The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 6 (Light Novel)

you hate me so much?” he asked, his face now less like a wild dog and more like a puppy. Love, hate—some people wanted the world to be so black and white. Why wouldn’t he give her the choice of a gray area?

“I suppose I don’t hate you as such,” she said. She might even think of him favorably. Certainly, she regarded this noble more positively than she had back when they’d first met.

Jinshi pursed his lips, not very pleased with this evasive answer. Maybe he was hoping she would come right out and say she loved him, but quite frankly, Maomao wasn’t at a point where she could bring those words to her lips. The best she could manage was that she wasn’t without a certain affection for him.

He didn’t want to relinquish the sensation that still lingered on his lips.

Jinshi first heard this story when he was more than ten years old, after Gaoshun had seen him teasing Basen for trying to keep his distance from the ladies-in-waiting.

“Women are such fragile creatures,” Basen said. “I think it’s too soon for me.”

What could Jinshi say to that? There was nothing. Instead, he held out his cup, silently asking for more juice.

Just when she was expecting to feel a rush of wind against her body, she felt a pressure against her belly instead.

I’m not certain I can control my strength—but may I hit you?”

cover her face.

“You heard about Consort Lishu?” he said.

“Yes...”

“Then you must have figured it out. You must have some way to show her innocence.” Maomao thought she understood what Basen was saying, but something still bothered her. “I can’t meet her myself. I was told to find a proxy,” he said.

A woman under suspicion of infidelity would certainly find it difficult to meet with a man, true enough. Much as Basen couldn’t have been more of a lifesaver for her, Maomao decided to tweak the headstrong man. “You were told. By Jinshi?” she asked.

“I’m...using my own judgment.”

“Oh, I see.”

Yes, something did bother Maomao—but as she didn’t wish to upset the person in control of the horse, she kept it to herself for the time being.

The best she could manage was that she wasn’t without a certain affection for him.

“Is this fresh water?” she asked.

“It was purchased from the drinking-water vendor just yesterday, so it should be all right,” the man said.

The best she could manage was that she wasn’t without a certain affection for him.

Normally, Maomao might have simply ignored him—but now, surprisingly, she dipped her head respectfully in the direction of the hair. No, she had nothing to say, but she could do that much.