Episode 1 "Maomao" / 第1話『猫猫(Maomao)』
羅門(ルォメン)「猫猫」
Ruomen “Maomao”
Luomen “Maomao”
猫猫「ん?」
Maomao “N?”
Maomao “Hmm?”
羅門「緑青館(ろくしょうかん)に薬を届けてくれないかい?」
Ruomen “Rokushokanni kusurio todokete kurenai-kai?”
Luomen “Could you deliver some medicine to the Verdigris House?”
猫猫「うん、分かった、おやじ」
Maomao “Un, wakatta, Oyaji.”
Maomao “Yeah, got it, Dad.”
羅門「最近、女狩りが多いから、気を付けて行くんだよ」
Ruomen “Saikin Onna-gariga ooi-kara, kio tsukete ikundayo.”
Luomen “Be careful out there. Kidnappings are on the rise.”
猫猫「大丈夫だって。帰りに畑寄ってくるよ」
Maomao “Daijobu datte. Kaerini hatake yotte-kuruyo.”
Maomao “I’ll be fine. I’ll stop by the herb plot on my way back.”
羅門「ああ、よろしく」
Ruomen “Aa, yoroshiku.”
Luomen “Yes, please do.”
猫猫「行ってきまーす」
Maomao “Ittekimāsu.”
Maomao “I’m off!”
ーーーーー
やり手婆「ふーん…これっぽっちかい」
Yarite Babaa “Fūn… Koreppocchi kai.”
Madam “Huh, is this all you’ve got?”
客「全財産だ、頼むよ」
Kyaku “Zen-zaisain da, tanomuyo.”
Customer “It’s my life savings! I beg you!”
やり手婆「これじゃ、お話にならないね」
Yarite Babaa “Koreja, ohanashini naranaine.”
Madam “This is a non-starter.”
客「あれが緑青館の誇る三姫の一人、売れっ子の白(パイ)鈴(リン)か!」
Kyaku “Arega Rokushokanno hokoru San Hime no hitori, urekkono Pairinka!”
Customer “That must be Pairin, one of the famous Three Princesses of the Verdigris House!”
やり手婆「タダで見んじゃないよ!」
Yarite Babaa “Tadade minja naiyo!”
Madam “If you want to gawk, pay up!”
ーーーーー
猫猫「んー、治りが悪いな。配合を変えてみよう」
Maomao “Ñ, naoriga waruina. Haigo’o kaete-miyo.”
Maomao “Hmm, it’s taking too long to heal. I’ll tweak the recipe some.”
白鈴「あら、猫猫」
Pairin “Ara, Maomao”
Pairin “Oh, Maomao!”
猫猫「白鈴姐ちゃん」
Maomao “Pairin-neechan”
Maomao “Hey, Pairin”
白鈴「…って、また傷増えてるじゃないの」
Pairin “…Tte, mata kizu fueteruja naino”
Pairin “Hey, you have more wounds again!”
猫猫「ああ…いつもの薬の実験だよ…わっ」
Maomao “Aa… Itsumono kusurino jikken dayo… Wa.”
Maomao “It’s just my usual drug experiments.”
白鈴「ちゃんとご飯食べてる?」
Pairin “Chanto gohan tabeteru?”
Pairin “Are you eating well?”
猫猫「姐ちゃんは相変わらずご立派なことで…」
Maomao “Neechanwa aikawarazu gorippana kotode…”
Maomao “You seem to be very well nourished, as always.”
やり手婆「猫猫!また実験とか言って、部屋を爆発させたりしちゃ、承知しないよ。…それとも、うちで妓女として働くかい?」
Yarite Babaa “Maomao! Mata jikken-toka itte, heyao bakuhatsu sasetari shicha, shochi shinaiyo. …Soretomo uchide gijoto-shite hataraku kai?”
Maomao “You’d better not be setting off explosions again for your so-called experiments! Or, would you like to start a career as a courtesan?”
猫猫「げっ!ばあちゃん、薬、置いとくよ」
Maomao “Ge! Baachan, kusuri oitokuyo.”
Maomao “Yikes! Granny, I left your meds here!”
やり手婆「爺(じじい)によろしくな。…ったく」
Yarite Babaa “Jijiini yoroshikuna. …Ttaku.”
Madam “Say hi to your old man for me. Sheesh.”
女華(ジョカ)「猫猫の声がしたけど」
Joka “Maomaono koega shitakedo.”
Joka “Did I just hear Maomao’s voice?”
梅梅(メイメイ)「あれ?猫猫は?」
Meimei “Are? Maomaowa?”
Meimei “Hey, where’s Maomao?”
白鈴「行っちゃった」
Pairin “Icchatta.”
Pairin “She took off.”
ーーーーー
猫猫「やり手婆め… 隙あらば妓女になれって言ってくる」
Maomao “Yarite Babaame… Suki-araba gijoni narette itte-kuru.”
Maomao “That shrewd old bag, always trying to make me a courtesan…”
猫猫「おお~!フフフッ、おお~!フフフフッ…」
Maomao “Ooo! Fufufu. Ooo! Fufufufu…”
三人組「ヘヘヘヘヘッ…」
San-nin-gumi “Hehehehehe…”
猫猫「まさか、人さらい?うわっ!」
Maomao “Masaka hito-sarai? Uwa!”
