1 00:00:04,004 --> 00:00:15,015 The Apothecary Diaries 2 00:01:30,048 --> 00:01:38,973 How dare you try to feed Lady Lihua such lowly food! 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. Only the most luxurious foods suit our Lady Lihua. 3 00:01:38,973 --> 00:01:45,063 I'd hesitate to even show this to her! EpisodeThe Threat Who would ever think Lady Lihua would enjoy something like this? 4 00:01:45,063 --> 00:01:49,025 Yikes. What a pain. 5 00:01:49,025 --> 00:01:53,029 I'd never have come to the Crystal Pavilion if I'd had a choice, but... How dare you try to sneak this past us, servant. Shame on you. 6 00:01:54,989 --> 00:01:59,035 The night the emperor visited the Jade Pavilion... 7 00:02:20,431 --> 00:02:21,516 There is no poison. 8 00:02:23,476 --> 00:02:26,479 Excuse me. 9 00:02:28,439 --> 00:02:29,440 Wait. 10 00:02:30,441 --> 00:02:33,444 Uh-oh, the emperor directly addressed me for the first time. 11 00:02:33,486 --> 00:02:36,489 I have a request for the famous apothecary. 12 00:02:37,448 --> 00:02:40,451 Famous? I have a bad feeling about this. 13 00:02:40,451 --> 00:02:41,452 Yes. 14 00:02:41,494 --> 00:02:45,498 Concubine Lihua is not well. Could you look after her? 15 00:02:46,457 --> 00:02:50,461 By "look after her," he means "cure her." 16 00:02:51,462 --> 00:02:54,465 The word of the emperor is the word of the heavens. 17 00:02:54,465 --> 00:02:57,427 If I declined, that would be grounds for my beheading. 18 00:02:57,468 --> 00:02:58,469 Yes, Your Majesty. 19 00:03:00,430 --> 00:03:05,435 Why would he say that in front of another concubine? 20 00:03:05,435 --> 00:03:09,522 His Majesty really is "an emperor" by nature. 21 00:03:10,481 --> 00:03:15,445 That said, it's pretty incredible that they treat me like this. I'm here by imperial order. 22 00:03:15,445 --> 00:03:21,492 Since they serve Lady Lihua, I suppose they hate me as a servant of Lady Gyokuyou. 23 00:03:21,492 --> 00:03:22,493 Hmm? 24 00:03:22,493 --> 00:03:25,455 Get out if you're done cleaning! 25 00:03:25,496 --> 00:03:27,457 Boing boing. 26 00:03:28,458 --> 00:03:31,502 Oh, well. Guess I have to cook it again. 27 00:03:33,504 --> 00:03:36,424 Maomao, are you at the Crystal Pavilion now? 28 00:03:36,424 --> 00:03:38,509 Yeah, I'm looking after Lady Lihua. 29 00:03:38,509 --> 00:03:43,431 I see. Lady Lihua hasn't recovered yet... 30 00:03:43,473 --> 00:03:46,476 The whitening powder's poison must still be in her system. 31 00:03:46,476 --> 00:03:51,481 The poisonous powder, huh? I heard it was banned. 32 00:03:51,522 --> 00:03:56,486 I heard the eunuchs took away all the remaining powder in the rear palace. 33 00:03:56,527 --> 00:03:58,529 I see. Good. 34 00:03:59,489 --> 00:04:05,495 But a request from the emperor? You're awesome, Maomao. I was surprised! 35 00:04:06,454 --> 00:04:11,501 He must really not trust the doctor to rely on a girl like me. 36 00:04:12,502 --> 00:04:14,504 Maomao, you're going to the kitchen later, right? 37 00:04:14,504 --> 00:04:15,505 Yeah. 38 00:04:15,505 --> 00:04:17,507 Good luck with the cooking! 39 00:04:17,507 --> 00:04:18,508 Thanks. 40 00:04:23,429 --> 00:04:24,430 Right! 