1 00:00:15,056 --> 00:00:16,975 Are you serious? 2 00:00:17,976 --> 00:00:20,020 So, what would you do? 3 00:00:20,020 --> 00:00:24,024 After all, you're the gardener maintaining my flower garden. 4 00:00:27,986 --> 00:00:29,988 He truly is cunning. 5 00:00:34,993 --> 00:00:36,036 How ironic. 6 00:00:37,996 --> 00:00:40,999 No matter how hard I try, both in intellect and martial arts, 7 00:00:40,999 --> 00:00:43,043 I can only slightly outperform a regular person. 8 00:00:44,044 --> 00:00:48,006 Instead, I am granted an appearance more beautiful than anyone. 9 00:00:51,009 --> 00:00:55,013 The things I truly want are so far out of reach. 10 00:00:58,975 --> 00:01:02,979 I was dissatisfied at first, but I've gotten over it. 11 00:01:03,980 --> 00:01:06,024 My sweet gaze, my sweet voice... 12 00:01:07,025 --> 00:01:10,987 I'll use my superior tools to my advantage. 13 00:01:12,989 --> 00:01:17,035 I'm aware that ultimately, I'm just a child floundering on the emperor's palm. 14 00:01:19,996 --> 00:01:21,039 As you wish. 15 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:25,043 I'll manage his rear palace, or whatever else he wants. 16 00:01:27,045 --> 00:01:31,966 That's the only way I can choose my own path. 17 00:01:41,017 --> 00:01:44,979 The Apothecary Diaries 18 00:03:02,974 --> 00:03:08,021 Verdigris House 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. I don't need this much, Big Sis. 19 00:03:08,021 --> 00:03:12,984 Sure, sure. Take this, this... Oh! And this, too. EpisodeServing in the Outer Court 20 00:03:13,026 --> 00:03:14,986 I'm not going to be using lipstick. 21 00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:18,990 What do you mean? Can't you put in the least bit of effort to look proper? 22 00:03:18,990 --> 00:03:22,994 Only courtesans have to get prettied up to go to work. 23 00:03:24,996 --> 00:03:27,040 I want to work with herbs... 24 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:28,041 Ow! 25 00:03:28,041 --> 00:03:33,004 You've landed such a nice job at the palace! 26 00:03:33,004 --> 00:03:36,966 And you're telling me you can't dress up appropriately for the position? 27 00:03:36,966 --> 00:03:39,052 You have to be thankful for that every day. 28 00:03:39,052 --> 00:03:42,013 Otherwise, you'll lose your great customers. 29 00:03:42,972 --> 00:03:46,059 Meimei is really convincing. 30 00:03:46,059 --> 00:03:49,020 She's old enough to start considering retirement as a courtesan, 31 00:03:49,020 --> 00:03:51,981 but her popularity hasn't waned at all, 32 00:03:52,023 --> 00:03:53,983 because she has the intellect 33 00:03:53,983 --> 00:03:56,986 to entertain her customers through song, chess, and go. 34 00:03:56,986 --> 00:03:57,987 Maomao. 35 00:03:58,988 --> 00:04:00,073 Wow, what a huge package. 36 00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:03,034 Pairin, Joka. 37 00:04:09,958 --> 00:04:14,045 I'm glad you found a good workplace. Go make a fortune. 38 00:04:15,046 --> 00:04:16,047 Got it. 39 00:04:17,006 --> 00:04:20,051 If you could bring back some paying customers, that would be great too! 40 00:04:20,051 --> 00:04:23,054 Find some good, rich guys. 41 00:04:23,054 --> 00:04:26,015 Someone with vigor, pretty please! 42 00:04:26,015 --> 00:04:27,976 Uh, yeah... 43 00:04:27,976 --> 00:04:29,978 Verdigris House 44 00:04:30,019 --> 00:04:30,979 Verdigris House 45 00:04:31,980 --> 00:04:36,025 My new workplace... Or should I say, the workplace I'm returning to, 46 00:04:36,025 --> 00:04:39,028 is the area in the palace called the rear palace. 47 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:43,950 It's a garden of women who are there to have children for the emperor. 