1
00:00:07,048 --> 00:00:14,013
The Apothecary Diaries

2
00:01:21,831 --> 00:01:22,874
The Apothecary Diaries

3
00:01:24,792 --> 00:01:26,878
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.

4
00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:30,882
That girl bumped into the eunuch,

5
00:01:30,882 --> 00:01:33,801
and he dropped the ice
he was carrying for a concubine.

6
00:01:33,801 --> 00:01:34,886
I feel sorry for her.

7
00:01:34,886 --> 00:01:38,848
Shouldn't you feel sorry for the eunuch
who was carrying the ice?

8
00:01:38,890 --> 00:01:41,809
Let's hope he gets away with just a caning.

9
00:01:43,811 --> 00:01:46,814
I-I'm sorry—

10
00:01:46,814 --> 00:01:48,900
Please excuse us, we weren't paying attention!

11
00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:51,861
You think "sorry" will cut it?!

12
00:01:51,861 --> 00:01:54,822
I can't wash this and pretend nothing happened!

13
00:01:54,822 --> 00:01:55,907
We don't have any replacements!

14
00:01:59,827 --> 00:02:01,871
Dammit... What do I do?!

15
00:02:03,790 --> 00:02:05,833
Ice is precious this time of year.

16
00:02:05,833 --> 00:02:07,835
You could buy a person with it.

17
00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,843
Which concubine was this ice for?

18
00:02:15,885 --> 00:02:19,889
Concubine Loulan! She wanted some icy
treats for cooling her off in the afternoon!

19
00:02:21,849 --> 00:02:23,893
Out of all of them, it's one
I have no connections with.

20
00:02:26,854 --> 00:02:29,816
What do we do? We can't pay for it.

21
00:02:29,816 --> 00:02:31,901
It would be terrible to anger
a high-ranking concubine.

22
00:02:32,860 --> 00:02:35,863
If we could at least
find something to replace it...

23
00:02:37,824 --> 00:02:39,826
Can we have this ice?

24
00:02:39,867 --> 00:02:40,868
Do whatever you want!

25
00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:45,832
In that case, I'll use this
to make something else.

26
00:02:45,832 --> 00:02:48,876
Could you pass that along
to Concubine Loulan?

27
00:02:49,836 --> 00:02:53,840
Try it, if you can. You have less than an hour!

28
00:02:54,799 --> 00:02:55,800
Understood.

29
00:02:55,842 --> 00:02:57,844
I might have exactly enough time.

30
00:02:57,844 --> 00:03:00,847
But I don't even know if
the other ingredients are available.

31
00:03:00,847 --> 00:03:03,808
I have to use what I can to—

32
00:03:07,812 --> 00:03:09,856
W-Why is he here?

33
00:03:11,816 --> 00:03:13,860
There's no time to dwell on that!

34
00:03:22,869 --> 00:03:28,791
EpisodeIce
What do I do, Maomao?!

35
00:03:30,793 --> 00:03:32,837
Oh, poor girl.

36
00:03:36,841 --> 00:03:38,885
A concubine gave her a hair stick,

37
00:03:38,885 --> 00:03:41,846
so she was happily
admiring it while walking, and...

38
00:03:41,846 --> 00:03:46,809
I wonder if that concubine likes me!

39
00:03:46,851 --> 00:03:49,854
She wants me to give her
another massage sometime!

40
00:03:50,813 --> 00:03:51,814
Good for you.

41
00:03:52,899 --> 00:03:56,819
After the last time, Xiaolan continued
to work on building connections.

42
00:03:56,819 --> 00:04:00,782
She was just telling me how she scored
a direct request from a low-ranked concubine.

43
00:04:00,865 --> 00:04:03,826
I heard she was sold off by her parents,

44
00:04:03,826 --> 00:04:05,828
but I've never seen her look glum, even once.

45
00:04:06,913 --> 00:04:08,873
She must have been so happy.

46
00:04:11,876 --> 00:04:16,839
Getting yelled at like that must have
made her so scared, she couldn't move.

