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apothecaryscript · 3 months ago

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Episode 10 : Honey / 第10話『蜂蜜(Hachimitsu)』

小蘭「水死した女官、自殺だったんだってね。柘榴宮の下女だったみたい。園遊会で里樹様に毒を盛った犯人だったって。お仕えする阿多��を思ってのことだったのかな…」

Shaoran “Suishi shita nyokan, jisatsu dattan-dattene. Zakuro-Kyuno gejo datta mitai. En’yu-kaide Rīshu-samani dokuo motta han’nin dattatte. Otsukae-suru Āduo-hi’o omotteno koto dattano-kana…”

Xiaolan “She was a servant at the Garnet Pavilion. I heard she was the one who poisoned Lady Lishu’s food at the garden party. I wonder if she did it because she served Concubine Ah-Duo?”

猫猫「阿多妃って、淑妃の？」

Maomao “Āduo-hitte, Shuku-hino?”

Maomao “You mean, Pure Consort Ah-Duo?”

小蘭「うん。四夫人から外されて、若い妃を輿入れさせるって噂だったし…」

Shaoran “Un. Yon-fujin kara hazusarete, wakai kisakio koshi-ire saserutte uwasa dattashi…”

Xiaolan “Yeah. She’s going to lose her title as one of the four consorts to be replaced by a new, younger concubine, I hear.”

猫猫（阿多妃は帝の１つ年上で、齢３５。東宮時代の帝との間にできた男児を一人亡くしている。子を多く成すための後宮という制度上、仕方ないが…死んだ男児の母親か…梨花様も、このまま子を宿さなければ、同じようになるのだろうか…玉葉様だって、いつまでも寵愛を受けられるとは断言できない。美しい花も、いつかはしおれる。後宮の花は、実を結ばねば意味がない）

Maomao (Āduo-hiwa mikadono hitotsu toshi-uede, yowai sanju-go. Togu-jidaino mikado-tono aidani dekita danji’o hitori nakushite-iru. Ko’o ooku nasu tameno kokyuto-iu seido-jo, shikata naiga… Shinda danjino haha-oyaka… Rifa-samamo, konomama ko’o yadosa-nakereba, onaji-yoni naruno-daroka… Gyokuyo-sama datte, itsumademo choaio ukerareru-towa dangen dekinai. Utsukushii hanamo, itsukawa shioreru. Kokyuno hanawa, mio musuba-neba imiga nai.)

Maomao (Concubine Ah-Duo is one year older than the emperor, at 35 years old. She had a male baby with the emperor once, back when he was still a prince, but lost him. It’s too bad, but the whole rear palace system is built for creating many babies. Mother of a dead baby. Will the same thing happen to Lady Lihua, if she can’t have another baby. There’s no guarantee that Lady Gyokuyou will continue to have the emperor’s love. Even the most beautiful flowers will over time. The flower of the rear palace are meaningless unless they bear fruit.)

小蘭「そろそろ戻らなきゃ」

Shaoran “Soro-soro modora-nakya.”

Xiaolan “I gotta go now.”

猫猫「あっ、よければこれも。昨日のお茶会の余りだけど」

Maomao “A, yokereba koremo. Kinono ochakaino amari dakedo.”

Maomao “Oh, take this, too. They’re leftovers from yesterday’s tea party.”

小蘭「ありがとう！余るくらいお菓子があるなんて、お茶会っていいなあ！フフフフッ」

Shaoran “Arigato! Amaru kurai okashiga aru-nante, ochakaitte iinaa! Fufufufu.”

Xiaolan “Thanks! Enough snacks to have leftovers? Tea parties are awesome.”

猫猫「どうかな…」

Maomao “Do kana…”

Maomao “I’m not so sure.”

ーーーーー

猫猫（お茶会というのも、妃の立派な仕事である）

Maomao (Ochakaito iu-nomo, kisakino rippana shigotode aru.)

Maomao (A tea party is definitely a form of work for a concubine.)

桜花「猫猫も準備して」

Infa “Maomaomo junbi shite.”

Yinghua “Maomao, help us to set up!”

猫猫（またか…）

Maomao (Mataka…)

Maomao (Another one?)

猫猫「今日は随分気合が入ってますね。」

Maomao “Kyowa zuibun kiaiga haitte masune.”

Maomao “You’re working quite hard for this one.”

桜花「当然よ。上級妃…徳妃の里樹様がいらっしゃるんだから」

Infa “Tozen’yo. Jokyu-hi…Toku-hino Rīshu-samaga irassharun-dakara.”

Yinghua “Obviously. This time, it’s a high-ranked concubine, the Virtuous Consort, Lady Lishu!”

猫猫（まさに後宮の縮図が、そこに広がっている）

Maomao (Masani kokyuno shukuzuga sokoni hirogatte-iru.)

Maomao (The politics of the rear palace is well-represented here.)

ーーーーー

玉葉妃「歓迎しますわ、里樹妃」

Gyokuyo-hi “Kangei shimasuwa, Rīshu-hi.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Welcome, Concubine Lishu.”

里樹妃「ありがとうございます」

Rīshu-hi “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Concubine Lishu “Thank you.”

