1
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The Apothecary Diaries

2
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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.

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Dad!

4
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Dad!

5
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EpisodeHomecoming

6
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I wonder if Dad's doing okay.

7
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Right. Yesterday, after the garden party...

8
00:02:02,038 --> 00:02:03,998
What are you talking about?!

9
00:02:03,998 --> 00:02:06,960
The minister who ate the poison
is in terrible condition!

10
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:08,044
You're sick. Get lots of sleep!

11
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Thanks to them, I got a good deal of sleep.

12
00:02:13,007 --> 00:02:15,051
But sleeping until noon is too much.

13
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I can't go without makeup now.

14
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Oh.

15
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You could have taken a day off.

16
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I can't allow myself to do that.
Please put me to work.

17
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Oh? Your freckles.

18
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I'm uncomfortable without them.
Can I keep them on?

19
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I understand.

20
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Everyone kept demanding to know
who that lady-in-waiting was.

21
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My apologies.

22
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It's fine.

23
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Anyway, Gaoshun came by this morning
and hasn't left. What do you want to do?

24
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He seemed bored, so I asked him
to pull up some weeds.

25
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Weeds...

26
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Back at the garden party, he was
in a pretty high-ranking seat.

27
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I guess he really is caring.

28
00:03:08,980 --> 00:03:13,985
He must win the hearts of
the ladies-in-waiting in his own way.

29
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May I use the parlor?

30
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Sure. Hongniang.

31
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Yes.

32
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Is it just me, or is Hongniang
being sparkly-eyed, too?

33
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Master Jinshi wanted me to bring you this.

34
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This is the soup that Lady Gyokuyou
was supposed to drink, right?

35
00:03:35,048 --> 00:03:36,049
Yes.

36
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How kind of him.

37
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Please don't eat it.

38
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I won't.

39
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Silver corrodes quickly.
This is oxidized and no longer tasty.

40
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Tasty...

41
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Did you pick this up with your hands?

42
00:03:52,023 --> 00:03:54,984
No, I didn't touch the bowl.

43
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I only picked up the contents
in a spoon to see if it was poison.

44
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Shoop shoop shoop.

45
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One moment, please.

46
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Clip clip clip.

47
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Clunk clunk clunk.

48
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Cotton, powder, and a brush.

49
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Yes.

50
00:04:11,042 --> 00:04:13,002
What will you do with these?

51
00:04:13,044 --> 00:04:15,046
In the apothecary I used to work at,

52
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we used to put dyes on containers
that weren't supposed to be touched.

53
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This is a similar technique.

54
00:04:22,011 --> 00:04:26,057
It's simple. I put some powder
on this cotton ball.

55
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I dust the bowl with it...

56
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Finally, I brush off the excess.

57
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And there.

58
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There's some white marks.

59
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That's where a human hand made contact.

60
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When you touch this with
your fingers, it leaves a mark.

61
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It's especially visible on silver,
which is easily corroded.

62
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That's why you thoroughly
wipe silver items before use.

63
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In other words, the finger
marks remaining here

64
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were from people who touched
the bowl after it was wiped clean?

65
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Indeed.

66
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The size and placement of the finger marks
allows us to guess how they held it.

67
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The bowl was held...

68
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What is it?

69
00:05:17,025 --> 00:05:17,984
Nothing.

70
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The bowl was held by four people, I think.

71
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Four people.

72
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First, three people who touched
the side of the bowl.

73
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The one who poured the soup,

74
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the one who carried it,

75
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and Lady Lishu's taster.

76
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But there was one more.

77
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An "outsider" that touched
the rim of the bowl.

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I believe this unknown
person poisoned the food.

79
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If that's true, why is the taster's finger
mark on the high-rank concubine's bowl?

80
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That's simple. Lady Lishu's taster swapped it
on purpose as a form of harassment,

81
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not knowing it was poisoned.

82
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Swapped it?

83
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It's bullying.

84
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A lady-in-waiting is bullying
a high-ranking concubine?

