The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 6.7
Enshou rushed into the Inner Palace after receiving the news. It was around the time when the palace doctors were moving hurriedly to treat the situation.
“Keigetsu!”
His cheeks, flushed from running, quickly lost their color the moment he saw Keigetsu lying face down on the bed, half-dressed.
“Ryusou, this way.”
Rougyoku, who had been by Keigetsu’s side, stood up immediately and led Enshou to her sitting room. Enshou, pale and stunned, followed without resistance, but suddenly pulled his hand away and glared at his foster mother.
“Why did this happen…?!”
“I don’t know.”
Rougyoku’s voice was firm. Enshou, angered by her response, stepped closer, but she simply repeated, “I don’t know.”
“Even the court ladies are confused. I have already called the Audit Department to investigate.”
Whenever a problem occurred in the Inner Palace, it was the Audit Department’s duty to investigate. These women reported neither to the Queen nor the Head Lady-in-Waiting. They followed a special chain of command, and they were highly skilled and trustworthy.
“Sit down for now.”
A chair was offered, but Enshou was not in the mood to sit. He wanted to refuse, but there was nothing he could do for Keigetsu at the moment, so he reluctantly obeyed.
“I’ll bring some tea.”
“I don’t need it. I’m not in the mood.”
His frustration was clear as he clenched his fist on the table. Just then, Kouji arrived, led by Junkei.
Enshou was surprised to see Junkei had disappeared for a while, but before he could ask, Kouji bowed deeply.
“I’m so sorry!”
“Forget the apology, Kouji. Tell me what happened.”
Enshou ordered sharply, pulling Kouji to his feet. Apologies wouldn’t help Keigetsu. What mattered was understanding what had happened. Punishment could come later.
Kouji nodded and lifted his pale face.
“After finishing the meal, while we were cleaning up, Keigetsu usually waited by the window. This morning was the same.”
At first, Keigetsu had tried to help with the cleaning, but since it was the court ladies’ duty, they gently told him not to. So, he would sit quietly, looking out at the garden.
Today was no different. After serving tea, they continued cleaning. But when they looked again, Keigetsu was gone.
There was no sign that he had left the room. No one had seen him leave. Normally, if he went out, he would always inform someone. He was still unfamiliar with the Inner Palace, so he never went anywhere alone.
This was the first time he had disappeared without a word. Alarmed, everyone searched for him. Just as they were about to look outside the Inner Palace, they heard a woman scream.
“I don’t know why he went to the kitchen. He shouldn’t have even known where it was.”
Keigetsu didn’t wander much. He had only been here for five days and was still unfamiliar with the palace layout.
“Then does that mean he went with someone?”
After listening to Kouji’s explanation, Enshou asked bitterly.
“Probably,” Kouji answered. But Keigetsu hadn’t even learned the names and faces of all the court ladies around him yet. Who could have taken him?
“That’s true,” Enshou nodded. Keigetsu wasn’t the type to follow a stranger easily.
After thinking for a while, Enshou stood up and told Rougyoku, “I’m going to the kitchen.”
“Ryusou, I’m sorry.”
Rougyoku suddenly apologized, looking deeply troubled.
Surprised, Enshou turned to her.
“As the queen, I am responsible for any disorder in the Inner Palace. I’m sorry for allowing this to happen to someone important to you.”
“Your Majesty…”
Enshou shook his head.
“I knew there were people here who would oppose him, yet I still brought Keigetsu. This is my responsibility.”
He spoke gently, trying to reassure her, then turned to leave.
“Let me know when Keigetsu’s treatment is finished.”
“Of course. I’ll send someone right away.”
Enshou smiled slightly at her response and walked toward the door.
“I’ve called the palace guards.”
Junkei whispered as he approached. He must have arranged it while listening to Kouji’s story. Enshou was grateful for his attentiveness.
He nodded and sighed.
“I had promised to meet with Shugetsu…”
He muttered bitterly, and Junkei gave him a sympathetic look.
It wasn’t as if Enshou could always be by Keigetsu’s side. Things like this were bound to happen when they were apart.
The Inner Palace had strict entry restrictions, making it a relatively safe place. But because of that, Enshou had let his guard down. He regretted that now.
Determined, he hurried toward the kitchen.
Less than fifteen minutes had passed since Keigetsu was found. The Audit Department officials were already there, investigating every corner.
“Your Highness.”
One of the female auditors noticed Enshou and bowed. Then, she glanced at the guards waiting outside.
“Did you call for them?”
“Yes. There are places women cannot search, such as the Outer Palace and the court. Let them handle those investigations. They can also assist with heavy tasks if needed.”
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
The woman briefly looked displeased but nodded politely. She likely didn’t want outsiders interfering with their work.
Understanding her reluctance, Enshou smiled wryly and left the arrangements to Junkei.
“Are the scattered items left as they are?”
Junkei asked the head auditor, a woman named Rinrai. She nodded, looking slightly annoyed as if it was obvious.
“Some things were moved during the rescue, but since then, nothing has been touched. The scene remains mostly undisturbed.”
“I see.”
Junkei quickly examined the room.
“He was found here.”
She pointed to a spot where the floor was still slightly wet. Enshou turned his attention to it.
Following the water trail, he noticed a large puddle near the stove.
“It seems he fell backward onto the pot here.”
“His back?
Junkei tilted his head, but Enshou, having seen Keigetsu receiving treatment lying on his stomach, immediately understood.
“He must have tried to cool the burn with water from that jar.”
He followed her gaze. The stove, the spot where Keigetsu fell, and the water jar were all in a straight line.
He had been found half-dressed, likely having removed his burning clothes to cool himself.The traces left behind supported this theory.
“But the strange thing is…”
Rinrai picked up a pot from the counter and placed it where Keigetsu had fallen.
“It was found here, not near the stove.”
Even if it had rolled, it shouldn’t have ended up in such a position.
“That’s true,” Junkei agreed. The distance, angle, and trajectory didn’t add up.
So why was it there?
“This seems intentional.”
Rinrai muttered, looking at Enshou and Junkei.
“It might not have been an accident. Someone could have attacked him.”
They had already suspected this, but hearing it spoken aloud made their hearts pound.
“The witnesses have been gathered,” Rinrai added, and a few female auditors left to fetch them.