猫猫（いわゆる、腹の探り合い…同性であれば身構えてしまうのが、女という生き物なのだろうか。正直、帝が来る時より気を遣っている。和やかな会話の中で情報を引き出す玉葉様は、穏やかそうに見えて、やはり妃だ。得た情報は、実家に送っているらしい。交易の中継地点らしく、人や時勢の流れをつかむことが重要なんだろう）

Maomao (Iwayuru, harano saguri-ai… Doseide areba migamaete shimau-noga, onnato-iu ikimono nano-daroka. Shojiki, mikadoga kuru toki-yori kio tsukatte-iru. Nagoyakana kaiwano nakade joho’o hikidasu Gyokuyo-samawa, odayaka-soni miete, yahari kisakida. Eta johowa, jikkani okutte-iru rashii. Koekino chukei-chiten rashiku, hitoya jiseino nagareo tsukamu kotoga juyo nandaro.)

Maomao (Non-stop probing of each other’s thoughts. Is it part of the nature of being a woman to be cautious of the same sex? To be honest, they seem more wary than when the emperor is here. The way Lady Gyokuyou gleans information through polite conversation shows how skilled of a concubine she is. I heard she sends the information she gathers to her family back home. Being a trade hub, it must be important to understand the times.”

猫猫（園遊会の毒見役か…ひどい罰は受けていないようでよかった）

Maomao (En’yu-kaino dokumi-yakuka… Hidoi batsuwa ukete inai-yode yokatta.)

Maomao (The taster of the garden party. I’m glad to see she hasn’t been too harshly punished.)

猫猫（別に噛みついたりしないのにな…）

Maomao (Betsuni kami-tsuitari shinai-nonina…)

Maomao (I’m not going to bite her head off or anything.)

猫猫（他の侍女たちは、明らかに主人に目がいってないな。だが、今のところいじめをしているようには見えない。高順様への報告が間違いだったなら、幸いなことだ）

Maomao (Hokano jijo-tachiwa, akirakani shujinni mega itte naina. Daga, imano tokoro ijimeo shite-iruyo-niwa mienai. Gaoshun-sama’eno hokokuga machigai datta-nara, saiwaina kotoda.)

Maomao (The other servants aren’t paying attention to their mistress at all. That said, it doesn’t seem like they’re actively harassing her, either. If my report to Master Gaoshun was mistaken, that’s fortunate.”

玉葉妃「甘いものは嫌いじゃないかしら？」

Gyokuyo-hi “Amai monowa kiraija-nai kashira?

Concubine Gyokuyou “Do you have any issues with sweets?”

里樹妃「甘いものは好きです」

Rīshu-hi “Amai monowa suki desu.”

Concubine Lishu “I love sweets.”

玉葉妃「よかった。寒いから、こういうのはどうかなと思って。柑橘の皮を蜂蜜で煮たものなの。体が温まるわよ。お口に合うといいけど…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Yokatta. Samui-kara, ko-iu-nowa do-kanato omotte. Kankitsuno kawao hachimitsude nita mono nano. Karadaga atatamaru-wayo. Okuchini auto ii-kedo…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Great. It’s cold out, so I was wondering if you’d like this. It’s orange peels boiled in honey. It’ll warm you up. I hope you like it.”

猫猫（おや？蜂蜜もダメなのか？）

Maomao (Oya? Hachimitsumo dame nanoka?)

Maomao (Hmm? She can’t handle honey, either?)

侍女「また好き嫌い？」

Jijo “Mata suki-kirai?”

Lady in waiting “Is she being a picky eater again?”

侍女「出されたものも食べられないなんて…」

Jijo “Dasareta monomo taberare-nai nante…”

Lady in waiting “She won’t even eat something served to her?”

猫猫（ぴくぴく）

Maomao (Piku-piku.)

Maomao (I know, right?)

猫猫「玉葉様」

Maomao “Gyokuyo-sama.”

Maomao “Lady Gyokuyou.”

玉葉妃「あらら…愛藍、ごめんなさい。もう少し漬け込んだほうがいいみたい。違うものを出すわね。生姜湯は飲めるかしら？」

Gyokuyo-hi “Arara… Airan, gomen-nasai. Mo sukoshi tsuke-konda-hoga ii mitai. Chigau mono’o dasu-wane. Shogayuwa nomeru kashira?”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Oh, my, Ailan, I’m sorry. I think this one needs to be boiled a bit longer. Let me get you something else. How about hot ginger water?”

里樹妃「あ…はい！大丈夫です」

Rīshu-hi “A…Hai! Daijobu desu.”

Concubine Lishu “Yes, that’s fine.”

猫猫（残念ながら、いじめは間違いではなかったらしい）

Maomao (Zan’nen-nagara, ijimewa machigai-dewa nakatta rashii.)

Maomao (Unfortunately, It seems like I wasn’t wrong about the bullying. )

ーーーーー

猫猫「ぽい」

Maomao “Poi.”

桜花「あとの片づけは任せて！」

Infa “Atono katazukewa makasete!”

Yinghua “We’ll clean up here.”

愛藍「猫猫は休んでね」

Airan “Maomaowa yasundene.”

Ailan “Maomao, you can rest.”

猫猫（片付けくらい、やるんだけど…）

Maomao (Katazuke kurai, yarun-dakedo…)

Maomao (I can clean too, you know…)

壬氏「玉葉妃と里樹妃の茶会はどうだった？」

Jinshi “Gyokuyo-hito Rīshu-hino chakaiwa do-datta?”

Jinshi “How was the tea party for Concubines Gyokuyou and Lishu?”

猫猫（急に里樹様を呼んでお茶会なんて変だと思ったら…こいつの差し金か）

Maomao (Kyuni Rīshu-samao yonde ochakai nante hendato omottara… Koitsuno sashigane ka.)

Maomao (I thought it was odd how that tea party happened so suddenly. So, it was this guy’s idea, after all.)

