1 00:00:13,054 --> 00:00:19,019 The Apothecary Diaries 2 00:01:31,007 --> 00:01:34,010 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 00:01:39,974 --> 00:01:45,021 EpisodeThe Empress Dowager Starting today, this will be your room. 4 00:01:45,980 --> 00:01:47,065 A storage shed... 5 00:01:48,024 --> 00:01:50,068 You really want me to use this place? 6 00:01:50,068 --> 00:01:52,987 Yes. Think about what you did. 7 00:01:55,990 --> 00:01:58,993 Lady Yinghua, are you all right? 8 00:02:01,037 --> 00:02:06,042 How could I be?! I can't believe you collect those things! 9 00:02:07,001 --> 00:02:09,045 One of these days, Lady Hongniang will kick you out of your room, 10 00:02:09,045 --> 00:02:11,005 and transfer you to a storage shed! 11 00:02:13,007 --> 00:02:14,050 That sounds good. 12 00:02:15,969 --> 00:02:18,972 The storage shed is bigger than my current room, 13 00:02:18,972 --> 00:02:20,974 and I could make noise at night... 14 00:02:20,974 --> 00:02:22,016 Maomao? 15 00:02:22,016 --> 00:02:23,977 Yeah, it's a good idea. 16 00:02:24,018 --> 00:02:26,020 In that case, let's get going. 17 00:02:26,020 --> 00:02:28,982 I have to go back and ask Lady Hongniang. 18 00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:32,026 What? Wait! Wait! 19 00:02:39,033 --> 00:02:40,034 What in the... 20 00:02:43,037 --> 00:02:45,039 Think about what you've done! 21 00:02:45,039 --> 00:02:47,000 Lady Hongniang... 22 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,002 Thank you so much! 23 00:02:49,043 --> 00:02:50,962 This is where I'll hang herbs! 24 00:02:50,962 --> 00:02:52,046 This is where I'll make medicine! 25 00:02:52,046 --> 00:02:55,008 That goes here! This goes there! 26 00:02:56,009 --> 00:02:59,053 I told you so! It's pointless! 27 00:03:00,013 --> 00:03:03,016 The storage shed? Unbelievable! 28 00:03:03,975 --> 00:03:08,980 You told on her to Lady Hongniang? Didn't you go a bit too far, Yinghua? 29 00:03:09,022 --> 00:03:14,027 It wasn't me! Maomao asked Lady Hongniang herself! 30 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:15,987 Right, Maomao? 31 00:03:15,987 --> 00:03:18,948 Yes. It works out for me in several ways. 32 00:03:18,948 --> 00:03:19,991 Huh? 33 00:03:21,034 --> 00:03:23,036 At any rate, Maomao... 34 00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:25,997 Stop collecting insects, okay? 35 00:03:25,997 --> 00:03:30,043 Insects? What I'm collecting are lizard tails. 36 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:34,047 Besides, I stopped gathering them after you collapsed. 37 00:03:35,048 --> 00:03:36,049 Really? 38 00:03:36,049 --> 00:03:38,968 But there's a rumor going around 39 00:03:38,968 --> 00:03:41,971 that a weird court lady is catching bugs while laughing to herself. 40 00:03:42,013 --> 00:03:44,057 I don't do that. 41 00:03:44,057 --> 00:03:47,018 There was that one time I was collecting moths as part of a job, 42 00:03:47,018 --> 00:03:49,020 but laughing while chasing insects... 43 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:56,986 This is a serious issue. 44 00:03:57,070 --> 00:04:00,990 Huh? Hfff I hmmg Hinmhi mmghi? 45 00:04:01,032 --> 00:04:04,035 Yeah, Shisui. Have you seen her recently? 46 00:04:05,036 --> 00:04:09,999 Shisui, huh? She can be a real phantom... 47 00:04:13,044 --> 00:04:17,006 Hey, does anyone know where Shisui is? 48 00:04:17,048 --> 00:04:21,010 Shisui? I might have seen her, but I might have not... 49 00:04:21,052 --> 00:04:24,055 Huh? Where was she? Tell me, please! 50 00:04:24,973 --> 00:04:27,976 Well... Um... 51 00:04:28,059 --> 00:04:32,063 Oh, I bet they're being cautious because I serve a concubine directly. 52 00:04:33,982 --> 00:04:39,028 Xiaolan is actually the rare one for talking to anyone openly. 53 00:04:39,988 --> 00:04:41,990 Do I have anything on me to use as a gift? 54 00:04:42,991 --> 00:04:43,992 Oh, here we go. 55 00:04:44,033 --> 00:04:49,038 Depending on the information, I could give you this... 56 00:04:50,999 --> 00:04:52,000 You're bleeding. 