85
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Sounds like you can't believe it.

86
00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:11,996
Can you explain?

87
00:06:12,997 --> 00:06:18,002
Let me first say that this is all
just conjecture on my part.

88
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That's fine.

89
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Do you remember Lady Lishu's
dress during the garden party?

90
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Yes. I believe it was a flashy pink color.

91
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Normally, you'd think that if a concubine

92
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picked a color that would clash
with Lady Gyokuyou's dress,

93
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her ladies-in-waiting would
recommend another one.

94
00:06:35,019 --> 00:06:39,982
Or, at least, they'd wear something
that matches it themselves.

95
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However, all of her servants
were wearing white.

96
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That makes Lady Lishu appear like
a buffoon who can't read the room.

97
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Ladies-in-waiting should
allow their mistress to shine.

98
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Come to think of it, that day...

99
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Have you no decency? A crimson dress?

100
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Lady Ah-Duo's ladies-in-waiting

101
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were scolding Lady Lishu's
servants for not doing their jobs.

102
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The rear palace is full of enemies,

103
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so the only people a concubine can
truly trust are her ladies-in-waiting.

104
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I suspect the ladies-in-waiting recommended
that dress to their young Lady Lishu,

105
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and she wore it without realizing
they'd done it to humiliate her.

106
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She didn't suspect a thing.

107
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Not only that, but she also tried to swap
the food to further harass Concubine Lishu?

108
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Yes, though she was unaware it was poisoned.

109
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It ended up saving her.

110
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But it's still quite distasteful.

111
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Why would they do such a thing?

112
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Lady Lishu became the previous
emperor's concubine at a very young age.

113
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Then she left the rear palace
soon after. Her situation is unique.

114
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A wife must sacrifice everything
to devote to her husband.

115
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We are all taught this from a very young age.

116
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I guess, from that perspective,
to wed her deceased husband's son

117
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is an indecency beyond words.

118
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I think the mark near the bowl's edge

119
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was left by the person who added the poison.

120
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They must have held the edge
while stirring in the poison.

121
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I see.

122
00:08:20,041 --> 00:08:25,004
Your fingers must not touch the area
that noble lips are supposed to go.

123
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That is the teaching of Hongniang.

124
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That's all I came up with.

125
00:08:31,052 --> 00:08:34,013
May I ask one more thing?

126
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What is it?

127
00:08:36,974 --> 00:08:40,061
Why did you try to protect that
taster yesterday?

128
00:08:43,064 --> 00:08:46,984
I'm just curious. This isn't
an investigation or anything.

129
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The life of a serving girl is worthless
compared to that of a concubine.

130
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Especially if that life
belongs to a food taster...

131
00:09:08,005 --> 00:09:10,967
I'll try to explain this to Master Jinshi.

132
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Thank you.

133
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Well, I should be thankful, since she
did go out of her way to make the swap.

134
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I was able to taste that poison thanks to her.

135
00:09:26,065 --> 00:09:30,987
I really should have swallowed that soup.

136
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That is all.

137
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I see. You always impress me
with how you word things.

138
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Is that so?

139
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This is clearly an inside job, right?

140
00:09:46,043 --> 00:09:48,963
The situation indicates as much, yes.

141
00:09:50,006 --> 00:09:52,008
You make it sound so simple.

142
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I haven't had time to sleep
at all because of this.

143
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I haven't even been able to change clothes.

144
00:09:57,013 --> 00:09:58,055
I want to stop thinking.

145
00:09:59,015 --> 00:10:01,058
Your natural self is showing.

146
00:10:01,058 --> 00:10:04,020
Who cares? There's nobody here.

147
00:10:04,020 --> 00:10:05,021
I am here.

148
00:10:05,062 --> 00:10:07,023
Can you cut me some slack?

149
00:10:07,023 --> 00:10:08,983
No.

150
00:10:08,983 --> 00:10:10,985
Nothing I say will move you, huh?

151
00:10:10,985 --> 00:10:12,069
We've had a long relationship.

