1 00:00:04,045 --> 00:00:15,015 The Apothecary Diaries 2 00:01:29,964 --> 00:01:33,009 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 00:01:39,015 --> 00:01:42,977 EpisodeWheat Stalks 4 00:01:47,982 --> 00:01:49,984 Oh, right, I'm home. 5 00:01:55,990 --> 00:01:57,033 So sticky... 6 00:01:58,034 --> 00:01:59,994 Dad... 7 00:02:00,995 --> 00:02:02,038 Must be out in the field. 8 00:02:09,045 --> 00:02:14,050 I wish he'd stop working the field at his age, 9 00:02:15,009 --> 00:02:20,056 but he just really enjoys making medicine out of the herbs he grows. 10 00:02:24,978 --> 00:02:25,979 Don't break it. 11 00:02:28,064 --> 00:02:31,025 I don't know you. Are you a servant at a different brothel? 12 00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:32,986 My dad's— Come with me! 13 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:33,027 Hey! 14 00:02:40,994 --> 00:02:43,997 Big Sis! I brought the apothecary! 15 00:02:43,997 --> 00:02:44,956 Hurry! 16 00:02:44,998 --> 00:02:45,999 This smell... 17 00:02:47,083 --> 00:02:50,086 Apothecary! I made them throw up already, but... 18 00:02:53,089 --> 00:02:54,048 Right! 19 00:02:56,092 --> 00:02:58,011 The man isn't breathing! 20 00:02:58,094 --> 00:03:00,597 We'll check if there's any vomit left in their throats. 21 00:03:00,597 --> 00:03:00,680 You check her. 22 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:02,599 Y-Yes! 23 00:03:03,683 --> 00:03:06,644 No pulse. Nothing clogging the throat. 24 00:03:13,610 --> 00:03:14,652 Just saliva. 25 00:03:17,989 --> 00:03:18,990 Bring water! 26 00:03:18,990 --> 00:03:21,993 No water! Bring charcoal. Charcoal! 27 00:03:21,993 --> 00:03:23,953 Y-Yes! 28 00:03:33,004 --> 00:03:36,007 Great way to start the morning. 29 00:03:36,966 --> 00:03:39,052 Wow, I need a bath... 30 00:03:39,052 --> 00:03:43,014 Thank you, apothecary. They're both stable now. 31 00:03:44,557 --> 00:03:46,476 Even what they threw up on? 32 00:03:46,476 --> 00:03:48,478 There could still be poison in it. 33 00:03:48,478 --> 00:03:49,520 Poison... 34 00:03:51,481 --> 00:03:53,483 I'll go make some tea. 35 00:03:57,820 --> 00:04:00,865 The two who collapsed here were a courtesan and her customer. 36 00:04:00,865 --> 00:04:03,910 The room was filled with the scent of alcohol and tobacco. 37 00:04:05,870 --> 00:04:07,872 Two bottles. 38 00:04:07,914 --> 00:04:09,916 Broken glass cups. 39 00:04:11,834 --> 00:04:13,836 This is... a wheat stalk? 40 00:04:14,837 --> 00:04:16,881 A pipe and some tobacco leaves. 41 00:04:17,882 --> 00:04:20,843 They really went out of their way to cause trouble. 42 00:04:21,803 --> 00:04:23,805 I've got the charcoal... 43 00:04:23,805 --> 00:04:25,890 Good. Also, get me a text plate and something to write with. 44 00:04:25,890 --> 00:04:26,891 Huh? 45 00:04:28,893 --> 00:04:32,897 My dad should be out in the fields, near the southern wall. 46 00:04:32,897 --> 00:04:34,816 Bring him over here later. 47 00:04:34,857 --> 00:04:36,818 Got it. 48 00:04:46,911 --> 00:04:48,913 You're late, Dad. 49 00:04:48,913 --> 00:04:51,916 This girl was worried about my leg. 50 00:04:52,834 --> 00:04:53,876 I crushed the charcoal. 51 00:04:54,836 --> 00:04:58,840 Yes, let's mix it with the herbs and give it to them immediately. 52 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:01,801 What about him...? 53 00:05:01,801 --> 00:05:03,886 He's safe. He had the medicine, too. 54 00:05:05,805 --> 00:05:07,849 Your treatment's not bad. 55 00:05:07,849 --> 00:05:09,809 "Not bad," huh? 56 00:05:11,769 --> 00:05:16,858 Dad's able to deduce two or three things from a single piece of information. 