猫猫「楽しく過ごされていましたよ」

Maomao “Tanoshiku sugosarete imashitayo.”

Maomao “They had an enjoyable time.”

壬氏「話は終わってないんだが？」

Jinshi “Hanashiwa owatte nain-daga?”

Jinshi “I’m not done with you.”

猫猫「離していただけませんか？」

Maomao “Hanashite itadake-masenka?”

Maomao “Could you please let go?”

壬氏「園遊会の毒殺騒ぎ、犯人は自殺した柘榴宮の下女だという話は知っているか？」

Jinshi “En’yu-kaino dokusatsu-sawagi, han’ninwa jisatsu shita Zakuro-Kyuno gejo-dato-iu hanashiwa shitte iruka?”

Jinshi “Did you hear that the garden party poisoning was done by the Garnet Pavilion servant who committed suicide?”

猫猫「噂程度には」

Maomao “Uwasa teido-niwa.”

Maomao “I heard the rumors.”

壬氏「下女は本当に自殺したと思うか？」

Jinshi “Gejowa hontoni jisatsu shitato omouka?”

Jinshi “Do you think she really committed suicide?”

猫猫「それを決めるのは私ではありません」

Maomao “Soreo kimeru-nowa watashi-dewa arimasen.”

Maomao “That’s not me to determine.”

壬氏「一介の下女が、徳妃である里樹妃の皿に毒を盛る理由は？」

Jinshi “Ikkaino gejoga Toku-hide aru Rīshu-hino sarani dokuo moru riyuwa?”

Jinshi “Why would a common servant poison Concubine Lishu?”

猫猫「分かりません」

Maomao “Wakari-masen.”

Maomao “I don’t know.”

壬氏「フン…では、明日から柘榴宮に手伝いに行ってもらえないか？」

Jinshi “Fun… Dewa, ashita-kara Zakuro-Kyuni tetsudaini itte morae-naika?”

Jinshi “Well then, can you go help out at the Garnet Pavilion, starting tomorrow?”

猫猫（“もらえないか？”と質問されたところで、選択肢などないというのに）

Maomao (‘Morae-naika?’to shitsumon sareta tokorode, sentakushi nado naito iu-noni.)

Maomao (‘Can’ I? It’s not like I have a choice.)

猫猫「��意」

Maomao “Gyoi.”

Maomao “Understood.”

ーーーーー

猫猫（屋敷というものは、主の色に染まる。玉葉妃の翡翠宮は家庭的で、梨花妃の水晶宮は高潔に洗練されていた。そして、阿多妃が住む柘榴宮は、無駄がなく品があり、実用的だ）

Maomao (Yashikito-iu monowa, arujino ironi somaru. Gyokuyo-hino Hisui-Kyuwa katei-tekide, Rifa-hino Suisho-Kyuwa koketsuni senren sarete-ita. Soshite, Āduo-higa sumu Zakuro-Kyuwa, mudaga naku hinga ari, jitsuyo-tekida.)

Maomao (Mansions are painted in their master’s colors, figuratively speaking. Concubine Gyokuyou’s Jade Pavilion feels homey, while Concubine Lihua’s Crystal Pavilion fell refined and noble. The Garnet Pavilion, home to Concubine Ah-Duo, was practical and simple, yet polished and classy.)

風明「いきなり来てもらって、ごめんなさい。今日から三日間、よろしくお願いね」

Fonmin “Ikinari kite moratte gomen-nasai. Kyo-kara mikka-kan, yoroshiku onegaine.”

Fengming “My apologies for summoning you so suddenly. I’m looking forward to working with you over the next three days.”

猫猫（壬氏様には何をしろとも言われていない。とりあえず働くか…）

Maomao (Jinshi-sama-niwa nanio shiro-tomo iwarete inai. Toriaezu hatarakuka…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi didn’t tell me to do anything specific. I guess I should just work.)

阿多妃「見ない顔だね。風明、その娘たちは？」

Āduo-hi “Minai kao dane. Fonmin, sono musume-tachiwa?”

Concubine Ah-Duo “These are new faces. Fengming, who are they?”

風明「大掃除のお手伝いに」

Fonmin “Oosojino otetsudaini.”

Fengming “Temporary help for our big cleaning day.”

阿多妃「そう、よろしく頼むよ」

Āduo-hi “So, yoroshiku tanomuyo.”

Concubine Ah-Duo “I see. Thanks for the help.”

猫猫（淑妃・阿多妃。華やかさや豊満さはないが、中性的な凛々しさがあって美しい。これで３５ですか…官服を着れば、若い文官とでも間違えそうだ。妃の着る大袖とスカートより、胡服のほうが似合うだろうな…）

Maomao (Shuku-hi, Ah-Duo-hi. Hanayakasaya homansawa naiga, chusei-tekina ririshisaga atte utsukushii. Korede sanju-go desuka… Kanpukuo kireba, wakai bunkan-todemo machigae-soda. Kisakino kiru oosodeto sukāto-yori, kofukuno-hoga niau darona…)

Maomao (Ah-Duo, the Pure Consort. She’s neither showy nor voluptuous, but whe has an androgynous, almost gallant kind of beauty. She’s really thirty-five? If she dressed differently, she’d pass as a young civil servant. She’d probably look better in a riding suit, instead of her skirt and dress.)

猫猫（おおっ、憧れのまなざし！誰かに似ているような…）

Maomao (Oo, akogareno manazashi! Darekani nite-iru-yona…)

Maomao (Whoa, those longing stares. Does she remind me of someone?)

