Housekeeper of the Hundred Blossom Palace

Two days later, Chen received the permission to conduct a doctor’s visit to the penitentiary.

Yui Mei was set to accompany him as special support so that Xu wouldn’t be too nervous during her first meeting with a doctor.

She couldn’t just waltz into the penitentiary whenever she wanted to, so it was decided that she would meet halfway with the person sent by the penitentiary.

“You’ve come.”

Libin was waiting at the appointed place to receive Yui Mei and Chen.

“Are you perhaps the guide that will allow us entry to the penitentiary?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Libin had a scowl on his face while answering Yui Mei’s question, obviously reluctant to be here.

It seemed the man from the penitentiary who was said to be Libin’s contemporary entrusted this duty to Libin once again.

Indeed, even if they sent another person, Yui Mei wouldn’t be able to discern whether the stranger was really from the penitentiary. Thus, there was no other choice but this person on because of trust.

‘But, is the Crown Prince’s safety still okay?’

Yui Mei couldn’t help but worry about this.

Well, it’s not like Libin was the only one who guarded him, and he was here so he must have been permitted to leave. Still, wasn’t he being used too thoroughly? She couldn’t help but sympathize with him.

“It’s been hard on you too.”

Chen seemed to be thinking the same thing as Yui Mei so he said that, and Libin sighed heavily in reply.

As a result, the same faces were grouped again to go to the penitentiary.

Another person was waiting inside the building when they entered. Aside from the guide Libin, it was an unfamiliar guard tasked to prevent guests from wandering round without permission.

‘He’s not the guy from earlier…Maybe he’s busy?’

That man was probably one of the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Justice, so it was understandable that he wouldn’t be here just to act as their guide.

The person who would guide Yui Mei’s group looked like a young lad that was around Yui Mei’s age. 

“E-Excuse me, t-this way please!”

It was obvious just how nervous he was from the way his body shook and how he stole glances at Libin.

Even though Libin was wearing the garb of eunuchs, his attire did nothing to suppress the pressure he exudes and the seamless way he carried himself, being the imperial guard that he was.

‘It’s fine, Libin-sama won’t bite!

Yui Mei inwardly cheered the guy in his heart, and she couldn’t help but feel warm at the innocent noobie’s appearance.

Libin glanced at Yui Mei while such thoughts ran through her head.

“You’re a rookie yourself, and yet you have the guts to look at someone else like you’re a veteran. That’s appalling.”

“…I guess you’re right.”

Yui Mei also realized her mistake, so she tried to refrain from looking at him as much as she could.

Indeed, if she felt somebody her age sympathizing with her, she would also question herself whether she was lacking as a person.

Yui Mei did try to act like a rookie, but she couldn’t help it if her habits and her personality from her previous life would sometimes show out.

It was a part of who she was, and instead of trying to act weirdly just for the sake of keeping appearances, it would be far easier to be resigned to being thought of as a “weird girl” like how Libin saw her.

While this exchange happened, Yui Mei and the others were taken to a room that was bigger than the one before.

“I will be waiting outside, so please call for me once you are finished with your business. However, please do not close the door.”

The guide said, and Yui Mei nodded in response before knocking on the door.

“Miss Xu, it’s Yui Mei. We will enter now.”

Yui Mei called out first before opening the door. It was a normal room.

There was a window facing a narrow courtyard, but it was where the other officials of the penitentiary were taking a break, and it was situated so that people outside wouldn’t see what’s going on inside the room, apparently.

The one Xu was previously in felt like a proper prison, contrary to this place that felt like a proper room. There should be a wide difference in Xu’s comfort.

“Miss Xu, I brought a physician with me today, just as promised.”

Yui Mei called out, and Chen stepped forward.

“I’m Chen, the physician from the clinic. Are you Xu Zi? Allow me to check you.”

Chen beamed at Xu, but she looked uncertain.

“…I am in your care.”

She bowed her head.