47
00:04:27,850 --> 00:04:29,810
Is there something you need?

48
00:04:29,810 --> 00:04:32,813
May I borrow a kitchen and some ingredients?

49
00:04:32,813 --> 00:04:36,817
How brazen. And what do I get in return?

50
00:04:37,860 --> 00:04:41,822
Don't toy with me, I don't have time!

51
00:04:42,823 --> 00:04:45,868
I have nothing to give you in return.

52
00:04:46,827 --> 00:04:47,870
But I must ask regardless!

53
00:04:48,871 --> 00:04:52,875
I couldn't be more out of line,
but this isn't the time to worry about it.

54
00:04:54,877 --> 00:04:57,838
You didn't cause that situation, did you?

55
00:04:59,799 --> 00:05:00,841
You're right.

56
00:05:01,884 --> 00:05:06,847
She was originally just someone
who was a good source of gossip.

57
00:05:06,889 --> 00:05:11,852
Even for that, I gave her snacks in exchange,
so we owe each other nothing.

58
00:05:14,855 --> 00:05:16,816
I'm not obligated to help her.

59
00:05:17,858 --> 00:05:18,859
But...

60
00:05:19,902 --> 00:05:22,822
I wouldn't sleep well if I didn't help.

61
00:05:29,829 --> 00:05:31,872
I see. You won't sleep well, is that it?

62
00:05:31,872 --> 00:05:34,875
Yes. It would affect my work for the next day.

63
00:05:35,835 --> 00:05:36,877
We certainly can't have that.

64
00:05:40,840 --> 00:05:42,842
Fine, but there's one condition.

65
00:05:47,888 --> 00:05:51,809
When someone is talking to you,
let them finish and pay attention.

66
00:05:54,812 --> 00:05:56,814
That's all?

67
00:05:57,857 --> 00:06:00,818
You can't even do that much.

68
00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:07,783
Never mind then, I'll think of
something else. What should it be?

69
00:06:08,826 --> 00:06:09,869
I have a bad feeling about this!

70
00:06:10,828 --> 00:06:12,872
Should I rely on Lady Gyokuyou instead?

71
00:06:12,872 --> 00:06:16,834
No, I can't ask for her help on something
related to Concubine Loulan.

72
00:06:25,843 --> 00:06:27,803
Thank you.

73
00:06:27,803 --> 00:06:30,806
Don't you wear a hair stick?

74
00:06:30,806 --> 00:06:33,809
The other Jade Pavilion
ladies-in-waiting are more fashionable.

75
00:06:33,851 --> 00:06:36,854
You say that, but I don't have any accessories.

76
00:06:36,896 --> 00:06:39,815
I gave you one at the garden party, remember?

77
00:06:40,816 --> 00:06:42,860
Don't tell me you sold it off.

78
00:06:42,860 --> 00:06:44,820
I haven't.

79
00:06:44,820 --> 00:06:45,821
Not yet, anyway.

80
00:06:48,866 --> 00:06:50,868
Wear that, then.

81
00:06:52,787 --> 00:06:53,871
Is that all?

82
00:06:54,830 --> 00:06:55,831
Is there a problem?

83
00:06:58,793 --> 00:07:01,879
When you wear it, I'll tell you.

84
00:07:04,840 --> 00:07:06,884
A kitchen, yes? I'll have someone prepare it.

85
00:07:18,813 --> 00:07:19,814
I brought it!

86
00:07:20,898 --> 00:07:22,817
Please place it there.

87
00:07:22,858 --> 00:07:23,859
Got it.

88
00:07:25,820 --> 00:07:26,862
Maomao, is this...

89
00:07:29,824 --> 00:07:33,828
Sugar and fruits and... Cow milk?

90
00:07:33,869 --> 00:07:38,833
I'm glad they had fresh milk,
it goes bad pretty fast.

91
00:07:38,874 --> 00:07:43,796
Can you really make something
like an ice treat out of these?

92
00:07:43,796 --> 00:07:44,797
I think so.

93
00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:47,842
I've only watched it being made once, though.