57 00:04:55,962 --> 00:04:57,046 Th-This scent... 58 00:04:57,046 --> 00:05:00,008 Could it be his...?! 59 00:05:00,049 --> 00:05:02,051 I'll leave that up to your imagination. 60 00:05:03,052 --> 00:05:06,014 So, is there anything you can tell me? 61 00:05:10,018 --> 00:05:15,023 They said she's usually out in the thicket on the north side, but... 62 00:05:15,023 --> 00:05:17,984 I think this was where I ran into her the last time, too. 63 00:05:17,984 --> 00:05:20,028 Is this her favorite spot? 64 00:05:25,992 --> 00:05:28,953 I should have brought a mosquito repellent. 65 00:05:30,038 --> 00:05:31,039 White blossom... 66 00:05:31,998 --> 00:05:34,000 So, this is where they grow. 67 00:05:36,002 --> 00:05:41,049 When I was little, I used to collect white blossom seeds with the courtesans. 68 00:05:42,008 --> 00:05:44,969 Not for using the powder inside for make-up, 69 00:05:45,053 --> 00:05:47,055 but to make an abortion drug. 70 00:05:50,016 --> 00:05:52,977 Shin didn't wear any perfume at first. 71 00:05:53,978 --> 00:05:57,023 Since she was trying to take Concubine Lihua's place, 72 00:05:57,023 --> 00:06:00,985 it wouldn't be strange for Shin to avoid perfume, which could lead to miscarriages. 73 00:06:01,027 --> 00:06:05,990 Still, Shin risked wearing perfume so she could secretly make abortion drugs. 74 00:06:05,990 --> 00:06:07,033 That's probably because... 75 00:06:08,034 --> 00:06:13,039 Lady Gyokuyou isn't the only one receiving the love of the emperor. 76 00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:16,042 It's possible that Lady Lihua is pregnant as well. 77 00:06:18,002 --> 00:06:22,006 But that's not the only mystery I noted from that incident. 78 00:06:22,048 --> 00:06:26,969 The abortion drug made by courtesans uses, in addition to the white blossom, 79 00:06:26,969 --> 00:06:31,974 other ingredients like lantern plant, peony, balsam, and mercury. 80 00:06:32,058 --> 00:06:36,979 Aside from mercury, the other ingredients can be found in the rear palace. 81 00:06:37,021 --> 00:06:41,025 Even though she could have gotten them here, 82 00:06:41,025 --> 00:06:43,986 Shin got her abortion drug ingredients through the caravan. 83 00:06:45,029 --> 00:06:50,034 Shin had no knowledge of medicine, and someone taught her how to make poison. 84 00:06:50,076 --> 00:06:54,038 And that someone is probably still here, in the rear palace... 85 00:06:59,043 --> 00:07:01,003 Found you! 86 00:07:01,963 --> 00:07:04,966 Hold it right there, you! Hold it! 87 00:07:04,966 --> 00:07:08,052 This is who they confused me for? How rude. 88 00:07:08,970 --> 00:07:10,972 Got you! 89 00:07:19,981 --> 00:07:20,982 Insect! 90 00:07:22,024 --> 00:07:22,984 Oh... 91 00:07:23,985 --> 00:07:27,071 Shisui, it'd be great if you could let go... 92 00:07:31,993 --> 00:07:33,995 Sorry about that, Maomao. 93 00:07:33,995 --> 00:07:35,037 It's fine. 94 00:07:35,079 --> 00:07:37,999 Were those the insects you were hunting? 95 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:39,000 Yes! 96 00:07:39,041 --> 00:07:41,043 She must really love bugs. 97 00:07:49,969 --> 00:07:53,014 This insect is native to the island nation in the east! 98 00:07:53,014 --> 00:07:55,016 They make noise by rubbing their wings together! 99 00:07:55,016 --> 00:07:58,019 It was probably part of some trade goods, but escaped! 100 00:07:58,019 --> 00:08:01,063 I think this is the only place you can find them, like the moths from the other day! 101 00:08:01,063 --> 00:08:04,984 They do have a similar color as cockroaches, but they're different, don't worry! 102 00:08:04,984 --> 00:08:06,986 And also! And also! And also! 103 00:08:06,986 --> 00:08:08,988 I shouldn't have asked. 104 00:08:13,034 --> 00:08:14,994 What's that sound? 105 00:08:19,499 --> 00:08:22,460 Is that... the empress dowager? 