Housekeeper of the Hundred Blossom Palace

She was also assigned to places where cleaning work had stagnated from time to time.

However, Yang’s expression this time around bothered her.

‘That’s quite a deep expression she’s making, somehow.’

“I’m okay with it, but may I know where it is?”

Yui Mei was on her guard as she asked Yang, who then answered.

“It’s Jiaofang.”

“I’ll go!”

Yui Mei replied in a flash, which made Yang heave a sigh.

“Well, I already knew you’re going to take that bait. Xiao Mei, you should ask first for more information, you know.”

Yang chided Yui Mei for going head-on.

“Urk…Yes, I’ll be more careful.”

Yang sermoned her, and rightfully so, thus Yui Mei nodded her head.

Indeed, getting information was crucial before doing anything.

Besides, she also held some doubts regarding this job that fell on her lap without asking for it.

“Why is the cleaning duty at Jiaofang so unpopular? Is it because of the courtesans?”

It was the first time that Yui Mei heard about how people didn’t like cleaning Jiaofang. 

Well, to be precise, Jiaofang had never cropped up in their conversations, so she didn’t know that such a place existed prior to this.

When she finally knew what Jiaofang was, she assumed that the reason why she hadn’t worked there before was because novice court ladies weren’t allowed entry, due to the expensive stuff such as musical instruments.

Yui Mei was wrapping her head on such a theory, but Yang just made a complicated expression.

“Yeah, there are a bunch of guys like that over there, but there’s no need to interact with those courtesans in the first place, so there’s really no reason for the court ladies to loath that place, either. On the contrary, they even thought that they could be carefree without fear of being scolded since there are no higher-ups over there. A lot of people don’t like that so we’re getting a lot of complaints from Jiaofang.”

Yui Mei blinked her eyes in confusion when she heard Yang’s explanation, so she posed another question.

“Then what is the reason, if I may ask? Is it like the case with cleaning around the chestnut tree? Did something bad happen?”

“I don’t think so? That place shouldn’t be troublesome. Actually, it had been normally cleaned before. I’m not sure when it started, but that place became strangely unpopular.”

Yang shook her head. Even she didn’t know the answer.

Libin also told Yui Mei that those courtesans were harlots that were formerly owned by somebody else and sent as gifts, or else they were survivors of fallen families.

Even if that harlot was a gift, she needed to follow the etiquette of the palace, so there were a lot of those harlots who were born into wealthy families.

In short, these courtesans probably had never done any cleaning themselves.

If nobody came to clean this place, then wouldn’t it be like Lady Wang’s place back when Yui Mei cleaned it for the first time?

‘I wonder if the instruments are now covered all over with dust…;’

Yui Mei became worried about that, so her desire to clean that place became stronger.

“Sorry for always pushing those unwanted places to you. But, can you clean that place while checking the situation?”

Yang asked and Yui Mei nodded in return.

“In short, I’ll go investigate the reason why the others don’t like that place while cleaning it?”

“That’s right. I can only think of Xiao Mei when it comes to odd jobs like this.”

Yang looked worried when Yui Mei tried to confirm what’s expected of her.

Yui Mei sensed that the wind’s going in an unexpected direction. It might be inappropriate, but it’s making Yui Mei’s nerves tingle in excitement.

‘Wait, isn’t it like I’m doing detective work like a sleuth!?’

Yui Mei was also fairly interested in the mystery and thriller genre in her previous life.

She didn’t want to be a person directly related to the case, but she’s thrilled to be part of the investigation party.

“Please leave it to me! I, this Yui Mei, am confident in my burning spirit of curiosity! Whatever investigation it is, I’m ready for it!!”

“Well, just keep that “spirit of curiosity” in check, okay. Anyways, I’m leaving it to you.”

Contrary to Yui Mei’s lively declaration, Yang seemed to be uneasy.