152
00:10:12,987 --> 00:10:17,033
It's not easy having someone
look after you since you were born.

153
00:10:18,034 --> 00:10:21,037
Master Jinshi, you forgot
to remove your hairpin.

154
00:10:21,037 --> 00:10:24,040
Oh, oops. Totally forgot.

155
00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,042
It was hidden in your hair.

156
00:10:26,042 --> 00:10:29,045
I don't think anyone noticed your true status.

157
00:10:29,045 --> 00:10:31,047
Take care of it for me.

158
00:10:32,048 --> 00:10:35,009
You're treating it roughly again.

159
00:10:36,010 --> 00:10:41,015
It's something only special individuals
can wear, so please take care of it.

160
00:10:41,057 --> 00:10:42,975
I know.

161
00:10:42,975 --> 00:10:44,018
You don't.

162
00:10:46,020 --> 00:10:47,980
Excuse me.

163
00:10:53,027 --> 00:10:54,987
Let's do this...

164
00:10:58,032 --> 00:11:01,035
Oh right, did you get any hairpins?

165
00:11:01,035 --> 00:11:01,994
A few.

166
00:11:04,038 --> 00:11:05,998
I see!

167
00:11:05,998 --> 00:11:06,999
So, now...

168
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You can get out of the rear palace!

169
00:11:11,962 --> 00:11:14,006
Huh? What did you say?

170
00:11:14,006 --> 00:11:16,050
You can get out of the rear palace?

171
00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:18,969
More details please!

172
00:11:20,054 --> 00:11:21,972
Yes...

173
00:11:23,974 --> 00:11:26,977
You can't meet men from the outside
while at the rear palace,

174
00:11:27,019 --> 00:11:32,024
but if you get special permission,
a man can escort a female worker outside.

175
00:11:32,024 --> 00:11:36,070
I see, so that's what the hairpins
they hand out at the garden party means.

176
00:11:36,070 --> 00:11:43,035
Exactly! You can also use the hairpin to ask
someone to take you out of the rear palace.

177
00:11:43,035 --> 00:11:47,081
I see. Thanks, Xiaolan. I'll give it a try.

178
00:11:48,999 --> 00:11:50,042
No problem.

179
00:11:51,001 --> 00:11:53,045
Maomao, thanks for the hawthorn!

180
00:11:54,004 --> 00:11:55,047
It was yummy!

181
00:11:59,969 --> 00:12:02,972
I received a total of four hairpins.

182
00:12:02,972 --> 00:12:05,015
Two are from men.

183
00:12:05,975 --> 00:12:08,060
Or rather, since one of the two
lost his important parts,

184
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maybe I shouldn't call him a "man"?

185
00:12:11,063 --> 00:12:12,982
Apothecary!

186
00:12:14,024 --> 00:12:15,025
Right!

187
00:12:20,030 --> 00:12:23,075
Master Lihaku, a lady from
the rear palace sent you this.

188
00:12:23,075 --> 00:12:25,035
Oh, understood.

189
00:12:26,078 --> 00:12:31,000
Yikes, did she take that
consolation hairpin seriously?

190
00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,961
But if it's a pretty lady,
it would be a waste...

191
00:12:33,961 --> 00:12:35,963
Jade Pavilion
Maomao

192
00:12:35,963 --> 00:12:39,967
I only gave out one hairpin
at the Jade Pavilion...

193
00:12:39,967 --> 00:12:41,010
Which means...

194
00:12:42,970 --> 00:12:44,013
That one?

195
00:12:45,055 --> 00:12:48,058
Wonder how I should turn her down...

196
00:12:50,978 --> 00:12:52,021
Excuse me.

197
00:12:55,065 --> 00:12:56,984
Thank you for waiting.

198
00:12:57,026 --> 00:12:58,986
Huh? Who are you?

199
00:12:59,028 --> 00:13:00,988
I get that a lot.

200
00:13:00,988 --> 00:13:04,033
Do people ever tell you that
makeup changes you drastically?

