1 00:00:04,713 --> 00:00:15,724 The Apothecary Diaries 2 00:01:31,674 --> 00:01:34,677 This story is a work of fiction. The names of all of the characters, organizations, and so on are imaginary. It also bears no connection to any specific real-life events. 3 00:01:37,764 --> 00:01:38,765 Maomao. 4 00:01:39,724 --> 00:01:40,683 Hmm? 5 00:01:41,684 --> 00:01:44,729 Could you deliver some medicine to the Verdigris House? 6 00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:46,773 Yeah, got it, Dad. 7 00:01:48,733 --> 00:01:52,737 Be careful out there. Kidnappings are on the rise. 8 00:01:52,737 --> 00:01:55,740 I'll be fine. I'll stop by the herb plot on my way back. 9 00:01:56,658 --> 00:01:57,784 Yes, please do. 10 00:01:58,701 --> 00:01:59,744 I'm off! 11 00:02:15,718 --> 00:02:17,762 Verdigris House 12 00:02:21,015 --> 00:02:23,935 Huh, is this all you've got? 13 00:02:23,935 --> 00:02:25,979 It's my life savings! I beg you! 14 00:02:29,983 --> 00:02:32,986 This is a non-starter. 15 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:36,990 That must be Pairin, one of the famous Three Princesses of the Verdigris House! 16 00:02:36,990 --> 00:02:38,992 If you want to gawk, pay up! 17 00:02:45,331 --> 00:02:47,417 Hmm, it's taking too long to heal. 18 00:02:47,417 --> 00:02:48,418 I'll tweak the recipe some. 19 00:02:48,418 --> 00:02:50,420 Oh, Maomao! 20 00:02:51,379 --> 00:02:52,422 Hey, Pairin. 21 00:02:52,422 --> 00:02:55,341 Hey, you have more wounds again! 22 00:02:56,384 --> 00:02:58,386 It's just my usual drug experiments. 23 00:02:59,387 --> 00:03:01,389 Are you eating well? 24 00:03:01,389 --> 00:03:04,350 You seem to be very well nourished, as always. 25 00:03:04,350 --> 00:03:05,351 Maomao! 26 00:03:05,351 --> 00:03:10,356 You'd better not be setting off explosions again for your so-called experiments! 27 00:03:12,358 --> 00:03:15,361 Or, would you like to start a career as a courtesan? 28 00:03:15,361 --> 00:03:16,362 Yikes! 29 00:03:16,404 --> 00:03:18,406 Granny, I left your meds here! 30 00:03:18,406 --> 00:03:21,451 Say hi to your old man for me. Sheesh. 31 00:03:21,451 --> 00:03:23,411 Did I just hear Maomao's voice? 32 00:03:23,411 --> 00:03:25,371 Hey, where's Maomao? 33 00:03:25,371 --> 00:03:27,332 She took off. 34 00:03:27,332 --> 00:03:30,418 That shrewd old bag, always trying to make me a courtesan... 35 00:03:46,434 --> 00:03:48,394 Could it be? Kidnappers?! 36 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,362 Dad's gonna be really worried... 37 00:04:18,883 --> 00:04:20,927 The prince was born safely. 38 00:04:20,927 --> 00:04:22,929 I see. Wonderful. 39 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:30,979 Three months later 40 00:04:31,896 --> 00:04:35,900 EpisodeMaomao 41 00:04:35,942 --> 00:04:38,945 I want meat skewers from a stall... 42 00:04:39,946 --> 00:04:42,949 I wonder if Dad's eating properly. 43 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:50,873 I'm not sure if I was sold off or ransomed, but annoyingly, it's already been three months. 44 00:04:51,874 --> 00:04:54,919 The palace and the brothels are really similar. 45 00:04:54,919 --> 00:04:58,923 If I had a choice, I'd have nothing to do with the rear palace, ever. But... 46 00:04:59,924 --> 00:05:02,927 Well, what can I do, now that I'm here? 47 00:05:02,969 --> 00:05:06,973 I was living a pretty good life as an apothecary, and now... 48 00:05:08,891 --> 00:05:12,937 The rear palace is a garden of women who are to give birth to the emperor's children. 49 00:05:12,937 --> 00:05:15,857 No men are allowed to enter. 50 00:05:15,940 --> 00:05:20,903 The only people allowed in here are the emperor, his kin, 51 00:05:20,945 --> 00:05:25,950 and eunuchs, "formerly male" individuals who lost an important part of their body. 52 00:05:26,909 --> 00:05:29,954 It's a huge collective of two thousand concubines and servants, 53 00:05:29,954 --> 00:05:31,956 and one thousand eunuchs. 