Maomao “Could it be? Kidnappers?!”
猫猫「…あ~あ…おやじ、心配するだろうな…」
Maomao “…Aaa… Oyaji shinpai suru-darona…”
Maomao “Dad’s gonna be really worried…”
ーーーーー
やぶ医者「東宮のご誕生です!梨花(リファ)様、おめでとうございます!」
Yabu Isha “Toguno gotanjo desu! Rifa-sama, omedeto gozaimasu!”
Quack Doctor “The prince is born! Congratulations, Lady Lihua!”
ーーーーー
紅娘(ホンニャン)「無事にお生まれになったそうです」
Hon’nyan “Bujini oumareni natta sodesu.”
Hongniang “The prince was born safely.”
玉葉(ギョクヨウ)妃「そう、よかった」
Gyokuyo-hi “So, yokatta.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “I see. Wonderful.”
ーーーーー
〈三ヶ月後〉
〈San-kagetsu-go〉
〈Three months later〉
猫猫「露店の串焼きが食べたいなあ…、おやじ、ちゃんと飯食ってんだろうか」
Maomao “Rotenno kushi-yakiga tabetainaa… Oyaji, chanto meshi kutten-daroka.”
Maomao “I want meat skewers from a stall… I wonder if Dad’s eating properly.”
猫猫(はた迷惑にも売り飛ばされたか、身代わりにされたのか知らないが、あれからもう3か月。御殿も花街も大して変わらないな。できれば後宮なんて一生関わりたくなかったが…まあ、来てしまったものは仕方ない。せっかく薬師としてそれなりの生活をしてたのに。)
Maomao (Hata-meiwaku-nimo uritoba-saretaka migawarini saretanoka shiranaiga, arekara mo san-kagetsu. Gotenmo hanamachimo taishite kawaranaina. Dekireba kokyu nante issho kakawari-taku-nakattaga… Maa, kite-shimatta-monowa shikata nai. Sekkaku kusushi toshite sorenarino seikatsuo shiteta-noni.)
Maomao (I’m not sure if I was sold off or ransomed, but annoyingly, it’s already been three months. The palace and the brothels are really similar. If I had a choice, I’d have nothing to do with the rear palace, ever. But…Well, what can I do, now that I’m here? I was living a pretty good life as an apothecary, and now…)
猫猫(後宮は帝の子を成すための女の園だ。男子の立ち入りは一切禁止。入れるのは国で最も高貴な方と、その血縁。あとは大切なものを失った、元男性である宦官(かんがん)だけ。妃、女官、合わせて2000人、宦官1000人の大所帯だ。上級妃や中級妃、下級妃と違って、私たちのような使いっ走りの下女は、いつ命をなくしてもおかしくない)
Maomao (Kokyuwa Mikadono ko’o nasu tameno onnano sonoda. Danshino tachiiriwa issai kinshi. Haireru-nowa kunide mottomo kokina katato, sono ketsu-en. Atowa taisetsuna mono’o ushinatta, moto danseide aru kangan dake. Kisaki, nyokan, awasete ni-sen-nin, kangan sen-ninno oojotaida. Jokyu-hiya chukyu-hi, kakyu-hito chigatte, watashi-tachino yona tsukaippashirino gejowa, itsu inochio nakushitemo okashiku nai.)
Maomao (The rear palace is a garden of women who are to give birth to the emperor’s children. No men are allowed to enter. The only people allowed in here are the emperor, his kin, and eunuchs, “formerly male” individuals who lost an important part of their body. It’s a huge collective of two thousand concubines and servants, and one thousand eunuchs. Unlike the high, mid, and low-ranking concubines, we serving girls are expendable and can lose our lives at any moment.)
猫猫「次は引きこもりの下級妃様か…。まあ、お給金が出てるだけ、まだマシか」
Maomao “Tsugiwa hiki-komorino kakyuhi-samaka… Maa okyukinga deteru-dake mada mashika.”
Maomao “Next in line are the shut-in, low-ranking concubines. I guess, at the very least, I get paid.”
小蘭(シャオラン)「ねえ、猫猫!この札、どこの部屋か分かる?」
Shaoran “Nee, Maomao! Kono fuda dokono heyaka wakaru?”
Xiaolan “Hey, Maomao…Do you know which room this plate is for?”
猫猫「ああ…これは藤の九だから、あそこだよ」
Maomao “Aa… Korewa fujino kyu dakara asoko dayo.”
Maomao “Oh, This one is Wisteria-9, so over there.”
小蘭「ありがとう!」
Shaoran “Arigato!”
Xiaolan “Thank you!”