106 00:08:22,502 --> 00:08:25,463 Last I saw her was at the garden party last year. 107 00:08:25,463 --> 00:08:26,506 She really does look young. 108 00:08:27,507 --> 00:08:30,468 Hard to believe she's the emperor's mother... 109 00:08:31,511 --> 00:08:33,471 Why are you hiding? 110 00:08:33,471 --> 00:08:35,431 Why are you? 111 00:08:35,431 --> 00:08:37,475 Well, it's kind of reflexive. 112 00:08:38,434 --> 00:08:40,478 I wonder if she's going to the clinic? 113 00:08:40,478 --> 00:08:41,479 Clinic? 114 00:08:41,479 --> 00:08:46,400 Yeah, it's an unofficial clinic run by court ladies. 115 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:47,443 I know about that. 116 00:08:47,443 --> 00:08:50,488 Apparently, the empress dowager was the one who founded it. 117 00:08:50,488 --> 00:08:51,489 The empress dowager? 118 00:08:52,448 --> 00:08:55,451 This was back when the empress had a lot of power, 119 00:08:55,451 --> 00:08:57,453 so the empress dowager couldn't make it official. 120 00:08:57,495 --> 00:08:59,497 I see. 121 00:09:00,456 --> 00:09:04,418 The empress dowager is really kind. 122 00:09:06,504 --> 00:09:13,469 Also, they say she was behind the banning of slaves and eunuchs. 123 00:09:13,469 --> 00:09:14,470 I see. 124 00:09:15,429 --> 00:09:19,517 From a humanitarian perspective, banning slaves was probably a good idea. 125 00:09:19,517 --> 00:09:23,521 But, aside from slaves who are treated like animals, 126 00:09:23,521 --> 00:09:27,525 there are some, like courtesans, who use their bodies as collateral to borrow money. 127 00:09:27,525 --> 00:09:30,486 This is legal, and considered to be similar to employment. 128 00:09:31,445 --> 00:09:35,491 However, seen from the outside, courtesans could appear to be slaves as well. 129 00:09:36,450 --> 00:09:40,454 The old lady said when the bans were announced, she felt a chill down her spine. 130 00:09:40,496 --> 00:09:43,499 Officially, slavery is banned, but in practice, 131 00:09:43,499 --> 00:09:47,503 everyone knows it still exists under a different name. 132 00:09:48,462 --> 00:09:51,465 Well, I'd better get going. 133 00:09:52,425 --> 00:09:55,428 Maomao, you probably shouldn't be wasting too much time outside either, right? 134 00:09:55,428 --> 00:09:57,513 Well, yeah, but... 135 00:09:58,514 --> 00:10:01,475 Does the empress dowager visiting the clinic have anything to do with 136 00:10:01,475 --> 00:10:05,521 what happened at the Crystal Pavilion the other day? 137 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,482 If the empress dowager is on the case, 138 00:10:08,482 --> 00:10:12,486 there could be a big reform in the medical system in the rear palace. 139 00:10:12,486 --> 00:10:15,448 If that's what's being discussed, I'd love to listen in, but... 140 00:10:18,451 --> 00:10:19,452 Nah, I'm going home. 141 00:10:21,412 --> 00:10:23,497 I've been causing a lot of upset lately... 142 00:10:24,498 --> 00:10:25,499 Do over! 143 00:10:25,499 --> 00:10:26,500 Yes... 144 00:10:28,419 --> 00:10:29,462 This is the third time. 145 00:10:29,503 --> 00:10:33,424 I was wondering if I was starting to get bullied now, but... 146 00:10:33,466 --> 00:10:34,508 Pay attention! 147 00:10:34,508 --> 00:10:35,468 Yes! 148 00:10:35,468 --> 00:10:36,469 There! 149 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:37,428 Yes! 150 00:10:37,428 --> 00:10:39,472 The other ladies-in-waiting are getting nitpicked, too... 151 00:10:39,472 --> 00:10:43,476 Be extra careful this time! I don't want to see a speck of dust! 152 00:10:43,517 --> 00:10:46,520 What's going on? Is someone coming to visit? 153 00:10:49,482 --> 00:10:52,485 It's been a while, Lady Anshi. 154 00:10:56,405 --> 00:10:58,449 It was the empress dowager! 155 00:10:59,325 --> 00:11:03,329 So, the empress dowager knows that Lady Gyokuyou is pregnant. 156 00:11:03,371 --> 00:11:06,374 I guess she must be really trustworthy. 