57 00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:20,820 What kind of poison do you think this was? 58 00:05:20,862 --> 00:05:21,863 Here goes! 59 00:05:28,870 --> 00:05:32,832 Dad sometimes tries to make me learn stuff this way. 60 00:05:33,875 --> 00:05:35,877 Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. 61 00:05:35,877 --> 00:05:38,838 That would be what they'd use in a double suicide. 62 00:05:38,838 --> 00:05:41,799 You didn't have them drink water, right? 63 00:05:41,841 --> 00:05:43,843 Water would make things worse, right? 64 00:05:43,843 --> 00:05:47,847 Correct. Gastric juices can prevent the intake of poison in some cases, 65 00:05:47,847 --> 00:05:49,849 so diluting it might make things worse. 66 00:05:50,767 --> 00:05:54,812 However, what if this poison was already soaked in water? 67 00:05:56,814 --> 00:05:59,776 There are no leaves in the vomit. 68 00:05:59,776 --> 00:06:02,820 I missed that. Maybe I'm still half asleep. 69 00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:06,783 If the poison was soaked in water, sometimes diluting it with more water is good. 70 00:06:06,866 --> 00:06:08,826 Got it. Lesson learned. 71 00:06:11,788 --> 00:06:12,830 Sorry for the trouble. 72 00:06:12,830 --> 00:06:17,794 Serving us snacks reserved for customers? That's quite generous of her. 73 00:06:19,879 --> 00:06:24,842 I see, it prevents lipstick from getting on the cup. 74 00:06:26,803 --> 00:06:30,848 You really saved us. This is just a small token of our gratitude. 75 00:06:31,808 --> 00:06:32,809 Oh no, that's too much— 76 00:06:32,809 --> 00:06:35,853 Dad, can you afford rent this month? 77 00:06:35,853 --> 00:06:37,772 Ah, in that case... 78 00:06:37,772 --> 00:06:39,774 Jeez, you old man... 79 00:06:43,820 --> 00:06:47,824 Must have been a double suicide. Not exactly rare in the pleasure district. 80 00:06:48,282 --> 00:06:52,286 Still, that man was very well-dressed. 81 00:06:52,286 --> 00:06:54,247 He had a handsome face, too. 82 00:06:54,247 --> 00:06:57,250 Didn't seem like someone who'd be short on money or women. 83 00:06:57,250 --> 00:07:00,253 Dad wouldn't approve of me judging through stereotypes, but... 84 00:07:02,296 --> 00:07:04,257 He didn't seem like someone 85 00:07:04,257 --> 00:07:07,260 who'd drink poison with a courtesan out of despair for their future. 86 00:07:11,305 --> 00:07:13,266 I'm going to go check on them. 87 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:17,270 The man seemed to be in worse condition... 88 00:07:25,236 --> 00:07:25,319 What are you doing?! 89 00:07:30,324 --> 00:07:34,287 Don't stop me! This guy deserves to die! 90 00:07:51,262 --> 00:07:53,306 Wh-What are you doing?! 91 00:07:57,268 --> 00:08:01,230 Apothecary, may I speak with you? 92 00:08:06,277 --> 00:08:09,280 That man was always a problem customer. 93 00:08:09,780 --> 00:08:13,784 He was widely hated. Some woman tried to stab him, even. 94 00:08:14,744 --> 00:08:16,787 He'd been poisoned in the past, too. 95 00:08:16,787 --> 00:08:20,750 But his rich merchant father pampers him. 96 00:08:20,750 --> 00:08:22,793 He settles everything with money. 97 00:08:24,754 --> 00:08:29,759 Recently, he asked his father to hire guards for him to travel to the brothels with. 98 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,762 This girl's older sister got dumped by him, too. 99 00:08:33,804 --> 00:08:37,767 She was so happy she could live with him, 100 00:08:37,767 --> 00:08:40,770 but on the day of the buy-out, he suddenly canceled on her. 101 00:08:44,815 --> 00:08:47,818 That's why, I think, she couldn't forgive him. 102 00:08:47,818 --> 00:08:51,781 The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her, as well. 103 00:08:51,781 --> 00:08:53,783 So, you want me to pretend I didn't see anything? 