54 00:05:32,957 --> 00:05:36,919 Unlike the high, mid, and low-ranking concubines, 55 00:05:36,919 --> 00:05:41,924 we serving girls are expendable and can lose our lives at any moment. 56 00:05:43,885 --> 00:05:45,970 Next in line are the shut-in, low-ranking concubines. 57 00:05:45,970 --> 00:05:49,932 I guess, at the very least, I get paid. 58 00:05:49,932 --> 00:05:51,934 Hey, Maomao... 59 00:05:51,934 --> 00:05:54,896 Do you know which room this plate is for? 60 00:05:54,896 --> 00:05:58,900 Oh. This one is Wisteria-9, so over there. 61 00:05:58,941 --> 00:06:00,902 Thank you! 62 00:06:01,861 --> 00:06:03,946 Many of the servants are illiterate. 63 00:06:04,906 --> 00:06:06,866 In order to work in the rear palace, 64 00:06:06,866 --> 00:06:09,869 they're taught the bare minimum essentials of etiquette. 65 00:06:09,869 --> 00:06:11,954 But reading and writing is a whole different story. 66 00:06:12,914 --> 00:06:18,920 The raise I would get for being literate would just get swiped by my kidnappers. 67 00:06:19,921 --> 00:06:23,925 That said, even servants like us could become low-ranking concubines. 68 00:06:23,925 --> 00:06:24,926 What's key is... 69 00:06:25,885 --> 00:06:26,928 Looks. 70 00:06:26,928 --> 00:06:27,929 Freckles. 71 00:06:27,970 --> 00:06:28,971 Flat. 72 00:06:33,351 --> 00:06:38,356 If I stood out, my life would be at risk. I'm better off just laying low. 73 00:06:39,357 --> 00:06:42,360 All I have to do is work hard. I'll be out in two years. 74 00:06:44,362 --> 00:06:46,364 I need a drink. 75 00:06:49,325 --> 00:06:50,410 Hey, did you hear? 76 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:51,327 Huh? 77 00:06:51,327 --> 00:06:55,331 I heard there's a super beautiful eunuch in the central area. 78 00:06:55,331 --> 00:06:58,376 Everyone's been talking about him! 79 00:06:58,376 --> 00:07:00,336 I see. 80 00:07:00,336 --> 00:07:03,339 I'd like to get a glimpse of him, if he's so handsome! 81 00:07:03,339 --> 00:07:04,340 Am I right? 82 00:07:05,341 --> 00:07:06,426 A eunuch, huh? 83 00:07:28,448 --> 00:07:30,491 She has lost much weight. 84 00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:31,492 Yes. 85 00:07:34,829 --> 00:07:39,917 I'm sorry, the physician is busy attending to the prince. 86 00:07:41,919 --> 00:07:43,838 I see... 87 00:07:45,798 --> 00:07:47,884 They're only three months and six months old, right? 88 00:07:47,884 --> 00:07:51,846 Yeah, both the prince and Princess Lingli... 89 00:07:52,805 --> 00:07:54,807 Is it really a curse?! 90 00:07:55,808 --> 00:07:56,851 What are you talking about? 91 00:07:56,851 --> 00:07:58,895 You didn't hear, Maomao? 92 00:07:58,895 --> 00:08:02,857 The entire rear palace is buzzing about this rumor. 93 00:08:02,857 --> 00:08:05,902 The deaths of all the heirs born in the rear palace! 94 00:08:06,861 --> 00:08:11,908 All three of the emperor's children born so far grew weak and passed away! 95 00:08:11,908 --> 00:08:13,868 Doesn't that seem weird?! 96 00:08:13,868 --> 00:08:14,911 All three? 97 00:08:14,911 --> 00:08:17,830 And it looks like the same thing's happening now. 98 00:08:17,830 --> 00:08:18,873 You mean they're unwell? 99 00:08:18,873 --> 00:08:25,880 Yes! And this time, the doctor went to visit both Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua! 100 00:08:26,839 --> 00:08:27,840 Huh... 101 00:08:27,882 --> 00:08:30,885 The emperor doesn't have an empress consort, so that makes Lady Lihua, 102 00:08:30,885 --> 00:08:33,846 who gave birth to the prince, the empress consort, right?! 103 00:08:33,888 --> 00:08:35,890 Naturally, I guess. 