WEBVTT 00:01.626 --> 00:04.337 ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA 01:31.007 --> 01:31.925 THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS. 01:32.008 --> 01:32.884 MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS. 01:42.435 --> 01:43.394 Hey! 01:45.688 --> 01:46.564 It's poison! 01:48.566 --> 01:51.027 You bastard! Who gave you the order?! 01:52.195 --> 01:53.113 Wait. 01:54.405 --> 01:56.157 First, we must treat the soldiers. 02:05.875 --> 02:09.379 - Poison? - The meal was prepared in the village. 02:09.879 --> 02:11.714 We've captured the village chief 02:11.798 --> 02:15.218 for siding with the foreigners. We're awaiting your orders. 02:15.301 --> 02:18.346 Understood. Give me some time. 02:18.429 --> 02:19.305 Yes, sir. 02:20.473 --> 02:21.391 Also... 02:21.975 --> 02:23.518 I hear that you hired 02:23.601 --> 02:26.229 a new lady-in-waiting for Concubine Gyokuyou's palace. 02:26.312 --> 02:27.480 Yes. 02:28.022 --> 02:29.816 Concubine Gyokuyou has four attendants. 02:30.650 --> 02:32.360 Another high-ranking concubine, 02:32.443 --> 02:35.321 Concubine Lihua, has more than ten. It's far too few. 02:36.364 --> 02:39.033 She has to maintain her honor as a high-ranking concubine. 02:39.617 --> 02:40.577 Yes. 02:40.660 --> 02:44.372 However, although Concubine Gyokuyou is a cheerful and calm woman, 02:44.455 --> 02:46.666 she is also intelligent and cautious. 02:47.917 --> 02:51.045 I wouldn't hire just anyone as her attendant. 02:52.046 --> 02:54.173 Being the Emperor's favorite means 02:54.257 --> 02:56.342 she has to remain suspicious all the time. 02:56.426 --> 02:58.428 Her life is always at risk. 02:59.053 --> 03:01.306 So, who is this new attendant? 03:02.724 --> 03:06.185 Gaoshun, I found the perfect chess piece. 03:06.769 --> 03:08.730 It's that freckled maidservant. 03:11.357 --> 03:14.736 She's knowledgeable about medicine. We can use that. 03:14.819 --> 03:16.070 I see. 03:16.154 --> 03:18.698 But what if she uses that knowledge against us? 03:19.741 --> 03:22.118 We just have to make sure that doesn't happen. 03:22.619 --> 03:23.745 It's easy. 03:24.871 --> 03:27.582 Just to be safe, I can use seduction. 03:30.335 --> 03:33.421 I'm so jealous you get to attend to a high-ranking concubine! 03:33.504 --> 03:35.673 I'm not happy about this. 03:36.216 --> 03:37.258 Huh? 03:41.262 --> 03:42.388 Apothecary. 03:42.931 --> 03:44.557 Are you prepared for your move? 03:44.641 --> 03:47.685 Yes. I'm heading to the Jade Pavilion soon. 03:47.769 --> 03:49.395 Did you need anything? 03:49.479 --> 03:50.939 No, I don't need anything. 03:51.022 --> 03:52.023 What? 03:53.524 --> 03:55.818 Then why is he here? Does he have nothing better to do? 03:59.656 --> 04:02.867 Serve Concubine Gyokuyou diligently. 04:07.538 --> 04:08.957 Excuse me. 04:10.541 --> 04:11.751 Good luck, Maomao! 04:16.422 --> 04:17.257 So gross... 04:21.594 --> 04:23.221 You're Maomao? 04:23.846 --> 04:25.056 Yes, ma'am. 04:25.139 --> 04:28.893 I'm the head lady-in-waiting for Lady Gyokuyou, Hongniang. 04:29.894 --> 04:32.772 I'll show you around the Jade Pavilion. Come with me. 04:33.523 --> 04:34.524 Yes. 04:38.820 --> 04:40.989 Welcome to the Jade Pavilion. 