41 00:04:25,431 --> 00:04:32,522 In looking after Lady Lihua, the first thing I set out to do was to improve her diet. Um, excuse me. Yes? First I needed to expel the poison still in her body. 42 00:04:33,481 --> 00:04:36,442 To do this, a porridge with lots of fiber, 43 00:04:36,442 --> 00:04:38,486 plus a diuretic tea sounds good. 44 00:04:38,486 --> 00:04:42,448 Not this. Not this either. This one... 45 00:04:42,448 --> 00:04:45,493 And this one, too. But not this one... 46 00:04:48,496 --> 00:04:50,456 Enough is enough! 47 00:04:50,456 --> 00:04:53,459 This is no place for lowly girls like you. 48 00:04:54,419 --> 00:04:55,503 Boing boing. 49 00:04:56,462 --> 00:04:58,423 This is going to take a while. 50 00:04:59,507 --> 00:05:01,467 In that case, let's try... 51 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:03,428 This one, that one, the other one, and this. 52 00:05:08,433 --> 00:05:09,475 How many times do I have to tell you?! 53 00:05:09,475 --> 00:05:12,478 Well, first, she needs to eat something easy to digest— 54 00:05:12,478 --> 00:05:18,443 No way! Sick people need nutritious food, not cheap stuff like that. Obviously. 55 00:05:19,444 --> 00:05:21,487 So that's her usual meal. 56 00:05:21,529 --> 00:05:24,449 Sure, it's nutritious, 57 00:05:24,490 --> 00:05:27,452 but it's too heavy for a sick person's weakened stomach. 58 00:05:27,452 --> 00:05:30,455 That's not hard to understand. 59 00:05:30,455 --> 00:05:32,415 Why won't anyone stop them? 60 00:05:33,499 --> 00:05:36,461 Lady Lihua, your meal is ready. 61 00:05:37,420 --> 00:05:41,507 We brought you all the things you like. Please try to eat. 62 00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:48,431 Lady Lihua?! 63 00:05:48,431 --> 00:05:49,515 Oh no, what do we do?! 64 00:05:49,515 --> 00:05:51,434 Quick, bring water! 65 00:05:51,434 --> 00:05:52,518 Are you all right, Lady Lihua?! 66 00:05:52,518 --> 00:05:55,521 Lady Lihua, please have some water. 67 00:05:59,442 --> 00:06:01,527 This is your fault, lowly servant! 68 00:06:01,527 --> 00:06:03,488 Your presence ruins the atmosphere! 69 00:06:03,488 --> 00:06:04,489 Get out! Now! 70 00:06:06,491 --> 00:06:08,451 Boing boing. 71 00:06:09,535 --> 00:06:12,497 I won't even be able to get near her at this rate. 72 00:06:13,498 --> 00:06:16,459 Now, what shall I do... 73 00:06:21,464 --> 00:06:23,466 If I could at least do an examination... 74 00:06:23,466 --> 00:06:28,471 No need. What if you make things worse?! 75 00:06:29,514 --> 00:06:32,517 At that rate, she's bound to wither and die. 76 00:06:33,476 --> 00:06:35,478 People die unless they eat. 77 00:06:37,438 --> 00:06:41,484 She probably lost the will to live after losing her child. 78 00:06:47,407 --> 00:06:49,492 How many days do I have left, 79 00:06:49,492 --> 00:06:53,496 before my head bids farewell to my body for defying the emperor's order? 80 00:06:54,497 --> 00:06:56,499 It seems like you're in a bit of a bind. 81 00:06:58,501 --> 00:07:00,503 Does it appear that way to you? 82 00:07:00,503 --> 00:07:02,463 It does appear that way to me. 83 00:07:03,506 --> 00:07:05,466 Master Jinshi?! 84 00:07:06,467 --> 00:07:08,469 What's with that girl? 85 00:07:08,469 --> 00:07:09,512 Why is she with Master Jinshi...? 86 00:07:09,512 --> 00:07:12,432 An annoying misunderstanding... 