104 00:08:53,783 --> 00:08:56,786 If he's such a problem, why not just ban him? 105 00:08:56,786 --> 00:08:59,747 It's the courtesan who fell for him. 106 00:09:00,748 --> 00:09:02,792 In that case, I suppose word of a double suicide 107 00:09:02,792 --> 00:09:05,795 would make matters worse for the brothel. 108 00:09:06,712 --> 00:09:07,838 So, they served us the good snacks 109 00:09:07,838 --> 00:09:12,760 because we prevented a rich merchant's son from dying on the premises. 110 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:13,761 And... 111 00:09:15,805 --> 00:09:19,809 That must have felt unfair to her. 112 00:09:22,770 --> 00:09:23,813 I understand. 113 00:09:26,774 --> 00:09:29,777 I just happened to be home today, 114 00:09:29,777 --> 00:09:35,741 but if the girl shops with us often, perhaps she knew when my dad is usually away. 115 00:09:37,743 --> 00:09:39,745 Normally you'd call for a doctor at a time like that, 116 00:09:39,745 --> 00:09:42,748 but she went out of her way to find a missing apothecary. 117 00:09:43,749 --> 00:09:46,752 That servant girl is scarier than she looks. 118 00:09:49,755 --> 00:09:53,759 It's too bad your homecoming turned out this way. 119 00:09:53,759 --> 00:09:55,720 Dad, show me that money from earlier. 120 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:56,721 Hmm? 121 00:09:56,762 --> 00:09:59,724 Yep, all there. 122 00:09:59,724 --> 00:10:02,727 As expected, including hush money. 123 00:10:02,727 --> 00:10:04,729 Something bothers me, though. 124 00:10:04,812 --> 00:10:08,107 Judging from the stories, the man is pretty clever. 125 00:10:08,107 --> 00:10:14,947 Was it a forced suicide? No, a man who'd been poisoned before wouldn't easily— 126 00:10:14,989 --> 00:10:18,993 Maomao, you shouldn't speak based on conjecture. 127 00:10:19,952 --> 00:10:22,955 Dad, you already figured out what really happened, right? 128 00:10:26,959 --> 00:10:32,923 Let's try to recall what was at the scene and what I might have missed. 129 00:10:32,923 --> 00:10:34,008 Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. 130 00:10:34,008 --> 00:10:36,010 This would be what they would use in a double suicide. 131 00:10:36,010 --> 00:10:39,972 However, what if this poison was already mixed in water? 132 00:10:39,972 --> 00:10:42,933 It's the courtesan who fell for him. 133 00:10:42,933 --> 00:10:44,935 This guy deserves to die! 134 00:10:44,935 --> 00:10:47,980 The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her as well. 135 00:10:47,980 --> 00:10:52,943 I see, it prevents the lipstick from getting on the cup. 136 00:10:55,404 --> 00:10:58,324 This wasn't a double suicide. 137 00:10:58,366 --> 00:11:00,284 It was murder. 138 00:11:06,332 --> 00:11:12,380 Poisoned water, wheat stalks, two separate drinks with different colors... 139 00:11:16,175 --> 00:11:18,135 I know. 140 00:11:21,180 --> 00:11:23,224 Murder, not a double suicide. 141 00:11:23,224 --> 00:11:27,144 And it's the courtesan who tried to kill the man, 142 00:11:27,186 --> 00:11:31,190 using drinks laced with tobacco poison. 143 00:11:31,232 --> 00:11:35,194 But the man was cautious enough to have guards around. 144 00:11:35,194 --> 00:11:38,155 How did she get him to drink the poison? 145 00:11:38,656 --> 00:11:40,658 That's why she used a trick. 146 00:11:40,658 --> 00:11:43,661 Two drinks, one cup. 147 00:11:44,578 --> 00:11:48,666 Different drinks have varying thicknesses and weights. 