04:41.489 --> 04:43.866 We were waiting for you, Maomao. 04:45.868 --> 04:47.870 Looks like Xiaoling welcomes you too. 04:48.621 --> 04:50.415 I look forward to having you around. 04:53.543 --> 04:55.211 Yes, ma'am. 04:56.462 --> 04:58.047 Here is the reception room. 04:58.131 --> 05:00.133 This is where we welcome the guests. 05:00.633 --> 05:01.718 So big... 05:01.801 --> 05:05.471 Here is the kitchen. We can make simple meals here. 05:07.473 --> 05:08.725 Here's the living room. 05:08.808 --> 05:10.101 Let me introduce everyone. 05:10.601 --> 05:12.270 All the Jade Pavilion attendants. 05:12.353 --> 05:14.022 Gather around, everyone! 05:14.105 --> 05:15.148 Yes, ma'am! 05:15.940 --> 05:18.026 Nice to meet you, I'm Yinghua. 05:18.109 --> 05:19.777 Ask me anything, all right? 05:20.403 --> 05:23.990 Hello, I'm Guiyuan. Nice to meet you. 05:24.073 --> 05:25.908 I'm Ailan. 05:25.992 --> 05:27.952 It's very nice to meet you. 05:28.036 --> 05:30.705 I'm Maomao. Thank you for having me. 05:32.915 --> 05:36.377 We don't hire maidservants at the Jade Pavilion. 05:36.461 --> 05:39.839 So we split the tasks and do them ourselves. 05:39.922 --> 05:42.133 It's the least we can do for Lady Gyokuyou 05:42.216 --> 05:43.968 so that she can be comfortable. 05:44.635 --> 05:45.845 - Then I will also... - Oh! 05:45.928 --> 05:48.848 You relax in your room. 05:48.931 --> 05:50.767 Just be comfortable. 05:50.850 --> 05:53.519 Since you'll be doing the special task. 05:53.603 --> 05:54.937 "Special task"? 05:55.980 --> 05:59.275 - Maomao, I'll show you to your room. - All right. 06:02.862 --> 06:05.448 Did you see her left arm? 06:05.531 --> 06:09.243 She tried her best to hide it with bandages, but it's scarred, right? 06:09.327 --> 06:11.954 She was probably abused by her parents back at home, 06:12.038 --> 06:14.457 and was sold off to the rear palace. 06:14.540 --> 06:17.919 And to top it all off, she'll be doing such hard tasks... 06:18.836 --> 06:21.839 Oh, that poor girl! 06:24.342 --> 06:28.137 - Just stay put until you're called. - Um... 06:33.935 --> 06:36.854 Seems like I got promoted way up the ranks. 06:38.731 --> 06:41.567 The Jade Pavilion had a small team of staff. 06:41.651 --> 06:45.071 I knew they wouldn't be welcoming to newcomers. 06:46.030 --> 06:47.240 But those eyes... 06:49.492 --> 06:50.910 Pity? 06:51.828 --> 06:53.037 Why? 06:55.123 --> 06:56.124 Poison tester. 06:56.916 --> 06:59.335 That's your job, Apothecary. 07:00.545 --> 07:01.462 Poison... 07:01.546 --> 07:03.714 Poison tester? 07:04.757 --> 07:06.050 No, stay calm. 07:07.969 --> 07:10.346 The meals prepared for the concubines 07:10.430 --> 07:14.183 are handled by several people before being carried in here. 07:16.352 --> 07:20.273 There's a chance of the meal being poisoned during this process. 07:21.566 --> 07:24.277 When Concubine Gyokuyou became pregnant, her meal was 07:24.777 --> 07:26.612 poisoned twice. 07:27.864 --> 07:31.117 The poison tester back then, an attendant, got nerve damaged and 07:31.617 --> 07:33.369 her arms and legs are still paralyzed. 07:34.912 --> 07:38.374 I see. That's why the attendants pity me... 07:39.459 --> 07:40.960 All right, then. 07:41.586 --> 07:42.503 If you will. 07:44.046 --> 07:45.423 This bowl... 07:47.008 --> 07:48.801 No abnormality in color. 