猫猫（侍女頭の風明様。淑妃の侍女頭ともなれば、いいところのお嬢様のはずだが、随分親しみやすい）

Maomao (Jijo-gashirano Fonmin-sama. Shuku-hino jijo-gashira-tomo nareba, ii tokorono ojosamano hazu-daga, zuibun shitashimi-yasui.)

Maomao (Lady Fengming, the head lady-in-waiting. I expected the Pure Consort’s head lady-in-waiting to be from an important family, but she’s surprisingly approachable.)

風明「まずは、書物の虫干しをお願いできるかしら？重い物は宦官に任せていいからね」

Fonmin “Mazuwa, shomotsuno mushi-boshio onegai dekiru-kashira? Omoi monowa kanganni makasete iikarane.”

Fengming “Can you air the books out? You can ask the eunuchs to handle the heavy items.”

猫猫（さすが、上級妃一の古株…無駄のない屋敷に見えて、格段に荷物が多い。翡翠宮もだが、柘榴宮の侍女はよく働くな…口先だけの奴らに見せてやりたい）

Maomao (Sasuga, jokyu-hi-ichino furu-kabu… Mudano nai yashikini miete, kakudanni nimotsuga ooi. Hisui-Kyumo-daga, Zakuro-Kyuno jijowa yoku hatarakuna… Kuchi-saki-dakeno yatsurani misete yaritai.)

Maomao (She really is the oldest high ranking concubine. Despite the efficient look, the mansion has a whole lot of stuff. Similar to the Jade Pavilion, the servants of the Garnet Pavilion are hard workers. Certain fools who are all talk could learn a thing or two.

猫猫「ふう、これで終わりか…」

Maomao “Fu, korede owarika…”

Maomao “Phew. I guess that’s all.”

風明「すごい、もうこんなに？しかも、丁寧で助かるわ！応接室の方も手伝ってもらえる？」

Fonmin “Sugoi, mo konnani? Shikamo, teineide tasukaruwa! Osetsu-shitsuno homo tetsudatte moraeru?”

Fengming “Incredible. You did this much already? And so thorough, too. Can you help with the parlor, as well?”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

猫猫（人当たりが良くて、他人をよく見て褒める。侍女頭として人を扱う術を心得ているようだ）

Maomao (Hito-atariga yokute, tanin’o yoku mite homeru. Jijo-gashira-toshite hito’o atsukau subeo kokoroete-iruyoda.)

Maomao (She’s friendly, observant, and praises others well. Seems like she’s skilled at handling others as head lady-in-waiting.)

猫猫（久々の肉体労働は体にこたえる…）

Maomao (Hisa-bisano nikutai-rodowa karadani kotaeru…)

Maomao (I haven’t done so much physical labor in a while.)

風明「お疲れ様！今日はありがとうね」

Fonmin “Otsukare-sama! Kyowa arigatone.”

Fengming “Good work. Thank you for your help today.

猫猫「いえ」

Maomao “Ie.”

Maomao “You’re welcome.”

風明「そうだ、今夜は柘榴宮に泊まっていくわよね？ちょっとついてきて」

Fonmin “Soda. Kon’yawa Zakuro-Kyuni tomatte iku-wayone? Chotto tsuite-kite.”

Fengming “Oh, I know. You’ll be staying here tonight, correct? Follow me, please.”

猫猫（甘い匂い？）

Maomao (Amai nioi?)

Maomao (A sweet smell?)

風明「よければ使ってちょうだい。今夜は冷えるから」

Fonmin “Yokereba tsukatte chodai. Kon’yawa hieru-kara.”

Fengming “Please use this. It’ll get cold tonight.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

風明「ゆっくり休んでね」

Fonmin “Yukkuri yasundene.”

Fengming “Rest well.”

猫猫（壬氏様には何をしろとも言われていない。だが…）

Maomao (Jinshi-sama-niwa nanio shiro-tomo iwarete-inai. Daga…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi didn’t tell me to do anything specific. But…)

ーーーーー

猫猫（本当に毒殺騒ぎの黒幕がいるのだろうか？やはり皆、働き者だな…。侍女たちもだが…）

Maomao (Hontoni dokusatsu-sawagino kuro-makuga iruno-daroka? Yahari mina, hataraki-mono dana… Jijo-tachimo-daga…)

Maomao (Is the mastermind behind the poisoning really here? They really are all hard workers. Not just the ladies-in-waiting, but…)

侍女「風明様！そのようなことは、私共が…」

Jijo “Fonmin-sama! Sono-yona kotowa, watakushi-domoga…”

Lady in waiting “Lady Fengming! We can take care of that!”

風明「いいのよ、これくらい。少し気になっただけだから」

Fonmin “Iinoyo, kore-kurai. Sukoshi kini natta dake dakara.”

Fengming “Don’t worry about it. It’s just something I noticed.”

