The Apothecary Diaries - Volume 9 - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Selection

I felt...surprisingly calm.

Maomao gently pressed a hand to her mouth to keep her opinion from coming out of it. Instead she washed her hands carefully and changed her clothes. Next she would go to the bath. That was all.

She had dissected a human body for the first time, the corpse of a man hanged for burglary. Now he was covered with incisions. If he’d known he was going to be sliced up after he died, he might have reconsidered his life choices.

I have to be sure to wash really well, Maomao thought. She sniffed her hands to see if they still smelled. She’d perfumed her change of clothes to be extra sure, so she thought it was going to be all right...

“Niang-niang!”

She wasn’t sure if she should stop or not. Only one person ever called her that. She turned back to see Tianyu.

She didn’t say a word—to do so would be as good as admitting that she would answer to “Niang-niang.” At the same time, though, it didn’t feel quite right to just ignore him.

If it turns out he’s just going to prattle at me, though, I’m leaving.

As a matter of fact, Tianyu had a good reason for stopping her today. “Dr. Liu wants to talk to us,” he said.

“What about my bath?”

“Sounds like it’ll have to wait,” Tianyu said with no small amount of disappointment—apparently Maomao wasn’t the only one who had been looking forward to washing up. Tianyu pressed his outfit to his nose and sniffed mightily.

If she wasn’t the only one being delayed, then Maomao could hardly complain. She followed Tianyu. She couldn’t help noticing that the other apprentices, though, all headed home.

“What about the rest of them?” she asked.

“What else? They’ve been held back,” Tianyu said, and then it made sense. The other apprentices had done well enough dissecting animals, but their hands had been shaking as they cut human flesh. It seemed only Maomao and Tianyu had managed to look like they belonged there.

So he swung it too? Bah. Anyway, I thought we might at least get a few more tries, Maomao thought and sniffed her hands again.

They were brought to a room with Dr. Liu, Maomao’s old man (that is, Luomen), and several other physicians. There was a long conference table lined with benches, with everyone arranged around the far end.

They’re...all upper physicians?

All the men present were skilled and learned. The medical office, like everywhere else, had its hierarchy, but broadly speaking the physicians were commonly referred to as being upper, middle, or apprentice.

Maomao rubbed her eyes, for in that august company she saw someone she would never have expected. He waved eagerly to her, his eyes kind, his frame portly. He bore a loach-like mustache despite being a eunuch.

“Master Physician...” Maomao said. Which could, of course, be qualified as: rear palace physician.

It was the quack.

What’s he doing here? I mean, I guess it makes sense, kind of. Whatever she might think of his medical expertise, he looked after the medical office of the rear palace all by himself, which meant that he must at least be afforded a title equivalent to the other upper physicians. Nonetheless, he seemed distinctly out of place. He sat there like a piglet among the ranks of men who otherwise seemed distinguished by their intellect and skills.

Come to think of it... The quack had been frightened even to touch a dead body. How did he ever make it from apprentice to physician?

It was a mystery. One of the seven wonders of the royal court, one might say.

Maomao’s thoughts were interrupted by a clap. “It looks like we’re all here,” Dr. Liu said, quieting the murmuring room.

Maomao realized several middle physicians had joined them as well at some point, and they were looking at Maomao as if she was even more out of place here than the quack. He might not be as physically impressive as the others, but a woman smack in the middle of this convocation of men was always going to draw attention to herself.

“All right, let’s begin. You can take any open seat.”

Easy for him to say...

The upper physicians were all seated; now, the middle physicians began to move. Tianyu, an apprentice, remained standing, so Maomao did likewise, waiting until everyone else had a seat. Dr. Liu’s invitation sounded universal, but there was still a hierarchy here. An order. It might be different in an emergency, but at this moment it would be best to respect protocol if she didn’t want to cause unnecessary friction.

Tianyu took the lowest seat of all, and Maomao occupied the final remaining chair after him.

So I find myself in another ambiguous position, she thought. Evidently no one had the nerve to sit right next to the upper physicians, so the only open seat was beside the quack. He gave her a friendly grin as she sat down. “My, but it’s been a while,” he said. “Have a bite?” He furtively showed her the candy he was hiding under the table.

What is he, the neighborhood auntie? Maomao thought, but she said, “Maybe not right now.”

It was best to politely decline; she would never be able to concentrate on the discussion with candy rolling around in her mouth. Plus, Dr. Liu was glaring at them. The quack hadn’t noticed that he had been noticed.

Dr. Liu proceeded to explain why he had called them here, evidently choosing to overlook the quack’s full cheeks.