07:49.969 --> 07:50.803 No strange odors. 07:53.764 --> 07:54.932 No numbness, either. 07:57.518 --> 07:59.437 This doesn't seem to be poisoned. 08:01.814 --> 08:03.900 Back at home in the pleasure district, 08:03.983 --> 08:07.111 I tested various poisons on my arms, calling them "experiments." 08:08.654 --> 08:10.615 This mad scientist... 08:11.324 --> 08:14.243 I slowly got my body adjusted to poison, 08:14.327 --> 08:16.829 so most types of poison don't work on me. 08:16.913 --> 08:19.290 Honestly, I'm not suited for the role of a poison tester. 08:20.500 --> 08:24.504 But in a way, I was very lucky to get this position. 08:26.214 --> 08:27.590 She's laughing... 08:29.217 --> 08:31.219 I think you should serve the meals 08:31.302 --> 08:33.930 in silver bowls, since it reacts to poison. 08:34.597 --> 08:37.058 Sir Jinshi was right. 08:37.141 --> 08:40.937 We used ceramic bowls on purpose. He wanted to test you. 08:42.021 --> 08:44.565 This was that man's plot all along? 08:46.025 --> 08:49.570 Your skills can truly become poison and medicine. 08:49.654 --> 08:52.323 I was an apothecary by profession. 08:52.406 --> 08:54.367 If we knew you could write, 08:54.450 --> 08:57.203 you could've gotten a higher salary. 08:57.286 --> 08:59.330 I was kidnapped and brought here. 08:59.413 --> 09:03.626 It infuriates me to think that the kidnappers are still being sent 09:03.709 --> 09:05.336 a part of my salary. 09:06.212 --> 09:09.131 You're saying you don't want to give them drinking money 09:09.215 --> 09:12.009 so badly that you would cut down your own salary. 09:21.686 --> 09:25.189 Oh, no! This is very expensive. 09:25.690 --> 09:28.150 An attendant's salary can't possibly pay for this. 09:28.651 --> 09:30.945 You can't even send an allowance back home. 09:31.988 --> 09:34.282 I should be asking you for money. 09:35.992 --> 09:39.161 Oh, no! I'm sorry, ma'am. 09:39.662 --> 09:42.039 Please take away money from my allowance. 09:42.123 --> 09:43.916 If it's not enough, take away my savings. 09:45.001 --> 09:47.461 All right. I'll handle the paperwork. 09:47.962 --> 09:49.380 Also... 09:49.964 --> 09:53.217 An added salary for poison testers. It's danger money. 09:54.176 --> 09:56.304 About the same pay as my current salary... 09:56.387 --> 09:58.848 Because there's no money going to the kidnappers, 09:58.931 --> 10:00.349 it's actually a raise. 10:01.809 --> 10:03.311 Thank you, ma'am. 10:05.062 --> 10:08.065 She's good at using her carrots. 10:18.409 --> 10:19.452 It's fine! 10:20.328 --> 10:21.245 Just rest! 10:21.329 --> 10:23.247 We already had enough people anyways. 10:24.415 --> 10:25.499 I'm so bored! 10:26.459 --> 10:28.794 I'm only called upon as a poison tester 10:29.420 --> 10:31.839 for the two meals and teatime at noon. 10:31.922 --> 10:34.300 I finally have my own room. 10:34.383 --> 10:37.595 If I had some poisonous snakes, I could do experiments... 10:37.678 --> 10:39.847 - Maomao? - Oink? 10:40.640 --> 10:43.100 Did you call for me, Lady Gyokuyou? 10:43.184 --> 10:44.602 He called for you. 10:48.773 --> 10:49.899 Why won't it work on her? 10:55.321 --> 10:56.906 What business do you have today? 10:57.948 --> 11:00.326 I received this from a soldier. 