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. '

'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? '

***

The door opened and someone ran up and whispered something in Huo 's ear, he slammed his napkin down with an exasperated sigh, 'I 'm so sorry your Highness, something requires my immediate attention. '

He rose quickly and offered his best version of a bow, bellowing as he shut the door, 'Chao! Quit

burning

down

my village

!! '

The pair exchanged a look, nodding to each other and following. Huo was already gone. The guards by the door scurried after Jinshi and Maomao, clearly peasants with pitchforks rather than trained guards. They paused looking for the smoke, Maomao turned to one of the guards, 'I need you to send as much pelts, wool, vinegar, and salt to that house as fast as you can. I 'll be waiting there. '

The guards exchanged a look, the one ran off obediently, the other looked nervous to be left alone with the towering Jinshi, who also commanded an air of leadership, 'Are there any horses we can use? '

He glanced at two horses at a tie rail several houses down, Jinshi looked to the saddle construction and then his partner, 'Can you hang on behind me? '

She nodded, he mounted and the guard helped her up he motioned the guard to follow, who stared for a moment and decided he was still doing his job if he stayed with them. Hooves thudded against the dirt street and the apothecary hung on for dear life, bouncing erratically behind the cantle, they rounded a corner and let loose into a run. She grit her teeth and was starting to cut off the Prince 's air supply.

'We

really

gotta teach you to ride, ' he shouted over his shoulder.

'Can we talk about this

later? '

Maomao felt a securing grip on her forearms before the flank dropped and they slid to a stop, the horse rearing slightly from the sudden command. He helped her down and swung off, handing the mount to someone who was passing a bucket of water. The apothecary shriveled back as they splashed another bucket and the flames billowed ferociously.

'STOP STOP!! ' she cried. There was a pause, 'What started this fire? '

'It was in the kitchen, I was just heating up some oil! '

What was his name? Chao? Wait, that means

, 'Wool blankets, hides, leathers, and salt! Get me SALT! '

There was a pause at the two strangers slinging around orders, a deep voice boomed behind them, 'Listen to the Tigris! She masters fire! '

The group turned to the dire wolf of a blacksmith dropping a bag at their feet, Maomao opened it and immediately tasted the grainy crystals. Deep orange flames were billowing from the back of the house. They hurried around finding the brazier had tipped over and the flames had jumped to a wooden support beam. She took the hand scoop full of salt and flung it generously over the fire, it flared a bright yellow and immediately died down. Someone handed Jinshi a pelt and he and the dire wolf blacksmith were smothering the flames. Others saw their success and followed suit and within minutes the flames had withered to a wisping smoke.

Jinshi chuckled as he wiped soot from Maomao 's face, 'So much for our baths. '

'I 'd be happy to arrange another for you, ' Huo said, dragging Chao up by the ear, 'What do you have to say to your saviors. '

'Why didn 't the water

work!? '

'Wood, fabric, grease, oil and metal play by different rules. ' Maomao answered calmly, 'They make for different colors and are put out by different things. You set oil on fire, water and oil don 't mix ' ever. '

Huo chucked, 'Chao, what do you say to the nice lady who saved your house. '

'Marry Me! OUCH! ' He rubbed his head from Huo 's knuckle rap.

Huo shook his hand from the hard head, 'For the love of- NEVER MIND! Chuo

stop

talking! I 'm already in hot shit with the Moon Prince and now you 're trying to steal his girl

in front of him!

'

A special kind of stupid.

Whispers immediately rippled through the bystanders. Chuo went white as a sheet dropping to the ground in a full kowtow, 'I submit to your punishment Milord and Lady! '

She observed the multitude of eyes watching her and thought for a moment, 'Huo, can you make vinegar here? '

'Yes? '

'Excellent, he 's gonna fireproof the village by treating all the wood. '

'But the entire VILLAGE is made of wood! '

'Then you better get started, ' she smirked darkly. He shriveled away, looking to Huo.

His look was equally mirthful, 'I agree with Lady Maomao. I believe we have a small store of vinegar nearby, ask Shu. I'm sure she can help you find some. '

The crowd began to disperse and clean up. Huo motioned for the pair to follow. He started leading them back to the house, 'As you can see I 'm in

way

over my head. I 'm not a leader, or a bureaucrat. If someone asks to go on a trip I ask chemically or physically? Someone asks for an aphrodisiac or hallucinogen, I ask how strong? I mean I 'm not a monster, they need to be adults, the super addictive ones are off limits, but I break rules all the time if it 's to the benefit of an individual or family. I don 't know

how

to fit into society, I just wanna solve its mysteries, maybe write them down so the next imbecile doesn 't have to explode so many rooms. '

He ran a hand through his now sweaty, smoky hair, 'Look your Majesty, I 'm not asking for a pass here. If you think the best thing is to wipe us off the map of Li then so be it. I effed up enough times in the last week

alone

to receive every technique of torture available. My failure to find the source of the spreading STD in the capital is probably what put you on my tail in the first place. I know I work outside every rule and taboo, but if you think this ramshackle place would be worth settling down in I will hand the reins to you in a heartbeat and Maomao and I can freak out over plants and medicine and puzzles 'til I drop dead. '

This is

so much

to unpack.