48 00:04:43,950 --> 00:04:49,998 I was supposed to work here as a lowly servant girl, but... You with the freckles, stay here I solved the mystery of the dying infant heirs, which drew attention. 49 00:04:49,998 --> 00:04:52,959 I was promoted to lady-in-waiting for Lady Gyokuyou, 50 00:04:52,959 --> 00:04:56,045 then got s***ed into various troubles as a food taster. 51 00:04:57,046 --> 00:05:00,967 After that, a bunch of stuff happened, leading to me getting fired. 52 00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:03,052 Who would've thought I'd be back again? 53 00:05:06,055 --> 00:05:09,017 I succumbed to the allure of the caterpillar fungus, 54 00:05:09,017 --> 00:05:11,978 but looking back, that might have been careless of me. 55 00:05:12,061 --> 00:05:15,982 Of course, seen from the outside, it's a huge lucky break. 56 00:05:16,024 --> 00:05:20,028 I do have some reservations about leaving my dad behind to go live elsewhere for work, 57 00:05:20,028 --> 00:05:23,031 but the rules are a lot less strict this time, 58 00:05:23,031 --> 00:05:25,033 and I'm not treated as missing anymore. 59 00:05:25,992 --> 00:05:28,953 Dad also said I should do as I like, but... 60 00:05:33,958 --> 00:05:36,044 What did he mean by that, I wonder? 61 00:05:38,963 --> 00:05:39,964 I'm home. 62 00:05:43,968 --> 00:05:45,970 They loaded you up, didn't they? 63 00:05:45,970 --> 00:05:52,018 What should I do? I definitely need my mortar and pestle, and my notebook. 64 00:05:52,018 --> 00:05:55,021 I can't bring less underwear— 65 00:05:55,021 --> 00:05:59,025 Maomao, you probably can't take those with you. 66 00:05:59,025 --> 00:06:00,026 Huh? 67 00:06:00,026 --> 00:06:01,069 You're not a doctor. 68 00:06:01,069 --> 00:06:07,033 Having such things would make you appear like you're plotting a poisoning. 69 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:13,039 Come now, don't make that face. It was your decision to go. 70 00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:16,000 You can't back out now. 71 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,043 Really? 72 00:06:17,043 --> 00:06:21,047 You should be able to gradually get permission to bring more things in. 73 00:06:21,047 --> 00:06:25,968 Get ready and go to sleep. Tomorrow is your first day. 74 00:06:25,968 --> 00:06:27,053 Fine... 75 00:06:40,024 --> 00:06:43,986 Well, you haven't done this in a while. 76 00:06:44,028 --> 00:06:47,031 I thought you weren't a baby anymore. 77 00:06:47,031 --> 00:06:49,033 Well, it's cold. 78 00:06:50,993 --> 00:06:53,955 We'll be lonely again. 79 00:06:53,955 --> 00:06:57,041 Not really. This time, I can come back any time I want. 80 00:07:01,921 --> 00:07:03,923 Thank you for waiting, Master Jinshi. 81 00:07:08,970 --> 00:07:11,013 Please take care of our little girl. 82 00:07:12,932 --> 00:07:15,017 We got her all dolled up for you. 83 00:07:15,017 --> 00:07:17,937 Don't you forget, Maomao. 84 00:07:17,937 --> 00:07:20,940 I know. Good customers, right? 85 00:07:21,023 --> 00:07:22,984 Good. Now go on. 86 00:07:24,318 --> 00:07:25,361 Uh, yeah. 87 00:07:25,403 --> 00:07:27,321 Take care. 88 00:07:28,322 --> 00:07:29,365 I'm off. 89 00:07:30,324 --> 00:07:31,409 She's pretty. 90 00:07:31,409 --> 00:07:34,370 Have you ever seen her at the Verdigris House before? 91 00:07:38,332 --> 00:07:40,334 This is your fault, Master Jinshi. 92 00:07:40,334 --> 00:07:41,335 Hmm? 93 00:07:41,377 --> 00:07:43,379 I got a lot of unwanted attention. 94 00:07:43,379 --> 00:07:44,422 That's because you're... 95 00:07:51,304 --> 00:07:52,346 What is it? 96 00:07:52,388 --> 00:07:53,389 Nothing. 97 00:08:12,325 --> 00:08:14,410 Good work. May we proceed? 