87 00:07:16,436 --> 00:07:17,478 Let's go inside, for now. 88 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:20,440 Oh... 89 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:21,441 Eek! 90 00:07:21,524 --> 00:07:24,485 It's not befitting of beautiful and talented ladies like you 91 00:07:24,485 --> 00:07:27,488 to ignore the emperor's arrangements. 92 00:07:29,449 --> 00:07:34,454 Oh! Oh no, we aren't ignoring... Whoa! Eek! Right. We were just, um... H-Hey! 93 00:07:35,455 --> 00:07:37,457 It's scary how women can change so quickly. 94 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:46,507 There. Now go. 95 00:08:17,455 --> 00:08:19,457 She does have the will to eat. 96 00:08:20,416 --> 00:08:23,503 But she's weaker than I thought. 97 00:08:23,503 --> 00:08:25,463 Maybe she can handle rice water instead. 98 00:08:29,467 --> 00:08:31,469 Excuse me. 99 00:08:32,512 --> 00:08:35,431 The same shade as before... 100 00:08:54,450 --> 00:08:57,495 Are you the one in charge of the concubine's makeup? 101 00:08:57,495 --> 00:08:58,538 Indeed I am. 102 00:08:59,455 --> 00:09:02,458 We want Lady Lihua to always be beautiful. 103 00:09:02,500 --> 00:09:05,419 That is our duty as ladies-in-waiting. 104 00:09:05,503 --> 00:09:08,506 It's all for Lady Lihua. Obviously. 105 00:09:08,506 --> 00:09:09,465 I see. 106 00:09:11,467 --> 00:09:13,427 What's wrong with you?! 107 00:09:13,469 --> 00:09:15,513 Huh? Just punishing an idiot, obviously. 108 00:09:16,472 --> 00:09:20,434 Ouch! You're hurting me! Stop! It hurts! 109 00:09:28,484 --> 00:09:31,487 The poison will infect your whole body after a while. 110 00:09:31,487 --> 00:09:35,449 You should be glad. You'll be pretty too, 111 00:09:35,491 --> 00:09:38,452 just like your beloved Lady Lihua. 112 00:09:38,494 --> 00:09:45,459 Pale, bloodless skin, sunken eye sockets, a body unable to even eat... 113 00:09:45,501 --> 00:09:49,505 Don't you understand why this stuff was banned?! 114 00:09:58,431 --> 00:10:03,436 I j-just thought it would make Lady Lihua happy— 115 00:10:03,477 --> 00:10:05,479 I told you, it's poison. 116 00:10:05,479 --> 00:10:10,443 There are no thoughts in your head. You just think you know everything. 117 00:10:11,444 --> 00:10:14,447 Who would be happy poisoned with the same thing that killed their son?! 118 00:10:26,500 --> 00:10:29,503 Go rinse your mouth and wash your face. 119 00:10:30,504 --> 00:10:34,467 Hey! This is bad for the patient. 120 00:10:34,467 --> 00:10:36,469 Clean this floor up immediately! 121 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:37,511 Y-Yes! 122 00:10:41,515 --> 00:10:44,518 It truly is scary, how women can change so quickly. 123 00:10:46,479 --> 00:10:47,438 Oh... 124 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:52,443 I've really done it now... 125 00:10:52,443 --> 00:10:53,444 Let's go. 126 00:10:56,447 --> 00:10:59,492 Lady Lihua's health was worse than I thought. 127 00:11:00,451 --> 00:11:03,454 I started by changing from porridge to rice water. 128 00:11:03,454 --> 00:11:07,500 I forced the food into her mouth and had her swallow slowly, repeatedly. 129 00:11:09,418 --> 00:11:12,505 No sense in worrying about manners at a time like this. 130 00:11:14,423 --> 00:11:19,428 I did some ventilation, which thinned out the incense, revealing the smell of the sick. 131 00:11:19,428 --> 00:11:22,515 Those incompetent fools can't even wipe down their mistress properly? 