Fan Translation by Zoe_emi0923

(This translation is supposed to be closer to the original Japanese text, so there might be a bit of missing naturality in the sentences. There are also translation notes at the bottom like always.) Also, I’m not translating all of the epilogue as of now, I just wanted to focus on the Jinmao segment. I hope you don’t mind.

:) Anyways enjoy!

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Maomao didn’t want to be looking at them any longer. (Talking about Hulan and Lakan) She wondered if there was any other place she could go to. Then she spotted a watchtower at the top of the mast. “Excuse me, could I climb up there by any chance?” She asked a sailor who was nearby. “And what would you even do up there? It’s a dangerous place for a young lady like yourself.” “…Just because.” “Just because… Could it be that everyone from the Capital like high up places?” She couldn't blame them for their uneasy looks. She'd nearly decided to call it off due to the danger - until a sailor abruptly shoved a rope into her hands. “Here, your lifeline. Make sure to tie it very well to yourself, since it’s dangerous.” “Ah- thank you very much.” Maomao was caught off guard by how easily he agreed. She then tied the rope around her waist like she was told, and started climbing until she reached the watchtower at the middle of the mast.

“…” When she was about to step in, she noticed someone was already there. “W-what hat are you doing here Maomao?” “I could ask you the same question, Jinshi Sama.” Jinshi was sitting at the watchtower. “Me? Well… Let’s just say I ran away from something troublesome.” “From Master Basen?... No that’s not it. Master Hulan perhaps?” Jinshis face darkened: Bingo. “…And what about you?” “I wanted to enjoy the nice weather, but the freak strategist keeps vomiting all over.” So, their reasons for being there were similar. “Well, sit down.” “It’s quite cramped, isn’t it?” “Deal with it.” Maomao sat down so close that their shoulders were touching. After all the space was so limited, it couldn’t be helped. Maybe that’s the reason she was allowed to go there in the first place, since someone else had already gone up. “We can finally go back home.” “Remember getting there, is still part of the trip sir.” “Don’t say such things, just when I’m starting to feel better.” Jinshi said as he looked up at the vast blue sky. The white clouds made it look like a perfect and peaceful painting; the kind in which nothing bad could ever happen. “There will be a lot of work waiting for you back at the capital, you know?” “True. The workload must have piled up. And being able to support I-sei from so far away, will be a challenge.” However, Jinshi’s expression indicated that it couldn’t be helped; that he must do it. On his refined profile there is a scar remaining – a scar that would never fade, yet Maomao remembered Jinshi had grown oddly fond of it. “(It reminds me of the events with the Shi clan.)” Jinshi must remember them as well, whenever he looks in the mirror or touches the scar. Maomao knows that Jinshi is a very responsible person. There was no reason for her to say something like: “You have work.” Why had she gone and said such inconsiderate words? “What do you want to do, once we return to the capital Jinshi Sama?” Maomao asked, since she couldn’t find anything else to talk about. “……Something I want to do?” Jinshi pondered, while tilting his head and groaning. “(Does he really need to think about it that much?)” Maomao hadn’t asked with any deeper meaning. “Is this really worth agonizing over so much sir?” If it were Maomao, she would have a list of things like: Collecting herbs, making medicines, or testing out new remedies. “No, it’s just that, there are probably countless things I don’t want to do, I was thinking of how to deal with them.” “Ah~. There were talks about a possible new consort, weren’t there?” Was she perhaps Gyoku-ou's adopted daughter?

