Idk if what i'm about to say will make sense but:
jinshi doesn't want to be an heir to the throne. He'd much rather have a normal life. He's in love with maomao and while he respects her skills he doesn't want her to just be his subordinate. He also can't currently have her as a lover due to their positions and duties with the palace. So clinging to her and having her help him with these mysterious cases is all he can do. That's why gaoshun and jinshi's head maid tell Jinshi that maomao cannot be treated like some of his childhood toys. Jinshi is also aware that having maomao as a lover would put a target on her back.
Maomao is a food taster so her life is deemed disposable. She is very aware of her standing and the power dynamics within the palace. Maomao has known her entire life that living as a woman isn't so great and the power imbalance that would occur if she was to be with jinshi would not benefit her. At this point in the story she isn't even aware of her feelings towards him anyways. I doubt Lakan would want maomao to marry jinshi just cause of their little fued or wtv.
do you think maomao will catch feelings for jinshi? i gen think she wouldn't, if she would it'll be a long slow burn i doubt the story will finish under 300 chapters.
i know this might sound like a stupid question but what does jinshi want to achive by desperately clinging to maomao? gaoshun said if he wanted to bring her to their side he better tell her his true identity. she's truly makes an amazing figure to have as subordinate but it feel like jinshi wants her as his partner. she may not be a commoner anymore if lakan announce her as his daughter officially but Would lakan want his daughter to be with jinshi? would maomao want to be with him?