1
00:03:01,973 --> 00:03:05,977
EpisodeThe New Pure Consort

2
00:03:07,020 --> 00:03:08,980
Are you serious?

3
00:03:08,980 --> 00:03:09,981
Of course.

4
00:03:10,023 --> 00:03:13,943
Maomao's back. I have to make
the best of that situation.

5
00:03:17,947 --> 00:03:19,949
That should do for now.

6
00:03:19,949 --> 00:03:24,913
Unlike the rear palace, there are barely
any herbs growing in the outer court.

7
00:03:24,913 --> 00:03:26,956
I need to work on fixing that.

8
00:03:26,956 --> 00:03:27,999
Xiaomao.

9
00:03:27,999 --> 00:03:32,921
I thought I asked you to clean the office.

10
00:03:32,921 --> 00:03:34,005
Right away!

11
00:03:35,006 --> 00:03:37,967
Don't spend too much time on gardening.

12
00:03:38,927 --> 00:03:39,928
She's tough.

13
00:03:40,929 --> 00:03:42,013
What's going on?

14
00:03:42,013 --> 00:03:43,014
I have no idea.

15
00:03:43,014 --> 00:03:45,975
Crystal Pavilion
Wise Consort
Lihua
Hmm.

16
00:03:46,976 --> 00:03:48,019
Excuse me.

17
00:03:55,944 --> 00:03:59,948
Do you know about the new Pure Consort
who just entered the Garnet Pavilion?

18
00:03:59,948 --> 00:04:00,949
Yes.

19
00:04:00,990 --> 00:04:03,952
The replacement for
Concubine Ah-Duo, who left.

20
00:04:06,955 --> 00:04:10,959
Well, the rear palace wants
to educate the concubine.

21
00:04:12,001 --> 00:04:15,964
And for some reason, they want
you to be the teacher.
Teacher
Maomao

22
00:04:17,006 --> 00:04:19,008
Hah, that's a funny joke.

23
00:04:19,008 --> 00:04:23,930
Nobody's joking. Look who recommended you.

24
00:04:23,930 --> 00:04:24,931
Recommended?

25
00:04:24,931 --> 00:04:26,975
Precious Consort
Gyokuyou

26
00:04:26,975 --> 00:04:28,935
And here's another.

27
00:04:29,936 --> 00:04:31,938
Wise Consort
Lihua

28
00:04:31,938 --> 00:04:33,022
Lady Lihua, too?

29
00:04:33,982 --> 00:04:34,941
Oh...

30
00:04:36,192 --> 00:04:37,235
It was that, huh?

31
00:04:38,194 --> 00:04:40,196
I'm counting on you.

32
00:04:45,201 --> 00:04:49,247
I can't ignore a request from two concubines.

33
00:04:50,206 --> 00:04:53,251
They were nice enough to clearly
write the payment amount.

34
00:04:54,252 --> 00:04:58,214
Our old lady is surely
hiking up that price, though.

35
00:05:03,261 --> 00:05:04,262
Now's my chance...

36
00:05:06,222 --> 00:05:08,224
This is all teaching
material for your class?

37
00:05:09,225 --> 00:05:11,269
Yes. And here's the invoice.

38
00:05:13,229 --> 00:05:15,189
This seems about right.

39
00:05:16,190 --> 00:05:19,235
I wonder why the ink is
a different color here.

40
00:05:19,235 --> 00:05:20,194
Yikes!

41
00:05:21,195 --> 00:05:22,238
She really is tough.

42
00:05:22,238 --> 00:05:26,159
I guess I can't prey on our young master
while this old maid is around.

43
00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:27,243
What's inside?

44
00:05:29,245 --> 00:05:32,206
I can't let him see my
precious teaching material.

45
00:05:33,207 --> 00:05:35,209
F-Fine, I won't look.

46
00:05:36,252 --> 00:05:39,213
Do you need help carrying it?

47
00:05:39,213 --> 00:05:40,214
I'm fine.

48
00:05:40,256 --> 00:05:43,217
If I have to do it, I'm going all the way.

49
00:05:46,262 --> 00:05:49,223
It's been a while.

50
00:05:49,223 --> 00:05:51,225
It's relaxing, this weird girly atmosphere.

51
00:05:51,225 --> 00:05:53,186
It's Master Jinshi!

52
00:05:53,186 --> 00:05:55,188
He's so beautiful as always.

53
00:05:59,192 --> 00:06:01,194
This is quite a crowd.