猫猫(女官の中には字が読めない者も多い。後宮に勤める以上、最低限の礼儀はたたき込まれるが、文字の読み書きになれば話は別だ。文字が読めてお給金が上がったとしても、結局人さらいに間引かれる金額が増えるだけ。そんな下女でもごくまれに、下級妃になることがある。要は…見た目だ。そばかす、絶壁、肉なし体型…私には関係ない話だな。けっ。悪目立ちして命の危険が増えるくらいなら、今のままがいい。おとなしく働いていれば、2年で出れる。)
Maomao (Nyokanno naka-niwa jiga yomenai monomo ooi. Kokyuni tsutomeru ijo, saiteigenno reigiwa tataki-komareruga, mojino yomi-kakini nareba hanashiwa betsuda. Mojiga yomete okyukinga agattato shitemo, kekkyoku hito-saraini mabikareru kingakuga fueru-dake. Sonna gejo demo goku mareni, kakyu-hini naru-kotoga aru. Yowa…mitameda. Sobakasu, zeppeki, nikunashi-taikei… Watashiniwa kankei-nai hanashi dana. Ke. Waru-medachi shite inochino kikenga fueru kurai-nara, imano mamaga ii. Otonashiku hataraite-ireba, ni-nende dereru.)
Maomao (Many of the servants are illiterate. In order to work in the rear palace, they’re taught the bare minimum essentials of etiquette. But reading and writing is a whole different story. The raise I would get for being literate would just get swiped by my kidnappers. That said, even servants like us could become low-ranking concubines. What’s key is…Looks. Freckles. Flat. Given my skin-and-bones look, that’s not applicable to me. If I stood out, my life would be at risk. I’m better off just laying low. All I have to do is work hard. I’ll be out in two years.)
猫猫「酒飲みてぇ~…」
Maomao “Sake nomiteee…”
Maomao “I need a drink.”
ーーーーー
小蘭「ねえねえ、聞いた?中央に、ものすご~くきれいな宦官がいるんだって!ここんとこ、みんなその話で持ち切りなんだよ!」
Shaoran “Nee nee, kiita? Chuoni, monosugooku kireina kanganga irundatte! Kokontoko, minna sono hanashide mochikiri nandayo!”
Xiaolan “Hey, did you hear? I heard there’s a super beautiful eunuch in the central area. Everyone’s been talking about him!”
猫猫「へえ…」
Maomao “Hee…”
Maomao “I see.”
小蘭「そんなに美形なら、一度は見てみたいよね。そう思わない?」
Shaoran “Sonnani bikei nara, ichidowa mite-mitai yone. So omowanai?
Xiaolan “I’d like to get a glimpse of him, if he’s so handsome! Am I right?”
猫猫「宦官ねえ…」
Maomao “Kangan nee…”
Maomao “An eunuch, huh?”
ーーーーー
高順(ガオシュン)「随分とお痩せになって…」
Gaoshun “Zuibunto oyaseni natte…”
Gaoshun “She has lost much weight.”
壬氏(ジンシ)「ああ…」
Jinshi “Aa…”
Jinshi “Yes.”
玉葉「小鈴(シャオリン)…」
Gyokuyo-hi “Shaorin…”
Concubine Gyokuyou “Xiaoling…”
壬氏「申し訳ないのですが…医官は今、東宮の処置にかかりきりでして…」
Jinshi “Moshiwake naino-desuga… Ikanwa ima, toguno shochini kakari-kiri deshite…”
Jinshi “I’m sorry, the physician is busy attending to the prince.”
玉葉妃「…そうですか」
Gyokuyo-hi “…So desuka.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “I see…”
ーーーーー
下女「まだ3か月と半年だっけ?」
Gejo “Mada san-kagetsuto han-toshi dakke?”
Serving girl “They’re only three months and six months old, right?”
下女「そうそう、東宮と鈴麗公主(リンリーひめ)のお二人ともよ」
Gejo “So so, toguto Rinrī himeno ofutari-tomoyo.”
Serving girl “Yeah, both the prince and Princess Lingli…”
小蘭「や…やっぱり呪いなのかな?」
Shaoran “Ya…Yappari noroi nanokana?”
Xiaolan “Is it really a curse?!”
猫猫「何の話?」
Maomao “Nanno hanashi?”
Maomao “What are you talking about?”
小蘭「猫猫、知らないの?今、後宮内はこのウワサで持ち切りなんだよ。後宮で生まれるお世継ぎの連続死!今までの帝の御子が三人とも、生まれてからだんだん弱って亡くなったんだって。おかしいと思わない?」
Shaoran “Maomao, shiranaino? Ima, kokyu-naiwa kono uwasade mochikiri nandayo. Kokyude umareru oyotsugino renzoku-shi! Imamadeno mikadono mikoga san-nin-tomo, umarete-kara dandan yowatte nakunattan-datte. Okashiito omowanai?”
Xiaolan “You didn’t hear, Maomao? The entire rear palace is buzzing about this rumor. The deaths of all the heirs born in the rear palace! All three of the emperor’s children born so far grew weak and passed away! Doesn’t that seem weird?”
猫猫「3人とも?」
Maomao “San-nin-tomo?”
Maomao “All three?”
小蘭「今回も似たような感じみたい」
Shaoran “Konkaimo nita-yona kanji mitai.”
Xiaolan “And it looks like the same thing’s happening now.”
猫猫「具合が悪いってこと?」
Maomao “Guaiga waruitte koto?”
Maomao “You mean they are unwell?”
小蘭「そう!そして今度は、玉葉様のところにも、梨花様のところにも、お医者様が入って行ったんだって!」
Shaoran “So! Soshite kondowa Gyokuyo-samano tokoro-nimo Rifa-samano tokoronimo, oisha-samaga haitte-ittan-datte!”
