Day 36 Mingle

[hotnbothered]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: Day 36, afternoon to evening

[ things are probably happening in places. seems like a safe bet. ]

Comments

[hotnbothered]

I have no idea, but the Noble Consort was banished months ago! And there's no consort by the name of Gyokuyou at all!

[apothekitty]

The closest we've had to a banishment was the forced retirement of the Pure Consort, Lady Aaduo.

Are you feeling all right?

[hotnbothered]

There's no Aaduo either! Oh, you are mocking me, aren't you?! Don't expect me to play along!

[apothekitty]

I have no reason to mock you. It's entirely possible I'm either before or after your time, too.

To be honest, it would be a relief if you were the latter. It would mean that at least one of the Emperor's sons survives to adulthood.

[hotnbothered]

That's... a fair point, I suppose...

[ Seems somewhat mollified once she stops freaking out long enough to consider the possibility. ]

Was there such an uncertainty during your time?

[apothekitty]

...At the current time, only one of the Emperor's three children has survived past their first year.

He is still young, however, and visits two of the Consorts frequently, as well as visits among the lower-ranked ladies, so hope remains.

[hotnbothered]

That's... not unheard of. The current Emperor has had only two legitimate sons, and one was a stillborn. But the other has grown into the most promising ruler-to-be our kingdom has seen in centuries.

[apothekitty]

In that case, this one prays that the heavens will keep him safe.

[ there's a long pause as she considers, then: ]

And, if any of the makeup within the inner palace contains lead... please be certain to keep it away from any infants born there.

[hotnbothered]

[ With a small, questioning raise of an eyebrow: ]

... Sure. I'll keep it in mind, for whatever that's worth.

[apothekitty]

It's bad for your health too, you know. The Worthy Consort nearly died because of that stuff.

[hotnbothered]

I wouldn't use something like that!

[ A too-long pause, like she is debating whether to ask her next question. ]

But for my reference... how would I be able to tell what it contains?

[apothekitty]

You wouldn't be able to tell just by looking, for the most part. You can question the merchant, though. Most of them don't realize that lead is toxic; they'll brag about it because it works well for what it does.

It will make your skin whiter, certainly, but it will kill you sooner than later.

[hotnbothered]

[ Her eyes gleam a little at the first part. Something about the advice seems to excite her. ]

Oh? I'll remember that.

You're actually pretty helpful. If only my Noble Consort ever had attendants like this...

[apothekitty]

It was entirely by accident, I assure you. They had me as a laundry maid when I was first sold to the inner palace.

[hotnbothered]

"Sold"?

[apothekitty]

[ how sheltered is this court lady... ]

I went out to gather herbs one morning, and I was kidnapped and sold into service. That sort of thing happens rather frequently, you know?

[hotnbothered]

[ She turns red and her tone gets sharper, obviously defensive. ]

I'm aware it happens in general! You said you were a consort's attendant, so how I was I supposed to guess your circumstances?! Nobody without ties to one of the five clans is even allowed into the inner court in my time!

[apothekitty]

[ she blinks once, slowly. ]

There are currently over a hundred concubines. If they only relied on blood relations for servants, we'd be in serious trouble.

[hotnbothered]

[ Huffs. ]

Well, that would explain it. That changed over a hundred years ago. Now there are only five consorts in total, one from each of the clans.

[apothekitty]

[ CONSIDERS............................................ ]







Ah. Good luck.

[hotnbothered]

What's that supposed to mean?

[apothekitty]

[ matter-of-factly: ]

If there's only five of you, you'll be very busy.

[hotnbothered]

I don't expect any part of being a consort to be easy.

[apothekitty]

Probably not.

But there are some times where the demand is greater than others...

[hotnbothered]

[ . . . ]

Well, supposing that is the case, I won't be the one most burdened.