Unusual Promotion much?

This person Maomao failed to notice while lost in her thoughts, was in fact, an important person who heard her mumbling so he was interested in the maid whose hairstyle he saw, as her back was towards him when he looked but not her face.

She was petite, with lily-white hands, her left arm wrapped in bandages. And a mid-ranking maidservant.

He grinned.

She knows something.

He's looking forward to her method of execution on how she would deliver.

Moreover she has a clue of what's going on, and has information nobody has.

But he hoped she delivers, and soon.

Rather, why not nab her now?

'Hello there,' he greeted with a smile, startling her. She wound up jumping from being startled.

'Hii! Who the heck are you?!' Maomao squeaked, sputtering from being startled.

'Well, you can say I'm the supervisor.' he said with a beautiful smile. 'Shall we talk right here and now with what you know with Consorts Rifa and Gyokuyou?'

And he dragged her to the drama scene!

'Ladies, simmer down now.' said the Eunuch who took Maomao to the two consorts. 'We have an idea of what's going on, or rather, this girl does.' he said, presenting Maomao. 'She seems to know what's wrong.'

'What's wrong with my son?! Who's the poisoner?!' Consort Rifa cried hysterically.

Maomao remained calm despite hysterics.

'I looked at all women whose children died between my chores. We may also have to count children still in wombs.' said Maomao. 'Despite different timelines of death, all infants have common sicknesses. Its not genetic as the parents are healthy but right now, one woman is at death's door after her son and that's you, Consort Rifa.' the court fell silent.

'M-me? I'll die after my son? Why?' Rifa asked, shaken, struck by the grim, young girl's words.

'There's a type of white face powder in vogue at the Hanamachi two months ago, but a rise of deaths ensued among the users. The symptoms were exactly the same.' Maomao explained. 'The culprit was the face powder that the Hanamachi banned it yet still many courtesans used it anyway despite our efforts. It was made from Lead, a poisonous ingredient. Sure its pretty but over time, users get poisoned by skin absorption as we all sweat, and thus the toxic make-up seeps into our skin.' she said. 'While other consorts are healthy yet infants aren't, its their Wet Nurses who uses the make-up, wanting to be as pretty as the maids of the consorts they temporarily work for until dismissal. Such is the case with Consort Gyokuyou and other ladies. But mothers like Consort Rifa who uses the make up and does the breastfeeding personally as a loving and doting mother to their child...'

What was unsaid was obvious.

Poor woman was shaken and horrified. The listeners was wide-eyed and silent.

'It seems the merchant who sells this product cares not how many dies as long as they make money.' said Maomao darkly. 'It may be too late now to ban the makeup as a lot of children already died and so many women ill, either a few steps away from the grave or one foot into it. The damage is already done. But we can still save Consort Rifa and the remaining princess at least, as well as the users of the make-up who may be showing symptoms as well. We can detoxify both with diuretics, and treat damaged organs with medicine. And their diet must be medicinal in nature too.'

'Very well.' said the Eunuch. 'I want word spread immediately to throw out these face-powders, inform all you can. All ladies who use these products must immediately wash off the powder.' he ordered as the maids scampered. So did Consort Gyokuyou who fled, fearing for her daughter.

'I...I killed my own son...' Consort Rifa shook, horrified and guilt-stricken and sank on her knees.

'...its not you. The true culprit is one who has greed for money despite deaths within his wallet. Its not your fault.' said Maomao softly in what she knew was futile reassurance. 'A lot of people are victims of promise.' she looked at the Eunuch. 'We should get the diuretics ready.'

'I trust you know what to do?' the Eunuch asked her.

'Yes. I assisted my father in the treatment when Courtesans got sick because of the powder. The problem is if we make it in time or not so we better get moving.' said Maomao respectfully. 'I hope we're well-stocked or we're in trouble.'

'Take this maid to the Medicine Cabinet and Assist her.' the beautiful eunuch instructed the fat man. 'You have an important job. Inform me of what's needed if we lack them.'

'Y-yes sir!' and the two servants ran off, while the Eunuch took away the grief-stricken Consort.

He has work to do after consoling the distraught woman.

Consort Rifa who has bad skin despite her beauty used the powder when recommended to her by relatives to look prettier to the Emperor and earn more favor which she gladly did, especially when she birthed a Prince. Given how loyal she was to the Emperor, she would do absolutely anything to gain his favor as long as its not of criminal nature as it would lose his favor. Losing her son aside, she feared his anger as well even if the eunuch can agree its not her fault. Her relatives who recommended the product needed looking into.

Its competition all around in the Harem but stuff like this happens all the time. Flowers and seeds tend to be choked to death by weeds in the garden and its his duty as a Gardener to ensure the flowers and seeds grow well but he lacked competent people onboard making his job difficult.