11:00.409 --> 11:01.619 Can you taste test it? 11:02.328 --> 11:03.245 Bao buns? 11:08.959 --> 11:10.461 It contains an aphrodisiac. 11:11.545 --> 11:12.922 You know without eating it? 11:13.005 --> 11:15.049 It won't have any impact on your health. 11:15.132 --> 11:17.009 You're free to enjoy these. 11:17.093 --> 11:21.055 Considering who gave them to me, I can't just eat these... 11:21.138 --> 11:25.309 You may get a visit from that person tonight. 11:26.102 --> 11:28.187 Disappointing. She can tell just by the smell? 11:28.854 --> 11:31.690 This man... He knew it contained an aphrodisiac 11:31.774 --> 11:33.401 and tried to make me eat it? 11:40.116 --> 11:42.910 I want to ask you one other thing. 11:43.536 --> 11:45.329 What is it? 11:45.413 --> 11:46.372 The other day, 11:46.455 --> 11:49.041 there was a foreign combat troop out on an expedition. 11:49.125 --> 11:51.168 - They were poisoned. - Poisoned? 11:52.044 --> 11:54.255 Many of the soldiers that ate the meal 11:54.338 --> 11:58.634 had symptoms of nausea and difficulty breathing. Many got sick. 11:59.135 --> 12:01.429 Nausea and difficulty breathing? 12:02.805 --> 12:04.807 The meal was prepared at a nearby village. 12:05.850 --> 12:09.019 The village head was captured for siding with the foreigners, 12:09.103 --> 12:12.523 but one soldier controlled the situation, and the punishment remains undecided. 12:13.399 --> 12:15.109 Normally, one would think 12:15.192 --> 12:18.821 that the villagers poisoned the meal, but... 12:20.823 --> 12:24.535 Sir Jinshi, where was this meal eaten? 12:24.618 --> 12:26.287 They were camping, so outside. 12:26.787 --> 12:29.999 Were the bowls, chopsticks, and spoons prepared by villagers as well? 12:30.082 --> 12:33.627 No, the soldiers prepared it themselves. 12:35.129 --> 12:36.797 Have you realized something? 12:37.631 --> 12:40.801 This is just an opinion. 12:42.011 --> 12:44.096 This flower is called a rhododendron. 12:45.514 --> 12:46.932 Is it tasty? 12:47.016 --> 12:50.603 No. If you eat it, you get nausea and difficulty breathing. 12:50.686 --> 12:51.687 Hey! 12:52.396 --> 12:56.609 As you can see, there are many poisonous plants even in the rear palace. 12:56.692 --> 12:58.694 With these, the leaves are poisonous, 12:58.777 --> 13:00.988 but some have poison in the branches and roots. 13:01.071 --> 13:05.242 Some plants become poisonous from burning the raw wood. 13:05.326 --> 13:06.869 Just by burning it? 13:10.789 --> 13:11.957 I see... 13:13.083 --> 13:15.503 It was good that a rational soldier was present. 13:15.586 --> 13:18.297 He prevented one village from being burned down. 13:19.048 --> 13:19.965 Yes... 13:20.466 --> 13:23.886 - If we're finished here, I'm off. - No, wait. 13:24.386 --> 13:25.513 Is there anything else? 13:28.766 --> 13:30.601 Will you make a stimulant potion? 13:32.478 --> 13:34.063 Make a potion? In other words... 13:35.564 --> 13:37.483 Medicine preparation? 13:43.447 --> 13:46.116 With time, the ingredients, and the tools, 13:46.200 --> 13:48.994 I can make something with that effect. 13:50.454 --> 13:52.706 Sir Jinshi. Where are you off to? 13:55.960 --> 13:58.128 I'm returning to my office. 