'Whether I like it or not, there are several people that have become very important to me. '

Maomao brushed some of the wet hair glued to his cheek gently behind his ear, 'And I wouldn 't sleep well if I abandoned them. '

The apothecary had said the same thing about a servant once, he huffed and smiled softly, 'Okay, I 'll listen. '

'That 's all I 'm asking. '

***

Well that 's one way to make a point.

Maomao was never one to mince words but

boy

when she wanted to drive a concept home she knew how to get his full attention. While his inner household would be thrilled at the gesture and current position, he could only imagine the throngs of women who 'd kill to sit on that stool. What she lacked in expressions and range of emotion she made up for in quiet caretaking gestures. Somehow her emoting fully would just make her like every other doting fan in the Rear Palace, the analytical acknowledgement of concern was grounding. The water sloshed as his hand came out of the water and brushed her sopping bangs out of her face. She didn 't lean into the touch persay, but her eyes closed slowly in surrender to the contact, a moment of trust from the guarded cat.

They rested in each other 's gaze, silently reaffirming their ties to the other, after several beats Jinshi 's eyes hooded and he smirked, 'Now get back over there, I want to get out. '

Tch,

she clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes while she got up, leaving a trail of glistening feet on the floor. He waited several beats after she rounded the divider before getting out. Maomao had already taken the new clothes set out for her and made her way into the changing room. The wind kicked up as he stepped out, the arid dry breeze attempting to assist as he toweled off. He made quick work of redressing, feeling rather vulnerable on multiple fronts. Though drying his hair after without dripping on the clothing proved difficult.

The linens were airy on his skin, maybe not soft like the silks the palace furnished, but certainly comfortable. The layers were reminiscent of clothing he often wore around when visiting departments, complete with a dark blue over robe rather than purple, and solid edges rather than the embroidered detailing. A familiar cloth was offered to tie up his hair like he would back home. While it was unnerving how on point it was, he was also grateful to feel clean and in vaguely familiar clothing. He pondered briefly if the lack of detail was due to lack of resources and expensive ingredients or a purposeful attempt to make him approachable.

When he stepped into the front room a smile pulled at the corner of his lips, his eyes went straight to the familiar hairpin now resting exactly where it belonged, nestled safely in the apothecary 's hair.

She caught his look, 'I 'm as surprised as you are. '

His eyes traveled to the rest of her outfit. It was a carbon copy of what she wore day to day, linen robes of maroon and green, even the hair beads were back. He had to remind himself that she was far more visible both in and out of the palace than he was between; the medical facilities, outer offices and the pleasure district. It was still unnerving that someone had that close of an eye on her. The desire to make Lihaku her shadow was becoming more justified by the moment.

The gates opened revealing a grinning Huo, 'You hungry? '

Two guards flanked again at a respectful distance, (or perhaps out of range of a hairpin strike), as they followed Huo across the village. The buildings were all on the newer side, and the

tok-tok-toking

of construction could be heard in the distance. The guard 's presence seemed to make the other villagers more wary of the visitors than when it was just Huo and Maomao. The side conversations and rushing up to ask questions or check on treatments was nonexistent. Rather murmurs and whispers occurred as they passed, though the tone seemed more curious than guarded. One burly man didn 't seem to take the hint, rushing out of the blacksmith shop he was absolutely beaming, 'Is that the

tigris

! Can she help with my smelting? '

Tigris?

Maomao blinked in confusion, Jinshi stepped up behind her, but also covered his mouth to hide his chuckle, even Huo stepped forward, 'Easy friend, I keep telling you that 's

not

what happened. '

'But I

saw

it! She can shape change and control fire! ' Absolutely zero malice, but he was fangirling 'hard. If he had a tail it would be wagging furiously, the towering man covered in sweat and soot was almost bouncing side to side, his leather gear softly popping and groaning as it bent and slapped against the giant.

Huo forcibly turned the man around and pressed him back toward the shop, 'Apologies. That is the

last

time I let an assistant near hallucinogens before a mission. '

Jinshi shot Maomao a pointed look of familiarity and she suddenly found a

very

interesting cloud.

Meanwhile, 'Just let me

talk

to her! '

'For lack of a better term Jun,

I called dibs.

Your request can

wait. '

'It will just take five minutes! '

'Oh for heaven sakes man, would you let the poor people just

eat lunch!? '

The blacksmith looked like a kicked puppy, or ' dire wolf. He slunk back into his blacksmithing hovel with a pout.

Jinshi marveled that for once it wasn 't him being chased after, even with the fake scar gone and his Celestial Nymph status mostly restored. He leaned down and whispered, 'it 's nice to have shoe on the other foot. '

She shot him a glare, and suddenly that same cloud really

was

fascinating, especially since it was the only one in the sky.

'Apologies, right this way, ' the drug lord motioned as he opened a door to the small but sturdy building.

The pair stepped through into a quaint dining area with seating for four. Three places were set and every inch of the table was covered in decadent dishes of meat and rice and fruits and glasses dripping with condensation of water and wine. The plates, dishes and vessels were slightly mismatched, as if done by a potter who celebrated unique pieces rather than a perfect set of perfectly matching painted porcelain. The drug lord pulled a seat out for Maomao and Jinshi didn 't know whether to protect her or be jealous.

The prince took his own seat and eyed the food warily, 'So which are poison and which are aphrodisiacs? '

Huo blinked and tilted his head, 'None? ' wait, ' his eyes went wide, 'are they

still

-

oh good god- SHU! '

A young woman stepped out of the kitchen, 'Yes Sir? '

Maomao was quietly taking a sample from a plate, sniffing it carefully and taking a bite.