But it seems luck finally came to him in that maid.

By her word, she's an assistant doctor in the Hanamachi.

When he talked to the Chief Recruitment, he learned her name. Maomao, a girl who has affiliation to the Rokushoukan as a former Kamuro, and now an assistant doctor to their favored Pharmacist as his apprentice. She was kidnapped and sold by men claiming to be her relatives but she paid back quick in vindictiveness, ensuring her salary goes to who she claims as her family so that not a single coin from her goes to these 'lazy parasitic bums'. They had been strict in recruitment since, and ensuring the money goes to the right people this time, disturbed by the situation.

He sent agents to Rokushoukan for information to be double-sure.

It took over a month of hurried activity. Maomao specifically designed the medicine and food, AND baby food, which must be consumed immediately in order for natural biological processes to work, using up a lot of stocks of medicine on hand and ordering more until everyone was well. She also checked on the patients with the 'doctor', inquiring of their conditions to report to 'that pretty one' who pretty much gave her authority over the Poison Powder case.

Within that month, the passing of the Crown Prince was made known, everyone had to wear black bands for a week to signify mourning.

She thought she'd be back to her old job after this, when she reported back but...

'I see...good work, Maomao.' the pretty eunuch whose name and rank she recently learned smiled. 'We avoided more deaths this time with your help.' he said as Maomao bowed in subordinance. 'I decided to change your duties.'

'Eh?'

'You're wasted as a maid,' said Jinshi cheerfully. 'And you got the looks and education when we investigated your background, so as much as you don't want to when I ask, you'll have to be a Consort Maiden!'

Maomao looked at him in abject horror as if he just gave her a Death Sentence.

Her expression was priceless and hilarious, Jinshi thought.

His Chief Recruiter, when informing her of promotion for her work as well as consideration of her looks, Maomao quickly turned down working for consorts due to horror stories she hears around, perfectly content with her current position as she's not here to rise in rank, she's just here to wait off her Service Term and go home afterward. Well, said horror stories came from maids who heard consorts who have rather unpleasant personalities and mistreatment for even a small mistake who's often the subject of gossip Maomao never heard nice consorts actually existed. She only worked to rise in rank as a maid if only to help pay off her debt to Rokushoukan to pay off her debt spent on her training as a Kamuro. She's literate, capable of poetry and has book knowledge. Had she had formal courtesan training, her debt would've been larger!

She was also said to be a 'Mad Scientist', experimenting on herself that she's gained immunity to poisons, and a strong alcoholic making her a valuable asset. He already endorsed her to Consort Gyokuyou before informing the girl herself today. The bandages on her left arm? Her own test dummy but she never scars. The bandages were there for recent self-inflicted experimental injuries she has prior to being kidnapped.

'Oh don't worry, I know a nice lady I'll assign you to!' he said. 'Consort Rifa is indebted to you but she has way too many maids from her own family her palace is pretty much full. So I will assign you to Consort Gyokuyou whose retinue is too small.' he said. 'She is very picky with choosing her retinue but after your help, I'm sure she'll be amenable to having you as part of her retinue. I can vouch for her character.'

'...by your will.' Maomao said in resignation, clearly skeptical of him.

Jinshi's assistant took her to Jade Palace, the residence of the Noble Consort to formally introduce her.

'Oh, Jinshi-dono assigned you to me?' Consort Gyokuyou smiled happily. 'Welcome!'

She was then introduced to her four senpais. Head Maid Honnyan whose hair is in loops, Infa who was the shortest who wore her hair in two buns, Guien who was the youngest until Maomao came, and Airan who was the tallest.

She was picky, he says, Maomao thought.

According to Shaorin, Consort Gyokuyou was the Emperor's favorite so she has to be very, VERY careful. She had to be wary otherwise.

She was an 'exotic' due to her light peach, but beautiful skin and her unique red hair and green eyes. No wonder she was put in Jade Palace, befitting the rank's color and symbol. She is two years older than Maomao.

The Noble Consort wears red and green, if the Able Consort wears deep blue and white.

As a Consort's Maid plus Food Tester, her salary was a step below Honnyan's since her very life was on the line...she was a valuable but easily-disposable asset, dying by her very job but she never dies despite a period of suffering from poisons in her past experiments. Her rank is now somewhere in the middle being the newest Consort Maid.

Well, being the Master of Death AND having blood tainted by Basilisk Venom and Phoenix Tears had such powers carried on to the next life through incredible vitality, adaptability and immunity instead.

She was provided a narrow room, not a worker's room she had up until recently.

