The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 2.5

Rushing to the Fuyou Tower, I managed to arrive just before business hours started. There was still a little time to talk.

Peeking through the back door, I met the gaze of a kitchen maid who had just turned around.

“Oh, today it’s the older sister.”

Her words made me suddenly uncomfortable. I frowned instinctively and quickly bowed my head.

“I’m very sorry that my little sister always bothers you when you’re so busy!”

“Oh, you don’t have to be so formal. Your little sister is the master’s favorite, after all.”

The woman laughed cheerfully and wiped her hands on her apron.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Yes, I brought the mugwort you requested.”

“Oh, I see. Wait here a moment.”

Saying that, she ran off inside, probably to inform the shop owner.

After a while, she returned and told me to go inside. I was led to a room where the shop owner was working on his ledger.

“Ah, Keigetsu. So, the mugwort is ready?”

“It’s been a while, Mr. Zhang.”

“No, no, I appreciate it.”

I set the package on the table he pointed to and placed the bundle of mugwort he had requested. Then, I carefully offered another small bundle of angelica root.

“What’s this?”

“It’s just a little angelica root. Um, I’m really sorry that my sister is always causing trouble. Consider this a small token of gratitude—or maybe an apology.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that. You don’t have to worry.”

“But—”

As I tried to insist, he gently placed a finger on my lips to stop me.

“I like that girl. She’s honest and adorable. You don’t need to worry about it.”

He smiled warmly, reassuring me. I could only let out a sigh in response.

“Alright, then, let me get your payment ready.”

“Ah, then, please allow me to give you a small discount or add a little extra.”

I offered another bundle of mugwort to the shop owner, who looked slightly troubled. But when he saw my serious expression, he gave a wry smile and nodded.

“Alright. If this makes you feel better, I’ll accept it this time.”

“Thank you very much.”

“It’s fine. This helps us too. But from now on, really, don’t do things like this. I don’t want to argue with your father again.”

He grinned mischievously, and all I could do was smile awkwardly.

“I apologize for the trouble my father caused back then.”

“Well, we were in the wrong for mixing up the order. Any normal parent would be angry if someone tried to buy their precious daughter.”

Years ago, when Gekka was only eleven, the shop owner had tried to take her in, luring her with promises of beautiful clothes and delicious food. This led to a huge argument with our father.

“That was a poor approach on my part,” he said with a chuckle, handing me a bag of money.

I checked the contents carefully to make sure it only contained the payment for the original order.

“Please let me know if you ever need anything again.”

“I will.”

“Leave it to me. By the way, I’d like to take Gekka home now.”

I asked where she was, but the shop owner tilted his head.

“She’s not here today.”

“No, um… she’s been staying here for about eight days now, hasn’t she?”

Saying it out loud, I realized how embarrassing it was. How could she stay at a busy shop for such a long time?

Blushing from shame, I lowered my gaze slightly. The shop owner gave me a puzzled look.

“She did come about that long ago, but she went home the next day as usual.”

“…What?”

I was at a loss for words.

“Wait a moment,” the shop owner said. He stepped out of the room and called for Meigyoku.

(Home…? But that was seven days ago.)

Yet, she hadn’t come back home. Did something happen on her way?

No, this area wasn’t particularly dangerous. The road from town to our village was a mountain path, but there were no steep cliffs or risky spots. It wasn’t the kind of place where a child would suddenly disappear. If someone suspicious had been following her, she would have noticed.

What could have happened that made her disappear for seven days?

Just as suspicion began creeping into my mind—wondering if the shop owner had lied because he wanted Gekka to become a courtesan—Meigyoku arrived.

“Oh, Keigetsu? That’s unusual. You always leave right after finishing your business.”

Meigyoku was dressed in a beautiful, sky-blue kimono that was slightly transparent.

However, her hair was still undone, giving her an incomplete appearance.

She smiled with lips painted in red.

“…I’m sorry that Gekka is always causing trouble.”

I bowed my head out of habit, but my thoughts were a mess. I couldn’t think clearly.

Perhaps sensing something was off, Meigyoku tilted her head slightly.

“Gekka left the next day, just like always.”

The shop owner, who had brought over a steaming cup of tea, turned to Meigyoku and continued the conversation.

“Yes, she did,” Meigyoku nodded, then suddenly looked at me with realization.

“Wait… she didn’t come home?”

I nodded silently. Meigyoku sighed.

“Do you know where she could have gone? Did she seem different when she left?”

The shop owner, sipping his tea, looked troubled.

“Not really. She seemed fine and left happily.”

Meigyoku thought back to that day.

“She was quite angry when she arrived, but after venting, she seemed relieved. Maybe she felt she had overreacted, because by morning, she was back to her usual self.”

“I see…”

Then where did she go?

As my face grew paler, the shop owner placed a warm teacup in my hands.

Noticing how cold my fingers were, he furrowed his brows slightly.

He sighed and turned to Meigyoku.

“Are you sure there was nothing strange?”

“Yes, she was in a good mood.”

Meigyoku glanced back at me, her expression growing concerned.

“She really hasn’t come home?”

Holding the tea, I barely managed to nod, feeling distant from the warmth in my hands.

“This is bad…”

The shop owner muttered, scratching his forehead.

Bad? This was beyond bad. I had come here expecting to apologize for causing trouble, but now an even bigger issue had surfaced.

And it was a serious one.

“For now, we should ask around the city. She’s well-known, so someone must have seen her.”

“Yes,” I answered, but my voice trembled.

Where on earth had Gekka gone?

She had no distant relatives or close friends nearby. Other than this shop and our village, she had nowhere else to go.

But she wasn’t here. And she hadn’t returned to the village.

Even Yuurin, who often saw her walking alone, hadn’t seen her at the Son family’s house.

(What should I do…?)

Tears welled up in my eyes.