'Who 's been in charge of their food? '

'I think it was Lian, Sir. '

'And

what

has she been serving? '

'The same meal you did, Sir? '

'Every ingredient? '

'It isn 't a dish she normally makes Sir, you said they were high class. She wanted to make sure she did it right, so she wrote every amount, step and ingredient down after you left, though she had to track a

key

down? '

Maomao sampled another dish.

He rubbed his temple and motioned to the help, 'See what I mean, all talent and no oversight, ' addressing Shu, his voice a touch strained, 'thank you, I 'll be following up with her recipes after lunch. Did she give anyone

else

this meal? '

The apothecary tried another bite while Shu answered bewildered, 'I 'm not sure. '

'You 're not in trouble, but tell her the locked cabinet is locked for a

reason.

No more ingredients from there, and check with the medical office for delirium, euphoria and some indigestion or unexpected contraceptive requests. '

'I 'm ' not sure what that means, but I will ask, ' she rushed out.

Huo rubbed his temples and sighed heavily, 'Your resentment and lack of trust are completely justified. Please allow me to back up and try again. '

Maomao tried the fruit, checking it over thoroughly for coatings or punctures from a needle as he continued, 'Did I intend to kidnap the Moon Prince, yes, I mean I actually wanted an audience to sort out- you know what we 'll come back to that. Did I absolutely jump on this treasure of a power couple? '

Motioning to the both of them, 'One hundred times, yes. Did I show Maomao the village and let my men take measured revenge for their friend? Yes. Were you justified in killing him? Yes. Am I gonna hold a grudge? No. Did I feed you aphrodisiacs and poison the first night to

maybe

let the two of you indulge. Yes. Did I intend for that to go beyond the first night? By the emperor 's beard, NO. Would I have gotten you medication, yes. Would I have waited over a week to talk and get you cleaned up, absolutely not. By all accounts my head deserves to roll- '

'He 's right, ' Maomao declared matter of factly. The very air paused at her statement as the men stared at her confused, 'No poison or aphrodisiacs. '

There was a long pause, the wind whistled through the window and Jinshi put his forehead on the back of his hands, his shoulders started trembling. Maomao paused from serving herself more of the meat when she heard a quiet chuckle rumbling to her right. 'You okay Master Jinshi? '

The chuckle bubbled into a chortle which gave way to laughter, now Huo and Maomao exchanged a glance, She leaned over and asked quietly, 'Did you slip something into his drink? '

He leaned back, 'No, poor Lad must be delirious from hunger. '

Maomao had seen his real laugh before but not a side clutching, tear jerking belly laugh, she hesitated, '... Sir? '

The prince waved her off, beginning to serve himself some rather hefty portions, 'You know what? I 'm here to listen, and eat, please, continue. '

Jinshi had witnessed many interrogations over the years, but never had he seen a man so uncomfortable as the drug lord sitting across from him. Deciding to trust Maomao 's words he dug in heartily while Huo stared at him pale faced.

Huo cleared his throat and took a swig of wine, 'Why am I telling you all this? There 's no point in wasting her precious deductive skills figuring me out. I have built my life on puzzles; botanical, chemical, and mechanical. People have brought me mysteries from all over seeking answers. Sure they started small, double sided hinges, a rare wood from a far off land, a purple firework for a daughter 's wedding. '

Maomao was eating at her normal pace, as she had not skipped any meals, though she did suspect the 'loosening up ' may have been to the prince 's benefit last night, or perhaps hers. Jinshi was trying to do the same but even with last night 's dinner he was still starving for caloric intake.

The drug lord continued, 'Illnesses and ailments began presenting, and I had a ' friend who served as an apothecary. I watched them treat patient after patient, learning how complex the body was and which plants countered what. They sent me chemical and machine mysteries, I sent them body mysteries. It was a lovely exchange, awakening a deep appreciation to the botanical world around me. I used my knowhow to build out a drought proof garden, and then a home and library for our shared collection of books. There was a village nearby who asked for aid and that was the last I saw of them. '

Huo scrubbed his salt and pepper curls, 'The requests didn 't stop, in fact the reputation of my friend spread long after their death, as I attempted to fill the gap with what I had seen and the reading material. Other talent began to offer their services in exchange for mine. A wood cutter brought lumber in exchange for treating his daughter, a builder would put up structures to save his brother. '

He glanced at the front door, 'A blacksmith would make tools and mend carts to save his wife. Common colds and basic poultices were fine but then they started coming to me after they tried the 'normal ' apothecaries, doctors and acupuncturists. I wasn 't formally trained, I was honest, I was willing to try new remedies if they were, but I couldn 't guarantee the safety of their patients. But like your dear apothecary, a few treatments at the right time and place cemented my reputation. Meanwhile, if I had a question about a book or a person, these people whose family or friends I helped started moving heaven and earth to get me the answers. My library grew, my garden and workshop became a compound and then a village. '

Waving off his own tale he took a swig of wine, 'But that 's enough about me, ' he turned to Jinshi, 'Every time I try to dig up information on the elusive Moon Prince, 'brother ' of the Emperor I get legends, swooning and mixed information. The only consistent threads seem to be that; you have a small inner circle, you stay your hand whenever possible and

don 't

want the throne, though I at least get the swooning part now. '

Huo took a bite of meat and pointed his empty chopsticks at the Maomao, waiting to swallow before he spoke but only barely, 'But when we were at that brothel and she was performing it only took one glance to see, she hangs the very

stars

in your

sky

Moon Prince. '

He paused for a moment as they both blushed furiously, wanting to exchange glances but simultaneously not make eye contact. The awkwardness made it all the more endearing.

'So let me ask you, ' Huo took a swig of wine, 'if you managed to get

out

of the Imperial line, what life would

you

want with her? '