94
00:07:48,801 --> 00:07:50,844
I'm counting on you, really!

95
00:07:50,844 --> 00:07:52,805
I'll call you when it's done.

96
00:08:00,896 --> 00:08:02,856
Stir this up.

97
00:08:02,856 --> 00:08:03,899
R-Right!

98
00:08:09,780 --> 00:08:10,823
What are you doing?!

99
00:08:10,864 --> 00:08:11,865
Crushing the ice.

100
00:08:11,865 --> 00:08:14,827
Wow, so small...

101
00:08:14,868 --> 00:08:15,869
Don't worry.

102
00:08:22,793 --> 00:08:23,877
Good.

103
00:08:23,877 --> 00:08:24,837
Salt?

104
00:08:25,796 --> 00:08:27,840
Xiaolan, put your bowl in here.

105
00:08:27,881 --> 00:08:28,882
Yes!

106
00:08:39,893 --> 00:08:41,854
What? No way.

107
00:08:43,856 --> 00:08:45,816
It's starting to harden!

108
00:08:45,816 --> 00:08:48,819
Xiaolan, cut up the fruit. Tiny pieces, okay?

109
00:08:48,819 --> 00:08:49,820
Y-Yeah!

110
00:08:51,864 --> 00:08:57,828
Add fruits, mix some more,
and place it in the bowl...

111
00:09:01,790 --> 00:09:02,833
Is it finished?!

112
00:09:02,875 --> 00:09:04,835
Hey, is this...

113
00:09:04,835 --> 00:09:06,879
Yep, it's an ice treat.

114
00:09:08,881 --> 00:09:10,883
It should do for now.

115
00:09:10,883 --> 00:09:15,888
If I had more time, I could have added
eggs or scented it with herbs, too.

116
00:09:16,805 --> 00:09:17,890
Let's get this to her right away.

117
00:09:17,890 --> 00:09:19,892
Yeah, but...

118
00:09:20,809 --> 00:09:22,895
Shouldn't we taste it first?

119
00:09:23,854 --> 00:09:26,815
Back to her usual self.

120
00:09:29,818 --> 00:09:30,903
There are some leftovers.

121
00:09:33,781 --> 00:09:36,784
Mmm, delicious!

122
00:09:36,825 --> 00:09:38,869
What? Hey, is it done?!

123
00:09:39,870 --> 00:09:40,913
Please deliver this.

124
00:09:42,873 --> 00:09:44,875
Are you sure it's good enough for—

125
00:09:48,837 --> 00:09:49,880
Do you see any issues with it?

126
00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:53,884
To Concubine Loulan, quickly, please.

127
00:09:53,884 --> 00:09:55,803
G-Got it!

128
00:09:57,888 --> 00:10:01,892
I'm so glad! Thanks, Maomao!

129
00:10:02,810 --> 00:10:05,896
I don't know. I hope Concubine Loulan likes it.

130
00:10:06,855 --> 00:10:08,857
Don't be mean!

131
00:10:08,857 --> 00:10:14,863
Boo! Bonk, bonk, bonk...
Master Jinshi told me
about her likes and dislikes.
She'll take a taste, at least, for sure.

132
00:10:15,823 --> 00:10:19,785
Come on! Anyway, let's eat
the rest before it melts.

133
00:10:19,785 --> 00:10:21,787
Yeah, let's eat it!

134
00:10:21,829 --> 00:10:22,871
Shisui!

135
00:10:22,871 --> 00:10:23,872
What are you doing here?

136
00:10:23,872 --> 00:10:28,877
I heard the commotion,
so I ditched work and came over.

137
00:10:28,877 --> 00:10:30,838
You're so bad!

138
00:10:33,841 --> 00:10:35,843
This is delicious!

139
00:10:36,802 --> 00:10:40,806
Come on, don't just take the best part.

140
00:10:46,854 --> 00:10:52,860
Mine!
Come on! Don't take it all!
Mine, all mine!

141
00:10:53,861 --> 00:10:55,863
I'm gonna need more of this.