猫猫（風明様はその筆頭だ。適齢期はとうに過ぎているが、嫁いでいれば良妻にもなっただろう。結婚しようとは思わなかったのか…それとも、阿多妃に生涯尽くすことを選んだのか。忠誠心の強さは、毒殺を行う理由にも繋がる。新たな妃が輿入れしようという今、上級妃の立場が最も危ういのは阿多妃だ。だが、先に他の席が空けば…熟れた果実にしか反応しない帝は、里樹様のもとへは通っていない。１４という年齢��考えれば望ましいことだが、妃としての役割を果たしていないとも言える。阿多妃のために毒殺をもくろんだとして、里樹様を狙うのは、おかしな話ではない…）

Maomao (Fonmin-samawa sono hittoda. Tekirei-kiwa toni sugite-iruga, totsuide ireba ryosai-nimo natta-daro. Kekkon shiyo-towa omowa-nakatta-noka… Soretomo, Āduo-hini shogai tsukusu koto’o eranda-noka. Chusei-shinno tsuyosawa, dokusatsuo okonau riyu-nimo tsunagaru. Aratana kisakiga koshi-ire shiyoto-iu ima, jokyu-hino tachibaga mottomo ayaui-nowa Āduo-hida. Daga, sakini hokano sekiga akeba… Ureta kajitsuni-shika hanno shinai mikadowa, Rīshu-samano motoewa kayotte inai. Ju-yon-toiu nenreio kangaereba, nozomashii koto-daga, kisakito-shiteno yakuwario hatashite inai-tomo ieru. Āduo-hino tameni dokusatsuo mokurondato-shite, Rīshu-samao nerau-nowa, okashina hanashi-dewa nai…)

Maomao (Lady Fengming is the leading example. She’s well past her prime, but would have made a great wife. I wonder if she never considered getting married. Did she choose to serve Concubine Ah-Duo for life? Strong loyalty is a possible motive for the poisoning. Now that a new concubine is about to enter, the high-ranking concubine at the most risk is Concubine Ah-Duo. But what if a vacancy opened up elsewhere first? The emperor is only interested in ripened fruit. He doesn’t visit Lady Lishu. That’s fine, given her age of fourteen, but one could also claim she’s not serving her role as concubine. If someone were to poison someone for Concubine Ah-Duo, it wouldn’t be out of the question to target Lady Lishu.)

侍女「誰か手伝ってくれない？」

Jijo “Dareka tetsudatte kurenai?”

Lady in waiting “Can someone help me out here?”

猫猫「蜂蜜？」

Maomao “Hachi-mitsu?”

Maomao “Honey?”

侍女「風明様のご実家が、養蜂場をなさっているの」

Jijo “Fonmin-samano gojikkaga, yohojo’o nasatte iruno.”

Lady in waiting “Lady Fengming’s family runs an apiary.”

猫猫「どうりで、高級品の蜂蜜がこんなにあるわけですね」

Maomao “Doride, kokyu-hinno hachi-mitsuga konnani aru wake desune.”

Maomao “No wonder there’s so much honey here, despite it being so expensive.”

猫猫（昨夜の甘い匂いは、蜜ろうだったのか）

Maomao (Sakuyano amai nioiwa, mitsuro datta-noka.)

Maomao (That must have been the sweet smell from last night.)

猫猫（里樹様？連れは毒見役一人だけか。どうして柘榴宮に…。そういえば、お茶会で…）

Maomao (Rīshu-sama? Tsurewa dokumi-yaku hitori dakeka. Doshite Zakuro-Kyuni… So-ieba, ochakaide…)

Maomao (Lady Lishu? Accompanied by just the one taster? Why is she at the Garnet Pavilion? Coming to think of it, at the tea party…)

ーーーーー

猫猫「以上が、柘榴宮での出来事です」

Maomao “Ijoga, Zakuro-Kyu-deno dekigoto desu.”

Maomao “That’s what happened at the Garnet Pavilion.”

壬氏「そうか。それで？」

Jinshi “Soka. Sorede?”

Jinshi “I see. And?”

猫猫「それ以上でも、以下でもありませんが」

Maomao “Sore-ijo-demo, ika-demo arimasenga.”

Maomao “That’s it. No ‘and’ or ‘but’.”

猫猫（何を求めているのか知らないが、こちらは普通の薬屋だ。スパイの真似事など、できるわけない。というか、最近態度が軽くないか？）

Maomao (Nanio motomete irunoka shiranaiga, kochirawa futsuno kusuriyada. Supaino manegoto-nado, dekiru wakega nai. To-iuka, saikin taidoga karuku naika?)

Maomao (I don’t know what he wants. I’m just an apothecary. If he wants a spy, he’s asking the wrong girl. What’s with his casual attitude recently, anyway?)

壬氏「では、質問を変えよう。もし、特別な方法で、外部と連絡が取れるとすれば、誰だと思う？」

Jinshi “Dewa, shitsumon’o kaeyo. Moshi, tokubetsuna hohode, gaibuto renrakuga toreruto sureba, daredato omou?”

Jinshi “Let’s change the question, then. If one of them could contact the outside using some special method, who would that be, you think?”

猫猫（嫌な聞き方をする…）

Maomao (Iyana kiki-katao suru…)

Maomao (What a roundabout way of asking.)

猫猫「可能性があるとすれば、侍女頭の風明様ではないかと」

Maomao “Kanoseiga aruto sureba, jijo-gashirano Fonmin-sama-dewa naikato.”

Maomao “I suppose the only possibility would be Lady Fengming, the head lady-in-waiting.”

壬氏「根拠は？」

Jinshi “Konkyowa?”

Jinshi “Based on what?”

猫猫「左の手首に包帯が巻かれていました。あの色付きの木簡は、袖口が焦げた女物の衣に包まれていたそうです」

Maomao “Hidarino tekubini hotaiga makarete imashita. Ano iro-tsukino mokkanwa, sode-guchiga kogeta onna-monono koromoni tsutsumarete-itasodesu.”

Maomao “She had bandages around her left wrist. Those colored text plates were wrapped in a woman’s dress with burns on the sleeves.”