201
00:13:04,033 --> 00:13:05,993
I get that a lot, too.

202
00:13:07,995 --> 00:13:10,998
But anyway, you called me up...

203
00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,001
I'd like to go back to my family.

204
00:13:14,001 --> 00:13:15,002
Your family?

205
00:13:15,044 --> 00:13:18,005
Do you know what this means?

206
00:13:18,005 --> 00:13:23,010
I was told that I could go home temporarily,
as long as you can vouch for me.

207
00:13:23,010 --> 00:13:25,012
You're quite bold.

208
00:13:25,012 --> 00:13:29,016
You, a mere lady-in-waiting, are demanding
that I, a military officer, vouch for you?

209
00:13:29,975 --> 00:13:30,059
Yes.

210
00:13:32,019 --> 00:13:35,981
And you summoned me just for that?

211
00:13:35,981 --> 00:13:36,982
Yes.

212
00:13:36,982 --> 00:13:40,027
I don't know if you're dauntless or clueless.

213
00:13:41,987 --> 00:13:48,035
So, little girl, you're trying to
exploit me for your homecoming?

214
00:13:48,035 --> 00:13:52,081
No, I believe I can offer you
something valuable in exchange.

215
00:13:52,998 --> 00:13:54,041
Huh?

216
00:13:56,001 --> 00:13:57,002
Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Pairin
Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Joka
Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Meimei

217
00:13:57,002 --> 00:14:00,005
Could I interest you in a flower-viewing
session at the Verdigris House?

218
00:14:02,007 --> 00:14:05,010
Th-The Verdigris House?!
You've gotta be kidding!

219
00:14:05,010 --> 00:14:08,013
A night at that super high-class brothel
could cost a year of my salary!

220
00:14:08,013 --> 00:14:12,059
If you're worried, you can show them
one of these introduction letters.

221
00:14:12,059 --> 00:14:15,980
Pairin. Joka. Meimei.

222
00:14:16,981 --> 00:14:18,983
Th-That's even less believable!

223
00:14:18,983 --> 00:14:22,027
Those are the Three Princesses that not even
the highest-rank officials can afford!

224
00:14:22,027 --> 00:14:24,989
If you can't believe it, that's just too bad.

225
00:14:24,989 --> 00:14:25,072
Huh?!

226
00:14:25,990 --> 00:14:28,993
My deepest apologies for
having wasted your time.

227
00:14:28,993 --> 00:14:29,994
W-Wait...

228
00:14:29,994 --> 00:14:32,997
It's very unfortunate, but I'll just
have to ask someone else.

229
00:14:32,997 --> 00:14:35,040
Please forget I mentioned this.

230
00:14:36,959 --> 00:14:40,004
She has other contacts?!

231
00:14:40,004 --> 00:14:43,007
Hairpins with rose quartz and silver?!

232
00:14:43,007 --> 00:14:45,968
They're obviously from
people who far outrank me.

233
00:14:45,968 --> 00:14:47,970
Just who is this girl?!

234
00:14:47,970 --> 00:14:50,055
In that case, what she said might be...

235
00:14:50,055 --> 00:14:52,975
No, it's too suspicious!

236
00:14:53,017 --> 00:14:59,023
But if it is true, I'll never get another
chance to meet the Three Princesses again...

237
00:14:59,064 --> 00:15:01,066
What should I do?!

238
00:15:03,027 --> 00:15:05,029
So, what will it be?

239
00:15:13,037 --> 00:15:15,039
I lose.

240
00:15:15,039 --> 00:15:17,082
Congratulations, Maomao!

241
00:15:17,082 --> 00:15:20,044
Who would have thought
you'd go before any of us...

242
00:15:20,044 --> 00:15:22,004
I'm so glad!

243
00:15:22,004 --> 00:15:24,006
You must've met someone nice!

244
00:15:24,006 --> 00:15:26,008
Uh, thank you?

245
00:15:26,008 --> 00:15:28,052
Why are you so casual about this?!

246
00:15:28,052 --> 00:15:31,013
Don't worry, I'll bring back souvenirs.