142
00:10:55,863 --> 00:10:57,823
Come on!

143
00:10:57,823 --> 00:10:59,867
Oh! You caught me!

144
00:10:59,908 --> 00:11:01,869
Or maybe not!

145
00:11:03,787 --> 00:11:04,830
Wait up!

146
00:11:04,830 --> 00:11:05,873
Okay, open up!

147
00:11:06,874 --> 00:11:09,877
Mmm, so delicious!

148
00:11:10,878 --> 00:11:14,798
Your turn next, Shisui. Open up!

149
00:11:21,305 --> 00:11:24,349
Oh, it's moving.

150
00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,320
Lingli, do you want to touch?

151
00:11:51,376 --> 00:11:54,338
She's going to give birth soon.

152
00:12:03,388 --> 00:12:06,308
Everything seems good, for now.

153
00:12:07,309 --> 00:12:08,352
It's strange.

154
00:12:08,352 --> 00:12:12,314
Unlike with Lingli,
this one only kicks downwards.

155
00:12:13,315 --> 00:12:14,316
Down?

156
00:12:14,358 --> 00:12:17,361
I guess quirks come out this early.

157
00:12:24,368 --> 00:12:27,371
May I touch, just a little?

158
00:12:28,372 --> 00:12:30,332
Well, sure.

159
00:12:31,333 --> 00:12:32,334
Excuse me.

160
00:12:44,346 --> 00:12:47,349
How did Princess Lingli's delivery go?

161
00:12:47,349 --> 00:12:51,311
It was really easy, especially
considering it was her first time.

162
00:12:51,353 --> 00:12:55,315
Maybe it helped that her body was rather small.

163
00:12:55,315 --> 00:12:57,275
Who assisted with the delivery?

164
00:12:57,275 --> 00:12:59,319
I did.

165
00:12:59,319 --> 00:13:01,321
I don't trust the doctors here,

166
00:13:01,321 --> 00:13:05,367
and the court lady we hired
for the delivery became ill.

167
00:13:06,326 --> 00:13:08,370
I did a lot of studying
beforehand, so it worked out.

168
00:13:09,329 --> 00:13:12,290
So, will you be requesting
that court lady again?

169
00:13:12,290 --> 00:13:16,211
No, I don't want her to fall ill
at the worst time again.

170
00:13:16,378 --> 00:13:18,338
I see...

171
00:13:19,339 --> 00:13:23,301
Are they bringing someone
from outside the rear palace again?

172
00:13:23,301 --> 00:13:25,303
Even if Lady Hongniang assisted last time,

173
00:13:25,303 --> 00:13:27,347
she's not a professional in the field.

174
00:13:29,349 --> 00:13:31,351
If you have a concern, please let it out.

175
00:13:35,355 --> 00:13:40,277
I can't say for certain,
but this could be a breech delivery.

176
00:13:41,361 --> 00:13:42,362
A breech delivery?

177
00:13:43,321 --> 00:13:47,325
Yes, the kicking downwards suggests as much.

178
00:13:48,285 --> 00:13:53,290
If Princess Lingli was kicking upwards,
her head must have been facing down.

179
00:13:53,373 --> 00:13:58,378
A baby delivery goes most smoothly when
the head, the largest part, comes out first.

180
00:13:59,296 --> 00:14:02,340
In contrast, when the feet,
which are smallest, come out first,

181
00:14:02,340 --> 00:14:05,385
it drastically increases the risks
associated with the birth.

182
00:14:10,307 --> 00:14:12,309
Are you sure it's a breech delivery?

183
00:14:12,392 --> 00:14:15,312
It's just a possibility.

184
00:14:15,312 --> 00:14:19,316
If I can examine a bit more thoroughly,
I might know more.

185
00:14:19,357 --> 00:14:21,276
Can you?

186
00:14:23,361 --> 00:14:28,366
I can't say for sure. My dad only
taught me about medicine.

187
00:14:29,326 --> 00:14:31,328
Everything else is just
things I've observed.

188
00:14:32,370 --> 00:14:33,371
Do it, please.