54
00:06:01,194 --> 00:06:04,197
They must have heard
the rumors about the lesson.

55
00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:11,245
Just so you're all aware, only the high-ranking
concubines will be attending today.

56
00:06:11,245 --> 00:06:13,206
If you have no other business, you may leave.

57
00:06:18,252 --> 00:06:21,255
Is this eunuch some
sort of mythical monster?

58
00:06:34,227 --> 00:06:35,228
No!

59
00:06:36,229 --> 00:06:37,188
Why?

60
00:06:37,188 --> 00:06:41,192
Only the high-ranking concubines will
attend the lesson. You said so yourself.

61
00:06:42,193 --> 00:06:45,196
Dammit, he's built tougher than he looks.

62
00:06:45,238 --> 00:06:50,201
What we'll discuss is a secret
technique for women only!

63
00:06:57,208 --> 00:06:59,168
Lady Gyokuyou.

64
00:06:59,168 --> 00:07:01,170
Beautiful, as always.

65
00:07:01,170 --> 00:07:03,256
Seems like Lady Hongniang
hasn't changed, either.

66
00:07:04,215 --> 00:07:06,259
Lady Lishu seems very nervous.

67
00:07:06,259 --> 00:07:11,222
I guess it's natural, seeing how there are
three other high-ranking concubines here.

68
00:07:11,222 --> 00:07:15,226
As long as that taster is with her,
she should be better off than before.

69
00:07:15,268 --> 00:07:21,232
Lady Lihua seems to have recovered
fully to her healthy, voluptuous form.

70
00:07:21,232 --> 00:07:24,235
Hmm? Is that the lady-in-waiting
from the face powder incident...?

71
00:07:25,236 --> 00:07:27,238
She doesn't have to be so wary of me.

72
00:07:28,197 --> 00:07:30,241
And Concubine Ah-Duo's replacement,

73
00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,203
the new Pure Consort, Concubine Loulan.

74
00:07:34,203 --> 00:07:37,165
Is that flashy southern
outfit her usual style?

75
00:07:37,248 --> 00:07:42,211
Her face seems northern, but I can't tell
what she really looks like under all that.

76
00:07:45,214 --> 00:07:49,177
Given her age, the emperor
will most likely spend time with her.

77
00:07:49,218 --> 00:07:53,181
It seems the power balance at the rear
palace shouldn't be negatively affected.

78
00:07:54,223 --> 00:07:56,267
Eh. Who cares.

79
00:07:59,187 --> 00:08:03,232
My name is Maomao. I will be
serving as your instructor today.

80
00:08:04,275 --> 00:08:07,236
What I will be teaching you today

81
00:08:07,236 --> 00:08:10,198
is a secret technique
shared only amongst women.

82
00:08:11,157 --> 00:08:13,242
Please do not share it with others.

83
00:08:14,285 --> 00:08:17,288
Now, here are the learning materials.

84
00:08:29,258 --> 00:08:31,177
Wow!

85
00:08:40,269 --> 00:08:45,233
Oh... Oh...

86
00:09:07,213 --> 00:09:10,216
What's going on in there?

87
00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:11,259
I can't tell.

88
00:09:13,177 --> 00:09:14,262
Phew. Hmm?

89
00:09:16,180 --> 00:09:18,182
Good work. That took a while.

90
00:09:18,224 --> 00:09:21,185
This guy was eavesdropping for sure.

91
00:09:22,186 --> 00:09:23,229
What's wrong?

92
00:09:25,189 --> 00:09:27,233
What's going on here?

93
00:09:28,192 --> 00:09:30,194
Goodbye, tired routines!

94
00:09:30,236 --> 00:09:32,196
Do this, then this...

95
00:09:32,238 --> 00:09:35,199
No way. No way, ever...

96
00:09:35,241 --> 00:09:37,201
Lady Lishu!

97
00:09:40,204 --> 00:09:43,165
I just taught them, as ordered.

98
00:09:44,208 --> 00:09:48,212
At least I made the two who
recommended me happy.

99
00:09:56,178 --> 00:10:00,266
I couldn't tell what she was thinking at all.

100
00:10:05,229 --> 00:10:07,189
Use the knowledge as you see fit.

101
00:10:07,189 --> 00:10:09,233
Hey, what kind of lecture did you give?

102
00:10:09,233 --> 00:10:13,195
You can ask the emperor later
if he liked it or not.

103
00:10:30,254 --> 00:10:32,214
I'm spent.

104
00:10:35,217 --> 00:10:38,220
Looking forward to that bonus reward!

105
00:10:47,229 --> 00:10:49,190
This way!

106
00:10:58,199 --> 00:10:59,241
I'll stay out of it.

107
00:10:59,241 --> 00:11:01,160
So cold...

108
00:11:07,208 --> 00:11:09,168
Master Lakan! Master Lakan!

109
00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,263
Master Lakan, there you are.

110
00:11:23,224 --> 00:11:24,225
Hmm.

111
00:11:25,267 --> 00:11:27,228
Something of interest?

112
00:11:27,228 --> 00:11:30,231
No, nothing at all.

113
00:11:41,158 --> 00:11:43,244
I wonder what that sound was last night.

114
00:11:45,246 --> 00:11:50,209
Even though he's a eunuch, he has work
outside of the rear palace as well?

115
00:11:51,210 --> 00:11:55,256
It's not like he can just ignore silly bills.

116
00:11:59,176 --> 00:12:02,263
It's good paper. I could sell these
for a pretty good amount.

117
00:12:02,263 --> 00:12:04,223
What a waste, burning it all.

118
00:12:05,266 --> 00:12:09,186
The trash burning place is over
by the military offices...

119
00:12:09,186 --> 00:12:10,187
Xiaomao.

120
00:12:12,189 --> 00:12:13,232
It's cold outside.

121
00:12:16,235 --> 00:12:18,195
Thank you.

122
00:12:18,279 --> 00:12:22,241
He's so thoughtful. Shame he's a eunuch.

123
00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:32,209
This is from Master Jinshi!
I merely delivered it!

124
00:12:34,253 --> 00:12:39,258
He needs permission just to give warm
clothes to a servant? What a bother.

125
00:12:39,258 --> 00:12:42,261
Thank you, Master Jinshi.

126
00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:44,263
Don't worry about it.

127
00:12:51,228 --> 00:12:55,191
The outer court is several times
larger than the rear palace,

128
00:12:55,191 --> 00:12:57,234
yet I see hardly any medicinal herbs growing.

129
00:12:58,194 --> 00:13:01,238
I guess the only notable ones
are dandelions and mugworts,

130
00:13:01,238 --> 00:13:04,200
which are abundant anywhere.

131
00:13:05,159 --> 00:13:07,244
It's winter, so they're hard to spot, too.

132
00:13:07,244 --> 00:13:10,206
Maybe I'll plant some seeds
around here as well.

133
00:13:12,166 --> 00:13:13,250
Ooh, red spider lily!

134
00:13:13,250 --> 00:13:15,252
Here too! And there, too!

135
00:13:15,252 --> 00:13:19,215
They're so tasty when
the bulb root is put in water.

136
00:13:19,215 --> 00:13:24,178
If I fail to remove the poison, it causes
horrible stomachaches, though.

137
00:13:25,221 --> 00:13:26,263
It's Master Lihaku.

138
00:13:26,263 --> 00:13:29,225
His belt's a different color.

139
00:13:29,225 --> 00:13:31,227
Did he get a promotion?

140
00:13:31,268 --> 00:13:34,230
Hmm? Oh hey, little lady.

141
00:13:35,189 --> 00:13:36,232
Master Lihaku.

142
00:13:36,232 --> 00:13:39,193
Accompanying a concubine or something?

143
00:13:39,193 --> 00:13:41,195
Rare to see you outside the rear palace.

144
00:13:42,238 --> 00:13:45,199
He doesn't know I got fired.

145
00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,245
Master Lihaku. He fell in love
with Big Sister Pairin,

146
00:13:49,245 --> 00:13:51,247
one of the Three Princesses
of the Verdigris House.

147
00:13:51,247 --> 00:13:56,252
He's working hard to get a promotion
for his love. How adorable.

148
00:13:56,252 --> 00:13:57,253
Hmm?

149
00:13:58,254 --> 00:14:03,259
The cost of a night with Pairin is equal to
half the annual salary of a commoner.

150
00:14:03,968 --> 00:14:05,970
I never ran into him there.

151
00:14:05,970 --> 00:14:09,974
I guess once a man has a taste
of the heavenly nectar,

152
00:14:09,974 --> 00:14:11,058
he can't help but try to get at least a glimpse.

153
00:14:12,977 --> 00:14:14,019
He's really working hard.

154
00:14:14,061 --> 00:14:15,980
Hmm? What is it?

155
00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:19,024
Nothing. I've been transferred
from the rear palace

156
00:14:19,024 --> 00:14:21,986
to the personal quarters of a certain official.

157
00:14:22,027 --> 00:14:25,990
Personal quarters?
Who's crazy enough to do that?

158
00:14:25,990 --> 00:14:27,992
Yeah, I wonder the same.

159
00:14:28,993 --> 00:14:31,036
By the way, were you busy with something?

160
00:14:31,036 --> 00:14:32,955
A little.

161
00:14:32,997 --> 00:14:36,000
Just a small fire, not rare
at this time of the year.

162
00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,003
I've been brought out to investigate
since they can't determine the cause.

163
00:14:39,003 --> 00:14:44,008
Unknown cause? So that must be
what the noise from last night was.

164
00:14:44,967 --> 00:14:46,010
Was anyone injured?

165
00:14:46,010 --> 00:14:49,054
Just the warehouseman.
He's not critically injured, but—

166
00:14:49,054 --> 00:14:52,016
Hey, don't get too close.

167
00:14:52,016 --> 00:14:53,017
Understood.

168
00:14:53,976 --> 00:14:58,022
Why wouldn't you expect me
to get curious after hearing that?

169
00:15:00,065 --> 00:15:02,985
Soot reaching the adjacent building.

170
00:15:03,944 --> 00:15:06,030
Shrapnel all over the building.

171
00:15:06,947 --> 00:15:09,992
This is more like an explosion than a fire.

172
00:15:11,035 --> 00:15:13,037
I see.

173
00:15:13,996 --> 00:15:16,999
They suspect arson.

174
00:15:16,999 --> 00:15:22,004
That's why Master Lihaku is here,
not a lower-ranking official.

175
00:15:23,005 --> 00:15:25,049
This isn't just some random warehouse.

176
00:15:25,049 --> 00:15:27,968
It's the palace, where the emperor is.

177
00:15:29,011 --> 00:15:36,060
Our empire is overall pretty peaceful,
but there's always someone with issues.

178
00:15:37,978 --> 00:15:40,022
There's the occasional barbarian attack,

179
00:15:40,022 --> 00:15:43,067
and a famine or drought here and there.

180
00:15:44,026 --> 00:15:47,029
Who knows how long peace with
the neighboring nations will last?

181
00:15:47,988 --> 00:15:51,033
I'm sure some people in some foreign
countries have some complaints.

182
00:15:53,994 --> 00:15:56,997
Charcoal? No, it's a burnt potato.

183
00:15:56,997 --> 00:15:57,998
What a waste.

184
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,003
So this was food storage.

185
00:16:14,014 --> 00:16:17,017
Ivory? Looks like a smoking pipe.

186
00:16:17,977 --> 00:16:19,979
Quit snooping around by yourself!

187
00:16:20,062 --> 00:16:21,981
A pipe...

188
00:16:23,023 --> 00:16:27,027
An explosion. Food storage. A pipe.

189
00:16:30,030 --> 00:16:31,031
Hey!

190
00:16:43,002 --> 00:16:44,962
Can you hear me?!

191
00:16:45,004 --> 00:16:46,964
I can hear you.

192
00:16:46,964 --> 00:16:48,966
I'm just not listening to you.

193
00:16:49,008 --> 00:16:52,970
Does this warehouse store the same kind
of stuff as the burnt one?

194
00:16:53,971 --> 00:16:56,974
Yeah. The oldest things go in the back.

195
00:16:58,058 --> 00:17:00,978
Can I have this?

196
00:17:01,020 --> 00:17:02,980
I suppose so.

197
00:17:02,980 --> 00:17:04,023
And this, too?

198
00:17:04,023 --> 00:17:08,027
I also need a hammer, a saw, and some nails.

199
00:17:08,027 --> 00:17:10,029
What are you trying to do?

200
00:17:10,988 --> 00:17:12,990
Just a quick experiment.

201
00:17:17,953 --> 00:17:19,038
This will do.

202
00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:21,040
You're strangely good at this.

203
00:17:21,957 --> 00:17:25,961
I grew up poor. I'm good
at making things I don't have.

204
00:17:30,007 --> 00:17:32,968
That's flour, right?

205
00:17:32,968 --> 00:17:34,970
Yes. It was in the warehouse.

206
00:17:38,974 --> 00:17:40,059
Is this what you needed?

207
00:17:40,059 --> 00:17:42,978
Yes. And the flame source I asked for?

208
00:17:44,021 --> 00:17:45,064
Right here.

209
00:17:45,981 --> 00:17:47,024
Thank you, sir.

210
00:17:51,945 --> 00:17:53,030
I don't get it.

211
00:17:53,030 --> 00:17:56,992
It's ready. Please stand back. It's dangerous.

212
00:17:57,034 --> 00:17:59,953
Y-Yes...

213
00:18:02,039 --> 00:18:05,000
Master Lihaku, it's dangerous.

214
00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,043
What danger could there be?

215
00:18:06,043 --> 00:18:09,963
Whatever you do, I'm a military
officer. How can I be at risk?

216
00:18:10,964 --> 00:18:15,010
Understood. But it really is dangerous,
so please do be very careful.

217
00:18:15,010 --> 00:18:17,012
You have to run right away.

218
00:18:18,013 --> 00:18:20,057
Huh? Run from what—

219
00:18:25,020 --> 00:18:26,063
Put it out!

220
00:18:30,025 --> 00:18:32,027
See? I told you so.

221
00:18:35,989 --> 00:18:39,034
So, what caused the explosion?

222
00:18:39,993 --> 00:18:41,036
It was this.

223
00:18:41,995 --> 00:18:43,038
Flour?

224
00:18:43,038 --> 00:18:47,042
Yes. Fine powder, like wheat
or buckwheat flour, burns easily.

225
00:18:47,042 --> 00:18:50,963
The particles can catch fire when airborne.

226
00:18:52,047 --> 00:18:54,007
This was likely what sparked it.

227
00:18:54,049 --> 00:18:55,968
A pipe...?

228
00:18:56,969 --> 00:19:00,013
If someone snuck inside to take
a quick smoke in private,

229
00:19:01,974 --> 00:19:04,977
the outside wind could flow in,
blowing the powder into the air.

230
00:19:05,978 --> 00:19:07,980
If the pipe was lit at that time...

231
00:19:10,023 --> 00:19:15,988
The flour filling the air would
catch fire, and cause an explosion.

232
00:19:16,989 --> 00:19:21,994
Please let the warehousemen know
not to smoke in the warehouses.

233
00:19:21,994 --> 00:19:24,997
How do you know these things?

234
00:19:24,997 --> 00:19:29,042
Once, at the Verdigris House,
I blew up a room I borrowed.

235
00:19:30,002 --> 00:19:31,962
You...

236
00:19:32,004 --> 00:19:35,966
You stupid girl!

237
00:19:35,966 --> 00:19:38,051
The old lady was real scary back then.

238
00:19:38,051 --> 00:19:42,973
But powders exploding? How strange.

239
00:19:42,973 --> 00:19:45,976
Almost nothing in the world is truly strange.

240
00:19:45,976 --> 00:19:48,979
Anything that feels strange
is just not yet known.

241
00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:51,023
Achoo!

242
00:19:51,064 --> 00:19:54,026
Please take care to not catch a cold.

243
00:19:54,026 --> 00:19:58,030
If you do, find Luomen in the pleasure
district. His medicines work well.

244
00:19:58,030 --> 00:19:59,031
Right.

245
00:19:59,031 --> 00:20:04,036
Dad's so bad at marketing.
I should help him out a little.

246
00:20:05,037 --> 00:20:08,957
Hopefully, he'd pay a visit
while he's out there for Pairin.

247
00:20:09,958 --> 00:20:12,002
Well, I'm heading back to work now.

248
00:20:12,002 --> 00:20:13,003
Sure.

249
00:20:16,006 --> 00:20:19,009
Oh, I accidentally brought this with me.

250
00:20:19,968 --> 00:20:24,014
If I clean this up and put a new mouthpiece
on it, would it be good again?

251
00:20:24,014 --> 00:20:26,016
It might sell for a pretty good price.

252
00:20:27,017 --> 00:20:30,938
That said, it seems too impressive
for a warehouseman to own.

253
00:20:31,021 --> 00:20:33,023
Might be something precious.

254
00:20:34,983 --> 00:20:36,985
Maybe I'll clean it up and give it back.

255
00:20:43,951 --> 00:20:44,993
Dammit!

256
00:20:46,995 --> 00:20:48,038
I'm worthy, too... Dammit!

257
00:22:24,968 --> 00:22:39,941
Next Time
Next time: "Raw Fish."
EpisodeRaw Fish