Xiaolan “Yes! And this time, the doctor went to visit both Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua!”
猫猫「ふーん…」
Maomao “Fūn…”
Maomao “Huh…”
小蘭「今の帝には皇后がいないから、東宮が生まれたら梨花様が皇后になるんだよね?」
Shaoran “Imano mikado-niwa kogoga inaikara, toguga umaretara Rifa-samaga kogoni narun-dayone?”
Xiaolan “The emperor doesn’t have an empress consort, so that makes Lady Lihua, who gave birth to the prince, the empress consort, right?”
猫猫「まあ、当然だろう。帝に皇后がいない今、東宮を持つ妃、梨花妃は後宮のトップと言えるだろう」
Maomao “Maa tozen daro. Mikadoni kogoga inai ima, toguo motsu kisaki, Rifa-hiwa kokyuno topputo ierudaro.”
Maomao “Naturally, I guess. Since there is no empress consort, Concubine Lihua gave birth to the prince, so she should be considered the top of the rear palace.”
小蘭「だけど帝の寵愛は玉葉様に傾いているってウワサなの。そのへんのことも、呪いと関係あるかもしれないって」
Shaoran “Dakedo mikadono choaiwa Gyokuyo-samani katamuiterutte uwasa nano. Sono henno kotomo, noroito kankei arukamo shirenaitte.”
Xiaolan “But then, rumor says the emperor favors Lady Gyokuyou. They say that could be related to the curse, too.”
猫猫「権力争いか…」
Maomao “Kenryoku arasoika…”
Maomao “A power struggle…”
小蘭「梨花様の方が、容体は重いのかな。お医者様がつきっきりらしいよ」
Shaoran “Rifa-samano hoga, yodaiwa omoinokana. Oisha-samaga tsukikkiri rashiiyo.”
Xiaolan “Lady Lihua might be worse off, since the doctor is always with her.”
猫猫「梨花様ご自身も?」
Maomao “Rifa-sama gojishinmo?”
Maomao “Lady Lihua herself is sick, too?”
小蘭「うん、母子共に。頭痛とか腹痛とか、吐き気もあるって聞いたなあ」
Shaoran “Un, boshi tomoni. Zutsu-toka fukutsu-toka, hakikemo arutte kiitanaa.”
Xiaolan “Yeah, mother and child both. Head and stomach aches. Nausea too, I think.”
猫猫「頭痛、腹痛、吐き気…」
Maomao “Zutsu, fukutsu, hakike…”
Maomao “Headache, stomachache, nausea…”
小蘭「やっぱり絶対、呪いだよ~!”
Shaoran “Yappari zettai, noroi dayoo!”
Xiaolan “It has to be a curse!”
猫猫「呪いだなんて、くだらない」
Maomao “Noroi danante, kudaranai.”
Maomao “Curses are stupid.”
小蘭「え~!」
Shaoran “Eeee!”
Xiaolan “Huh?”
ーーーーー
猫猫「頭痛に腹痛に吐き気… 考えられるのは毒殺か… いや、皇位争いなら公主が狙われる理由はない。毒を盛られた可能性は少ないだろう。疑うとすれば、病気か… もしかして、血筋だろうか」
Maomao “Zutsuni fukutsuni hakike… Kangae-rareru-nowa dokusatsuka… Iya, koi-arasoi-nara himega nerawareru riyuwa nai. Dokuo morareta kanoseiwa sukunai-daro. Utagauto sureba, byokika… Moshika-shite, chisuji daroka.”
Maomao “Poison is a possibility. No, if it’s over the position of imperial heir, it doesn’t make sense to go after the princess. Deliberate poisoning is low on the list of possibilities. Could an illness be more likely? Perhaps something hereditary?”
猫猫「たかがウワサ話に何を真剣になってるんだ。こんなのは、ただの憶測にすぎない。すぎないが…ちいとばかし、行ってみるか。そそそそそ…」
Maomao “Takaga uwasa-banashini nanio shinkenni natterunda. Konnanowa tadano okusokuni suginai. Suginaiga…chiito-bakashi itte-miruka. Sososososo…”
Maomao “Why am I taking a rumor so seriously? It’s all just conjecture. But still… I guess I can take a quick peek.”
ーーーーー
猫猫「さすが上級妃の宮が集まっているだけあって、柱一つとっても、私たちのいる建物よりよっぽど洗練されてるな…」
Maomao “Sasuga jokyu-hino miyaga atsumatte-irudake atte, hashira hitotsu tottemo watashi-tachino iru tatemono-yori yoppodo senren sareteruna…”
Maomao “Given this is where all the high-ranked concubines’ pavilions are, every building is exquisite, right down to the individual pillars.”
梨花妃「お前が悪いんだ!」
Rifa-hi “Omaega waruinda!”
Concubine Lihua “It’s your fault!”
桜花(インファ)「玉葉様!」
Infa “Gyokuyo-sama!”
Yinghua “Lady Gyokuyou!”
梨花妃「自分の子が娘だからと、男子の吾子を呪い殺す気だろう!」
Rifa-hi “Jibunno koga musume dakarato, onokono ako’o noroi-korosu kidaro!”
Concubine Lihua “You’re trying to curse my son, because your child is a daughter!”