Her sleeping quarters had upgraded from a straw woven mat and a sheet to a bed. The room was wide enough to fit two beds. She was happy that she no longer had to avoid stepping on her room mates when she woke up in the morning.

Not that she has cleaning to do, she was here as a security guard against poisons aimed at the remaining royal child.

Her co-workers looked ready to mourn her almost immediately actually.

One by one, Consort Gyokuyou's head maid, Honnyan, placed small plates with portions of the side dishes before Maomao.

Consort Gyokuyou looked on apologetically but made no sign of stopping it.

The remaining three maids looked at her piteously.

A food tester.

Everyone became nervous because of the incident with the crown prince.

It was because of the circulating rumors about the Princess' illness and where the poison was slipped in. No doubt the maids, not knowing where the poison came from, were fearful.

From that, it wasn't strange that they would send in maids with a specialty in poison testing as disposable pieces.

It wasn't just Consort Gyokuyou. It also included the Princess's food and the Emperor's nourishment dishes when he visits.

It appears that poison had been served twice when Consort Gyokuyou's pregnancy was known. One had been light, the other had stiffened up the limbs and damaged the nerves. She had two more maids who sadly had to go along with permanent injury that disabled them for life that retirement pay was little consolation compared to a life of misery.

The maids, who had been nervously acting as poison testers up until now, were honestly grateful towards her.

Maomao frowned as she looked at the served plates. They were made of clay. Wouldn't silver be common sense?

Just that, she felt she can comfortably do her job if Jinshi wasn't smiling at her pointedly he's creeping her out.

When nothing happened to her after some minutes, Consort Gyokuyou can finally eat.

xxx

'Honnyan, why are Consort Gyokuyou's diningware made of clay?' Maomao asked. 'If we are to guard against poison, silver would make much more sense.'

The mid-thirties maid sighed.

'Its as Jinshi-sama says. You truly know your job.' she said. 'Just that, he asked that for today, we don't use silver to test you.'

'Ah...OK...I'd thought with Consort Gyokuyou's position and being the favorite she'd be more protected but security is lacking even if I'm here. Its not enough.' Maomao sighed. 'And he deliberately lessened security to test me?' she asked with a twitch as Honnyan chuckled weakly.

'Was there anything?' Honnyan asked her.

'None for now, the racket made everyone cautious which is to our benefit. It'll be a while before they get confident to try again if the Eunuchs relaxed since they're doing garden weeding.' said Maomao. 'I guess we enjoy the peace while we still can before the bad stuff truly comes.'

'I see...'

Her duty was pretty much, eat.

The senpai maids who took turns with her job tend to be overly doting, giving her more food and snacks.

Not that Maomao minded, she HATED going hungry! Even if she's a promoted maid before becoming a Consort Maid, the meals are still the same! Thankfully as a Consort Maid she gets actual food...

The senpai maids have their own assignments that she hasn't much jobs other than eat, and simple chores so she forages for medicines as she occasionally makes treats to trade for information. Just that, she has to be back on time for her main job.

The only time she wears her new uniform is when she's IN the Jade Palace. She wears her old one when OUT so she can freely go anywhere without getting wrong attention.

But one day...Jinshi paid a visit.

'Er, what can I do for you today?'

Smiling is OK but this guy smiles too much its creepy, she thought.

For the man she was growing to be uncomfortable with, he finds her refreshing as she's very honest with her feelings, and easy to read like an open book! Since she cannot lie nor scheme worth a damn due to this blunt honesty, she's clearly trustworthy and has no reason to harbor ill will to anyone.

'Won't you analyze this for me?' he asked, giving her a nice lacquered box. 'I got it from a Military Officer today.'

Maomao quickly figured out the sender's intentions as she burst into a knowing, mischievous smile on her face as she took apart a bun and smelled it. 'Hmm. An expensive make aphrodisiac. He wants to have a wild ride with you tonight after making you sensitive.' Jinshi looked at the box as if it were bugs at that. Consort Gyokuyou tried to hold back laughter and clearly having difficulty. 'Its easy to smell the drug from the pork meat due to its purity he didn't bother to dilute it. Is he an idiot?'

Yup, very, VERY honest, Jinshi thought.

'Well, if you're not interested, lock your doors tonight.' now its Maomao's turn to give him a creepy smile. Take that! He tried to make her eat a spiked bun, he deserved some back-crack!

Consort Gyokuyou was sniggering.

Then this got Jinshi thinking.

'Hmm...how about you make me some?' he asked her that got her blinking.

He's asking her for some fresh drugs? Probably to prank back the sender.

'...I'm not going to ask.' Maomao sighed before firming herself up. 'Time, utensils and ingredients provided, I can do it.'