01x07 - Homecoming

[bunniefuu]

THE APOTHECARY DIARIES

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION. THE NAMES OF ALLCHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS, ETC. ARE IMAGINARY.IT BEARS NO CONNECTION TO SPECIFIC REAL-LIFE EVENTS.

Dad!

Dad!

EPISODE : HOMECOMING

I wonder if Dad's doing okay.

Right. Yesterday, after the garden party...

What are you talking about?!

The minister who ate the poisonis in terrible condition!

You're sick. Get lots of sleep!

Thanks to them, I got a good deal of sleep.

But sleeping until noon is too much.

I can't go without makeup now.

Oh.

You could have taken a day off.

I can't allow myself to do that.Please put me to work.

Oh? Your freckles.

I'm uncomfortable without them.Can I keep them on?

I understand.

Everyone kept demanding to knowwho that lady-in-waiting was.

My apologies.

It's fine.

Anyway, Gaoshun came by this morningand hasn't left. What do you want to do?

He seemed bored, so I asked himto pull up some weeds.

Weeds...

Back at the garden party, he wasin a pretty high-ranking seat.

I guess he really is caring.

He must win the hearts ofthe ladies-in-waiting in his own way.

May I use the parlor?

Sure. Hongniang.

Yes.

Is it just me, or is Hongniangbeing sparkly-eyed, too?

Master Jinshi wanted me to bring you this.

This is the soup that Lady Gyokuyouwas supposed to drink, right?

Yes.

How kind of him.

Please don't eat it.

I won't.

Silver corrodes quickly.This is oxidized and no longer tasty.

Tasty...

Did you pick this up with your hands?

No, I didn't touch the bowl.

I only picked up the contentsin a spoon to see if it was poison.

- Shoop shoop shoop.- After that, I immediately wrapped it in cloth.

- After that, I immediately wrapped it in cloth.

One moment, please.

Clip clip clip.

Clunk clunk clunk.

Cotton, powder, and a brush.

Yes.

What will you do with these?

In the apothecary I used to work at,

we used to put dyes on containersthat weren't supposed to be touched.

This is a similar technique.

It's simple. I put some powderon this cotton ball.

I dust the bowl with it...

Finally, I brush off the excess.

And there.

There's some white marks.

That's where a human hand made contact.

When you touch this withyour fingers, it leaves a mark.

It's especially visible on silver,which is easily corroded.

That's why you thoroughlywipe silver items before use.

In other words, the fingermarks remaining here

were from people who touchedthe bowl after it was wiped clean?

Indeed.

The size and placement of the finger marksallows us to guess how they held it.

The bowl was held...

What is it?

Nothing.

The bowl was held by four people, I think.

Four people.

First, three people who touchedthe side of the bowl.

The one who poured the soup,

the one who carried it,

and Lady Lishu's taster.

But there was one more.

An "outsider" that touchedthe rim of the bowl.

I believe this unknownperson poisoned the food.

If that's true, why is the taster's fingermark on the high-rank concubine's bowl?

That's simple. Lady Lishu's taster swapped iton purpose as a form of harassment,

not knowing it was poisoned.

Swapped it?

It's bullying.

A lady-in-waiting is bullyinga high-ranking concubine?

Sounds like you can't believe it.

Can you explain?

Let me first say that this is alljust conjecture on my part.

That's fine.

Do you remember Lady Lishu'sdress during the garden party?

Yes. I believe it was a flashy pink color.

Normally, you'd think that if a concubine

picked a color that would clashwith Lady Gyokuyou's dress,

her ladies-in-waiting wouldrecommend another one.

Or, at least, they'd wear somethingthat matches it themselves.

However, all of her servantswere wearing white.

That makes Lady Lishu appear likea buffoon who can't read the room.

Ladies-in-waiting shouldallow their mistress to shine.

Come to think of it, that day...

Have you no decency? A crimson dress?

Lady Ah-Duo's ladies-in-waiting

were scolding Lady Lishu'sservants for not doing their jobs.

The rear palace is full of enemies,

so the only people a concubine cantruly trust are her ladies-in-waiting.

I suspect the ladies-in-waiting recommendedthat dress to their young Lady Lishu,

and she wore it without realizingthey'd done it to humiliate her.

She didn't suspect a thing.

Not only that, but she also tried to swapthe food to further harass Concubine Lishu?