104 00:08:35,890 --> 00:08:38,809 Since there is no empress consort, 105 00:08:38,809 --> 00:08:40,811 Concubine Lihua gave birth to the prince, 106 00:08:40,811 --> 00:08:42,855 so she should be considered the top of the rear palace. 107 00:08:42,855 --> 00:08:47,860 But then, rumor says the emperor favors Lady Gyokuyou. 108 00:08:47,860 --> 00:08:51,864 They say that could be related to the curse, too. 109 00:08:51,864 --> 00:08:54,825 A power struggle... 110 00:08:54,867 --> 00:09:00,873 Lady Lihua might be worse off, since the doctor is always with her. 111 00:09:00,873 --> 00:09:02,833 Lady Lihua herself is sick, too? 112 00:09:02,833 --> 00:09:05,878 Yeah, mother and child both. Head and stomach aches. 113 00:09:05,878 --> 00:09:08,839 Nausea too, I think. 114 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:13,803 Headache, stomachache, nausea... 115 00:09:13,803 --> 00:09:16,847 It has to be a curse! 116 00:09:17,890 --> 00:09:20,851 Curses are stupid. 117 00:09:20,851 --> 00:09:21,894 Huh? 118 00:09:26,816 --> 00:09:29,819 Headache, stomachache, nausea... 119 00:09:29,819 --> 00:09:31,862 Poison is a possibility. 120 00:09:31,862 --> 00:09:33,864 No, if it's over the position of imperial heir, 121 00:09:33,864 --> 00:09:35,908 it doesn't make sense to go after the princess. 122 00:09:35,908 --> 00:09:38,911 Deliberate poisoning is low on the list of possibilities. 123 00:09:38,911 --> 00:09:41,831 Could an illness be more likely? 124 00:09:42,873 --> 00:09:44,875 Perhaps something hereditary? 125 00:09:46,877 --> 00:09:50,840 Why am I taking a rumor so seriously? 126 00:09:50,881 --> 00:09:53,884 It's all just conjecture. 127 00:09:54,844 --> 00:09:56,887 But still... 128 00:09:58,806 --> 00:10:00,808 I guess I can take a quick peek. 129 00:10:04,854 --> 00:10:07,898 Given this is where all the high-ranked concubines' pavilions are, 130 00:10:07,898 --> 00:10:12,903 every building is exquisite, right down to the individual pillars. 131 00:10:15,865 --> 00:10:16,907 It's your fault! 132 00:10:16,907 --> 00:10:18,826 Lady Gyokuyou! 133 00:10:18,868 --> 00:10:22,913 You're trying to curse my son, because your child is a daughter! 134 00:10:22,913 --> 00:10:26,834 You know that's absurd! 135 00:10:26,834 --> 00:10:29,837 My Xiaoling is sick, too! 136 00:10:29,879 --> 00:10:32,840 Lady Lihua is furious. 137 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,842 I feel sorry for Lady Gyokuyou. 138 00:10:34,842 --> 00:10:35,843 Master Jinshi... 139 00:10:38,846 --> 00:10:42,850 That's why I'd like you to examine my daughter's state, as well. 140 00:10:42,850 --> 00:10:44,894 Yes... Well... Um... 141 00:10:44,894 --> 00:10:48,856 Is that flustered eunuch in the middle the physician? 142 00:10:48,856 --> 00:10:50,816 What a stupid quack. 143 00:10:50,858 --> 00:10:54,904 He seriously still hasn't noticed? After spending all that time near the concubines? 144 00:10:55,821 --> 00:10:56,822 Or rather... 145 00:10:56,864 --> 00:10:58,866 Maybe he really doesn't know? 146 00:10:59,450 --> 00:11:01,410 The only issue is, how do I tell them? 147 00:11:02,453 --> 00:11:04,455 If only I could find something to write with... 148 00:11:47,456 --> 00:11:50,501 Barely a month passed before word got around 149 00:11:50,501 --> 00:11:53,462 that the prince had passed away. 150 00:11:57,508 --> 00:12:00,469 It seems like you have a question for me. 151 00:12:01,429 --> 00:12:02,471 Is that... 152 00:12:03,431 --> 00:12:08,436 The day I visited the Crystal Pavilion to ask to have my daughter examined, 153 00:12:08,477 --> 00:12:13,441 I found this on the windowsill, tied to this branch. 154 00:12:14,442 --> 00:12:15,526 A rhododendron. 155 00:12:16,527 --> 00:12:20,489 "The white face powder is poison. Don't let the baby touch it." 156 00:12:21,490 --> 00:12:23,492 It truly is a sin to be ignorant. 