Outwardly calm, Jinshi asked,

'What role would you have me play Huo? '

He glanced at being addressed by his name, 'While I was running to get water and making things worse you conferred with an expert, probably sent about 3 commands, and fixed the problem. And your expert's punishment was to shore up future defenses. I don 't have that kind of foresight, I don 't think in social structures, I literally

can 't

see things far away. I know you don 't want to lead a country but does that mean you don 't want to lead at all? Just ' '

Huo opened the door to the house and motioned them inside, 'just stay here for a couple weeks and be who you

want

to be. I 'll make sure you 're fed '

properly

this time. The only rules are don 't hurt my people and don 't try to escape and I 'll take you home and face whatever punishment you deem fit after that. '

To their surprise he started shutting the door, 'Oh, bathroom is over there, Shu is working on getting you some hot water for another bath and the two bedrooms are behind the kitchen. '

And with that he shut the door.

They looked at the now cooled food, the door, and each other.

What ' just happened?

Jinshi 's stomach growled and Maomao ducked her smile behind her sleeves. Rolling his eyes he retook his seat, the apothecary took a sip of her wine as she settled back in her place. The food was still delicious, it was nice to not have an argument over the contents of the meal for the first time in over a week. Jinshi was not shy about his recovery, still polite in his consumption, not stuffing his face, but his plate refilled several times.

The sun was setting by the time they slowed to a stop. Shu knocked and ducked in from the bathroom, 'Bath is ready. If you 're finished I can clean up and take the scraps to the pigs. '

From prisoners to honored guests

, the emotional whiplash was palpable. They were rather lost on how to respond. The Moon Prince stood, 'Thank you Shu, we 'll take the opportunity to see the rest of the house. '

'Should we be expecting anyone else? ' Maomao asked.

'I was told to make your meals so I 'll be in before dawn, but I 'll be sure to leave you alone until a meal is ready or if you request a bath. '

The apothecary peered at the door, 'No locks? '

Shu tilted her head, 'Haven 't needed them, but we do try to knock and call out or await response before entering another 's space. '

Blinks of confusion rippled through all three of them. In some way the cell was sounding safer. Huo 's helper bowed, 'if you 'll excuse me, my daughter will be expecting her own dinner shortly. '

The door shut and they stared for a beat before stepping into the hall on the other side of the kitchen. There were indeed 2 bedrooms with the best beds they could furnish. It wasn 't Jinshi 's bed, but it also wasn 't a futon roll or a pile of pillows on a cold floor. The blankets were thick and warm. Whoever designed the bedrooms was clever and lined the shared wall with closets. Inside were ample towels, additional bedding and duplicates of their outfits and sleepware. The one for Maomao also had a small shelf of dried herbs and Jinshi 's had wooden weapons and a bow. Maomao looked out the back window and gasped excitedly, she flung open the window with gusto complete with ears, tail and sparkles. Jinshi had to grab her as she was trying to hoist herself out and over the rather high sill.

Half scolding, half chuckling he herded her back into the hall, 'Why don 't we find the back door. '

She raced as any cat does at random hours in the evening, going past his room. Judging by the sliding sound she found the door. The herbal garden was impressive, lining the entire back of the house and wrapping in a U-shape around an equally large building with all sorts of paths and a few garden storage boxes that doubled as benches in the shade.

Whoever mapped out the space considered the climate, sun angle, hours of exposure -and were those water canals running along the ground? The shade loving plants nestled in raised boxes under medicinal trees with fungal logs beneath. Maomao didn 't even know where to look as she bounced around the space in her happy dance.

Jinshi watched quietly as she sparkled in every direction while twilight fell. His eyes were as soft as his smile, it wasn 't every day he got to see her so unabashedly excited, and for once there was no need to stifle it. No diplomatic emissaries, consorts, Emperors, or nobles wandering through, no court etiquette to uphold. He could just revel in her exuberant joy. Her cat ears turned to the building and she peered in the window.

'Hohhhhhh!!!!!! ' The cat tale wiggled before she dashed to the front door.