Yes, though she was unaware it was poisoned.

It ended up saving her.

But it's still quite distasteful.

Why would they do such a thing?

Lady Lishu became the previousemperor's concubine at a very young age.

Then she left the rear palacesoon after. Her situation is unique.

A wife must sacrifice everythingto devote to her husband.

We are all taught this from a very young age.

I guess, from that perspective,to wed her deceased husband's son

is an indecency beyond words.

I think the mark near the bowl's edge

was left by the person who added the poison.

They must have held the edgewhile stirring in the poison.

I see.

Your fingers must not touch the areathat noble lips are supposed to go.

That is the teaching of Hongniang.

That's all I came up with.

May I ask one more thing?

What is it?

Why did you try to protect thattaster yesterday?

I'm just curious. This isn'tan investigation or anything.

The life of a serving girl is worthlesscompared to that of a concubine.

Especially if that lifebelongs to a food taster...

I'll try to explain this to Master Jinshi.

Thank you.

Well, I should be thankful, since shedid go out of her way to make the swap.

I was able to taste that poison thanks to her.

I really should have swallowed that soup.

That is all.

I see. You always impress mewith how you word things.

Is that so?

This is clearly an inside job, right?

The situation indicates as much, yes.

You make it sound so simple.

I haven't had time to sleepat all because of this.

I haven't even been able to change clothes.

I want to stop thinking.

Your natural self is showing.

Who cares? There's nobody here.

I am here.

Can you cut me some slack?

No.

Nothing I say will move you, huh?

We've had a long relationship.

It's not easy having someonelook after you since you were born.

Master Jinshi, you forgotto remove your hairpin.

Oh, oops. Totally forgot.

It was hidden in your hair.

I don't think anyone noticed your true status.

Take care of it for me.

You're treating it roughly again.

It's something only special individualscan wear, so please take care of it.

I know.

You don't.

Excuse me.

Let's do this...

Oh right, did you get any hairpins?

A few.

I see!

So, now...

You can get out of the rear palace!

Huh? What did you say?

You can get out of the rear palace?

More details please!

Yes...

You can't meet men from the outsidewhile at the rear palace,

but if you get special permission,a man can escort a female worker outside.

I see, so that's what the hairpinsthey hand out at the garden party means.

Exactly! You can also use the hairpin to asksomeone to take you out of the rear palace.

I see. Thanks, Xiaolan. I'll give it a try.

No problem.

Maomao, thanks for the hawthorn!

It was yummy!

I received a total of four hairpins.

Two are from men.

Or rather, since one of the twolost his important parts,

maybe I shouldn't call him a "man"?

Apothecary!

Right!

Master Lihaku, a lady fromthe rear palace sent you this.

Oh, understood.

Yikes, did she take thatconsolation hairpin seriously?

But if it's a pretty lady,it would be a waste...

JADE PAVILIONMAOMAO

I only gave out one hairpinat the Jade Pavilion...

Which means...

That one?

Wonder how I should turn her down...

Excuse me.

Thank you for waiting.

Huh? Who are you?

I get that a lot.

Do people ever tell you thatmakeup changes you drastically?

I get that a lot, too.

But anyway, you called me up...

I'd like to go back to my family.

Your family?

Do you know what this means?

I was told that I could go home temporarily,as long as you can vouch for me.

You're quite bold.

You, a mere lady-in-waiting, are demandingthat I, a m*llitary officer, vouch for you?

Yes.

And you summoned me just for that?

Yes.

I don't know if you're dauntless or clueless.

So, little girl, you're trying toexploit me for your homecoming?

No, I believe I can offer yousomething valuable in exchange.

Huh?

VERDIGRIS HOUSE - INTRODUCTION LETTER - PAIRINVERDIGRIS HOUSE - INTRODUCTION LETTER - JOKAVERDIGRIS HOUSE - INTRODUCTION LETTER - MEIMEI

Could I interest you in a flower-viewingsession at the Verdigris House?

Th-The Verdigris House?!You've gotta be kidding!

A night at that super high-class brothelcould cost a year of my salary!

If you're worried, you can show themone of these introduction letters.

Pairin. Joka. Meimei.

Th-That's even less believable!

Those are the Three Princesses that not eventhe highest-rank officials can afford!

If you can't believe it, that's just too bad.

Huh?!

My deepest apologies forhaving wasted your time.