“I’ve gathered you together so we can decide who’s to go to the western capital,” he said. The same subject Maomao had overheard him discussing with Jinshi. Jinshi had wanted physicians to accompany him on the long journey—two more, if possible.

Two more... So I wonder how many there already are.

In the heat of the moment, Maomao had suggested herself as a candidate. She didn’t know whether anything would come of it. She knew, however, that if she wasn’t chosen, it would mean trouble for her. Lots of trouble.

“Is there anyone here who specifically wants to go to the western capital?” Dr. Liu asked. Maomao looked around and was about to raise her hand, but someone beat her to it, flinging his hand into the air.

“Question, sir!”

If someone had a question, then Maomao couldn’t very well volunteer yet. She let her hand slide back down.

“The parameters of this trip are far too vague. Why are we being asked to go to the western capital? Is this a punitive posting?”

The speaker was one of the middle physicians, someone who was supposed to be quite adept. Maomao didn’t remember his name.

It’s a fair question, actually. Jinshi had already spoken to her about this trip, so she naturally assumed it was simply a long expedition. Someone who didn’t know the circumstances, however, could well think that Jinshi was effectively being demoted.

Wait... Is he?

A punitive posting, a demotion... Well, but the way Jinshi had been talking, it seemed he would set out very soon, so it didn’t sound like a demotion. To everyone else, however, it looked like His Majesty and Empress Gyokuyou both wished for Jinshi to go on a very long trip. With the Emperor having fathered a couple of princes, even his own brother could appear to be an obstacle.

“What’s that? It’s a punishment?” the quack said quietly to Maomao, concerned.

He hadn’t heard?

It seemed like all the other upper physicians were familiar with the matter. Maybe the quack had been left out of the loop specifically because he was a quack. Or maybe he’d been so busy sucking on some candy that he’d missed it.

Dr. Liu coughed pointedly; Maomao was left with no choice but to pretend she hadn’t heard the portly doctor.

“This assignment is not punitive. It will, however, be a long trip, considering the destination. Even at the most optimistic estimate, you should expect to be away from the capital for at least three months.”

“Is there a war starting?” It was a tricky subject, but this middle physician didn’t mince words. The assembled doctors began muttering, and the quack clung to Maomao in fear. She could practically feel everyone looking at them.

“My dear Guen. If you’d be so kind,” Luomen said, nudging the quack.

He has a name? It’s Guen?

Maomao had never had a chance to find out his name in the rear palace; everyone simply called him “doctor.” Okay, maybe she’d heard it somewhere along the line, but quite frankly, remembering people’s names was not one of Maomao’s special skills.

That soldier would never forget, she thought, picturing Rikuson. He’d been sent to the western capital, hadn’t he? In his case, it was definitely a demotion.

The quack released Maomao, but clutched onto Luomen instead. “What do you make of all this, Luomen?”

“Hrm. Well, let’s hear him out and see where this goes.”

Dr. Liu was so thoroughly sick of the quack’s antics by this point that he’d stopped even looking at him. Being totally oblivious was, in its own way, a sort of genius.

I can’t believe they haven’t fired him yet. How he still had a job was one of life’s mysteries.

“I can’t speak to the prospect of war,” Dr. Liu said. “Our business is to treat the sick and the injured. We do as we’re told. What’s more, this trip promises to be a very large-scale one.”

Dr. Liu was not finding a warm reception among the physicians. It seemed unlikely that anyone would volunteer.

They might change their tune if he told them who was at the center of this expedition. Jinshi was a member of the royal family, and a physician who went with him might have the opportunity to speak to him personally. But I’m not sure it’s been made public that Jinshi’s going...

Considering his status, the matter would probably be kept quiet until the last moment—and so nobody would raise their hand. Maomao, feeling more or less comfortable, was once again about to raise her hand, but she saw Dr. Liu glare at her.

What’s with him? she wondered. Was he telling her not to put herself forward here? Did her lowly status indeed ultimately stand in her way?

“No volunteers? I figured as much. I’ve come prepared with a list of three candidates, but I’d like to fill one more place. Nobody wants that final seat?”

Despite Dr. Liu’s prompting, no one reacted. The upper physicians looked outright tired of this; maybe they had already heard the story.

“Yes, sir!”

One person raised his hand: Tianyu.

“I know I’m still an apprentice, but if no one else will go, may I?”

He sounded chipper as ever. As happy as if he were dissecting an animal—or a human being.

His persistence in the face of En’en’s total indifference had led Maomao to think that Tianyu must be a brazen man indeed, but as she spoke with him during their work, she had gradually come to understand that wasn’t the case. Tianyu simply didn’t experience the broad fluctuations of emotion other people did. His talkative nature could make outsiders think he was emotional, but it was even possible he spoke to En’en precisely because he was intrigued by her chilly reception, something he got from no one else.

