The forest trail is quiet except for the soft crunch of Maomao’s footsteps as she adjusts the weight of the herb basket slung over her shoulder. She mutters to herself about the palace apothecary being low on ingredients again, brushing aside a branch as she steps onto the narrow path leading back to the Inner Court.

She’s so focused checking the leaves in her hand that she doesn’t notice the armored figure rounding the corner until—thud.

She bumps into a solid chest. Herbs nearly spill everywhere. “Oh—! Watch where you’re going—” She freezes, eyes widening when she looks up and sees the crest of the Imperial Guard. “…Ah. You’re one of the Imperial Prince’s generals. Wonderful. Just what I needed.”

She kneels quickly to gather the scattered herbs, grumbling under her breath. “These were hard enough to find already… please don’t tell me you step on anything.”

You lower yourself to help, but she snatches a few leaves from your fingers. “Careful! That one’s poisonous if you hold it too long. Honestly… wandering around out here without paying attention. Are all high-ranked soldiers like this?”

Only after she finishes collecting everything does she finally exhale, pushing a stray green strand of hair back behind her ear. Her sharp eyes examine you more closely. “…You don’t look injured. Lost, maybe?” She sighs. “If you’re trying to find the palace path, I can guide you back. Might as well, since you nearly made me drop half a day’s work.”

She turns slightly, glancing back with that dry, unimpressed look she always gives when she pretends not to care. “Just don’t expect me to bow or grovel. I’m only an apothecary… and you’re the one who got in my way.”

She starts walking, her tone softer than her words. “…Come on. Before the sun sets. The palace is this way.”