猫猫（わざわざ何色もの炎を作る…何か意味があるとすれば、暗号だ。正直、あの穏やかな侍女頭が何かをやっているようには見えなかったが…そんなものは主観に過ぎない）

Maomao (Waza-waza nanshoku-mono honoo’o tsukuru… Nanika imiga aruto sureba, angoda. Shojiki, ano odayakana jijoga nanikao yatte-iruyo-niwa mie-nakattaga… Sonna monowa shukanni suginai.)

Maomao (Why would anyone make multi-colored fires? One possibility is that it was a code. Honestly, that gentle head lady-in-waiting didn’t seem like she was part of a conspiracy. But that’s just my opinion.)

壬氏「まあ、及第点だな」

Jinshi “Maa, kyudai-ten dana.”

Jinshi “I suppose that’s acceptable.”

猫猫（これ見よがしに蜂蜜を食べておいて…この程度は調べていただろうに）

Maomao (Kore-miyogashini Hachi-mitsuo tabete oite… Kono teidowa shirabete-ita daroni.)

Maomao (I’m sure he knew this already, eating honey so ostentatiously.)

壬氏「いい子には、ご褒美をあげないとね」

Jinshi “Iiko-niwa gohobio agenaitone.”

Jinshi “A good child needs to be rewarded.”

猫猫「うょょょょ…遠慮します！」

Maomao “Uyoyoyoyo… Enryo shimasu!”

Maomao “I r-respectfully decline.”

壬氏「遠慮することはない」

Jinshi “Enryo suru kotowa nai.”

Jinshi “No need to be modest.”

猫猫「うわあ～！結構です！他の方に差し上げてください！」

Maomao “Uwaaaa! Kekko desu! Hokano katani sashi-agete kudasai!”

Maomao “No, thank you! Please offer it to someone else!”

猫猫（こいつ！顔がいいから何をしても許されると思っている！そういえばそういう変態だったな…！）

Maomao (Koitsu! Kaoga iikara nanio shitemo yurusareruto omotte-iru! So-ieba so-iu hentai dattana…!)

Maomao (This guy thinks he can get away with anything because he has a pretty face! Oh, right, that’s the kind of pervert he’s always been!)

猫猫「高順様！」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama!”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun!”

猫猫（あとで下剤盛ってやる！！）

Maomao (Atode gezai motte-yaru!!)

Maomao (He’s getting laxatives in his food later!)

壬氏「甘いものは嫌いなのか？」

Jinshi “Amai monowa kirai nanoka?”

Jinshi “Do you not like sweets?”

猫猫「辛い物好きなので」

Maomao “Karai mono zuki nanode.”

Maomao “I like spicy foods.”

壬氏「だが、食べられるんだろう？」

Jinshi “Daga, tabe-rarerun-daro?”

Jinshi “But you can eat this, right?”

猫猫（クソッ、話が通じない…お偉方でなければ、股間を蹴って…いや、ないものは蹴っても仕方ない。命令と割り切るか…？尊厳のため逃げ出すか…？せめて鳥兜の蜜なら割り切れたのに…！あ…）

Maomao (Kuso, hanashiga tsujinai… Oeragatade nakereba, kokan’o kette… Iya, nai monowa kettemo shikata-nai. Meireito wari-kiruka? Songenno tame nige-dasuka? Semete tori-kabutono mitsu-nara wari-kireta-noni…! A…)

Maomao (Damn it, he won’t listen… If he weren’t so high up, I’d kick him in the groin… Wait, there’s nothing to kick there. Should I just accept this as an order? Or escape to maintain my dignity? If this was aconite syrup, I’d have just accepted it.)

ーーーーー

玉葉妃「甘い物は嫌いじゃないかしら？お口に合うといいけど…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Amai monowa kiraija-nai kashira? Okuchini auto iikedo…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Do you have any issues with sweets? I hope you like it.”

猫猫「蜂蜜？」

Maomao “Hachi-mitsu?”

Maomao “Honey?”

侍女「風明様のご実家が養蜂場をなさっているの」

Jijo “Fonmin-samano gojikkaga yohojo’o nasatte iruno.”

Lady in waiting “Lady Fengming’s family runs an apiary.”

猫猫「里樹様？」

Maomao “Rīshu-sama?”

Maomao “Lady Lishu?”

ーーーーー

猫猫（蜜…蜂蜜…）

Maomao (Mitsu… Hachi-mitsu…)

Maomao (Syrup…Honey.)

壬氏「ん？薬屋？」

Jinshi “N? Kusuriya?”

Jinshi “Apothecary?”

玉葉妃「うちの侍女に、何をしているの？」

Gyokuyo-hi “Uchino jijoni nanio shite-iruno?”

Concubine Gyokuyou “What are you doing to my lady-in-waiting?”

壬氏「うっ…玉葉妃、これは…」

Jinshi “U… Gyokuyo-hi, korewa…”

Jinshi “Concubine Gyokuyou! I was just―”

玉葉妃「誰の許可を得てこんなことを？」

Gyokuyo-hi “Dareno kyokao ete konna koto’o?”

Concubine Gyokuyou “On whose authority are you doing this?”

壬氏「うっ…ハハハ…」

Jinshi “U…Hahaha…”

高順「小猫、つい、いたずらが過ぎただけなので、壬氏様を許して下さいませんか」

Gaoshun “Shaomao, tsui, itazuraga sugita dake-nanode, Jinshi-samao yurushite kudasai-masenka.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, this was just a prank gone too far. Could you forgive Master Jinshi?”

猫猫「では、次は高順様がねぶれば問題ないかと」

Maomao “Dewa, tsugiwa Gaoshun-samaga nebureba mondai naikato.”