玉葉妃「そんなわけないと、あなたも分かっているでしょう。小鈴(シャオリン)も同じように苦しんでいるのですから」
Gyokuyo-hi “Sonna wake naito, anatamo wakatte-irudesho. Shaorinmo onaji-yoni kurushinde iruno-desukara.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “You know that’s absurd! My Xiaoling is sick, too!”
宦官「梨花様は、相当お怒りだな」
Kangan “Rifa-samawa, soto oikari dana.”
Eunuch “Lady Lihua is furious.”
宦官「玉葉様も、お気の毒に」
Kangan “Gyokuyo-samamo, okinodokuni.”
Eunuch “I feel sorry for Lady Gyokuyou.”
ーーーーー
高順「壬氏様…」
Gaoshun “Jinshi-sama…”
Gaoshun “Master Jinshi…”
壬氏「はぁ…」
Jinshi “Haa…”
Jinshi (Sigh)
ーーーーー
玉葉妃「ですので、娘の容体も診ていただきたいのです。」
Gyokuyo-hi “Desunode, musumeno yodaimo mite-itadaki-taino desu.
Concubine Gyokuyou “That’s why I’d like to examine my daughter’s state, as well.”
やぶ医者「ええ…でも、あの…」
Yabu Isha “Ee… Demo, ano…”
Quack Doctor “Yes… Well… Um…”
猫猫(あの真ん中のオロオロしてる宦官が医官か?バカだろ、あのヤブ。あれだけ妃二人のそばにいて本当に気づいてないのか?いや、それ以前に知らないのか?幼児の死亡、頭痛と腹痛と吐き気。そして何より、梨花様のげっそりとした様子。やはりこれは呪いでも何でもない。問題はどう伝えるかだ。)
Maomao (Ano mannakano oro-oro shiteru kanganga ikanka? Baka daro, ano yabu. Aredake kisaki futarino sobani ite hontoni kizuite-nainoka? Iya, sore-izenni shiranai-noka? Yojino shibo, zutsuto fukutsuto hakike. Soshite naniyori, Rifa-samano gessorito shita yosu. Yahari korewa noroi-demo nandemo nai. Mondaiwa do tsutaerukada.)
Maomao (Is that flustered eunuch in the middle the physician? What a stupid quack. He seriously still hasn’t noticed? After spending all that time near the concubines? Or rather…Maybe he really doesn’t know? Death of the infants. Headache, stomachache, nausea. And most of all, how Lady Lihua seems so worn out. As I thought, this is no curse. The only issue is, how do I tell them?)
猫猫「何か書けるものさえあれば…」
Maomao “Nanika kakeru mono sae areba…”
Maomao “If only I could find something to write with…”
ーーーーー
杏(シン)「フンッ…」
Shin “Fun…”
ーーーーー
猫猫(東宮が亡くなられたという話が回ってきたのは、それからひと月もしない頃だった)
Maomao (Toguga nakuna-rareta to-iu hanashiga mawatte-kitanowa, sorekara hito-tsukimo shinai koro datta.)
Maomao (Barely a month passed before word got around that the prince had passed away.)
ーーーーー
玉葉妃「何か聞きたいことでもあるようですね」
Gyokuyo-hi “Nanika kikitai koto-demo aru-yodesune.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “It seems like you have a question for me.”
壬氏「それは…」
Jinshi “Sorewa…”
Jinshi “Is that…”
玉葉妃「私が水晶宮を訪ねて、娘を診てもらいたいと言った日です。あのあと、窓辺に置いてありました。この枝に結んで。」
Gyokuyo-hi “Watashiga Suisho-kyuo tazunete, musumeo mite moraitaito itta hidesu. Ano ato, madobeni oite arimashita. Kono edani yunde.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “The day I visited the Crystal Pavilion, to ask to have my daughter examined, I found this on the windowsill, tied to this branch.”
壬氏「石楠花(しゃくなげ)、ですか」
Jinshi “Shakunage, desuka.”
Jinshi “A rhododendron.”
玉葉妃「“おしろいはどく、赤子にふれさすな”…無知は罪ですね」
Gyokuyo-hi “‘Oshiroiwa doku. Akagoni fure-sasuna.’ …Muchiwa tsumi desune.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “‘The white face powder is poison. Don’t let the baby touch it.’ …It truly is a sin to be ignorant.”
壬氏「宮中の医官は、このような遠回しなことをしないでしょう」
Jinshi “Kyuchuno ikanwa, kono-yona toomawashina koto’o shinaidesho.”
Jinshi “The palace physician would not take such a roundabout approach.”
玉葉妃「ええ。最後まで東宮の処置が分からないようでしたから」
Gyokuyo-hi “Ee. Saigo-made toguno shochiga wakaranai-yodeshita-kara.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “Agreed. He never could seem to figure out how to treat the prince.”
壬氏「この文、一体誰が…」
Jinshi “Kono fumi, ittai darega…”
Jinshi “Who could have sent this message?”
玉葉妃「それを探していただきたいのです」
Gyokuyo-hi “Soreo sagashite itadaki-tainodesu.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “I’d like you to find out.”