98 00:08:14,410 --> 00:08:15,369 Yes! 99 00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:22,335 Apothecary. While you're here, go back to your usual freckled face. 100 00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:23,336 Huh? 101 00:08:24,337 --> 00:08:25,379 Understood. 102 00:08:36,390 --> 00:08:39,310 Hey, I heard the manager of the rear palace 103 00:08:39,310 --> 00:08:41,395 bought out a courtesan from the Verdigris House. 104 00:08:41,395 --> 00:08:45,399 The Verdigris House? Is that where the famous Three Princesses are? 105 00:08:45,399 --> 00:08:47,401 The Verdigris House? 106 00:08:52,365 --> 00:08:54,367 What is this guy doing? 107 00:08:57,328 --> 00:08:59,330 And this is? 108 00:08:59,413 --> 00:09:01,332 My house. 109 00:09:01,332 --> 00:09:03,334 Huh?! Why?! 110 00:09:03,334 --> 00:09:06,295 This is your new workplace. 111 00:09:07,296 --> 00:09:12,301 Master Gaoshun, I was under the impression we were returning to the rear palace... 112 00:09:12,301 --> 00:09:17,306 We fired you once already, so we can't just put you back in the same position. 113 00:09:17,306 --> 00:09:19,350 You will be working in the outer court now. 114 00:09:19,350 --> 00:09:21,310 The outer court... 115 00:09:21,310 --> 00:09:24,397 Yes. The rear palace is considered the inner court. 116 00:09:24,397 --> 00:09:27,316 The outer court lies outside of that. 117 00:09:27,358 --> 00:09:31,320 There are many public offices there. I'll show you around later. 118 00:09:32,363 --> 00:09:35,408 Welcome home. It must have been cold. 119 00:09:42,415 --> 00:09:47,336 I am Suiren, his attendant. You must be Xiaomao. 120 00:09:47,336 --> 00:09:49,297 Y-Yes. 121 00:09:50,298 --> 00:09:51,340 Xiaomao? 122 00:09:56,345 --> 00:09:58,347 There are two separate buildings, 123 00:09:58,347 --> 00:10:01,309 one with the office and one with the personal residence. 124 00:10:01,392 --> 00:10:04,395 The area ahead is the young master's room, but... 125 00:10:05,313 --> 00:10:06,314 "Young master?" 126 00:10:07,315 --> 00:10:09,358 You should be all right. 127 00:10:11,319 --> 00:10:14,405 This room's about the same size as the one I used at the Jade Pavilion. 128 00:10:14,405 --> 00:10:18,326 If this place had a stove and a nearby well... 129 00:10:18,326 --> 00:10:22,371 Still, this place seems too well-built for a servant girl's quarters. 130 00:10:22,371 --> 00:10:24,332 Xiaomao? 131 00:10:24,332 --> 00:10:25,333 Yes. 132 00:10:26,292 --> 00:10:29,337 I don't intend to make you do servant labor. 133 00:10:29,337 --> 00:10:30,338 Huh? 134 00:10:30,379 --> 00:10:33,341 I told you, you're going to work in the outer court. 135 00:10:41,390 --> 00:10:43,392 You're going to take the court lady exam. 136 00:10:44,352 --> 00:10:47,355 C-Court lady exam?! 137 00:11:02,286 --> 00:11:06,374 A cotton garment? That's generous. 138 00:11:16,342 --> 00:11:18,386 Good morning, Lady Suiren. 139 00:11:18,386 --> 00:11:22,390 Oh, good morning, Xiaomao. It's good that you wake up early. 140 00:11:23,349 --> 00:11:24,350 I'll help. 141 00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:26,394 It's fine, I'm almost done. 142 00:11:27,353 --> 00:11:29,355 Can you just help serve? 143 00:11:29,355 --> 00:11:33,317 Yes. Um, where are the other attendants? 144 00:11:33,317 --> 00:11:34,318 There are none. 145 00:11:35,361 --> 00:11:40,324 The office side is fine, but I couldn't let anyone handle the personal side. 146 00:11:41,325 --> 00:11:43,411 The young master's food is especially out of the question. 147 00:11:44,328 --> 00:11:47,331 So, you do all of this work by yourself? 148 00:11:47,331 --> 00:11:51,293 We had some new girls a few times, 149 00:11:51,293 --> 00:11:53,379 but well, things happen, and they don't last. 150 00:11:54,338 --> 00:11:56,382 Did they lace his food with aphrodisiacs? 