157 00:11:11,379 --> 00:11:16,342 This feels more like "two friends a few years apart," not "wife and mother-in-law." 158 00:11:17,385 --> 00:11:18,386 You there. 159 00:11:20,304 --> 00:11:23,349 You're the lady-in-waiting assigned here from Jinshi's place, yes? 160 00:11:23,391 --> 00:11:25,393 Yes, I am. 161 00:11:25,393 --> 00:11:27,311 How does she know that? 162 00:11:27,353 --> 00:11:33,317 Suiren told me. She said a girl worth training had gone back to the rear palace. 163 00:11:33,317 --> 00:11:36,320 She used to be my lady-in-waiting, you know. 164 00:11:38,322 --> 00:11:43,369 I see. That wily lady-in-waiting and the empress dowager know each other. 165 00:11:49,333 --> 00:11:52,336 Lady Anshi, I beg your pardon. 166 00:11:52,336 --> 00:11:56,382 It seems Lingli is tired. May I put her to bed? 167 00:11:57,341 --> 00:11:59,343 Yes, of course. 168 00:12:03,347 --> 00:12:07,309 She really can take a hint. 169 00:12:09,311 --> 00:12:11,355 Please, take a seat. 170 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:19,363 I hear you go around solving problems. 171 00:12:21,365 --> 00:12:25,327 I merely voice facts from my limited pool of knowledge 172 00:12:25,327 --> 00:12:28,330 that I feel are appropriate for the situation. 173 00:12:31,292 --> 00:12:33,335 Did that sound too negative? 174 00:12:33,377 --> 00:12:38,382 But I don't have an incredible imagination or the deep knowledge my dad has. 175 00:12:39,383 --> 00:12:42,344 I have to tell her beforehand, otherwise I'd feel uneasy. 176 00:12:43,304 --> 00:12:46,307 It's just the way I do things. 177 00:12:50,352 --> 00:12:52,313 That's fine. 178 00:12:56,317 --> 00:13:01,280 I just want you to do your best to look into something. 179 00:13:05,284 --> 00:13:06,327 Did I... 180 00:13:08,370 --> 00:13:12,333 put a curse on the late emperor? 181 00:13:30,309 --> 00:13:32,311 A curse, huh? 182 00:13:32,353 --> 00:13:36,273 Perhaps it's natural for someone to think that way. 183 00:13:36,398 --> 00:13:41,320 To be honest, I've only ever heard people speak poorly of the previous emperor. 184 00:13:41,362 --> 00:13:45,366 "Foolish emperor," "idiot ruler," "puppet of the empress." 185 00:13:45,366 --> 00:13:50,287 The one most famous in the rear palace would probably be "pedophile". 186 00:13:51,372 --> 00:13:54,291 Taking a very young wife as part of a political marriage 187 00:13:54,291 --> 00:13:56,335 or for collateral on a loan is not unheard of. 188 00:13:56,377 --> 00:14:01,298 However, the last emperor deliberately chose the youngest girls available, 189 00:14:01,298 --> 00:14:03,384 despite being surrounded by women of a more appropriate age. 190 00:14:04,093 --> 00:14:07,096 The unfortunate doctor who had to become a eunuch 191 00:14:07,096 --> 00:14:12,059 to help with that surgery was Luomen, my dad. 192 00:14:12,101 --> 00:14:17,064 Thanks perhaps to those sacrifices, the current emperor grew up strong and healthy, 193 00:14:17,064 --> 00:14:20,109 and the empress dowager later gave birth to her second son, the imperial brother. 194 00:14:21,068 --> 00:14:25,030 If I remember correctly, the brother is one year older than me. 195 00:14:25,072 --> 00:14:28,117 The empress dowager must have been approaching thirty years old at that point. 196 00:14:29,076 --> 00:14:31,120 Obviously no longer a little girl. 197 00:14:32,079 --> 00:14:33,080 Which means... 198 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:38,085 Is the imperial brother really the son of the previous emperor...? 199 00:14:40,045 --> 00:14:43,090 If I said that out loud, I could be beheaded. 200 00:14:47,052 --> 00:14:49,096 A few days later, the empress dowager 201 00:14:49,096 --> 00:14:54,059 invited the four high-ranking concubines to a tea party. 202 00:14:54,101 --> 00:14:56,103 This way, Lady Gyokuyou. 