247
00:15:31,013 --> 00:15:33,015
How'd you meet this guy?

248
00:15:33,015 --> 00:15:34,975
Um, coincidence?

249
00:15:34,975 --> 00:15:38,979
I'm pretty sure she has no idea
what the hairpin means.

250
00:15:39,021 --> 00:15:43,984
Yes, I'm sure of it. I feel so
sorry for a certain someone.

251
00:15:46,070 --> 00:15:48,030
This is so amusing.

252
00:15:49,990 --> 00:15:52,034
I wonder what kind of face he'll make...

253
00:15:52,034 --> 00:15:55,955
I suspect some turmoil in the future...

254
00:15:55,996 --> 00:16:01,001
Jinshi was finally able to finish up
his work and find time to visit

255
00:16:01,001 --> 00:16:04,046
the day after Maomao had already left.

256
00:16:04,046 --> 00:16:08,968
Maomao took off with someone.

257
00:16:15,015 --> 00:16:17,017
On a three-day homecoming.

258
00:16:18,018 --> 00:16:22,022
The pleasure district where
I grew up isn't far away.

259
00:16:22,982 --> 00:16:27,987
It's walking distance from the rear palace,
just beyond the walls and moats.

260
00:16:29,989 --> 00:16:32,074
A carriage? How extravagant.

261
00:16:32,074 --> 00:16:35,035
Well, the Three Princesses
of the Verdigris House are

262
00:16:35,035 --> 00:16:39,039
idolized by the population. Worshiped, even.

263
00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:43,043
Just being able to meet
them would be an honor.

264
00:16:43,043 --> 00:16:45,045
Oh, there it is...

265
00:16:47,006 --> 00:16:48,048
The pleasure district!

266
00:16:52,761 --> 00:16:54,805
So, this is the Verdigris House...

267
00:16:54,805 --> 00:16:55,764
Yes.

268
00:16:55,764 --> 00:16:58,809
Verdigris House
It's very dignified.

269
00:16:58,809 --> 00:17:00,811
It's a long-standing, reputable brothel,

270
00:17:00,811 --> 00:17:03,814
providing everything from middle-
to super-high-rank courtesans.

271
00:17:05,816 --> 00:17:07,776
Hey, long time no see, Grams.

272
00:17:08,736 --> 00:17:09,778
How has everyone—

273
00:17:14,825 --> 00:17:17,828
What do you mean,
"long time no see?!" Stupid girl.

274
00:17:17,828 --> 00:17:21,749
Are you okay?! What's with this old woman?!

275
00:17:21,749 --> 00:17:25,753
This is the old madam,
proprietor of the Verdigris House.

276
00:17:25,753 --> 00:17:29,757
I remember this used to help me
spit out all the poison I tried.

277
00:17:29,798 --> 00:17:31,842
So, is this the good customer?

278
00:17:32,801 --> 00:17:36,764
He's got a handsome face and a good build.

279
00:17:36,764 --> 00:17:39,725
I heard you're a rising star, too.

280
00:17:39,725 --> 00:17:42,811
Hey, why say that out loud to his face?

281
00:17:42,811 --> 00:17:45,731
Hey, get Pairin.

282
00:17:45,731 --> 00:17:46,815
She should be making tea today.

283
00:17:46,815 --> 00:17:47,816
Yes, ma'am!

284
00:17:47,816 --> 00:17:48,817
Pairin...

285
00:17:48,817 --> 00:17:52,780
Master Lihaku, how strong are your arm muscles?

286
00:17:52,780 --> 00:17:54,823
I do train pretty regularly.

287
00:17:55,783 --> 00:17:57,826
This could be...

288
00:17:57,826 --> 00:17:59,787
This way, please.

289
00:18:00,788 --> 00:18:01,789
I'm getting nervous...

290
00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:04,792
Make a good impression, okay?

291
00:18:04,792 --> 00:18:05,751
Yeah.

292
00:18:07,795 --> 00:18:13,801
So, why'd you vanish for ten
whole months without a word?