151 00:11:56,382 --> 00:11:58,342 Or try to steal things? 152 00:11:58,342 --> 00:12:03,389 I mean, who likes finding unfamiliar underwear in their closet? 153 00:12:03,389 --> 00:12:04,348 Huh? 154 00:12:05,307 --> 00:12:09,311 On top of that, it was made of hair. 155 00:12:10,312 --> 00:12:11,355 That sounds like a lot. 156 00:12:11,355 --> 00:12:13,357 Yes, it certainly was. 157 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,402 Come, young master, please wake up. 158 00:12:16,402 --> 00:12:19,321 It's time for breakfast. 159 00:12:26,412 --> 00:12:29,373 So much wasted s** appeal... 160 00:12:29,373 --> 00:12:34,336 I can see why only Master Gaoshun and Lady Suiren enter this room. 161 00:12:40,468 --> 00:12:44,430 If you want, I can get you a new room. 162 00:12:44,513 --> 00:12:46,474 What brings this about? 163 00:12:46,474 --> 00:12:49,518 I don't get it, but is this my chance to get a stove and well?! 164 00:12:53,439 --> 00:12:56,525 He needs to tell me clearly if he wants me to understand. 165 00:12:56,525 --> 00:12:59,487 I can manage the stove somehow, so for starters... 166 00:13:02,448 --> 00:13:05,493 In that case, how about a stable with a well nearby? 167 00:13:07,495 --> 00:13:08,496 A stable. 168 00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:11,415 Yes, a stable. 169 00:13:13,459 --> 00:13:14,502 No stables. 170 00:13:20,466 --> 00:13:22,468 So, shall we? 171 00:13:22,468 --> 00:13:24,470 Yes, please. 172 00:13:25,471 --> 00:13:28,474 Master Jinshi got left behind. 173 00:13:29,433 --> 00:13:33,437 I assumed he had nothing to do, since he was always loitering in the rear palace, 174 00:13:33,437 --> 00:13:35,439 but he's actually pretty busy. 175 00:13:35,481 --> 00:13:39,485 There are many military officers on the east side of this area, 176 00:13:40,402 --> 00:13:42,404 so please stay away if possible. 177 00:13:43,447 --> 00:13:44,448 Understood. 178 00:13:45,491 --> 00:13:48,410 The palace he showed me around was huge. 179 00:13:48,410 --> 00:13:49,495 I needed more than all my fingers and toes 180 00:13:49,495 --> 00:13:52,414 to count all the named buildings and departments. 181 00:13:52,456 --> 00:13:54,500 Can I learn them all? 182 00:13:55,459 --> 00:13:59,505 My ability to learn about things I'm not interested in is below average. 183 00:14:03,467 --> 00:14:05,427 This is the Director of Waters. 184 00:14:05,427 --> 00:14:09,473 It's the department in charge of rivers, dams, and water utilization projects. 185 00:14:09,473 --> 00:14:10,474 I see. 186 00:14:12,476 --> 00:14:17,439 The rear palace had more medicinal ingredients. 187 00:14:17,523 --> 00:14:21,443 My dad must have planted them while he worked there. 188 00:14:21,443 --> 00:14:26,407 Xiaomao, when you become a court lady, the outer court will be your workplace. 189 00:14:27,491 --> 00:14:29,493 Court lady, huh? 190 00:14:38,419 --> 00:14:40,504 Oh, good timing, Xiaomao. 191 00:14:40,504 --> 00:14:43,507 Can you take this charcoal to the office? 192 00:14:43,507 --> 00:14:44,466 Yes. 193 00:14:48,470 --> 00:14:49,513 Excuse me. 194 00:14:56,478 --> 00:14:59,481 So, this is Master Jinshi's office. 195 00:15:00,482 --> 00:15:03,444 It's not extravagant, but everything here is top class. 196 00:15:03,444 --> 00:15:06,488 How high up is our young master? 197 00:15:12,453 --> 00:15:16,457 Sizing up the new girl? Not a good atmosphere. 198 00:15:19,460 --> 00:15:23,422 The court ladies of the outer court are like secretaries. 199 00:15:23,505 --> 00:15:27,426 They have the right qualifications, background, and education. 200 00:15:27,468 --> 00:15:31,430 They're nothing like the hodgepodge of female officials at the rear palace. 