Maomao “In that case, next time you can do the licking for me, Master Gaoshun.”

高順「ねっ！ねぶる……それは、ちょっと…」

Gaoshun “Ne! Neburu……Sorewa, chotto…”

Gaoshun “L-Licking? That’s a bit…”

猫猫「分かればいいです。それで、いくつか確かめたいことがあるのですが」

Maomao “Wakareba iidesu. Sorede, ikutsuka tashikame-tai kotoga aruno-desuga.”

Maomao “Fine, you get the point. Also, there are a few things I want to check on.”

ーーーーー

猫猫「失礼いたします」

Maomao “Shitsurei itashi-masu.”

Maomao “Excuse me.”

里樹妃「いらっしゃいま…あら？壬氏様はいないの？」

Rīshu-hi “Irasshaima… Ara? Jinshi-samawa inaino?”

Concubine Lishu “Welcome, I-Oh? Master Jinshi’s not with you?”

猫猫「はい、突然申し訳ありません」

Maomao “Hai, totsuzen moshi-wake ari-masen.”

Maomao “I’m afraid not. Apologies for the sudden intrusion.”

里樹妃「フゥ…それで？翡翠宮の侍女が何の用かしら？」

Rīshu-hi “Fu…Sorede? Hisui-Kyuno jijoga nanno yo kashira?”

Concubine Lishu “So, what do you want, Jade Pavilion lady-in-waiting?”

猫猫「お伺いしたいことがあります」

Maomao “Oukagai shitai kotoga arimasu.”

Maomao “I have a question for you.”

里樹妃「あ…あなた、園遊会の…。聞きたいことって？」

Rīshu-hi “A…Anata, en’yu-kaino… Kikitai kototte?”

Concubine Lishu “I remember you from the garden party. What is it?”

猫猫「蜂蜜はお嫌いですか？」

Maomao “Hachi-mitsuwa okirai desuka?”

Maomao “Do you dislike honey?”

里樹妃「えっ…なんで分かるの？」

Rīshu-hi “E… Nande wakaruno?”

Concubine Lishu “How did you know?”

猫猫「顔に出ていますから」

Maomao “Kaoni dete imasu-kara.”

Maomao “I saw it on your face.”

猫猫「昔、蜂蜜でおなかを壊したことが？食中毒になって受け付けなくなることは、珍しくありません」

Maomao “Mukashi, hachimitsude onakao kowashita kotoga? Shoku-chudokuni natte uketsukenaku-narukotowa mezurashiku arimasen.”

Maomao “Did honey upset your stomach in the past? It’s common for someone to get food poisoning and have trouble with honey after that.”

里樹妃「それは違うわ。覚えていないの。赤子の頃のことだから…。一時は命も危うかったと聞いたわ。以来、乳母たちにも食べるなと言われていて…」

Rīshu-hi “Sorewa chigauwa. Oboete inaino. Akagono korono koto dakara… Ichijiwa inochimo ayaukattato kiitawa. Irai, uba-tachi-nimo taberunato iwarete-ite…”

Concubine Lishu “That’s not it. I don’t remember. It was when I was a baby. I heard it was life-threatening. Since then, my nurses told me to not eat it.”

侍女「あなた、失礼じゃなくて？里樹様にずけずけと…」

Jijo “Anata, shitsureija nakute? Rīshu-samani zuke-zuketo…”

Lady in waiting “Where are your manners? Probing Lady Lishu like that.”

猫猫（お茶会で、かばいもしなかった侍女がよく言う…）

Maomao (Ochakaide, kabaimo shinakatta jijoga yoku iu…)

Maomao (Says the lady-in-waiting who didn’t even try to protect her at the tea party.)

侍女「何よ、その目！あんな侍女の話なんて聞くことありません！」

Jijo “Naniyo, sono me! Anna jijono hanashi nante, kiku koto arimasen!”

Lady in waiting “What’s with that look? There’s no need to listen to her.”

侍女「ええ！徳妃である里樹様に対して無礼ですわ。早く追い返すべきです！」

Jijo “Ee! Toku-hide aru Rīshu-samani taishite burei desuwa. Hayaku oikaesu beki desu!”

Lady in waiting “That’s right, she’s being rude to the Virtuous Consort. We should expel her!”

猫猫（こうして外部の者を悪役に仕立て、自分たちだけが味方だと思い込ませるのか…。世間知らずなお嬢様なら、やすやすと騙されるだろう。孤立した妃は、侍女たちに頼らざるを得��い。いじめられていることにすら気づかず…）

Maomao (Koshite gaibuno mono’o aku-yakuni shitate, jibun-tachi dakega mikata-dato omoi-komaseru-noka… Seken-shirazuna ojosama-nara, yasu-yasuto damasareru-daro. Koritsu shita kisakiwa, jijo-tachini tayora-zaruo-enai. Ijime-rarete-iru kotoni-sura kizukazu…)

Maomao (So this is how they paint outsiders as the villain to pretend they are the only allies. It would be easy to trick a naïve girl. The isolated concubine has nobody to rely on but her ladies-in-waiting. Not knowing she’s being harassed…)

猫猫（悪循環だ）

Maomao (Aku-junkanda.)

Maomao (It’s a vicious cycle.)

猫猫「私は、命を受けてここに来ました。言いたいことがあれば…壬氏様に直接どうぞ」

Maomao “Watashiwa, mei’o ukete kokoni kimashita. Iitai kotoga areba, Jinshi-samani chokusetsu dozo.”