Now that he was gone, Maomao couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the girl, who was just sent to the Rear Palace. “Her Majesty Gyokuyou has been... handling that. She probably had them rework those evidence papers to her taste multiple times.” “Handling, huh...” (Guys I had difficulties translating this part, so I’m not sure if it’s completely accurate.) “You didn’t know? Her Majesty Gyokuyou is quite famous for her honeyed words. She even single- handedly redrew the rear palace’s political power structure.” Maomao recalled her time in the Rear Palace. Come to think of it, she was often drinking tea with middle ranking and low-ranking concubines, pulling them into her faction. “It appears Lady Gyokuyou's position remains unchanged.” Though Maomao had sometimes sent messages to the capital, she refrained from writing to someone of such rank. She had no idea what the current situation might be. “I hear both the Crown Prince and Princess are doing well.” “That's good to hear.” Maomao was much closer to the Princess than she was to the Crown Prince. That very curious Princess, must be quite grown up by now. “Do you wish to go meet them when we get back?” “Am I allowed to? Lady Gyokuyou has invited me on multiple occasions, but...” “On second thought, don’t go.” Jinshi replied instantly. But then he said- “Something I want to do…? Now that you mention it, there is one thing.” “And what might that be?” Jinshi’s right hand touched Maomaos left hand. The size difference became apparent when their palms pressed together. “Is this the thing you wanted to do?” “There’s more.” “Is that so?” “But I can’t.” Jinshi’s gaze was directed at the person who was vomiting all over the deck. “I’m really holding back; It’s a bit tough though.” By this point, even Maomao was well aware of Jinshi’s feelings. And more importantly, she knew that he didn’t need to pretend to be a eunuch anymore, so, she was feeling a bit awkward being so close to Jinshi like this. But at the same time, it wasn't that unpleasant. “[Even Maomao San deals with various circumstances, so it's important to not be swayed by emotions. But... You shouldn't use that as an excuse.]" Whenever Maomao had found herself before Jinshi, she couldn’t help but recall Chue’s words on multiple occasions. Perhaps Maomao’s feelings for Jinshi were not those of a burning passion. She could never match the depth of his devotion—and yet, she was beginning to realize no one else really made her feel so at ease. Maomao was beginning to understand what her emotions were, and she was also starting to think that she should accept them properly. What was troublesome though, was that she never expected the Airhead maid to be the one telling her this. “(Now, what should I do?)” Maomao’s left hand was still pressed with Jinshi’s right hand. It was good that nothing else was happening, but she didn’t know when to let go. “Maomao.” “What is it sir?” As she looked up at him, his face came down towards her, their lips touched lightly for a brief second, it was so casual that she couldn’t gather her thoughts in time. “…” “What, are you embarrassed?” Despite it being a light kiss, Maomao unintentionally pointed it out when she saw Jinshi’s face turn red. “N-no, I was just trying to endure… and control myself” “Control yourself? You have done much more than this before.” Maomao said accidentally. “I haven’t......” Jinshi seemed to have recalled something that turned him grim. He probably was remembering that time when he had forcibly kissed her, resulting in Maomao retaliating by using her special reflex. “Well, I won't get you back this time—rest assured." “N-no that’s not what I meant.” “Should I get you back then?” (ᓀ ᓂ) Jinshi pressed his lips together tightly as he watched Maomao. “You didn't dislike it?”( ˶• • ˶) “......” Maomao averted her eyes gently. (˶ ¬ ¬) “(I probably didn’t dislike it.)” If she truly had disliked it, she wouldn’t have initiated anything herself. However, the more she said it, the more she couldn’t stand Chue’s words. “Hey!” “Yeah, yeah.” “Don’t dodge the question!” “Please don’t raise your voice, if the freak strategist finds out, what will you do? While he’s vomiting all over, he would come up here, you know? “Ugh…good point.” Jinshi became silent, so did Maomao. They both looked down— while their hands remained intertwined. “(The crew’s different from the last time we boarded, huh...)” Like the freak strategist, Lahan’s brothers farming buddies were also now on board. Maomao felt apologetic for the bad things that had happened. But then she noticed something. “By the way, I haven’t seen Lahan’s Brother anywhere.” Maomao said. “Lahan’s Brother? Well, this time any agricultural-involved personnel, should have been assigned to board the ship.” Jinshi said. Maomao paused for a moment. Had she actually told him, they were returning to the capital? “I must have completely forgotten to mention it, during Xiao Hong’s change.” No—that’s weird; even if she had forgotten, surely someone else must have told him, right? “But... didn’t Lahan’s Brother say something about “inspecting the village fields” a few days ago?” Maomao asked. “No, he would have returned. Generally, crew members should all be checked by a list.” Jinshi said “True. There’s no way they’d leave anyone behind. Should we check it though, just in case?” “Yeah. By the way, what’s Lahan’s Brother’s name? …… Maomao and Jinshi’s hands started to sweat, as their eyes looked back at the shore where the ship would no longer return to. The only thing that could be heard were the faint sounds of seagulls. For a fleeting moment, she could’ve sworn she saw Lahans Brother’s figure against the blue sky—

. . . Later, they found out that Lahan’s Brother was in fact not on the ship, and at the same time they got to learn his real name. However, he was still back at the distant western land, not knowing that he had been left behind. . . . (RIP JUNJIE) NOO, but this ending is always funny.

Alright that’s the end <3 Thank you for reading, if you wish to repost don’t forget to credit me, also there are translation notes down below (kind of short, but worth mentioning) Love you all like always.

Zoe’s notes:

Okay so there were multiple changes I noticed from the Official English translation, nothing too drastic like in vol 5, but I do want to emphasize on this one.

The misunderstanding with the kiss. In the official English translation, the point of view of Jinshi’s question was changed. Instead of asking if Maomao disliked him as a person, it actually is a direct question referencing the kisses in vol 5.