201 00:15:31,430 --> 00:15:33,432 Which explains their high self-esteem... 202 00:15:35,517 --> 00:15:36,477 Hmm? 203 00:15:38,437 --> 00:15:42,483 And therefore, they won't go out of their way to clean, since that's not their job. 204 00:15:45,486 --> 00:15:48,489 Just who do you think you are? 205 00:15:50,658 --> 00:15:51,659 Are you listening?! 206 00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:54,662 Why is someone like you assigned directly to Master Jinshi?! 207 00:15:57,706 --> 00:16:01,710 I guess staying quiet would irritate them more. 208 00:16:03,629 --> 00:16:06,715 In other words, you're all jealous of me? 209 00:16:08,634 --> 00:16:10,636 Watch your mouth! 210 00:16:10,678 --> 00:16:12,680 Wrong choice of words. 211 00:16:13,681 --> 00:16:14,682 Fine, then. 212 00:16:15,683 --> 00:16:18,686 Are you implying I'm getting special treatment? 213 00:16:19,728 --> 00:16:22,690 There's no way that could be right. 214 00:16:22,690 --> 00:16:27,695 Why would he, a heavenly maiden of a person, fall for an ugly girl like me? 215 00:16:29,655 --> 00:16:33,659 Does the noble figure in your mind have such bad taste? 216 00:16:34,618 --> 00:16:37,663 Would he go out of his way to eat meatless chicken bones, 217 00:16:37,663 --> 00:16:41,667 when there are heaps of delicious abalones and boar meat in front of him? 218 00:16:41,709 --> 00:16:45,713 If that's the case, well, he must have some interesting proclivities. 219 00:16:46,630 --> 00:16:50,676 I don't really get it myself, but does he truly have "special tastes"? 220 00:16:51,635 --> 00:16:52,678 I see, so it's a "special taste"— 221 00:16:52,678 --> 00:16:54,680 T-That's impossible! 222 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:55,681 R-Right! 223 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:58,684 Why did he hire you, then? 224 00:17:03,689 --> 00:17:05,649 This is the reason. 225 00:17:11,697 --> 00:17:14,658 I just tried out some burn medicine the other day, 226 00:17:14,658 --> 00:17:16,660 so it's really messed up right now. 227 00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:17,703 Stings! 228 00:17:18,620 --> 00:17:23,625 That heavenly maiden has a heavenly heart, too. 229 00:17:23,625 --> 00:17:27,671 He gives a person like me a way to make a living. 230 00:17:29,715 --> 00:17:30,716 Let's go. 231 00:17:39,683 --> 00:17:41,643 Done and done. 232 00:17:41,685 --> 00:17:43,645 "Interesting proclivities..." 233 00:17:44,730 --> 00:17:48,692 Do you get harassed like that a lot? 234 00:17:48,692 --> 00:17:51,653 Besides, why are you raising your left arm— 235 00:17:51,653 --> 00:17:53,697 I'm off to my next cleaning duty. 236 00:17:54,698 --> 00:17:56,700 Are you studying? 237 00:17:56,700 --> 00:17:58,660 Sneak, sneak. 238 00:17:58,660 --> 00:17:59,620 Hey! 239 00:17:59,620 --> 00:18:00,704 Sneak, sneak! 240 00:18:20,682 --> 00:18:22,643 Xiaomao. 241 00:18:23,644 --> 00:18:25,646 Please be quiet. 242 00:18:33,612 --> 00:18:36,657 And thus, the day of the exams came. 243 00:18:39,618 --> 00:18:40,661 Why did you fail? 244 00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:43,622 Why did you think I'd pass? 245 00:18:44,623 --> 00:18:48,627 Maomao became Jinshi's personal servant. 246 00:18:49,711 --> 00:18:51,672 What should we do? 247 00:18:51,672 --> 00:18:53,674 What should we do, indeed? 248 00:19:24,621 --> 00:19:25,664 Ow! 249 00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:31,628 There shouldn't be any reason for you to go beyond this point. 250 00:19:31,670 --> 00:19:34,631 Could you say that before you hit me? 251 00:19:35,716 --> 00:19:39,720 The scent of sandalwood, mixed with another, distinctly bitter smell. 252 00:19:51,607 --> 00:19:52,691 The military, huh?