He followed at a more normal pace. Stepping in there was a recieving room with a few chairs and a wall of books and files. He lit a few candles and took a look around. The hallway split the building in half and there were two examination rooms and a drying room to the right, but judging by the squeals '

yeah

the left was floor to ceiling drawers of labeled powders, herbs and ingredients. With the hallway wall holding completed tinctures, teas, reference books, and a long bench with grinders and mortar and pestles of various sizes with empty packets and storage containers beneath.

Truly an apothecary 's paradise.

The gasps and squeals paused at the knock on the door. They both turned and exchanged a glance before heading to the door. Jinshi opened the door a crack and found himself looking down at a middle aged woman.

Her crows feet wrinkled into a smile at the sight of him, 'My my, isn 't the new apothecary handsome? '

'Oh- I 'm not, what-what!? '

'Is there something we can help you with Ma 'am? ' Maomao was instantly in professional mode.

'Oh I 've just got this rash on my arm that won 't let up and now I 'm getting a bit feverish. Min used to make me a salve and a tea when it flared up. '

Maomao thought about taking her to the examination room but with how familiar she sounded with this Min, she decided to take her into the workshop, 'do you remember what she put in it? Hold on, before I forget- Jinshi? '

'Yes? '

'The bath is still warm if you want to go first, this will only take a bit. '

He looked at her hesitantly and she waved him off, turning her attention to the client. They toured the shelves and she pointed to a couple areas, narrowing down the search considerably. Maomao made a couple minor alterations and ground both a tea blend and a salve, using the supplies to give her a small container and several tea bags.

'If the fever doesn 't let up by tomorrow afternoon send someone to fetch some more. I 'll have another batch ready. '

'Thank you so much, I know it 's late. I 'm so glad Huo finally found someone to take his late wife 's place. He 's been so sad since she died. '

'Oh- I, uh ' hmmm, ' debating a diplomatic deferral, 'Let 's just say I 'm on a trial base for the moment. '

'Whatever you say Dear, ' she said sweetly but not convinced, 'I hope you and your husband enjoy the house. '

And with that she was gone, leaving Maomao twitching uncomfortably with multiple thoughts. She cleaned up the otherwise pristine playground and went back through the wondrous garden to the back door.

'Is that you Maomao? ' Jinshi 's voice called from the bathroom.

'Yeah. '

'I was just getting out, gimme a minute. '

Clean, pristine, and in his eye a little gleam, the robed prince emerged from the bathroom. He caught the look on her face, 'everything okay? '

'Did you catch that the apothecary with Huo was his late wife? '

'Uh

NO. '

'This was her house. '

'That explains ' a lot, ' he glanced back into the bathroom, 'Why don 't you clean up while it 's still warm and we can talk. '

She nodded and retrieved her new night robes and a towel. By the time she came out Jinshi had brewed some chamomile and lavender tea at the dining table. The proportions were off and it was over-steeped, but Maomao appreciated the attempt. Honey helped the flavor.

'I thought we could go over what happened today. There 's ' so many things going on, ' he said, warming his hands on the cup.

'Sure, so this morning we were prisoners with laced meals. '

'Apparently in one of the few places that locks, ' Jinshi added, perturbed.

'Then we had our first bath in over a week. And lunch with Huo, our target. '

'The drug lord ' do we believe him? '

'Well either we believe him and outside of his puzzles he 's a bumbling idiot, or we don 't and he 's extremely charismatic at rallying and manipulating to an unknown end, ' Maomao pondered.

'So if we run his offer through that filter what are the options? '

'Well he seems to want us to stay. Functionally I return to my life as an apothecary living in the gardening results of a man who built a complex around his wife 's love of plants. And you 're free to lead the town, ride horses or chop wood for all he cares. '

'He also would let me take him into custody and raise this place to the ground if I see fit. He 's not attempting to dodge any aspect of how illegal and taboo most of this is. '

'But he 's also making leaps and bounds in treating people and has collected knowledge and talent from all over to make a community that 's ' outside of the flaming absent minded cook ' a safe place to live? ' shaking her head at

what was his name? Chewy?

'So are we going to attempt to escape? '

'Let 's see what tomorrow looks like and get a read on the village. Our mission was to find his base and cut off the source of whatever he was using to hurt the women but he mentioned something about a veneral disease. If that 's the case my assistance to his current 'puzzle ' ' shouldn 't pose any threat to Li. '

Jinshi took a sip of his tea, 'and what am I supposed to do? '

'Guard me? Help fireproof the wood buildings, meditate, muck a stall? Do what makes you the most comfortable and happy. I asked you the same question on the ship coming home from the Western Province and I

still

don 't know what you want. If it 's actually safe here maybe take some time to actually sort that out, ' she put a hand on his and asked simply, honestly, 'Who is Jinshi without his title of Moon Prince? '