壬氏(…そういえば、あの時…)
Jinshi (…Soieba, ano toki…)
Jinshi (Coming to think of it, back then…)
ーーーーー
猫猫「何か、書けるものさえあれば…」
Maomao “Nanika, kakeru mono sae areba…”
Maomao “If only I could find something to write with…”
ーーーーー
壬氏「承知しました。これはしばらく預かってよろしいですか?」
Jinshi “Shochi shimashita. Korewa shibaraku azukatte yoroshii-desuka?”
Jinshi “Understood. May I keep this for the time being?”
ーーーーー
小蘭「帝は生き残った公主様を慈しんで、玉葉様のもとに通っているんだって」
Shaoran “Mikadowa ikinokotta hime-samao itsukushinde, Gyokuyo-samano motoni kayotte-irundatte.”
Xiaolan “I heard the emperor is visiting Lady Gyokuyou a lot, to show his love for the surviving princess.”
猫猫「梨花様のところへは?」
Maomao “Rifa-samano tokoro-ewa?”
Maomao “What about Lady Lihua?”
小蘭「全然、ウワサ聞かないね」
Shaoran “Zen-zen, uwasa kikanaine.”
Xiaolan “Haven’t heard anything about her.”
猫猫「ああ…都合のいいことで」
Maomao “Aa… Tsugono iikotode.”
Maomao “How convenient.”
宦官「ああ、こんなところにいた。今すぐ、宮官長の部屋に来るようにとのことだ」
Kangan “Aa, konna tokoroni ita. Imasugu, Kyukan-chono heyani kuruyoni tono kotoda.”
Eunuch “Oh, there you are. You are to report to the Matron of the Derving Women immediately.”
猫猫「へ?」
Maomao “He?”
小蘭「呼び出し?」
Shaoran “Yobidashi?”
Xiaolan “You’re being summoned?”
猫猫「何の用だろう…」
Maomao “Nanno yodaro…”
Maomao “For what, I wonder?”
ーーーーー
宦官「よし、ではここに集まった全員、中に入るように」
Kangan “Yoshi, dewa kokoni atsumatta zen’in, nakani hairu-yoni.”
Eunuch “All right, all of you who’ve gathered here, head inside.”
猫猫(下女が偉い人に呼び出されるなんて…嫌な予感しかしない。ただの人手不足か?)
Maomao (Gejoga erai-hitoni yobidasareru-nante… Iyana yokan-shika shinai. Tadano hitode-busokuka?)
Maomao (Serving girls getting summoned by the high officials can’t be good news… Or do they just want more workers?)
壬氏「わざわざ集まってもらって申し訳ない」
Jinshi “Waza-waza atsumatte-moratte moshiwake nai.”
Jinshi “Thank you all for coming.”
猫猫(なんだ、この偉そうな女官は…)
Maomao (Nanda, kono erasona nyokanwa…)
Maomao (Who is this arrogant-looking woman?)
壬氏「私は、後宮管理者の壬氏だ」
Jinshi “Watashiwa, kokyu-kanrishano Jinshi da.”
Jinshi “I am Jinshi, manager of the rear palace.”
猫猫(男なのか。さては小蘭が言っていた、ものすごく美しい宦官というのはこいつのことか…。もったいないな、この美貌があるのに子供が成せないなんて)
Maomao (Otoko nanoka. Satewa Shaoranga itteita, mono-sugoku utsukushii kanganto iunowa koitsuno kotoka… Mottai-naina, kono biboga arunoni kodomoga nasenai-nante.)
Maomao (That’s a man? Ah, that must be the good-looking eunuch that Xiaolan was talking about. That’s a waste. He’s so handsome, but he can’t have children.”
『そこのそばかす女、お前は居残りだ』
“Sokono sobakasu-onna, omaewa inokorida.”
“You with the freckles, stay here.”
猫猫「ん?ソバカスお…んな、やばい!」
Maomao “N? Sobakasu-o…nna, yabai!”
Maomao “Huh? Freckles? Stay…? Oh, no!”
壬氏「今日はこれで解散だ。部屋に戻っていいぞ。」
Jinshi “Kyowa korede kaisanda. Heyani modotte iizo.”
Jinshi “We’re done here. You may all return to your rooms.”
下女「え?どういうこと?」
Gejo “E? Doiu koto?”
Serving girl “Huh? What was that about?”
猫猫(何か目を付けられるようなヘマをしたか?まさか、先日の文が… そうか!この中で文字を読める下女は私だけ!それをあぶりだすためにあの書き物を… やばい、早く逃げよ…!)
Maomao (Nanika meo tsuke-rareru-yona hemao shitaka? Masaka, senjitsuno fumiga… Soka! Kono nakade mojio yomeru gejowa watashi-dake! Soreo aburidasu tameni ano kaki-mono’o… Yabai, hayaku nigeyo…!)
Maomao (Did I do something to get attention?! Wait, did the message from the other day… Ah! I’m the only servant here who can read! He wrote that just now to single me out! Oh, no! I have to get out!)
壬氏「ダメじゃないか。君は、居残りだよね?黙ってついてこい。」
Jinshi “Dameja naika. Kimiwa inokori dayone? Damatte tsuite-koi.”
Jinshi “Come now. I just told you to stay. Just keep quiet and follow me.”