He’s a twisted guy, Maomao thought. Not that she felt inclined to push the matter; everyone had their foibles.

“Anyone else?” Dr. Liu asked. No hands went up. The upper physicians collectively exhaled.

I’m sure he could get one of them if they knew Jinshi was coming. With Dr. Liu in charge, though, it would never happen. Maomao thought her father Luomen would be a good candidate—he was deeply knowledgeable about the western reaches and knew the language as well—but she shook her head. He’s too old, and he’s not strong enough anymore. Becoming a eunuch had left him even more aged than simply being old. Having a missing kneecap didn’t help either. Such a long journey was beyond him.

If three people had already been chosen, however, what would happen to Maomao? I guess I just have to have faith that I’m already on the list.

It seemed a shame. Many people dismissed the western capital as a rural backwater, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was a thriving city, a nexus of western culture. Not to mention a place where it would be much easier to acquire the newest medical skills and technology.

Am I sure Pops won’t go?

Even as she asked the question, she knew it wouldn’t happen, knew it was impossible. As for Luomen, the quack was still glued to him; Luomen didn’t look thrilled but couldn’t disentangle himself.

“Anyone else at all?” Dr. Liu asked again, whereupon the overachieving middle physician raised his hand once more. “Are you volunteering?” Dr. Liu said.

“Another question, sir.” The physician looked straight at Maomao. “What is one of our court ladies doing here?” No doubt the question had been on everyone’s mind—but they all sensed this was not quite the time to ask. “Surely her exceptional presence shouldn’t be taken to mean that she’s to be counted among the physicians?”

Boy, I hope so. If Maomao could finally get her answer right here and now, that would be wonderful, but the rest of the room didn’t share her enthusiasm. The upper physicians didn’t betray much reaction, almost as if they weren’t listening anymore, but the looks from the middle physicians were scathing. Tianyu watched the scene unfold with no particular change in expression.

“She’s not to be considered a physician. She is, however, coming with us,” Dr. Liu said.

Maomao felt a wave of relief. So he’d found a compromise. The point was, she was able to go along.

“Sir, I’m not sure a court lady is suited for such a protracted trip.” The middle physician wouldn’t give up.

“I grant she may not have the stamina of a man, but she’s passed the practical examination. She has the skills of a physician, if nothing else. What’s more, to be quite frank, her knowledge of medicines is probably better than yours. If and when we run out of medical supplies at our destination, it will be helpful to have someone who can make substitutes using the ingredients at hand and without recourse to a textbook.”

Dr. Liu could be harsh, but he was also a firm judge of character and ability.

The middle physicians still seemed less than pleased. A few of them gave Maomao disbelieving looks, as if to say That examination? and Are we sure about this?

“Still not happy that a woman gets to come along and be treated the same way as you lot? Then think of it this way. It’s going to be a big group this time. There will be plenty of other court ladies accompanying us to help with other administrative duties. You don’t object to a bit of extra help, do you?”

“It’s still the case that this is the first time a lady has ever been brought along specifically in a medical capacity. And to make her take the examination! That’s going too far, Dr. Liu, even for you.”

Hrm. This middle physician seemed to be the opposite of Tianyu: he was a bit of a pest, but he did seem to be concerned for Maomao. Even his most oblivious outbursts were things that she might have been grateful for under other circumstances. Right now, however, was not that time.

“I didn’t make this decision,” said Dr. Liu, dangerously close to sounding petulant. His next announcement, meanwhile, was enough to silence any dissent. “Grand Commandant Kan will be joining us this time.”

That sent a buzz amidst the middle physicians. Maomao felt all her hair stand on end. She looked at Luomen, who looked back at her mournfully.

Maomao was no En’en, but she was on the verge of grinding her teeth.

“You all think you can handle him?” asked Dr. Liu, dangerously close to sounding despairing. It was enough to silence any further objections. Maybe Dr. Liu should have kept this confidential information to himself, but regardless, the other physicians would certainly take anyone they could get to help them with this particular person.

Maomao, however, didn’t have time to think the matter through in this calm and rational fashion. All she had was an instant, in which she became very angry. That son of a bitch! He knew!

For the first time in quite a while, Maomao wished Jinshi were there so she could look at him as if he were a worm stranded in a puddle.

Dr. Liu wasn’t done either. “We leave in five days. I’ll give you all the time off to prepare, so say your goodbyes and get ready to go.”

Maomao’s mouth hung open and she couldn’t get it to close.