203 00:14:57,021 --> 00:15:01,066 There's still some time before the tea party begins. Please rest here. 204 00:15:01,066 --> 00:15:03,068 Thank you. I will do that. 205 00:15:06,071 --> 00:15:11,076 Lady Gyokuyou is getting sleepy often, a symptom of early pregnancy. 206 00:15:12,119 --> 00:15:17,124 What is the empress dowager thinking? Meeting outside the rear palace for tea? 207 00:15:17,124 --> 00:15:22,087 It's outside the rear palace, but it's the inner court, where the emperor lives. 208 00:15:22,087 --> 00:15:27,051 That's why it's scary! We never go there usually. 209 00:15:27,051 --> 00:15:32,056 The empress dowager knows Lady Gyokuyou is pregnant. So why now? 210 00:15:32,097 --> 00:15:37,019 You're right, but I think we can trust the empress dowager to be careful about that. 211 00:15:37,061 --> 00:15:41,106 Sure, the empress dowager will. But who knows what the other concubines will think? 212 00:15:43,067 --> 00:15:46,111 Lady Gyokuyou's pregnancy is an open secret, 213 00:15:46,111 --> 00:15:51,116 but at a face-to-face tea party, there could be a more direct probe. 214 00:15:52,117 --> 00:15:57,122 I guess Lady Lihua would avoid asking questions that could backfire on herself. 215 00:15:58,082 --> 00:16:04,046 Also, Lady Lihua is a proud woman. She wouldn't try to undercut others. 216 00:16:04,088 --> 00:16:09,051 It would also be a bad idea for Lady Gyokuyou to pick a fight with Lady Lihua, 217 00:16:09,051 --> 00:16:10,135 since Lady Lihua has a more noble bloodline. 218 00:16:11,095 --> 00:16:15,099 Lady Lishu might say something if urged to do so by her ladies-in-waiting, 219 00:16:15,099 --> 00:16:19,061 but I doubt that head lady-in-waiting, the former taster, would step out of line. 220 00:16:20,104 --> 00:16:22,106 That leaves Concubine Loulan as the possibility. 221 00:16:23,065 --> 00:16:28,028 She's strangely free of rumors, aside from the well-known one about her flashy fashion. 222 00:16:30,030 --> 00:16:32,116 Maomao, can I have a moment? 223 00:16:34,076 --> 00:16:35,035 Yes. 224 00:16:39,123 --> 00:16:41,041 How may I help? 225 00:16:41,041 --> 00:16:46,088 I will be the taster today. You understand what that means, right? 226 00:16:47,089 --> 00:16:48,048 Yes, I do. 227 00:16:49,091 --> 00:16:53,095 By not having a separate taster at a party set up by the empress dowager, 228 00:16:53,095 --> 00:16:57,099 it demonstrates our trust in her. 229 00:16:58,058 --> 00:17:00,060 And, regarding you specifically, 230 00:17:00,102 --> 00:17:04,064 the empress dowager would like your help with something. 231 00:17:05,024 --> 00:17:07,109 Have you been asked to solve a problem again? 232 00:17:09,111 --> 00:17:13,115 Did I... put a curse on the late emperor? 233 00:17:14,074 --> 00:17:18,037 I'd like to speak to you elsewhere. 234 00:17:18,078 --> 00:17:22,082 Don't answer that, I know you can't tell me. 235 00:17:22,082 --> 00:17:23,083 However! 236 00:17:23,125 --> 00:17:27,129 Please don't do anything to betray Lady Gyokuyou, all right? 237 00:17:29,048 --> 00:17:32,134 I have no desire to get on your bad side, Lady Hongniang. 238 00:17:36,096 --> 00:17:41,060 Good. I would also like to maintain a good relationship with you, Maomao. 239 00:17:42,102 --> 00:17:43,103 Indeed. 240 00:17:44,063 --> 00:17:49,026 Lady Hongniang really deserves the title of head lady-in-waiting for Lady Gyokuyou. 241 00:17:54,031 --> 00:17:56,075 If the empress dowager wants to discuss something, 242 00:17:56,075 --> 00:17:57,117 it's most likely the curse she mentioned. 243 00:18:02,039 --> 00:18:03,082 Thank you for waiting. 244 00:18:04,041 --> 00:18:05,042 This way. 245 00:18:07,044 --> 00:18:11,131 This used to serve the rear palace's function before the current rear palace was built. 246 00:18:12,049 --> 00:18:13,133 I see. 247 00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:20,057 There's nobody here, but the cleaning is impeccable. 248 00:18:26,063 --> 00:18:29,108 The pebbles on the dry landscape garden are well laid out, too. 249 00:18:33,028 --> 00:18:34,029 This is the place. 