Later that day Yen was called into Ren's office. He asked her about the wooden slips and powders she used in the Medical office
"How many colors are there for these?" Ren asked. Yen lined up the powders she had taken from the medical office. "There's red, yellow, blue, purple, and green. If you make a fine distinction, there are more. I don't know the specific number."
"Then, what can we do about those colors on the wooden slips?" he asked her. It was impossible to strike it alight when it is in the form of powder. That would be weird whatever the circumstances.
"If it's salt, you can add salt water. I think this too can be done the same way." She put away the white powder. "The other ones look like they can be removed with something other than water. This too is outside my expertise, so I don't know."
"It's good enough." The youth crossed in arms, deep in thought. Just this would paint a picture. She knew that Ren had seized various things from the inner palace. The things Yen had said just now have become the basis for something. It seems the scattered pieces of information was getting connected in his head.
After Yen had answered all his questions, she turned to leave.
"Wait," Ren said.
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She was called to a halt. "What do you require?"
"I like Dobin-mushi"
Dropping her shoulders, "I'll go look for some tomorrow as well." Yen told him as she left.
When he affirmed that the door had closed with a click, Ren dropped his sweet, phony smile. Instead, his gaze became crystal sharp as he looked at Yijun. "Look for people who bear recent burns on their arm. For the time being, investigate those with rooms and upwards, and their maids as well."
"By your will."
Yen had returned to the Jade Palace when Yao, her maid senior, held out brand-new clothes to her.
"Okay, try wearing this." The colors were unbleached white for the tunic, pale red for the skirt and the sleeves were a pale yellow and reached out larger than usual. Though it wasn't silk, it was made from high-quality cotton.
"What is, this?" Yen said. Though the colors were appropriately plain for a maidservant, it wasn't designed for practical use. Furthermore, they were clothes that opened widely in the breast area. Maomao having never worn such garments made a blatantly reluctant expression.
"What, you say. It's the outfit for the Garden Party," Yao said.
"The Garden Party?" she said as she recalled some gossip from the maids.
Yao, with a look of amazement, informed Yen, who tilted her head. "It's the opening of high society at the imperial court garden twice a year. The emperor, who doesn't have an empress, will bring along Primary First-Class Consorts. The palace ladies who serve those consorts will also accompany."
Even at the best of times, on top of the rare chance to go outside the inner palace, it was a loaded event with Imperial Princess Wuying's debut and the high-ranking consorts appearing altogether.
For the sake of Consort Gina who had few maids, Yen had no way of turning it down for reasons of being unaccustomed to it. She knew that a food taster would be highly regarded, especially for that sort of public location.
Yao after fastening the sash with a tight squeeze, adjusting the height of her skirt and length of her sleeves, again moved in with a finishing blow. "You should properly put on make-up too. You should occasionally put in some effort into hiding your birthmark."
She returned a stiff smile to Yao, who was grinning widely.