猫猫(ハメられた…)
Maomao (Hamerareta…)
Maomao (It was a trap…)
壬氏「不思議だ…調べたところ、君は文字が読めないことになってるんだが…」
Jinshi “Fushigida… Shirabeta-tokoro, kimiwa mojiga yomenai-kotoni natterun-daga…”
Jinshi “This is odd. I looked you up. It said you couldn’t read.”
猫猫「はい、卑賎の生まれでして…何かの間違いでしょう」
Maomao “Hai, hisenno umare deshite… Nanikano machigai desho.”
Maomao “I am of lowly birth. It must be a mistake.”
猫猫(誰が教えるか!世の中は、無知なふりをしていたほうが立ち回りやすい。大体、この男になんで文のことがバレてるんだ?十分周りに気を付けていたのに…ぐぬぬぬぬぬ…なんて疑り深いんだ!…てか、暇人すぎるだろ!)
Maomao (Darega oshieruka! Yono-nakawa, muchina furio shiteita-hoga tachimawari-yasui. Daitai, kono otokoni nande fumino kotoga barete-runda? Jubun mawarini kio tsukete-itanoni… Gunununununu… Nante utaguri-bukainda! …Teka, himajin-sugiru-daro!)
Maomao (I’ll never admit it. Pretending to be ignorant makes everything easier in this world. Besides, how did this man find out about the messages? I made absolutely sure nobody was around… He’s so mistrustful! Rather, he must have nothing better to do!)
紅娘(ホンニャン)「どうぞ」
Hon’nyan “Dozo.”
Hongniang “Please.”
壬氏「失礼します」
Jinshi “Shitsurei shimasu.”
Jinshi “Excuse me.”
猫猫(何をとがめられるのやら… 生きて帰ってこれるといいけど…)
Maomao (Nanio togame-rareruno-yara… Ikite kaette koreruto iikedo…)
Maomao (What will I be punished for? I hope I make it out of this alive.)
壬氏「かの者を連れてまいりました」
Jinshi “Kano mono’o tsurete mairi-mashita.”
Jinshi “I brought her.”
玉葉妃「どうぞ。手数をかけました」
Gyokuyo-hi “Dozo. Tesuo kakemashita.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “Come in, Thank you for your trouble.”
猫猫「あ……よかった」
Maomao “A……Yokatta.”
Maomao “I’m so glad.”
玉葉妃「…あなたが…。鈴麗の命を助けていただき、感謝しています」
Gyokuyo-hi “…Anataga… Rinrino inochio tasukete itadaki, kansha shiteimasu.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “So, it was you. Thank you for saving Lingli’s life.”
猫猫「そ…そのようなことを、される身分ではございません」
Maomao “So…Sono-yona kotoo, sareru mibun-dewa gozaimasen.”
Maomao “P-Please, I’m not worthy of such kindness!”
玉葉妃「いいえ、どれほど感謝してもしきれません。あなたは、やや子の恩人ですもの」
Gyokuyo-hi “Iie, dorehodo kansha shitemo shikire-masen. Anatawa, yayakono onjin desumono.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “No, I can’t ever thank you enough. You are my baby’s savior.”
猫猫「人違いではありませんか?何か勘違いをされているのです」
Maomao “Hito-chigai dewa arimasenka? Nanika kan-chigaio sarete-irunodesu.”
Maomao “Perhaps you have the wrong person? There must be a misunderstanding.”
猫猫(否定して首をはねられると困るが、関わり合いにもなりたくない!)
Maomao (Hitei-shite kubio hanerareruto komaruga, kakawari-ainimo naritaku nai!)
Maomao (I don’t want to get beheaded for lying, but I don’t want to get involved, either!)
壬氏「実は、玉葉妃から、あるものをお預かりしている。これは、下女の仕事着に使われる布だと知っているか?」
Jinshi “Jitsuwa, Gyokuyo-hikara arumono’o okari-shiteiru. Korewa, gejono shigotogini tsukawareru nuno-dato shitte-iruka?”
Jinshi “Concubine Gyokuyou showed me something. Did you know this fabric is used in the clothing for the serving girls?
猫猫「そういえば、似てますね」
Maomao “Soieba, nitemasune.”
Maomao “It does look similar, I suppose…”
壬氏「ああ、尚服に関わる下女用のものらしいな。例えば、君のような洗濯係とか…。もしかして、スカートの裾でも裂いたのだろうか?」
Jinshi “Aa, shofukuni kakawaru gejo-yono mono rashiina. Tatoeba, kimino-yona sentaku-gakari toka… Moshika-shite, sukātono suso-demo saitano-daroka?”
Jinshi “Yes, for those who work on clothing, I hear. Like laundry worker, such as yourself. Did you rip apart a skirt, perhaps?”
猫猫(そこまでバレていたのか…)
Maomao (Soko made barete itanoka…)
Maomao (So, he figured out that much already…)
壬氏「説明してもらおうか。なぜ、石楠花の枝を窓辺に置いたのだ?」
Jinshi “Setsumei shite moraoka. Naze, shakunageno edao madobeni oitanoda?”
Jinshi “Now, you will explain why you put that flower on the windowsill.”