132 00:11:22,515 --> 00:11:25,434 How do they even call themselves ladies-in-waiting? 133 00:11:25,434 --> 00:11:29,438 There's so much they could have been doing before worrying about incense. 134 00:11:31,482 --> 00:11:34,527 Hey. Hot water and cloth, now. 135 00:11:34,527 --> 00:11:36,445 Y-Yes. 136 00:11:38,489 --> 00:11:40,408 You all, get to work. 137 00:11:40,408 --> 00:11:41,409 Y-Yes! 138 00:11:41,784 --> 00:11:43,786 I had her drink tea every chance I could find. 139 00:11:43,786 --> 00:11:47,832 Frequent urination helps flush the poison out of her body. 140 00:11:47,832 --> 00:11:51,794 Um, are you sure Lady Lihua isn't in pain...? 141 00:11:51,794 --> 00:11:53,754 It doesn't matter, she must drink. 142 00:11:54,797 --> 00:11:59,760 She began to eat more, so I increased the amount of rice grains in the water. 143 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:04,765 When she began to be able to swallow them, I added soup and ground fruit. 144 00:12:05,808 --> 00:12:09,812 I heard the lady-in-waiting was put in confinement. 145 00:12:10,813 --> 00:12:14,817 Apparently, she'd hid the powder for Lady Lihua. 146 00:12:16,777 --> 00:12:20,781 The eunuch who was supposed to recover the powder was punished by flagellation. 147 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:39,800 You seem tired. 148 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:43,804 Yes. Unlike a certain someone, I'm quite busy. 149 00:12:44,764 --> 00:12:45,806 We brought gifts. 150 00:12:48,809 --> 00:12:50,770 Thank you! 151 00:12:51,812 --> 00:12:53,773 Wow! 152 00:12:53,814 --> 00:12:55,816 He really knows what I want! 153 00:12:55,816 --> 00:12:59,737 It's considerate people like him who become good husbands. 154 00:12:59,737 --> 00:13:00,780 He is a eunuch, though. 155 00:13:02,782 --> 00:13:03,866 Compared to him... 156 00:13:08,829 --> 00:13:11,749 Do you need help with anything? 157 00:13:11,791 --> 00:13:12,833 Well... 158 00:13:14,794 --> 00:13:16,837 What is it? Tell me anything. 159 00:13:18,798 --> 00:13:21,842 Over there, they need help. Someone please. 160 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:24,804 Everyone, please hurry. 161 00:13:24,804 --> 00:13:25,805 Yes! 162 00:13:26,847 --> 00:13:28,808 A steam bath? 163 00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:31,769 Apparently, sweating is good for her. 164 00:13:31,769 --> 00:13:32,812 Is it useful? 165 00:13:33,771 --> 00:13:34,814 I suppose it is. 166 00:13:35,773 --> 00:13:38,776 We have to use whatever we have. 167 00:13:47,785 --> 00:13:50,830 You... Why... 168 00:13:52,832 --> 00:13:54,792 Yes, what is it? 169 00:13:55,793 --> 00:13:59,755 Why wouldn't you... 170 00:14:00,798 --> 00:14:04,760 let me just die? 171 00:14:05,803 --> 00:14:09,765 You could stop eating, then. 172 00:14:10,766 --> 00:14:13,853 But you eat the porridge because you want to live. 173 00:14:31,078 --> 00:14:33,080 I see. 174 00:14:47,136 --> 00:14:49,096 You're right. 175 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:28,761 You. 176 00:15:29,762 --> 00:15:35,768 I was released from confinement and am permitted to serve Lady Lihua once again. 177 00:15:36,810 --> 00:15:40,814 I will never make that mistake again. Ever. 178 00:15:41,815 --> 00:15:45,778 I will take your place now. Please rest. 179 00:15:46,820 --> 00:15:48,781 All right. 