148 00:11:49,583 --> 00:11:53,629 By pouring a lighter drink slowly over a heavy drink, 149 00:11:53,629 --> 00:11:55,673 you can create a pretty-looking, layered drink. 150 00:12:06,183 --> 00:12:09,145 Afterwards, she drank from the upper layer as well. 151 00:12:09,186 --> 00:12:11,230 Just a little bit, so it wouldn't kill her. 152 00:12:12,189 --> 00:12:15,151 She didn't want to end up dead herself. 153 00:12:19,238 --> 00:12:24,201 She did the act in the morning to increase the odds that he would die, 154 00:12:24,201 --> 00:12:26,203 and she would survive. 155 00:12:26,203 --> 00:12:30,207 And conveniently, someone came to witness it. 156 00:12:31,208 --> 00:12:35,212 She appeared fragile, but she's actually quite clever. 157 00:13:01,197 --> 00:13:05,201 What are you doing, Big Sis?! You should stay in bed! 158 00:13:05,201 --> 00:13:08,162 The servant girl did behave a bit strangely. 159 00:13:08,204 --> 00:13:10,247 In order to make sure the man didn't survive, 160 00:13:10,247 --> 00:13:13,209 she went to an apothecary, not a doctor. 161 00:13:13,209 --> 00:13:15,252 She even took her time bringing my dad over. 162 00:13:16,212 --> 00:13:19,215 Wasn't she worried that her "Big Sis" would die? 163 00:13:20,174 --> 00:13:26,138 Wasn't she worried that someone close to her would die again, like her real sister? 164 00:13:26,180 --> 00:13:30,226 It's almost as if she knew the courtesan would survive. 165 00:13:30,226 --> 00:13:32,228 Or am I over-thinking this? 166 00:13:33,187 --> 00:13:36,232 In addition, the other courtesan was sympathetic to the servant girl. 167 00:13:37,191 --> 00:13:39,235 Plus, the very generous madam... 168 00:13:39,235 --> 00:13:43,197 Once I start doubting, there's no stopping. 169 00:13:44,156 --> 00:13:46,158 Could they all have been... 170 00:13:50,162 --> 00:13:53,207 I shouldn't speak based on conjecture. 171 00:13:55,251 --> 00:13:58,212 I really missed this pleasure district, 172 00:13:58,212 --> 00:14:01,131 but in essence, it's no different from the rear palace. 173 00:14:01,215 --> 00:14:04,176 It's both a garden and a cage. 174 00:14:05,177 --> 00:14:09,139 The stale, trapped air poisons everyone. 175 00:14:09,223 --> 00:14:13,185 The courtesans also eat the poison around them 176 00:14:13,185 --> 00:14:15,229 to become a sweet poison themselves. 177 00:14:19,233 --> 00:14:22,236 I don't know what'll happen to that courtesan. 178 00:14:22,236 --> 00:14:27,157 Maybe the annoying customer will assert that she tried to poison him. 179 00:14:27,157 --> 00:14:31,245 Maybe the brothel will accuse him of ruining their merchandise instead. 180 00:14:41,255 --> 00:14:43,257 Take care of yourself. 181 00:14:43,257 --> 00:14:44,258 You, too. 182 00:14:45,259 --> 00:14:46,260 I'm off. 183 00:14:47,303 --> 00:14:52,266 My three-day homecoming was over before I knew it. 184 00:14:52,892 --> 00:14:56,353 Once you have a taste of the heavenly dews, there's no turning back to reality. 185 00:14:57,271 --> 00:15:00,274 Let me know when you're coming home next. 186 00:15:01,233 --> 00:15:04,236 And thus, my next buyer has been determined. 187 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:13,245 What's with the intense stare? 188 00:15:13,245 --> 00:15:14,288 I'd better make my escape. 189 00:15:15,205 --> 00:15:17,249 I'll go get changed. 190 00:15:17,249 --> 00:15:18,250 Tell us... 191 00:15:18,250 --> 00:15:19,209 Everything... 192 00:15:19,209 --> 00:15:20,252 Later! 193 00:15:23,130 --> 00:15:26,091 I'll be waiting for you in the parlor. 194 00:15:39,104 --> 00:15:40,147 Excuse me. 195 00:15:44,151 --> 00:15:47,154 For some reason, he seems really upset. 