250 00:18:35,072 --> 00:18:37,032 We can't go any further. 251 00:18:37,032 --> 00:18:41,078 Not even the cleaners are allowed to enter this place. 252 00:18:50,045 --> 00:18:52,047 What is this smell? 253 00:18:52,131 --> 00:18:54,091 What is this room...? 254 00:18:56,051 --> 00:18:58,095 During the reign of our emperor's grandfather, 255 00:18:58,095 --> 00:19:02,099 a court lady who became a low-ranking concubine lived here. 256 00:19:04,059 --> 00:19:07,020 This was the room of the woman who was referred to as the empress. 257 00:19:07,020 --> 00:19:11,108 This was also where the late emperor was raised, and where he passed away. 258 00:19:15,112 --> 00:19:17,072 Let's go somewhere else. 259 00:19:31,044 --> 00:19:35,132 During his final years, the late emperor, and his mother, the so-called empress, 260 00:19:35,132 --> 00:19:38,093 spent a lot of time in that room. 261 00:19:39,136 --> 00:19:42,097 As if clinging to their memories, they spent much time there. 262 00:19:42,097 --> 00:19:44,099 The late emperor, perhaps due to a weakened spirit, 263 00:19:45,058 --> 00:19:47,019 drew his last breath in that room, 264 00:19:47,019 --> 00:19:50,063 shortly after the empress died, as if chasing after her. 265 00:19:50,105 --> 00:19:54,109 This may sound rude, but he wasn't young when he passed away, right? 266 00:19:54,109 --> 00:19:58,030 He was old enough to be described as dying a natural death. 267 00:19:58,030 --> 00:20:01,074 Then why does the empress dowager think she cursed him? 268 00:20:02,075 --> 00:20:05,120 I also suggested to her that there is no curse. 269 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:07,122 However, Lady Anshi said... 270 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,042 I cursed him. 271 00:20:10,042 --> 00:20:14,046 I wished he would go away. For the longest time... 272 00:20:15,047 --> 00:20:17,090 Almost every night, I wished for it. 273 00:20:19,134 --> 00:20:24,014 Is there anything else to suggest that a curse was at play? 274 00:20:26,058 --> 00:20:29,061 The late emperor's body, after his spirit left it, 275 00:20:29,061 --> 00:20:31,104 was placed in a mausoleum for a year as is customary. 276 00:20:32,064 --> 00:20:39,071 A year later, when our emperor and Lady Anshi took a look at the body to bury it... 277 00:20:41,031 --> 00:20:46,036 The body was almost exactly the same as when he had passed away. 278 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:51,041 You mean there was no decay? 279 00:20:51,083 --> 00:20:55,045 Correct. The empress's body, who had passed away at around the same time, 280 00:20:55,045 --> 00:20:58,090 was in a state that no words could describe. Yet... 281 00:20:59,091 --> 00:21:03,095 So that's why Lady Anshi thinks she cursed the late emperor. 282 00:21:04,054 --> 00:21:05,013 Yes. 283 00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:07,057 I see. 284 00:21:08,058 --> 00:21:13,063 The mausoleum is chilly even in summer, but every corpse rots, 285 00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:16,108 gets infested with insects, and dries out, unless it's placed in ice or something. 286 00:21:17,067 --> 00:21:20,112 If that didn't happen, that is indeed quite unusual. 287 00:21:21,029 --> 00:21:23,073 Everyone returns to dust in the end. 288 00:21:23,115 --> 00:21:26,034 That's true for nobles, farmers, and everybody else. 289 00:21:26,076 --> 00:21:30,122 No matter the status one is born into, that is the equalizer. 290 00:21:31,123 --> 00:21:35,043 That building will be torn down soon. 291 00:21:35,043 --> 00:21:37,087 We would like you to investigate before that happens. 292 00:21:38,046 --> 00:21:39,047 I understand. 293 00:21:39,089 --> 00:21:42,134 However, I have just one request. 294 00:23:22,025 --> 00:23:36,081 Next Time Next time: "The Late Emperor." EpisodeThe Late Emperor