Grace’s Reviews > The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 8 > Status Update

“ Yao didn’t seem much more interested in Go than she was—but she was interested in looking at Jinshi. There was a faint flush in her cheeks, but she muttered, “No, no, stay focused.” For the moment, it seemed, she intended to live for her work. En’en looked at Jinshi with even more venom than before.”

“Lahan was positively beaming. If there was a pretty face around, he didn’t care if it belonged to a man or a woman.”

bisexual king 😛

“them.”

“Huh? No, I—” Yao said, but Maomao was already heading for the well. Specifically, she was approaching one of the beefy men who looked like a big dog.

“Haven’t seen you for a while, sir,” she said.

“Oh! Hullo, miss,” said Lihaku, looking perfectly friendly.”

“Maomao and En’en both looked at her wide-eyed. “Friends. Right,” En’en said. “Friends wouldn’t... I suppose...” She looked at Maomao with a hint of jealousy.

“Right... Friends...” Maomao echoed. Come to think of it, she’d been spending a fair amount of time with them outside work recently—sharing meals, going out together, or just chatting.”

“At the words “sweeter wines,” an image of Maomao scowling drifted through Jinshi’s mind.

“Something the matter?” the Emperor asked.

“No, nothing.” Jinshi realized he was in serious danger of smiling and quickly quashed the expression.

The Emperor gave him a curious look, but simply swirled his glass.”

“Considering the...vulnerability of her new position, she wants a food taster. She mentioned how pleased she would be if it were someone she already knew.”

Jinshi resisted the impulse to frown. “And what will you do about the girl?”

“Heavens. Which girl?”

Jinshi didn’t rise to the bait. The Emperor shook his book at Jinshi, patently enjoying himself. Jinshi was sure His Majesty was teasing.”

“Lihaku shook his head and sighed. It was a somewhat familiar way to behave around a member of the Imperial family, but Jinshi knew Lihaku was aware of his place, and chose to overlook the indiscretion. The choice was as much for Jinshi’s own benefit as for Lihaku’s—it made his life easier. Gaoshun could read Jinshi’s reaction and said nothing to Lihaku.”

“What brings you here, Master Lihaku?” Maomao asked.

“Orders from above. The suspects being who they are, we can’t have anyone getting violent. They wanted a capable guard on hand. Plus, I outrank those three brothers, and I know you. I think that’s why they chose me.”