The door slid shut behind Gao-shun with a soft click, quiet enough that someone could pretend nothing big had happened.
The hallway outside was getting darker. Afternoon light was fading, stretching thin as evening came closer.
Hui-lan stood waiting just outside the room, hands together in front, eyes down.
Gao-shun stopped next to her.
"She will stay under my watch," he said low. "What happened today stops here."
"Yes, my lord," Hui-lan answered right away.
"She helped without making trouble," he went on. "Make sure it stays quiet like that."
Hui-lan bowed her head. "I will."
Gao-shun walked past her, steps even and slow.
But his mind didn't walk with him.
It stayed behind, thinking.
First, the oil.
Simple. Just for rubbing on skin. Not too strong.
Not the kind you learn from big teachers or books.
The kind you figure out by watching and trying.
He remembered that day a while back.
She had handed him a cup of tea, voice light, like it was no big deal.
"You look tired, sir. Drink this before bed. You'll sleep better."
He had drunk it.
And he had slept well.
At the time, he thought it was just luck.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
Same girl.
But not the same feeling around her.
Before, she seemed all over the place—talking strange, like from another world, not knowing the rules or dangers.
Today, she answered straight. No extra words. No worry in her voice.
Not like she studied hard overnight.
Like she just... calmed down inside.
Is it a special skill? Gao-shun wondered.
Or just getting used to this place?
He didn't know.
And not knowing bothered him.
Then the name came back to his mind.
Yelan Hua.
He slowed his steps a little.
Names mean something.
Especially when someone says it careful.
He thought about the parts.
Ye — night.
Lan — orchid.
Hua — flower or bloom.
Night orchid flower.
Gao-shun stopped walking for a second.
That name wasn't in any palace lists.
Not from noble families he knew.
Not in old records of the Inner Palace.
He had never heard it before.
For a moment, a cold feeling touched him.
Then he pushed it away.
She says she's just a normal girl, he told himself.
Let that be true.
She works under me now.
That keeps things under control.
And most important—
Lord Jin-shi doesn't know her name yet.
That stops bigger problems for now.
Gao-shun started walking again.
This ends here, he decided.
For today.
In another part of the palace—
Jin-shi sat alone in his room. His fan was closed, resting in his hand. His eyes looked at the scroll on his desk, but he wasn't really reading.
The oil bottle was put away, out of sight.
But not out of his mind.
Too good for something so simple, he thought.
Just a mild smell, and it fixed real pain.
Then, without wanting it to, a face came into his head.
Quiet.
Unknown.
The girl who walked past him without a look or bow.
Gone before he could say a word.
His fingers held the fan a little tighter for a second.
Later, he told himself.
I'll find out later.
In the herb rooms—
Maomao leaned over her work table, chin in her hand, staring at some dried leaves.
A scented oil, she thought again, a little mad at herself for caring.
And it really works.
She breathed out slow.
"Troublesome," she said under her breath.
But her eyes had that bright look—like when she found a new puzzle.
Back in the small, quiet room—
Moon sat by the window, watching the last light fade outside.
The name she had said still felt new in the air, like a robe she had just put on.
Yelan Hua.
Only that it did.
Her breathing was even. Her thoughts were calmer than before.
Not gone.
Just... in order.
Outside, the palace kept going like always.
Busy halls.
Hidden talks.
Secrets in every corner.
Four people thought about the same girl.
Four sets of questions grew.
And none of them knew yet—
they were all looking at the same quiet center.
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.