W-Wait...

It's very unfortunate, but I'll justhave to ask someone else.

Please forget I mentioned this.

She has other contacts?!

Hairpins with rose quartz and silver?!

They're obviously frompeople who far outrank me.

Just who is this girl?!

In that case, what she said might be...

No, it's too suspicious!

But if it is true, I'll never get anotherchance to meet the Three Princesses again...

What should I do?!

So, what will it be?

I lose.

Congratulations, Maomao!

Who would have thoughtyou'd go before any of us...

I'm so glad!

You must've met someone nice!

Uh, thank you?

Why are you so casual about this?!

Don't worry, I'll bring back souvenirs.

How'd you meet this guy?

Um, coincidence?

I'm pretty sure she has no ideawhat the hairpin means.

Yes, I'm sure of it. I feel sosorry for a certain someone.

This is so amusing.

I wonder what kind of face he'll make...

I suspect some turmoil in the future...

Jinshi was finally able to finish uphis work and find time to visit

the day after Maomao had already left.

Maomao took off with someone.

On a three-day homecoming.

The pleasure district whereI grew up isn't far away.

It's walking distance from the rear palace,just beyond the walls and moats.

A carriage? How extravagant.

Well, the Three Princessesof the Verdigris House are

idolized by the population. Worshiped, even.

Just being able to meetthem would be an honor.

Oh, there it is...

The pleasure district!

There are girls who enter the brothels,wanting to become like them.

But it's not easy.

Even if they become a serving girl,a courtesan-in-training,

there's no guarantee that they'll make it.

So, this is the Verdigris House...

Yes.

VERDIGRIS HOUSE

- It's very dignified.VERDIGRIS HOUSE

It's a long-standing, reputable brothel,

providing everything from middle-to super-high-rank courtesans.

Hey, long time no see, Grams.

How has everyone—

What do you mean,"long time no see?!" Stupid girl.

Are you okay?! What's with this old woman?!

This is the old madam,proprietor of the Verdigris House.

I remember this used to help mespit out all the poison I tried.

So, is this the good customer?

He's got a handsome face and a good build.

I heard you're a rising star, too.

Hey, why say that out loud to his face?

Hey, get Pairin.

She should be making tea today.

Yes, ma'am!

Pairin...

Master Lihaku, how strong are your arm muscles?

I do train pretty regularly.

This could be...

This way, please.

I'm getting nervous...

Make a good impression, okay?

Yeah.

So, why'd you vanish for tenwhole months without a word?

I had no say in the matter.Didn't you read the letter I sent?

Of course I read it! That's whyI'm taking care of that guy for you,

even though we're introduction only!

I know, I know. I got half of my pay atthe rear palace early, as a special deal.

This isn't enough for Pairin.

Can we say it's enough for just some tea?

Idiot! Pairin won't leavethose muscles alone.

I knew it. But that's notsomething I can control...

That won't fly! I'll add it to the tab.

I could never afford that...

In that case, bring more good customers.

Similar to that guy. Young, so that we candrain him over a long period of time.

Would a eunuch be an acceptable customer?

No way. The courtesanswould pull out all the stops

and put the brothel out of business.

But I'd feel bad for Gaoshunor the quack doctor...

Maomao, your old man should b*at home. Go visit him already.

Cross just one street, and the face ofthe town changes dramatically.

Rough shacks, beggars,and syphilitic streetwalkers.

Things haven't changed.

I'm home, Dad.

Welcome home. You were out for a while.

I'm finally home.

Yeah, on that day, I was outgetting dyes for my freckles, when...

I still have time left on my term, so I'llgo back to the rear palace in two days.

I see.

I'm sleepy, but I also want a bath.

You should borrow a bath atthe Verdigris House tomorrow.

Yeah, I'll do that.

The rear palace? What a twist of fate.

Not just some superficial sweetness

I want more warmth than I can even use, oh

Having these selfish idealistic thoughts

I swallowed them again todaybefore putting them into words

Still in my memories,the scent of fragrant olive

The color of twilight in the city

We were laughing...

Filled with sadness,the tears welled up in my eyes

I found a glow during those days

I guess I took everything for granted

The wind was so loud I covered my ears

I gotta stop being like that

Even if I stumble over the words of love

NEXT TIME

NEXT TIMEEPISODE : WHEAT st*lks- Next time: "Wheat st*lks."