he was leaving the building, he heard the chief lady-in-waiting’s voice yell out behind his back, which made him chuckle: "What have I told you about teaching weird things to the child?!”