180 00:15:49,782 --> 00:15:50,783 Lady Lihua. 181 00:15:54,828 --> 00:15:56,747 Lady Lihua. 182 00:16:00,793 --> 00:16:01,794 Ah... 183 00:16:06,757 --> 00:16:10,761 Can you get me some water, if you could? 184 00:16:14,765 --> 00:16:15,808 Yes. 185 00:16:19,812 --> 00:16:20,813 Yes! 186 00:16:26,819 --> 00:16:32,783 After about two months, Lady Lihua recovered enough to be able to walk by herself. 187 00:16:35,786 --> 00:16:39,748 She has self-respect, but isn't arrogant. 188 00:16:39,748 --> 00:16:43,752 After that matter with the prince, I imagined her as a selfish princess, 189 00:16:44,753 --> 00:16:48,757 but as it turns out, she has a personality befitting a concubine. 190 00:17:23,751 --> 00:17:26,795 I will take my leave tomorrow morning. 191 00:17:27,796 --> 00:17:28,797 I see. 192 00:17:29,757 --> 00:17:32,760 I've already spoken to your ladies-in-waiting about your food 193 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,762 and other things to be careful of. 194 00:17:36,805 --> 00:17:41,810 Hey. Am I incapable of birthing another child? 195 00:17:43,771 --> 00:17:47,775 I don't know. Perhaps you should try. 196 00:17:47,816 --> 00:17:50,778 But His Majesty's love for me is gone. 197 00:17:51,779 --> 00:17:54,782 I was sent here by a direct order from the emperor. 198 00:17:55,741 --> 00:18:00,829 Once I return to the Jade Pavilion, perhaps the emperor will visit you. 199 00:18:02,790 --> 00:18:07,795 I ignored those words of advice and let my child die. 200 00:18:07,795 --> 00:18:09,797 Will I be able to win against Concubine Gyokuyou? 201 00:18:10,839 --> 00:18:13,801 It's not a matter of winning and losing. 202 00:18:15,761 --> 00:18:18,806 There are hundreds, thousands of flowers in the world, 203 00:18:18,806 --> 00:18:24,728 but who can decide whether a peony or a bellflower is more beautiful? 204 00:18:25,729 --> 00:18:29,733 I have neither her jade eyes nor her bright hair. 205 00:18:33,737 --> 00:18:36,740 You have other... assets. 206 00:18:37,157 --> 00:18:38,158 Huh? 207 00:18:39,159 --> 00:18:42,162 Could you lend me your ear? 208 00:18:42,162 --> 00:18:44,123 Y-Yes. 209 00:18:50,129 --> 00:18:53,132 Excuse me. 210 00:18:57,094 --> 00:19:03,142 The knowledge I left with Lady Lihua was a secret technique taught to me Lady Lihua, what's wrong? Lady Lihua?! by my big sisters at the brothel. 211 00:19:05,018 --> 00:19:07,020 I hope it turns out to be useful. 212 00:19:13,026 --> 00:19:14,987 I'm back. 213 00:19:15,988 --> 00:19:17,030 Welcome back. 214 00:19:17,990 --> 00:19:19,992 Maomao, are you all right?! 215 00:19:20,033 --> 00:19:21,994 You've gotten so thin. 216 00:19:21,994 --> 00:19:24,037 It must have been very hard. 217 00:19:24,037 --> 00:19:29,001 She completed the emperor's mission all by herself. Impressive. 218 00:19:32,004 --> 00:19:35,007 There was a period after that where the emperor's visits to the Jade Pavilion 219 00:19:35,007 --> 00:19:37,968 decreased in frequency quite significantly. 220 00:19:39,970 --> 00:19:44,016 Finally, released from sleep deprivation. 221 00:19:45,934 --> 00:19:50,063 Maomao couldn't keep a straight face, but that's another story. 222 00:20:06,038 --> 00:20:07,956 It's a curse...