13:58.629 --> 13:59.755 Can I help you? 13:59.838 --> 14:02.800 It's nothing... Would you like some tea in my room? 14:02.883 --> 14:06.345 Unfortunately, I have work left to do. Excuse me. 14:11.850 --> 14:14.353 I wonder if the palace women really haven't realized 14:14.937 --> 14:17.606 that you are an investigator who measures their loyalty 14:17.690 --> 14:19.233 to the Emperor. 14:19.733 --> 14:23.946 Inviting other men to bed because the Emperor will not visit them... 14:24.029 --> 14:27.074 - How imprudent. - Truly. 14:27.157 --> 14:31.203 A concubine cannot just be beautiful and well-educated. 14:31.704 --> 14:35.583 They need to be loyal to the Emperor and be chaste. 14:36.083 --> 14:38.002 Placing you in the rear palace 14:38.085 --> 14:41.881 to use your beauty as a test for the concubines' loyalty... 14:42.381 --> 14:44.592 The Lord can be cruel. 14:44.675 --> 14:46.343 He uses what he can. 14:46.844 --> 14:50.973 However... Not only was she not tempted by me, but she saw me 14:51.056 --> 14:53.434 with those eyes... 14:54.351 --> 14:57.771 It's the first time I was regarded with such contempt! 14:58.898 --> 15:01.108 I'll be off then. 15:06.155 --> 15:08.449 You may get a visit tonight... 15:08.532 --> 15:11.911 A visit... A visit... 15:14.705 --> 15:16.248 I'll be off then. 15:16.332 --> 15:19.460 - Yes. Good luck. - Yes, ma'am! 15:25.090 --> 15:26.592 Excuse me. 15:27.092 --> 15:29.178 The quack doctor, and... 15:30.638 --> 15:33.140 Hello. Let me introduce myself. 15:33.223 --> 15:34.600 My name is Gaoshun. 15:35.225 --> 15:37.811 I usually work as an aide to Sir Jinshi. 15:38.312 --> 15:39.647 Nice to meet you. 15:40.814 --> 15:41.649 Hello. 15:41.732 --> 15:44.735 It must be hard to be an aide to "that"... 15:45.611 --> 15:47.363 She's just an attendant... Why...? 15:47.863 --> 15:49.907 Intruding in my territory... 15:51.492 --> 15:52.785 Right this way. 15:55.746 --> 15:59.458 You're free to use whatever you'd like in here. 16:10.302 --> 16:12.638 Is that some kind of cursed dance? 16:16.350 --> 16:20.312 What a luxury to be able to use this much paper. 16:20.396 --> 16:22.606 All right, next up... 16:23.732 --> 16:25.275 This, right? 16:26.360 --> 16:28.278 He's very observant. 16:28.362 --> 16:30.364 Compared to him, his master... 16:32.074 --> 16:34.451 If you're not doing anything, go away! 16:34.535 --> 16:35.744 Here you are. 16:36.829 --> 16:38.372 Thank you. 16:39.915 --> 16:41.041 It's not enough... 16:42.584 --> 16:44.920 - What is this? - This is cocoa. 16:45.004 --> 16:47.715 If this isn't enough, just get more. 16:47.798 --> 16:51.844 These are obtained from the southern lands of the Far West. 16:51.927 --> 16:55.222 We should be able to find it among the trade items. 17:02.521 --> 17:04.189 Milk, butter, 17:04.273 --> 17:07.568 sugar, honey, and powdered cocoa. 17:08.068 --> 17:09.611 All this should be enough. 17:10.487 --> 17:12.156 It's all expensive items. 17:12.239 --> 17:14.658 I wonder what she's making? 17:14.742 --> 17:16.076 Maybe a snack! 17:16.160 --> 17:18.287 What are you three doing? 17:18.370 --> 17:22.041 - Get back to work! - We're sorry! 17:23.625 --> 17:24.877 Geez! 17:25.711 --> 17:27.755 Now, time to prepare the stimulant potion! 17:32.217 --> 17:34.928 I've eaten cocoa once before. 