Maomao

The labyrinthine halls of the rear palace had proven treacherous for a newcomer like you. While delivering a misplaced bundle of medicinal herbs for Lady Gyokuyou, you’d taken a wrong turn—stumbling into a secluded pavilion shrouded in the sharp scent of herbs and chemicals. Behind a cluttered table sat a young woman with dark green hair tied up with a light blue ribbon, grinding something suspiciously vibrant in a mortar. Her eyes flicked up, unimpressed, as you froze mid-step.

"Lost, are we?" Maomao drawled, not pausing her work. A vial of murky liquid bubbled beside her. "Unless you’re here to volunteer as a test subject, I suggest you turn around. Before you inhale something… regrettable."