293
00:18:13,801 --> 00:18:17,763
I had no say in the matter.
Didn't you read the letter I sent?

294
00:18:17,763 --> 00:18:19,807
Of course I read it! That's why
I'm taking care of that guy for you,

295
00:18:19,807 --> 00:18:21,809
even though we're introduction only!

296
00:18:21,809 --> 00:18:29,775
I know, I know. I got half of my pay at
the rear palace early, as a special deal.

297
00:18:29,775 --> 00:18:33,779
This isn't enough for Pairin.

298
00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:35,823
Can we say it's enough for just some tea?

299
00:18:35,823 --> 00:18:40,744
Idiot! Pairin won't leave
those muscles alone.

300
00:18:40,744 --> 00:18:43,747
I knew it. But that's not
something I can control...

301
00:18:43,747 --> 00:18:46,834
That won't fly! I'll add it to the tab.

302
00:18:46,834 --> 00:18:48,794
I could never afford that...

303
00:18:48,794 --> 00:18:51,755
In that case, bring more good customers.

304
00:18:51,755 --> 00:18:55,759
Similar to that guy. Young, so that we can
drain him over a long period of time.

305
00:18:55,843 --> 00:18:58,804
Would a eunuch be an acceptable customer?

306
00:18:58,846 --> 00:19:01,807
No way. The courtesans
would pull out all the stops

307
00:19:01,807 --> 00:19:03,767
and put the brothel out of business.

308
00:19:03,809 --> 00:19:06,812
But I'd feel bad for Gaoshun
or the quack doctor...

309
00:19:08,730 --> 00:19:12,776
Maomao, your old man should be
at home. Go visit him already.

310
00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:20,826
Cross just one street, and the face of
the town changes dramatically.

311
00:19:21,785 --> 00:19:25,789
Rough shacks, beggars,
and syphilitic streetwalkers.

312
00:19:27,791 --> 00:19:29,793
Things haven't changed.

313
00:19:43,807 --> 00:19:45,851
I'm home, Dad.

314
00:19:45,851 --> 00:19:49,855
Welcome home. You were out for a while.

315
00:19:51,857 --> 00:19:53,859
I'm finally home.

316
00:19:54,818 --> 00:19:59,823
Yeah, on that day, I was out
getting dyes for my freckles, when...

317
00:20:11,793 --> 00:20:15,756
I still have time left on my term, so I'll
go back to the rear palace in two days.

318
00:20:15,756 --> 00:20:16,757
I see.

319
00:20:16,798 --> 00:20:19,760
I'm sleepy, but I also want a bath.

320
00:20:19,801 --> 00:20:22,846
You should borrow a bath at
the Verdigris House tomorrow.

321
00:20:24,765 --> 00:20:26,808
Yeah, I'll do that.

322
00:20:44,826 --> 00:20:49,790
The rear palace? What a twist of fate.

323
00:20:52,751 --> 00:20:55,837
Not just some superficial sweetness

324
00:20:58,757 --> 00:21:03,762
I want more warmth than I can even use, oh

325
00:21:04,805 --> 00:21:09,810
Having these selfish idealistic thoughts

326
00:21:09,810 --> 00:21:14,773
I swallowed them again today
before putting them into words

327
00:21:14,815 --> 00:21:19,778
Still in my memories,
the scent of fragrant olive

328
00:21:19,778 --> 00:21:22,781
The color of twilight in the city

329
00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:27,786
We were laughing...

330
00:21:27,786 --> 00:21:39,756
Filled with sadness,
the tears welled up in my eyes

331
00:21:39,798 --> 00:21:47,764
I found a glow during those days

332
00:21:47,764 --> 00:21:51,768
I guess I took everything for granted

333
00:21:52,769 --> 00:22:04,781
The wind was so loud I covered my ears

334
00:22:04,781 --> 00:22:12,748
I gotta stop being like that

335
00:22:12,748 --> 00:22:20,756
Even if I stumble over the words of love