猫猫「……あの日、事件の真相に気づいたからです。原因は、おしろいだと。私の育った花街でも、高級おしろいを使っている妓女は多くいました。そしてほとんどが、おしろいに含まれる毒に体をむしばまれ、命を落としました。命と美貌を天秤にかけ、結局どちらも失ってしまった…。私は、薬屋でしたので、毒には詳しいのです。」
Maomao “……Anohi, jikenno shinsoni kizuita-karadesu. Gen’inwa, oshiroi dato. Watashino sodatta hana-machidemo, kokyu-oshiroio tsukatte-iru gijowa ooku imashita. Soshite hotondoga, oshiroini fukumareru dokuni karadao mushibamare, inochio otoshi-mashita. Inochito bibo’o tenbinni kake, kekkyoku dochiramo ushinatte-shimatta… Watashiwa kusuriya deshitanode, dokuniwa kuwasiino-desu.”
Maomao “Because I figured out what was wrong that day. That the cause was the makeup powder. There were many courtesans who used high-end powder in the brothels that I grew up in. Most of them were poisoned by it and lost their lives. They tried to trade life for beauty and lost both. I used to be an apothecary, so I know a few things about poisons.”
壬氏「そのおしろいは…」
Jinshi “Sono oshiroiwa…”
Jinshi “That face powder…”
玉葉妃「子供の乳母が使っていたものです。他のおしろいに比べて白さが目立つと、好んで使っていました。乳母も体調が悪かったようなので、暇を出しました。金子も十分与えて…」
Gyokuyo-hi “Kodomono ubaga tsukatte-itamono desu. Hokano oshiroini kurabete shirosaga medatsuto, kononde tsukatte-imashita. Ubamo taichoga warukatta-yonanode, himao dashimashita. Kinsumo jubun ataete…”
Concubine Gyokuyou “It was used by the baby’s nurse. She said it has a better whitening effect compared to other powders. She seemed to have gotten ill too, so I gave her a break. I paid her properly, too.”
壬氏「そうですか」
Jinshi “Sodesuka.”
Jinshi “I see.”
玉葉妃「無知は罪ですね。子供の口に入るものを、もっと気にかけるべきでした」
Gyokuyo-hi “Muchiwa tsumi desune. Kodomono kuchini hairu mono’o, motto kini kakeru-beki deshita.”
Concubine Gyokuyou “It truly is a sin to be ignorant. I should have paid more attention to the things that go into my baby’s mouth.”
壬氏「私も同様です。もっと早くに気づいていれば、多くの命が救えたかもしれない。東宮も…」
Jinshi “Watashimo doyo desu. Motto hayakuni kizuite-ireba, ookuno inochiga sukueta-kamo shirenai. Togumo…”
Jinshi “I am guilty, as well. Had I noticed sooner, I might have been able to save more lives. The prince, too…”
玉葉妃「文を見つけて、梨花妃にもおしろいのことを伝えましたが…私が何を言っても、逆効果だったみたいです」
Gyokuyo-hi “Fumio mitsukete, Rifa-hi-nimo oshiroino koto’o tsutae-mashitaga… Watashiga nanio ittemo, gyaku-koka datta mitai desu.”
Concubine Gyokuyo “When I saw the message, I told Concubine Lihua about it, as well. But it seemed like everything I said only made her believe me less.”
猫猫「それで…私は何をすればよろしいのでしょうか」
Maomao “Sorede…watashiwa nanio sureba yoroshiino-deshoka.”
Maomao “So… What can I do for you?”
玉葉妃「それでは今日から、私の侍女になってもらいます!」
Gyokuyo-hi “Soredewa kyokara, watashino jijoni natte-moraimasu!”
Concubine Gyokuyou “Well, starting today, you’ll be my lady-in-waiting!”
ーーーーー
語り「猫猫が抑えられないもの。それは、好奇心と知識欲。そして、ほんの少しの正義感。」
Katari “Maomaoga osae-rarenai mono. Sorewa, kokishinto chishiki-yoku. Soshite, honno sukoshino seigi-kan.”
Narration “There are some things Maomao cannot hold back. Curiosity, a thirst for knowledge…And just a smidgen of a sense of justice.”
猫猫「ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい、ヤバい…いや、おとなしく働いていれば、どこにいたって…」
Maomao “Yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai, yabai… Iya, Otonashiku hataraite-ireba, dokoni itatte…”
Maomao ”No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no… No, if I keep a low profile, it shouldn’t matter where I―”
小蘭「あっ、猫猫!おかえり、猫猫。どうだった?」
Shaoran “A, Maomao! Okaeri, Maomao. Do datta?”
Xiaolan “Hey, Maomao! Welcome back, Maomao! How was it?“
語り「こうして猫猫は、帝の寵愛を受ける玉葉妃の侍女となったのだった。まあいわゆる、出世である。」
Katari “Koshite Maomaowa, mikadono choaio ukeru Gyokuyo-hino jijoto nattano-datta. Maa iwayuru, shussede aru.”
Narration “And thus, Maomao became a lady-in-waiting of Concubine Gyokuyou, recipient of the emperor’s love.
Put simply, it was a big promotion.”
ーーーーー
兵士「おい!!」
Heishi “Oi!!”
Soldier “Hey!”
兵士「毒だ!!」
Heishi “Dokuda!!”
Soldier “It’s poison!”
(Continue to Episode 2)
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