Jiujiu

* Novel
* Anime

**Jiujiu** (九九, *****Jiujiu*****?) is Ryuu Jusetsu's attendant. She used to be a palace lady who worked for the Imperial Table Bureau, which is in charge of the emperor's meals.

## Appearance

Jiujiu is a small-framed girl. She wears the yellow *ruqun* that is the uniform of maids who work for the Palace Table Office. Jusetsu describes her as being "pretty" and resembling a skylark.

## Personality

Jiujiu seems like a quiet girl, but she is actually very talkative and inquisitive. She is cheerful and straightforward. She enjoys gossiping and hearing stories, particularly about the inner palace. She seems to be weak to pressure and dislikes listening to scary stories.

## History

Jiujiu's family owned a biscuit shop in the marketplace named "Mochiya." At some point, she was hired as a kitchen maid for the inner palace, possibly partly because her looks.

## Plot

Near Hien Palace, Jiujiu is accosted by a maid from the Palace Documents Office who had been there to exchange letters with a eunuch and wants her to do her sewing work. Jiujiu is afraid of defying her because the maid's father was the official in charge of the marketplace where her family's shop was. Luckily, Jusetsu arrives, disguised as a maid at the Yamei Palace, and stands up for her. Jiujiu takes to her new friend quickly and is delighted when Jusetsu offers to help her with her work. She is envious of Jusetsu's apparent freedom at Yamei Palace and wishes to work there as well. While two pound bracken, Jiujiu is shocked to learn that Jusetsu has very little knowledge of recent events, such as the house arrest of the Emperor Dowager and how Ka Koushun was the deposed crown prince before he ascended the throne. She tells Jusetsu some of the bloody stories about the inner palace, including about a concubine who hung herself. Jusetsu asks about her, but Jiujiu is unable to remember the concubine's name, so she takes Jusetsu to an older maid named Ashuu, from who she had heard most of the inner palace stories she knew.

Ashuu tells them about the concubine, Lady Han, who was accused of poisoning the then-pregnant Magpie Consort and subsequently hung herself. Jiujiu is scared when Ashuu tells them that Lady Han's ghost has been sighted sometimes. She is even more scared when Ashuu tells them about the silver-haired ghosts of the previous imperial family who haunted Koushun's grandfather. She notices Jusetsu looks ill after hearing the story about the ghosts. The two finish their work and Jiujiu gives Jusetsu some dumplings as thanks. She notices strands of white hair in Jusetsu's hair, but Jusetsu runs back to Yamei Palace before she could ask more about it.

Some time later, Jiujiu is suddenly taken by Koushun and his attendant, Ei Sei to Yamei Palace, where she learns to her shock that Jusetsu is actually the Raven Consort and that she wants her to be her attendant. Jiujiu is hesitant at first, but is quickly won over by the fine new uniform she will be wearing. She goes off to change, and when she comes back, Jusetsu tells her that they are going to the Sen'e House, the place where elderly court ladies or court ladies who have committed crimes are sent to, in order to speak with So Kougyou, who was the former handmaid of Lady Han.

On the way there, they see the maid from yesterday delivering another letter to Hien Palace. Jiujiu tells Jusetsu that the maid is actually delivering the letters on someone else's behalf. When the two approach Sen'e House, they are attacked by four eunuchs with knives. Jusetsu uses her magic to help them escape, but Jiujiu is caught by one of them. Just as Jusetsu puts herself between Jiujiu and the knife, another eunuch in his thirties intervenes. The older eunuch is overpowered, but a younger eunuch rescues them off and drives away the four eunuchs easily. The younger eunuch introduces himself as Onkei, who had been ordered by Ei Sei to guard Jusetsu from the shadows. Jusetsu tries to send Jiujiu back to Yamei Palace because of the danger, but Jiujiu insists on accompanying her. Jiujiu thanks Jusetsu for trying to save her from getting stabbed.

Jiujiu accompanies Jusetsu into Sen'e House, along with Onkei. There, they find So Kougyou, bedridden with a fever. Since she is unable to talk because her tongue was cut out, Jusetsu sends Jiujiu to ask for paper and brush, but Jiujiu is told that there are no writing supplies in the building and that Kougyou is unable to write. However, Kougyou asserts that she does know how to write, so Jusetsu decides to take her back to Yamei Palace. Once there, Kougyou is settled into an empty room and Jiujiu prepares the ink for her to write. Kougyou writes about the truth behind Lady Han's death and how she was framed for the Magpie Consort's death, as well the story behind the jade earring her ghost is haunting. After telling everything, Kougyou faints from the strenuous effort. Jusetsu sends Onkei out for medicine while asking Jiujiu to look after her.