17:35.012 --> 17:37.431 This is called chocolate, Maomao. 17:40.851 --> 17:41.977 Maomao? 17:44.313 --> 17:47.024 An evil customer gifted it to win the affection 17:47.107 --> 17:48.817 of a popular courtesan, 17:48.901 --> 17:52.821 but unfortunately, he was banned from ever entering by Grams. 17:53.322 --> 17:54.156 All set. 17:54.740 --> 17:56.200 I'll chill these, and... 17:58.243 --> 18:00.454 Now, I have to wait for it to harden. 18:01.413 --> 18:02.915 There's some left over. 18:03.415 --> 18:04.249 I know! 18:06.585 --> 18:08.921 No need to chill these. 18:11.673 --> 18:14.176 Now, I'll do the dishes. 18:19.139 --> 18:20.390 Are those medicinal herbs? 18:20.891 --> 18:23.435 Here! And here, too! And here! 18:26.730 --> 18:28.148 I lost track of time. 18:28.232 --> 18:30.275 I'm sorry for being late! 18:31.485 --> 18:32.486 Huh? 18:34.488 --> 18:35.739 What? 18:42.454 --> 18:44.456 At least, now I know it works. 18:45.249 --> 18:46.834 What's going on? 18:47.459 --> 18:49.336 There's nothing to explain... 18:50.587 --> 18:52.589 It's all right. They haven't done anything... 18:55.342 --> 18:57.219 So this is the stimulant we discussed? 18:57.302 --> 19:00.055 No. These are for you. 19:01.598 --> 19:03.392 So what is this? 19:03.475 --> 19:04.935 These are my snacks. 19:06.895 --> 19:08.981 If you're used to alcohol and stimulants, 19:09.064 --> 19:10.607 the effects are not strong. 19:11.233 --> 19:15.070 I see, in that case, there should be no trouble if I eat these. 19:15.154 --> 19:17.114 - Please don't! - Please don't! 19:19.700 --> 19:20.534 I'm kidding. 19:20.617 --> 19:24.413 What an inappropriate statement in front of the Emperor's favorite. 19:24.913 --> 19:29.251 But if that face came to tempt you with flushed cheeks... 19:31.170 --> 19:34.882 I'm sure that most men and women couldn't resist. 19:34.965 --> 19:36.341 He's pointlessly beautiful. 19:37.551 --> 19:41.263 The effects are strong, so please have only one at a time. 19:41.346 --> 19:43.015 Too much will circulate your blood 19:43.098 --> 19:44.808 and give you a nosebleed. 19:44.892 --> 19:48.187 Maybe I'll request some for the Emperor one day. 19:48.270 --> 19:49.771 I have to keep it spicy. 19:49.855 --> 19:53.483 It should be three times more powerful than regular tonics... 19:54.234 --> 19:55.777 Three times? 19:55.861 --> 19:57.946 You mean, he'd last three times as long? 19:58.030 --> 19:59.990 I'll pretend I didn't hear. 20:00.574 --> 20:02.492 Also, please only use this 20:02.576 --> 20:05.495 when you're alone with your love interest. 20:05.579 --> 20:06.538 I see. 20:07.623 --> 20:10.792 All right. I'll be taking my leave now. 20:14.004 --> 20:16.548 She can make medicine, huh? 20:17.382 --> 20:18.759 She's very reliable. 20:23.555 --> 20:24.723 I'm finally finished... 20:30.729 --> 20:32.481 You worked hard. 20:40.572 --> 20:41.823 Thank you. 20:47.663 --> 20:48.705 I see. 20:49.665 --> 20:51.667 I hope there won't be any victims... 22:35.979 --> 22:39.149 PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE 22:46.364 --> 22:48.617 Next episode, "The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit." 22:48.700 --> 22:50.911 Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi