1 00:00:08,216 --> 00:00:12,178 The Apothecary Diaries 2 00:01:30,215 --> 00:01:33,218 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 00:01:37,222 --> 00:01:45,271 Sleep, my baby, sleep. 4 00:01:45,271 --> 00:01:54,280 Where is she? She cries. 5 00:01:55,281 --> 00:02:01,246 Advisor EpisodeBalsam and Woodsorrel 6 00:02:06,209 --> 00:02:07,252 Would you join me for a few games? 7 00:02:10,213 --> 00:02:16,219 How could I possibly decline a request from my lovely daughter? 8 00:02:17,262 --> 00:02:20,223 A best-of-five match, no special rules. 9 00:02:20,223 --> 00:02:23,268 In other words, the first to win three rounds is the victor. 10 00:02:24,185 --> 00:02:28,231 How about handicaps? Which pieces should I drop? 11 00:02:28,231 --> 00:02:29,274 There's no need for that. 12 00:02:30,233 --> 00:02:32,235 She could've just accepted. 13 00:02:32,277 --> 00:02:36,156 More importantly, let's place a bet. A reward. 14 00:02:36,156 --> 00:02:37,282 Great, right down to business! 15 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:42,245 If I win, will you come live with me? 16 00:02:45,206 --> 00:02:47,250 You promised not to interfere. 17 00:02:47,250 --> 00:02:48,251 But— 18 00:02:51,254 --> 00:02:52,255 I don't mind. 19 00:02:52,255 --> 00:02:55,216 However, I'm under hire right now. 20 00:02:55,216 --> 00:02:57,177 You'll have to wait until my contract expires. 21 00:02:57,177 --> 00:03:01,222 Hired? You're actually employed right now? 22 00:03:01,222 --> 00:03:02,182 Yes. 23 00:03:02,182 --> 00:03:05,226 Huh... 24 00:03:06,186 --> 00:03:08,271 In exchange, if I win, 25 00:03:09,230 --> 00:03:13,234 could you buy out a courtesan at the Verdigris House? 26 00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:17,238 Of all the things you could ask... 27 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:23,203 I won't say who, but the old lady wants to get rid of an aging courtesan. 28 00:03:23,244 --> 00:03:25,288 So that's your first move. 29 00:03:26,289 --> 00:03:31,211 If that's what it takes, I suppose I must accept. 30 00:03:31,211 --> 00:03:33,254 Is that all, then? 31 00:03:33,254 --> 00:03:35,256 I'd like to add two more rules. 32 00:03:42,180 --> 00:03:45,183 From the smell of it, that's a distilled hard liquor? 33 00:03:51,189 --> 00:03:53,191 I have such a bad feeling about this. 34 00:03:53,233 --> 00:03:55,193 What is that? 35 00:03:55,276 --> 00:03:57,237 A medicine, in small amounts. 36 00:03:57,237 --> 00:04:00,240 Three sips turn it into a deadly poison, though. 37 00:04:01,241 --> 00:04:04,244 I'll pour it into three of these cups, 38 00:04:05,245 --> 00:04:08,248 then make it so that we can't tell which is which. 39 00:04:09,165 --> 00:04:15,213 After every match, the winner picks one cup, and the loser drinks from it in one breath. 40 00:04:15,213 --> 00:04:17,215 That's the first rule. 41 00:04:17,257 --> 00:04:20,218 What a brutal rule... 42 00:04:20,260 --> 00:04:24,222 The second rule is that no matter the reason, 43 00:04:24,222 --> 00:04:28,226 if a player abandons a match, they lose. 44 00:04:29,227 --> 00:04:30,228 Do you accept? 45 00:04:35,233 --> 00:04:36,276 That's fine. 46 00:04:37,193 --> 00:04:38,236 Is she trying to shake him? 47 00:04:39,237 --> 00:04:42,198 I guess a regular person would be scared by that. 48 00:04:42,198 --> 00:04:43,199 But... 49 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,203 This is the famous weirdo strategist we're talking about. 50 00:04:47,203 --> 00:04:50,248 I doubt he'd lose his composure from being pressured this way. 51 00:04:53,209 --> 00:04:55,253 What is she thinking? 52 00:05:42,216 --> 00:05:43,259 She lost again! 53 00:05:44,218 --> 00:05:46,179 That's two games in a row. 54 00:05:46,262 --> 00:05:50,183 Since she chose to challenge the invincible chess master in chess, 55 00:05:50,183 --> 00:05:52,268 I thought she had some skill in the game. 56 00:05:53,227 --> 00:05:57,231 It seems like she just knows the rules and has never played a real game before. 57 00:05:58,232 --> 00:06:00,193 Two cups... 58 00:06:00,234 --> 00:06:04,238 She drinks it so eagerly, I can't tell if it's poisoned or not. 59 00:06:05,198 --> 00:06:08,242 May I play first in the third game as well? 60 00:06:08,242 --> 00:06:10,244 Sure, fine by me. 61 00:06:12,205 --> 00:06:14,207 What in the world is she thinking? 62 00:06:14,248 --> 00:06:17,210 She's not going to win the third match, either. 63 00:06:17,251 --> 00:06:21,172 If the two cups she already had were poisoned, 64 00:06:21,214 --> 00:06:23,257 drinking a third would be too risky. 65 00:06:24,217 --> 00:06:28,221 Did Lakan predict this situation already? 66 00:06:31,182 --> 00:06:32,183 That's checkmate. 67 00:06:34,185 --> 00:06:35,228 I yield. 68 00:06:36,229 --> 00:06:39,232 A win is a win, even if you let me win, correct? 69 00:06:39,273 --> 00:06:45,279 Yes. I can't risk feeding my daughter poison. 70 00:06:46,197 --> 00:06:48,241 Can you choose a cup? 71 00:06:48,241 --> 00:06:50,201 Please take whichever one you like. 72 00:06:50,243 --> 00:06:54,163 Does this medicine have a special taste? 73 00:06:54,163 --> 00:06:57,208 One sip and you'd notice that it tastes bad. 74 00:06:58,167 --> 00:07:00,253 Lakan can lose up to twice. 75 00:07:01,212 --> 00:07:03,256 If even one of those cups has a different taste, 76 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:06,217 he'd know that his daughter can avoid the poison. 77 00:07:07,176 --> 00:07:12,181 He really does know what he's doing, losing on purpose to do that. 78 00:07:12,223 --> 00:07:14,183 This one, then. 79 00:07:29,198 --> 00:07:31,200 What an awful taste. 80 00:07:32,285 --> 00:07:37,248 It's poisoned! Now there's no risk of the apothecary drinking the third poison. 81 00:07:38,207 --> 00:07:43,171 That means Lakan no longer needs to lose on purpose. 82 00:07:44,213 --> 00:07:46,215 The apothecary has no chance of winning now. 83 00:07:47,175 --> 00:07:50,219 If I win, will you come live with me? 84 00:07:51,262 --> 00:07:54,223 Also, it's quite warm out. 85 00:08:09,197 --> 00:08:10,281 What's going on? 86 00:08:11,199 --> 00:08:13,242 I thought one cup of it was safe! 87 00:08:13,242 --> 00:08:16,287 Did you actually poison him?! Do you really hate him that much— 88 00:08:16,287 --> 00:08:21,167 It is medicine. Alcohol is the king of all medicines, isn't it? 89 00:08:21,167 --> 00:08:23,211 Alcohol? What do you mean? 90 00:08:23,252 --> 00:08:27,256 Master Jinshi, it seems like he's just drunk. 91 00:08:34,263 --> 00:08:37,225 He completely abstains from alcohol. 92 00:08:38,184 --> 00:08:39,227 Come to think of it... 93 00:08:40,228 --> 00:08:44,232 He always just drinks fruit juice, I've never seen him drink alcohol. 94 00:08:45,233 --> 00:08:47,235 So, what was that liquid earlier? 95 00:08:47,235 --> 00:08:49,195 Spirits. 96 00:08:49,237 --> 00:08:50,279 Anyway... 97 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:57,245 Let's drag this guy out of here and have him pick a flower from the brothel. 98 00:09:04,252 --> 00:09:08,214 From the day I was born, I couldn't differentiate between humans. 99 00:09:09,215 --> 00:09:12,176 Not only did I mistake my nanny for my mother, 100 00:09:12,218 --> 00:09:14,262 I couldn't even tell men and women apart. 101 00:09:15,263 --> 00:09:22,186 My father believed me to be useless, and ran off to his mistress in disgust. 102 00:09:23,187 --> 00:09:26,274 My mother was desperate to get him back. 103 00:09:28,192 --> 00:09:32,154 Because of that, despite being the eldest son of an important family, 104 00:09:32,154 --> 00:09:35,199 I was able to live freely, devoting myself to go and chess, 105 00:09:35,199 --> 00:09:37,285 which I learned in my spare time. 106 00:09:39,161 --> 00:09:44,208 Differentiate people based on their voices, behavior, and build, instead of their faces. 107 00:09:45,209 --> 00:09:47,253 In your case, you can use chess pieces. Pawn 108 00:09:48,170 --> 00:09:52,174 My uncle was the only one who understood me. 109 00:09:52,258 --> 00:09:56,220 Thanks to my uncle, who is clumsy but very intelligent, 110 00:09:56,220 --> 00:10:00,182 I gradually learned to see people's faces as chess pieces. Pawn 111 00:10:01,225 --> 00:10:09,191 Chariot When I started to see my uncle as a Chariot piece, I reaffirmed that he is indeed a great man. 112 00:10:09,275 --> 00:10:13,237 After I grew up, thanks to my family name, 113 00:10:13,237 --> 00:10:16,240 I was suddenly assigned to lead a squadron, despite having no talent in combat. 114 00:10:17,158 --> 00:10:18,242 Even if I was weak, 115 00:10:18,242 --> 00:10:21,245 I could more than make up for it by using the men under me effectively. 116 00:10:23,205 --> 00:10:28,210 Most of all, playing chess with human pieces was the most fun game I had ever played. 117 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:32,256 Verdigris House As I continued my lossless streak in both work and games, 118 00:10:33,215 --> 00:10:38,179 I followed my colleagues to a brothel to take on a famous courtesan. 119 00:10:39,180 --> 00:10:45,227 In a world full of black and white, that was the only bright color I saw. 120 00:10:46,228 --> 00:10:49,190 Her name was Fengxian. 121 00:10:49,273 --> 00:10:52,193 The undefeated courtesan of the brothel, 122 00:10:52,193 --> 00:10:53,277 versus me, undefeated in the military. 123 00:10:54,236 --> 00:10:58,199 The audience would have had a good time no matter who lost. 124 00:10:58,282 --> 00:11:04,205 She's strong, but she only fights in her own small world... 125 00:11:06,207 --> 00:11:07,249 I lost. 126 00:11:08,209 --> 00:11:10,211 I was absolutely thrashed. 127 00:11:10,211 --> 00:11:13,214 When was the last time I lost so badly? 128 00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:28,187 Ah, so that's what a human face looks like. 129 00:11:30,231 --> 00:11:38,197 Her defiant eyes, like a balsam flower that would burst if touched... 130 00:11:46,247 --> 00:11:48,249 Next time, I won't lose. 131 00:11:49,208 --> 00:11:56,173 For several years after that, we continued to meet to play go and chess. 132 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:03,222 Fengxian, who was born at the brothel, 133 00:12:03,222 --> 00:12:06,225 had a personality that was almost purely made of pride. 134 00:12:07,226 --> 00:12:11,230 I have no mother. A woman did give birth to me, 135 00:12:12,231 --> 00:12:15,234 but in the pleasure district, a courtesan can never become a mother. 136 00:12:18,237 --> 00:12:24,243 Once a talented courtesan gains popularity, the brothel becomes reluctant to sell them. 137 00:12:25,244 --> 00:12:28,164 Fengxian fit that profile exactly. 138 00:12:29,206 --> 00:12:33,210 Her harsh attitude wasn't for everyone, 139 00:12:33,210 --> 00:12:36,213 but she became the favorite of several dilettantes. 140 00:12:37,214 --> 00:12:39,258 Her prices gradually rose, 141 00:12:40,217 --> 00:12:43,220 and I could only afford to see her once every three months. 142 00:12:50,269 --> 00:12:54,231 Balsam flower, and... What's that? 143 00:12:54,231 --> 00:12:58,194 Woodsorrel, also known as cat's foot. 144 00:12:58,194 --> 00:13:01,197 I hear it's a medicine that helps treat poisons and insect bites. 145 00:13:03,199 --> 00:13:09,163 Like the balsam, touching a ripe fruit causes the seeds to burst. 146 00:13:10,247 --> 00:13:11,290 Interesting. 147 00:13:13,250 --> 00:13:15,252 When can you come next? 148 00:13:20,216 --> 00:13:22,218 Three months from now, as always. 149 00:13:23,260 --> 00:13:25,221 Understood. 150 00:13:27,223 --> 00:13:31,185 That was when I heard about Fengxian being bought out. 151 00:13:32,228 --> 00:13:37,233 Fengxian's price was being hiked up by the dilettantes competing against each other. 152 00:13:38,275 --> 00:13:41,195 I was on a good career path as a military officer, 153 00:13:41,195 --> 00:13:45,199 but since I'd lost the title of heir to my half-brothers, 154 00:13:45,199 --> 00:13:48,244 her price was well outside my reach. 155 00:13:50,204 --> 00:13:52,206 Would you like to place a bet, for a change? 156 00:13:53,249 --> 00:13:57,169 If you win, I will give you anything you want. 157 00:13:57,253 --> 00:14:01,215 If I win, I will take anything that I want. 158 00:14:02,258 --> 00:14:04,260 Please choose a board. 159 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:09,223 A terrible thought crossed my mind. 160 00:14:11,225 --> 00:14:13,227 Go, is it? 161 00:14:13,227 --> 00:14:14,228 Yes. 162 00:14:15,187 --> 00:14:18,232 Meimei, I want to concentrate on this game. 163 00:14:52,766 --> 00:14:56,812 Three months later, my supposedly intelligent uncle was ousted from his position. 164 00:14:57,771 --> 00:15:00,816 First you became a doctor in the rear palace, and now you're exiled?! 165 00:15:00,816 --> 00:15:02,818 You bring shame to our family! 166 00:15:03,819 --> 00:15:07,740 For all his intelligence, he really is clumsy. 167 00:15:07,823 --> 00:15:10,784 You used to be close to him. 168 00:15:10,784 --> 00:15:13,746 Leave the house for a while, go study abroad! 169 00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:14,788 Study abroad...? 170 00:15:14,788 --> 00:15:16,749 Just in case. 171 00:15:16,790 --> 00:15:17,791 But... 172 00:15:17,833 --> 00:15:18,834 What? 173 00:15:19,752 --> 00:15:21,837 No, it's nothing. 174 00:15:22,838 --> 00:15:27,801 There was no way I could speak up against my father, who was also my boss. 175 00:15:28,802 --> 00:15:30,763 Around the same time, 176 00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:33,849 Fengxian wrote to me that her buyout agreement fell through. 177 00:15:34,808 --> 00:15:39,772 I assumed I would be back in six months or so. 178 00:15:41,774 --> 00:15:42,775 But, back then... 179 00:15:48,822 --> 00:15:54,745 I had no idea it would take three whole years for me to return. 180 00:15:57,790 --> 00:16:00,751 So many letters from Fengxian... 181 00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:18,769 Mud? No, a branch? 182 00:16:19,728 --> 00:16:20,813 And there's two of them? 183 00:16:23,774 --> 00:16:26,777 No, this is... 184 00:16:28,779 --> 00:16:29,822 Finger severing... 185 00:16:29,822 --> 00:16:32,825 I knew that was a popular way to curse someone. 186 00:16:33,784 --> 00:16:36,745 The reason why her deal fell through... 187 00:16:36,787 --> 00:16:40,791 The other small finger in the bag... 188 00:16:40,833 --> 00:16:42,793 Why didn't I notice?! 189 00:16:43,794 --> 00:16:45,838 All I had in my head was go and chess. 190 00:16:48,966 --> 00:16:50,009 Where's Fengxian?! 191 00:16:50,968 --> 00:16:51,969 You! 192 00:16:52,011 --> 00:16:54,013 Fengxian is gone now! 193 00:16:54,013 --> 00:16:55,973 Where have you been all this time?! 194 00:16:55,973 --> 00:16:58,017 You left her for three whole years! 195 00:16:58,017 --> 00:17:02,021 You don't care one bit what happens to a worthless courtesan, do you?! 196 00:17:04,982 --> 00:17:08,027 If only I'd put even a little thought into it! 197 00:17:08,027 --> 00:17:11,947 The reason why she wouldn't get bought out... 198 00:17:11,989 --> 00:17:13,991 The reason was in her belly... 199 00:17:14,992 --> 00:17:20,956 By soiling the name of her brothel, her trust and reputation fell to nothing! 200 00:17:21,999 --> 00:17:24,960 All she could do was to take customers like a streetwalker, 201 00:17:26,045 --> 00:17:27,963 and... 202 00:17:35,971 --> 00:17:39,975 No matter how much I lamented, there was no way to turn back time. 203 00:17:41,018 --> 00:17:45,981 It was all my fault, for being so short-sighted. 204 00:17:58,035 --> 00:18:01,997 This is... The Verdigris House? 205 00:18:03,999 --> 00:18:05,959 Are you awake? 206 00:18:07,961 --> 00:18:09,004 Meimei. 207 00:18:09,963 --> 00:18:13,008 Some noble's servant brought you here. 208 00:18:13,967 --> 00:18:18,931 Your face looks terrible. I don't know if it's more red or blue. 209 00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:21,975 I didn't think I'd end up like this, either. 210 00:18:21,975 --> 00:18:25,020 I wasn't expecting it to be such a strong liquor. 211 00:18:26,980 --> 00:18:31,026 Meimei used to be Fengxian's servant girl. 212 00:18:32,945 --> 00:18:34,988 I used to play with her a lot. 213 00:18:36,031 --> 00:18:39,952 When I complemented her talents, she seemed abashed. 214 00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:41,954 Come to think of it... 215 00:18:41,995 --> 00:18:43,997 What is it? 216 00:18:44,957 --> 00:18:46,959 No, nothing. 217 00:18:48,585 --> 00:18:49,628 So bitter! 218 00:18:49,628 --> 00:18:51,630 What is this?! 219 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:53,632 Something Maomao made. 220 00:18:54,633 --> 00:18:59,555 Mix mix, mix mix, mix mix. I see, it was Maomao... 221 00:18:59,596 --> 00:19:02,599 Also, Maomao left this box for you. 222 00:19:12,568 --> 00:19:13,652 A withered rose? 223 00:19:14,611 --> 00:19:18,657 Even when withered, it can retain its shape. 224 00:19:25,581 --> 00:19:26,623 Big Sis Meimei. 225 00:19:27,666 --> 00:19:29,585 Excuse me.