157 00:12:24,452 --> 00:12:28,497 The palace physician would not take such a roundabout approach. 158 00:12:28,497 --> 00:12:33,502 Agreed. He never could seem to figure out how to treat the prince. 159 00:12:33,502 --> 00:12:35,504 Who could have sent this message? 160 00:12:36,464 --> 00:12:38,507 I'd like you to find out. 161 00:12:43,429 --> 00:12:45,473 Coming to think of it, back then... 162 00:12:46,515 --> 00:12:49,435 If only I could find something to write with... 163 00:12:53,481 --> 00:12:54,523 Understood. 164 00:12:55,441 --> 00:12:58,444 May I keep this for the time being? 165 00:13:04,492 --> 00:13:07,495 I heard the emperor is visiting Lady Gyokuyou a lot, 166 00:13:07,495 --> 00:13:10,456 to show his love for the surviving princess. 167 00:13:10,498 --> 00:13:12,500 What about Lady Lihua? 168 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,419 Haven't heard anything about her. 169 00:13:15,503 --> 00:13:17,463 How convenient. 170 00:13:17,463 --> 00:13:19,507 Oh, there you are. 171 00:13:20,424 --> 00:13:23,469 You are to report to the Matron of the Serving Women immediately. 172 00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:25,513 You're being summoned? 173 00:13:26,472 --> 00:13:28,432 For what, I wonder? 174 00:13:29,433 --> 00:13:32,520 All right, all of you who've gathered here, head inside. 175 00:13:33,437 --> 00:13:38,442 Serving girls getting summoned by the high officials can't be good news... 176 00:13:39,485 --> 00:13:41,445 Or do they just want more workers? 177 00:13:52,540 --> 00:13:55,459 Thank you all for coming. 178 00:14:00,422 --> 00:14:02,508 Who is this arrogant-looking woman? 179 00:14:05,469 --> 00:14:08,472 I am Jinshi, manager of the rear palace. 180 00:14:13,435 --> 00:14:14,520 That's a man? 181 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:20,526 Ah, that must be the good-looking eunuch that Xiaolan was talking about. 182 00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:25,531 That's a waste. He's so handsome, but he can't have children. 183 00:14:27,533 --> 00:14:31,495 You with the freckles, stay here Huh? Freckles? Stay...? 184 00:14:32,496 --> 00:14:33,497 Oh, no! 185 00:14:36,417 --> 00:14:39,503 We're done here. You may all return to your rooms. 186 00:14:39,503 --> 00:14:40,462 Huh? 187 00:14:40,462 --> 00:14:41,505 What was that about? 188 00:14:42,423 --> 00:14:45,426 Did I do something to get attention?! 189 00:14:45,426 --> 00:14:47,428 Wait, did the message from the other day... 190 00:14:48,470 --> 00:14:49,430 Ah! 191 00:14:49,430 --> 00:14:52,474 I'm the only servant here who can read! 192 00:14:52,474 --> 00:14:55,519 He wrote that just now to single me out! 193 00:14:55,686 --> 00:14:57,646 Just keep quiet and follow me. 194 00:15:00,399 --> 00:15:02,401 It was a trap... 195 00:15:02,443 --> 00:15:07,448 This is odd. I looked you up. It said you couldn't read. 196 00:15:08,449 --> 00:15:13,454 I am of lowly birth. It must be a mistake. 197 00:15:14,413 --> 00:15:19,460 I'll never admit it. Pretending to be ignorant makes everything easier in this world. 198 00:15:19,460 --> 00:15:23,464 Besides, how did this man find out about the messages? 199 00:15:23,464 --> 00:15:26,467 I made absolutely sure nobody was around... 200 00:15:30,429 --> 00:15:32,431 He's so mistrustful! 201 00:15:33,432 --> 00:15:35,476 Rather, he must have nothing better to do! 202 00:15:36,518 --> 00:15:37,478 Please. 203 00:15:37,478 --> 00:15:39,438 Excuse me. 204 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,523 What will I be punished for? 205 00:15:41,523 --> 00:15:44,443 I hope I make it out of this alive. 206 00:15:48,447 --> 00:15:50,449 I brought her. 207 00:15:50,491 --> 00:15:51,492 Come in. 208 00:15:57,414 --> 00:15:58,499 Thank you for your trouble. 