189
00:14:40,295 --> 00:14:42,297
By they way, by "examine," I mean...

190
00:14:44,341 --> 00:14:46,301
Oh, is that so?

191
00:14:48,345 --> 00:14:52,307
That's nothing compared to delivering her.

192
00:14:54,309 --> 00:14:56,353
Mothers are strong, I guess.

193
00:15:00,357 --> 00:15:01,358
Understood.

194
00:15:15,330 --> 00:15:16,373
How was it?

195
00:15:16,373 --> 00:15:18,375
This is a hard thing to say, but...

196
00:15:20,293 --> 00:15:22,379
It seems quite likely.

197
00:15:24,297 --> 00:15:27,342
Sometimes they just change direction
on their own before birth,

198
00:15:27,342 --> 00:15:30,303
but given how little time there is left...

199
00:15:31,221 --> 00:15:36,059
In the pleasure district, I heard
moxibustion and good exercise is helpful.

200
00:15:36,351 --> 00:15:37,352
Yes.

201
00:15:40,313 --> 00:15:45,276
What happens if it ends up
being a breech delivery?

202
00:15:46,361 --> 00:15:49,322
We might need to cut into your belly.

203
00:15:50,323 --> 00:15:51,324
I see.

204
00:15:51,366 --> 00:15:53,326
Lady Gyokuyou...

205
00:15:54,285 --> 00:15:57,372
But if we do that,
Lady Gyokuyou's life would be at risk.

206
00:15:58,289 --> 00:16:01,334
It's risky enough even with a proper midwife.

207
00:16:02,335 --> 00:16:05,296
If only the quack was a proper doctor...

208
00:16:05,296 --> 00:16:07,382
But who else can replace him?

209
00:16:10,343 --> 00:16:14,347
To enter the rear palace,
a doctor has to be castrated.

210
00:16:15,306 --> 00:16:18,309
But where can we find a good
doctor who's also a eunuch—

211
00:16:19,269 --> 00:16:22,272
There is. The perfect candidate.

212
00:16:22,355 --> 00:16:23,356
But...

213
00:16:25,275 --> 00:16:26,317
Maomao?

214
00:16:28,319 --> 00:16:30,363
I do know of someone.

215
00:16:31,364 --> 00:16:32,365
You do?

216
00:16:32,365 --> 00:16:35,326
Someone with outstanding skills as a doctor,

217
00:16:35,326 --> 00:16:38,329
and also has experience
delivering babies by incision.

218
00:16:39,289 --> 00:16:40,290
Oh.

219
00:16:40,290 --> 00:16:42,333
Really? Ah...

220
00:16:42,375 --> 00:16:46,337
Could it be...
Master Jinshi's lady-in-waiting...

221
00:16:46,337 --> 00:16:48,339
No. He's a doctor.

222
00:16:50,341 --> 00:16:53,344
What in the world did Lady Suiren do?

223
00:16:54,304 --> 00:16:55,346
Who is this person?

224
00:16:56,306 --> 00:17:00,268
He was once exiled from the rear palace.

225
00:17:01,269 --> 00:17:02,270
A criminal.

226
00:17:04,314 --> 00:17:05,356
Unacceptable!

227
00:17:05,356 --> 00:17:09,277
Lady Gyokuyou and
the baby's lives are at stake.

228
00:17:09,277 --> 00:17:11,279
It needs to be someone trustworthy!

229
00:17:11,279 --> 00:17:14,282
He is trustworthy!
He's the best doctor in this nation.

230
00:17:17,285 --> 00:17:21,289
Those are some big words, rare from you.

231
00:17:21,289 --> 00:17:22,332
But he's still a criminal, right?

232
00:17:24,292 --> 00:17:25,376
There's just no way.

233
00:17:25,376 --> 00:17:26,336
But—

234
00:17:26,336 --> 00:17:28,296
Wait, both of you.

235
00:17:28,338 --> 00:17:31,341
Hongniang, don't stop her
before she's finished.

236
00:17:31,341 --> 00:17:34,302
Maomao, please calm down and explain.