196 00:15:49,073 --> 00:15:50,115 Am I over-thinking it? 197 00:15:51,075 --> 00:15:52,117 I hope I'm over-thinking it. 198 00:15:52,117 --> 00:15:53,118 Let's go with that. 199 00:15:55,079 --> 00:15:58,040 Why are we alone, anyway? 200 00:15:58,123 --> 00:16:01,085 So, you went home, huh? 201 00:16:01,085 --> 00:16:02,044 Yes. 202 00:16:02,169 --> 00:16:04,088 How was it? 203 00:16:04,088 --> 00:16:06,131 Everyone's doing well, so I was glad for that. 204 00:16:08,092 --> 00:16:09,093 I see. 205 00:16:09,093 --> 00:16:10,094 Yes. 206 00:16:11,136 --> 00:16:15,057 What is this Lihaku fellow like? 207 00:16:15,140 --> 00:16:17,142 He was my guarantor. 208 00:16:18,102 --> 00:16:20,145 How does he know that name? 209 00:16:22,106 --> 00:16:26,068 Do you even know what that means? 210 00:16:26,068 --> 00:16:31,073 Yes. Only a higher-ranking official with a good record can serve as a guarantor. 211 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:38,122 Did he give you a hairpin? 212 00:16:38,122 --> 00:16:42,084 He was passing out several, so I took one as a consolation prize. 213 00:16:42,126 --> 00:16:46,046 So, I lost to a consolation prize, huh? 214 00:16:48,132 --> 00:16:52,136 I thought I gave you one too, but I never heard from you. 215 00:16:53,137 --> 00:16:54,138 Huh? 216 00:16:55,097 --> 00:17:00,144 In other words, he's just unhappy because I didn't rely on him instead? 217 00:17:01,103 --> 00:17:07,067 Weird. It's obviously way better to not get involved in any trouble. 218 00:17:07,109 --> 00:17:11,155 Is he so bored that he wants attention, even if it'll cause problems? 219 00:17:12,114 --> 00:17:18,078 I'm sorry. I couldn't think of a repayment that you'd enjoy. 220 00:17:21,081 --> 00:17:22,082 What repayment? 221 00:17:23,083 --> 00:17:26,128 Did you give something to this Lihaku guy? 222 00:17:26,128 --> 00:17:30,090 Yes, I granted him a night of blissful dreams. 223 00:17:32,092 --> 00:17:33,093 A night... 224 00:17:34,094 --> 00:17:36,138 He seemed very happy. 225 00:17:36,138 --> 00:17:39,099 I worked hard, so I'm pleased with myself. 226 00:17:43,103 --> 00:17:45,147 What are you doing? 227 00:17:45,147 --> 00:17:47,149 Let's wipe you off before it stains. 228 00:17:47,149 --> 00:17:49,151 Excuse me. 229 00:17:49,151 --> 00:17:52,112 You should get this washed right away. 230 00:17:55,115 --> 00:17:59,078 I'll clean up the cup right away, too. Don't touch it. 231 00:18:02,081 --> 00:18:03,082 Excuse me. 232 00:18:03,082 --> 00:18:04,083 Whoosh. 233 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:12,091 Ow! 234 00:18:25,062 --> 00:18:28,148 Not just some superficial sweetness 235 00:18:31,068 --> 00:18:36,073 I want more warmth than I can even use, oh 236 00:18:37,116 --> 00:18:42,121 Having these selfish idealistic thoughts 237 00:18:42,121 --> 00:18:47,084 I swallowed them again today before putting them into words 238 00:18:47,126 --> 00:18:52,089 Still in my memories, the scent of fragrant olive 239 00:18:52,089 --> 00:18:55,092 The color of twilight in the city 240 00:18:55,092 --> 00:19:00,055 We were laughing... 241 00:19:00,055 --> 00:19:12,067 Filled with sadness, the tears welled up in my eyes 242 00:19:12,109 --> 00:19:20,075 I found a glow during those days 243 00:19:20,075 --> 00:19:24,079 I guess I took everything for granted 244 00:19:25,038 --> 00:19:37,092 The wind was so loud I covered my ears 245 00:19:37,092 --> 00:19:44,141 I gotta stop being like that 246 00:19:44,141 --> 00:19:53,066 Even if I stumble over the words of love 247 00:19:54,067 --> 00:20:09,041 Next Time Next time: "Suicide or Murder?" EpisodeSuicide or Murder?