Maomao “I am here on orders. If you have objections, please take them up with Master Jinshi.”

侍女たち「じ…壬氏様に？！直接？？」

Jijo-tachi “Ji…Jinshi-samani?! Chokusetsu?!”

Ladies in waiting “To Master J-Jinshi?! Directly?!”

猫猫（これくらいの嫌がらせは許されるだろ…何を理由に、この侍女たちが変態宦官に近づくか楽しみだ）

Maomao (Kore-kuraino iya-garasewa yurusareru-daro. Naio riyuni kono jijo-tachiga hentai-kanganni chikazukuka tanoshimida.)

Maomao (He owes me this much, at the very least. Let’s see what reasons they come up with to approach the pervert eunuch.)

猫猫「それと、もう一つだけ」

Maomao “Soreto, mo hitotsu dake.”

Maomao “And one more thing.”

猫猫「柘榴宮の侍女頭、風明様と面識はありますか？」

Maomao “Zakuro-Kyuno jijo-gashira, Fonmin-samato menshikiwa arimasuka?”

Maomao “Are you familiar with Lady Fengming, head lady-in-waiting at the Garnet Pavilion?”

ーーーーー

高順「小猫？」

Gaoshun “Shaomao?”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao?”

猫猫「高順様、後宮の昔の出来事を知る方法はありますか？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama, kokyuno mukashino dekigoto’o shiru hohowa arimasuka?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun, is there any way I can learn about past events that happened in the rear palace?”

高順「ふん…宮廷の書庫を探しましょう」

Gaoshun “Fun… Kyuteino shoko’o sagashi-masho.”

Gaoshun “I can search the court library.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozaimasu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

高順（今度は一体、何が分かったのか…賢い娘だ。齢１７とは思えない。知識の深さと冷静さ。理性的に物事を考え、処理する能力。一部変わったところはあるが、��を見張るものがある）

Gaoshun (Kondowa ittai, naniga wakatta-noka… Kashikoi musumeda. Yowai ju-nana towa omoenai. Chishikino fukasato reiseisa. Risei-tekini monogoto’o kangae, shori-suru noryoku. Ichibu kawatta tokorowa aruga, meo miharu monoga aru.)

Gaoshun (What did she figure out this time? She’s a smart girl, especially given that she’s only seventeen. Her knowledge and calm composure… Her ability to logically think through and deal with various issues… She does have some peculiarities, but it’s still impressive.)

ーーーーー

猫猫（17年前…今の帝がまだ東宮だった頃…阿多妃との間に、男児を一人もうけている。既に死亡しているが、生まれた時期は先帝と皇太后の子…すなわち現帝の弟君と同じ時期。東宮時代の子は、その一人だけ。妃も阿多妃だけだった。今の帝と阿多妃は乳兄弟とあるので、阿多妃に愛着があるのは分かるが…あの好色おやじが阿多妃一人だけとは、意外だ。16年前、乳幼児死亡。取り上げたのは…）

Maomao (Ju-nana-nen-mae… Imano mikadoga mada togu datta-koro… Āduo-hitono aidani, danjio hitori mokete-iru. Sudeni shibo shite-iruga, umareta jikiwa senteito kotaigono ko…sunawachi genteino ototo-gimito onaji jiki. Togu-jidaino kowa, sono hitori dake. Kisakimo Āduo-hi dake datta. Imano mikadoto Āduo-hiwa chikyodaito arunode, Āduo-hini aichakuga aru-nowa wakaruga… Ano koshoku-oyajiga Āduo-hi hitori-dake-towa, igaida. Ju-roku-nen-mae, nyuyoji shibo. Toriageta-nowa…)

Maomao (Seventeen years ago, when the current emperor was still a prince… He had a son with Concubine Ah-Duo. The baby’s already gone, but… He was born around the same time as the prior emperor and empress dowager’s son. In other words, the current emperor’s little brother. That was the only child the emperor had as a prince, and Lady Ah-Duo was his only concubine. It says the current emperor and Concubine Ah-Duo are foster siblings, so that explains his attachment to her… But it’s surprising to learn a man that lustful only had one concubine back then. Sixteen years ago, the baby died. The baby was delivered by…”

猫猫（なんとなく、そんな気がしていた…。後宮に数多く生えている薬草は、私が昔からよく使っていたものばかりだ。誰かが移植したものだろう。老婆のような、足を引きずる男…。花街の薬師にしておくには、もったいないほどの医術を持つ。片足の膝の骨を抜かれた、元宦官。）

Maomao (Nanto-naku, sonna kiga shite-ita… Kokyuni kazu-ooku haete-iru yakusowa, watashiga mukashi-kara yoku tsukatte-ita mono bakarida. Darekaga ishoku shita mono daro. Robano-yona, ashio hiki-zuru otoko… Hana-machino kusushini shite-oku-niwa, mottai-nai-hodono ijutsuo motsu. Kata-ashino hizano honeo nukareta, moto-kangan.)

Maomao (I did have that hunch. Several of the herbs growing in the rear palace were the same ones I used growing up. Someone must have transplanted them. A man who drags his feet like an old woman. A doctor overqualified for the position of a pleasure district apothecary. A former eunuch with a bone removed from one knee.)

猫猫（何やってんだよ、おやじ）

Maomao (Nani yatten-dayo, Oyaji.)

Maomao (What were you doing, Dad?)

(Continue to episode 11)

#the apothecary diaries #apothecary english #apothecary romaji #薬屋のひとりごと #apothecary diaries #薬屋　英語　学習 #薬屋のひとりごと　英語

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