237
00:17:39,265 --> 00:17:41,309
What crime did he commit?

238
00:17:41,351 --> 00:17:45,355
This person is a eunuch,
and was a doctor in the rear palace.

239
00:17:46,356 --> 00:17:50,318
In the past, he helped deliver
the emperor, the current crown prince,

240
00:17:50,318 --> 00:17:54,280
and Concubine Ah-Duo's baby.

241
00:17:54,364 --> 00:18:00,286
As for the reason for his exile, all I know
is that it's related to Concubine Ah-Duo.

242
00:18:01,287 --> 00:18:06,292
It's not like he actually told me,
or that I know all the facts for sure.

243
00:18:06,292 --> 00:18:10,338
...Luomen, expelled...
There are some records,
but most of it is conjecture.

244
00:18:11,339 --> 00:18:15,301
What is his relation to you, Maomao?

245
00:18:15,343 --> 00:18:19,347
He is my adopted father, and the person
who taught me the ways of the apothecary.

246
00:18:24,268 --> 00:18:25,311
I understand.

247
00:18:25,311 --> 00:18:28,356
Let's ask Master Jinshi
if we can bring that person in.

248
00:18:29,357 --> 00:18:30,358
Lady Gyokuyou!

249
00:18:31,275 --> 00:18:34,362
Hongniang, I want to consult someone
who's a real professional.

250
00:18:35,321 --> 00:18:37,365
It would be best if it's someone we can trust.

251
00:18:38,324 --> 00:18:41,327
Besides, I just can't believe
he's a bad person.

252
00:18:41,369 --> 00:18:45,289
Look at how this stray cat respects him.

253
00:18:45,373 --> 00:18:46,374
Stray cat...?

254
00:18:46,374 --> 00:18:48,334
But he's a criminal!

255
00:18:48,334 --> 00:18:49,293
Hongniang,

256
00:18:49,377 --> 00:18:53,339
I'm sure you've also heard the stories
about the rear palace back then.

257
00:18:54,340 --> 00:18:59,262
So many lives were tossed around
by the reign of the great empress.

258
00:18:59,387 --> 00:19:03,349
We can't judge "crimes"
from back then at face value.

259
00:19:07,353 --> 00:19:08,354
Understood.

260
00:19:09,313 --> 00:19:14,318
In that case, I have a letter to write.

261
00:19:14,318 --> 00:19:16,320
That's what I call dignity.

262
00:19:16,362 --> 00:19:20,324
I guess that's what a concubine
becoming a mother is like.

263
00:19:23,286 --> 00:19:25,371
Two days after speaking to Lady Gyokuyou...

264
00:19:29,292 --> 00:19:30,334
Thank you.

265
00:19:31,335 --> 00:19:34,338
We've been eagerly awaiting
your arrival, Master Luomen.

266
00:19:47,310 --> 00:19:53,316
Well, well. Who would've thought
I'd come back here?

267
00:19:53,316 --> 00:19:57,320
A man, who looked more like an elderly
woman, arrived at the rear palace.

268
00:20:00,364 --> 00:20:02,366
I am Luomen.

269
00:20:03,326 --> 00:20:09,290
I will be temporarily serving in
the rear palace's medical office.

270
00:20:09,290 --> 00:20:13,294
I've heard from Maomao.
Thank you for your help.

271
00:20:13,336 --> 00:20:14,337
Yes.

272
00:20:15,046 --> 00:20:19,091
Temporarily? Well, that makes sense, I guess.

273
00:20:20,051 --> 00:20:23,054
I was a bit worried
that the quack would get fired.

274
00:20:23,054 --> 00:20:25,056
Good to know I don't have to worry about that.

275
00:20:25,097 --> 00:20:27,099
Well then, please excuse me.

276
00:20:30,061 --> 00:20:31,062
Please.

277
00:20:31,062 --> 00:20:32,021
Yes.

278
00:22:26,677 --> 00:22:40,733
Next Time
Next time:
"Festering Resentment."
EpisodeFestering Resentment