Jinshi's rooms were quiet in the best way— the kind of quiet that only comes with real power. No one came in without asking. No noise from the halls leaked through the thick screens.
A low desk sat in the middle of the room. Open scrolls were spread across it, held down by small stone weights so they wouldn't roll up. Afternoon sunlight came in through the paper screens, making soft yellow lines on the floor and lighting up the fresh ink on the pages.
Jinshi sat straight, holding a brush. He wrote slow and careful, each stroke perfect.
Work first.
Questions later.
That was his rule.
Soft footsteps came from outside the door.
"Enter," Jinshi said, not looking up. He finished the last line of writing and set the brush down.
The door slid open.
Gaoshun stepped in, knelt on the mat, and bowed low.
"You're back," Jinshi said, voice light and easy. "How did the job go today?"
"It went fine, my lord," Gaoshun answered. "No problems. Just took longer than planned."
"Good," Jinshi said with a small nod.
For a moment, they both stayed quiet. The ink dried on the page. The room felt still.
Then Jinshi's voice changed a little. Not angry. Just deeper, like he meant business.
"Gaoshun," he said, putting the brush aside. "I have a question for you."
Gaoshun looked up a bit. "Yes, my lord."
Jinshi reached into his sleeve and pulled out the small bottle. He placed it on the desk between them.
It made only a tiny sound when it touched the wood.
"This," Jinshi said calmly, "was used on Lady Lishu this morning for her stomach pain."
Gaoshun's eyes went to the bottle right away.
Jinshi watched him close.
No big surprise on Gaoshun's face.
No quick blink or shift.
Just full attention.
"Lishu's pain got better fast," Jinshi went on. "Faster than I thought it would."
"Yes," Gaoshun said, voice even.
"It was brought to her maids by Madam Hui-lan."
Gaoshun nodded once. "She works under my watch."
"I know that," Jinshi said. "What I want to know is why a consort got medicine without asking the palace apothecary first."
His words were soft.
But the meaning behind them was heavy.
Gaoshun didn't answer right away.
"The oil is only for rubbing on the skin," he said careful. "It wasn't dangerous."
"That's not what I asked," Jinshi replied.
Gaoshun looked down for a second. "I told someone to give it to Madam Hui-lan. It was meant for small problems in the outer palace."
Jinshi's eyes got a little narrower. "You sent it."
"Yes, my lord."
Quiet again.
Longer this time.
"You didn't tell me," Jinshi said.
"I was outside the palace all day," Gaoshun answered. "On the job you gave me."
Jinshi stayed quiet.
"I didn't think it was a big rush," Gaoshun added. "I planned to tell you when I got back."
Jinshi looked at him for a long moment.
Gaoshun looked back, steady. No shake.
"I didn't mean to go behind your back,"Gaoshun said. "I'm sorry if it looked that way."
Jinshi let out a slow breath. His fingers tapped the desk once—light, like thinking.
"And the oil?" he asked. "You were sure it would help?"
"Yes."
"That sureness is what worries me."
Gaoshun stayed still.
"It wasn't a risk," he said. "I knew it was safe."
Jinshi gave a small smile. "You're picking your words very carefully."
"I always do."
Another short quiet.
Jinshi picked up the bottle but didn't open it.
" lady Lishu's pain went away," he said. "I showed it to Maomao. She said the mix was smart—done just right."
Gaoshun nodded. "I thought she would notice."
Jinshi looked up quick. "You thought she would too?"
Gaoshun didn't answer straight. "Maomao is good at spotting things."
So was Gaoshun.
Jinshi leaned back a little, looking toward the paper screens where the light was fading slow.
"For now," he said, "we'll leave it here."
Gaoshun bowed his head. "As you say, my lord."
"But," Jinshi added soft, "next time something like this happens in my palace—tell me first."
"Yes, my lord."
Jinshi waved his hand light. "You can go."
Gaoshun stood, bowed deep, and left quiet. The door slid shut with no sound.
Jinshi sat alone, looking at the bottle.
So Gaoshun sent it.
That should have been the end.
But something still felt like it was missing.
He closed his fan slow.
The matter was closed.
On paper.
But the Inner Palace didn't give all its secrets at once.
Some things liked to wait.
Jinshi put the bottle away in his sleeve again.
Outside, the afternoon light turned softer.
Work waited on the desk.
But questions stayed in his mind—quiet, but not gone.
Disclaimer
This work is a fan-made story inspired by The Apothecary Diaries. The world, its canon characters, and original setting belong to their creators.
Moon, her journey, and all new scenes written here are entirely my own creations. This story is shared purely for love of the universe and for personal enjoyment. No copyright infringement is intended.