209 00:16:03,504 --> 00:16:04,505 I'm so glad. 210 00:16:06,423 --> 00:16:07,466 So, it was you. 211 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:12,513 Thank you for saving Lingli's life. 212 00:16:12,513 --> 00:16:16,475 P-Please, I'm not worthy of such kindness! 213 00:16:17,434 --> 00:16:20,479 No, I can't ever thank you enough. 214 00:16:21,438 --> 00:16:23,524 You are my baby's savior. 215 00:16:23,524 --> 00:16:26,485 Perhaps you have the wrong person? 216 00:16:26,485 --> 00:16:29,405 There must be a misunderstanding. 217 00:16:29,446 --> 00:16:31,490 I don't want to get beheaded for lying, 218 00:16:31,490 --> 00:16:34,410 but I don't want to get involved, either! 219 00:16:37,454 --> 00:16:41,417 Concubine Gyokuyou showed me something. 220 00:16:43,419 --> 00:16:59,435 The white face powder is poison. Don't let the baby touch it. Did you know this fabric is used in the clothing for the serving girls? It does look similar, I suppose... Yes, for those who work on clothing, I hear. Like a laundry worker, such as yourself. 221 00:16:59,435 --> 00:17:02,479 Did you rip apart a skirt, perhaps? 222 00:17:05,482 --> 00:17:07,526 So, he figured out that much already... 223 00:17:08,444 --> 00:17:13,449 Now, you will explain why you put that flower on the windowsill. 224 00:17:24,418 --> 00:17:27,463 Because I figured out what was wrong that day. 225 00:17:27,463 --> 00:17:28,964 That the cause was the makeup powder. 226 00:17:29,173 --> 00:17:36,138 Most of them were poisoned by it and lost their lives. 227 00:17:38,140 --> 00:17:43,187 They tried to trade life for beauty and lost both. 228 00:17:52,112 --> 00:17:58,077 I used to be an apothecary, so I know a few things about poisons. 229 00:18:06,085 --> 00:18:08,087 That face powder... 230 00:18:08,087 --> 00:18:11,090 It was used by the baby's nurse. 231 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:15,135 She said it has a better whitening effect compared to other powders. 232 00:18:16,095 --> 00:18:21,141 She seemed to have gotten ill too, so I gave her a break. I paid her properly, too. 233 00:18:22,142 --> 00:18:23,143 I see. 234 00:18:24,144 --> 00:18:26,105 It truly is a sin to be ignorant. 235 00:18:26,188 --> 00:18:31,068 I should have paid more attention to the things that go into my baby's mouth. 236 00:18:31,151 --> 00:18:33,112 I am guilty, as well. 237 00:18:33,112 --> 00:18:38,075 Had I noticed sooner, I might have been able to save more lives. 238 00:18:38,158 --> 00:18:39,159 The Prince, too... 239 00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:46,125 When I saw the message, I told Concubine Lihua about it, as well. 240 00:18:50,087 --> 00:18:54,091 But it seemed like everything I said only made her believe me less. 241 00:18:55,134 --> 00:18:56,135 So... 242 00:18:58,095 --> 00:19:01,140 What can I do for you? 243 00:19:08,147 --> 00:19:11,150 Well, starting today, you'll be my lady-in-waiting! 244 00:19:13,068 --> 00:19:14,111 Huh? 245 00:19:15,112 --> 00:19:18,073 There are some things Maomao cannot hold back. 246 00:19:18,073 --> 00:19:21,076 Curiosity, a thirst for knowledge... 247 00:19:21,076 --> 00:19:24,163 And just a smidgen of a sense of justice. 248 00:19:29,084 --> 00:19:33,088 No, no, no, no... 249 00:19:33,088 --> 00:19:38,093 No, if I keep a low profile, it shouldn't matter where I— Hey, Maomao! Welcome back, Maomao! How was it? 250 00:19:38,177 --> 00:19:43,140 And thus, Maomao became a lady-in-waiting of Concubine Gyokuyou, 251 00:19:43,140 --> 00:19:45,184 recipient of the emperor's love. 252 00:19:45,184 --> 00:19:48,145 Put simply, it was a big promotion. 253 00:19:57,070 --> 00:19:58,113 Hey! 254 00:20:00,115 --> 00:20:01,158 It's poison!