The Apothecary Diaries
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.
Next!
What's this? What's wrong with your leg?
Lady Loulan.
I see.
EpisodeThe Baths Sigh!
What's wrong, Xiaolan?
Where do I go to find a good job?
A job?
Yep. My term of service here is over in six months.
If I was from a rich family, I could expect offers for marriage.
But that's not the case for me.
Maomao, do you have any connections?
Connections, huh?
When I first met her, Xiaolan was just a gossipy girl.
But now, as one of the first students at the new school, she studies hard.
I'd hope she'd find a good place to work after she leaves the rear palace.
Well, there is a place I could introduce you to, but...
There is?!
Technically yeah, but...
That said, becoming a courtesan isn't a suggestion I'd make lightly.
I would say my connections should be the last, final, desperate choice...
What? How come?
Someone else with connections...
No. If I introduce Xiaolan to Master Jinshi,
I might get her mixed up in whatever trouble he's in.
What's up?
Hey, Shisui!
Do you know any good workplaces looking to hire?
What's this about?
My term's almost up, so I'm looking for work.
You have connections or anything?
I guess, yeah, in a way.
Really?!
Well, more like I know where to make connections.
Phew. Massages are hard work.
We ended up getting a queue and everything!
The court lady who used to do it left because her term ended.
I see. Shisui, you know a lot.
That court lady became a favorite of one of the mid-ranking concubines,
and found work back with that concubine's family.
I see. I didn't think about that!
Sometimes they give us things too, like combs and necklaces they stopped using!
Wow!
Even if they're broken, they sell well if the material is good.
Shisui really never misses a good deal.
What would Lady Hongniang think?
Okay! Time to find connections!
Yeah!
I see, massages at the baths?
Yes, I'm accompanying an acquaintance of mine.
I know. You won't allow it. I get it—
Oh, it sounds like a good idea. Right, Hongniang?
Lady Gyokuyou!
People drop their guards in those places,
and sometimes tell interesting stories.
Like palace rumors and such.
Maomao, please let me know if you hear anything interesting, okay?
You heard her!
Yeah, Lady Gyokuyou is just as clever as Shisui.
It's been over six months since Concubine Loulan arrived.
As the daughter of Master Shishou,
an important official since the last emperor's reign,
she became a high-ranking concubine with huge fanfare.
The emperor has to spend time with her.
The other rumor I hear often is...
Oh, is he over there?
I heard there's a new, good-looking eunuch that joined.
I wanna take a look at him!
Where have I heard that before?
I heard a rumor that there's thirty new eunuchs.
New?
I thought they stopped performing the surgery that makes them.
They're former slaves.
Slaves? I thought we didn't have those in our country.
I think they're from foreign races.
I hear there are some countries that castrate and enslave foreigners.
So maybe they escaped or were rescued from those places.
If there's thirty of them, maybe there was a large-scale raid or something.
Hmm.
Shisui seems like she only cares about insects, but is actually quite smart.
The new eunuchs are in charge of putting hot water in the baths, right?
I wonder if the rumored guy is there?
Are you sure? He's a eunuch, right?
But he's good-looking, right?
I'm sure he's not as handsome as Master Jinshi, though.
What's wrong, Maomao?
Nothing.
Come to think of it, you're spending a lot of time with Master Jinshi—
On orders from the concubine!
I feel like they're staring holes through me.
We're on break. Won't you have some tea?
I wanted to ask you...
How did you end up serving the Jade Pavilion?
How? Well...
The Jade Pavilion was short-staffed, so I got sent to serve as the taster. That's all.
I've heard that already.
What I really want to know is
why is Gyokuyou, who rarely trusts anyone, so comfortable with you?
Dear sister.
Oh.
They used to be very close, I guess. First-name level.
In that case, it's natural for them to be concerned
by the suspicious servant so close by.
I am merely a taster. If someone attempts to poison Lady Gyokuyou,
I will be the one to die first.
That's my role, and there's no need for you to mind me any further.
I was told this already, but you really are cut-and-dry.
Um, thank you.
Also, it seems you have many friends on the outside,
but please try to keep it under control.
When a senior worker in this unfamiliar pavilion keeps wandering off without us,
we feel a bit lonely.
Especially Seki-u, the youngest of us, who's the same age as you.
She's right. Lately, I've almost exclusively been hanging out with Shisui and Xiaolan.
The taster always wandering off does seem a bit suspicious.
In that case, would you like to join me at the baths today?
Huh? The baths?!
That might be good. Seki-u, you should hang out with others sometimes, too.
Haku-u!
Going to the baths is partly an assignment from Lady Gyokuyou too, right?
That's correct.
Koku-u?!
Just consider it part of your job, and go.
Next Time Next time: "The Dancing Ghost." EpisodeThe Dancing Ghost