The night was still deep. The lamp in the apothecary flickered gently. Outside remained pitch black—no sound of roosters yet. Within the Emerald Forbidden City, the imperial harem district, only this pharmacy remained awake. "[serious]The prescription is assembled" Mao Mao kept their hand on the compounding table, eyes moving between Jinshi and Koujun in turn. "[serious]Peony root bark, jujube extract, licorice, ginger, cinnamon—it's all here. There's only one thing missing. Nankai sea salt" Jinshi's lips tightened. "[cold]Ramon at the Jade Pavilion should have it. But the gates of the Emerald Forbidden City are sealed" "[serious]Yes. That's the problem" Silence. Only the scent of medicinal herbs drifted between the three. Fifteen minutes on foot from the south gate to the flower district—but now, since the harem inviolability decree, guards were stationed at every gate of the Emerald Forbidden City. (What do we do. We have less than half a day left.) As Mao Mao counted possible solutions in their head, Koujun slowly raised a hand. "[serious]One thing. May I confirm something?" The voice was quiet. Sharp features, the usual expressionless face. Even in a female body, Koujun's composure hadn't changed at all. "[serious]The harem inviolability decree—it forbids the entry of men" "[cold]……That's true, but" "[serious]My body is now female. There is no legal issue with me leaving" Already had their foot on the window frame. "[scared]Wait, Koujun!!" They didn't wait. Koujun jumped. A white shadow vanished into darkness. The next moment, grass rustled somewhere in the garden, then the sound of footsteps fading into the distance. Jinshi leaned out the window, watching the direction of the disappearing figure for a long moment. Mao Mao's eyes returned to the compounding table as they spoke quietly. "[cold]……A remarkable interpretation of the law" Jinshi spun back. "You admire too easily!!" they shouted. --- While waiting for Koujun's return, Mao Mao continued the compounding. Jinshi stood beside them, taking on the role of assistant, handing over materials. At first they'd said "I'm not good at this sort of thing," but as Mao Mao gave instructions matter-of-factly, the two fell into a natural rhythm. "[serious]Next, two monme of ginger" "[serious]……This one?" "[serious]Yes" "[serious]And the licorice?" "[serious]Half a monme. Third from the left on the next shelf" Mao Mao's hands kept moving, assembling the components they'd analyzed from the broken vial in their mind. The liquid in the medicine pot slowly changed color. No problems so far. Just one final step remained. (If only Koujun makes it in time.) "[serious]Next, three monme of jujube extract……" Jinshi reached for the shelf and took down a jar. But when trying to measure, their hand slipped. A small dish of jujube extract landed on Mao Mao's hand. Their fingers overlapped. The work stopped. Jinshi's face flushed red. "[surprised]I—I got it, what's next!" Mao Mao's eyes returned to the medicine pot. "[cold]……Three monme of cinnamon" They answered calmly. They meant to answer calmly. But they noticed their own heartbeat had quickened slightly. A different kind of speed than exhaustion. This was the moment when, as an apothecary, they needed to concentrate most, yet somehow they couldn't focus properly. (……Why?) They knew the reason. But reaching that conclusion frightened them now. Mao Mao kept their eyes fixed on the medicine pot, hands continuing to move. --- The door was kicked open. Bang!! "[cold]Time's up" A man in eunuch's garb entered. Three subordinates behind him. The same man from before, the one who'd broken the vial—fluent Lychao dialect with a Nankai accent, eyes that never smiled. Jinshi stepped back. Mao Mao didn't remove their hand from the medicine pot. "[cold]Hand over the woman. That's all I ask" The merchant's eyes were fixed on the feminized Jinshi. A tribute to the tribe—that's what he'd called it. "[cold]I won't" "[sarcastic]……Don't be stubborn. What can one person do" The merchant stepped forward. Hand extended. Reaching for Jinshi's arm—in that instant. Mao Mao lifted the medicine pot. "[cold]Close your eyes, Jinshi" Splash!! The compounding liquid hit the merchant's face directly. "My eyes—!! My eyes hurt!!" Writhing. The subordinates collided trying to support him. The pharmacy descended into chaos in an instant. Mao Mao set the empty pot on the table. "[cold]It's a medicinal liquid with lachrymatory effects. Your eyes will hurt, but you won't go blind" A pause. "[cold]……Probably" "Probably?! What do you mean probably!! Someone! Someone get water!!" One subordinate bolted outside in confusion. The merchant rolled toward the exit. The second and third subordinates followed, flustered. "Sir!" "Sir!!" The pharmacy door finally closed. Quiet returned. Jinshi slowly opened their eyes. They'd been pressed against Mao Mao's back. "[surprised]……What was that" "[cold]Peony root bark extract. It has high volatility, so when it contacts the face, it produces lachrymatory effects" "[cold]……Tell me these things beforehand" "[cold]There wasn't time to explain" --- The window opened. Koujun flew in. The landing was perfect. Quiet, as if they hadn't just cleared a six-meter wall. "[serious]Ramon was waiting with it prepared" They handed a small bag to Mao Mao. "[serious]They laughed, saying they never imagined it would be useful in this way" Mao Mao opened the bag. White crystals. Brought it close to their nose. ——Nankai sea salt. "[serious]Thank you" A fresh medicine pot was prepared. Materials went in one by one. This time Jinshi watched silently, following Mao Mao's movements. Koujun stood motionless as well. Finally. A pinch of Nankai sea salt fell into the pot. A thin hiss. The liquid's color changed. From pale purple——to transparent. "[cold]Complete" No one spoke. Jinshi stared into the pot. Koujun did too. The transparent liquid trembled slightly. "[whispers]……You really made it" The voice was hoarse. "[cold]I said from the beginning I would make it" Jinshi looked at Mao Mao. Roughened fingertips. Nails stained with chemicals. Bloodshot eyes. Seeing it all, Jinshi couldn't speak. Koujun said quietly. "[gentle]……You both must be exhausted" The words fell into the pharmacy and lingered between the three for a moment. Mao Mao began arranging the completed medicine vials in a row. One, two, three——counting, their hands stopped. (……Not enough.) The amount of materials on the shelf. The number of people in the harem. Calculating in their head. Calculating again. The answer didn't change. One dose short for everyone in the Emerald Forbidden City. Mao Mao's expression clouded slightly. Jinshi noticed and asked quietly. "[cold]……What is it" Mao Mao didn't answer, eyes still on the vials. Couldn't answer right away.