WEBVTT 00:04.560 --> 00:08.360 The Apothecary Diaries 00:08.360 --> 00:15.410 The Apothecary Diaries 01:30.060 --> 01:33.530 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. 01:39.240 --> 01:43.160 Episode 8: Wheat Stalks 01:48.230 --> 01:50.140 Oh, right, I'm home. 01:56.210 --> 01:57.800 So sticky... 01:58.770 --> 02:00.090 Dad... 02:01.270 --> 02:02.810 Must be out in the field. 02:09.890 --> 02:14.820 I wish he'd stop working the field at his age, 02:15.480 --> 02:20.710 but he just really enjoys making medicine out of the herbs he grows. 02:25.170 --> 02:26.040 Don't break it. 02:28.920 --> 02:31.540 I don't know you. Are you a servant at a different brothel? 02:32.130 --> 02:33.040 My dad's— 02:32.420 --> 02:33.040 Come with me! 02:33.040 --> 02:33.740 Hey! 02:41.260 --> 02:44.350 Big Sis! I brought the apothecary! 02:44.350 --> 02:45.010 Hurry! 02:45.280 --> 02:46.220 This smell... 02:51.540 --> 02:54.730 Apothecary! I made them throw up already, but... 02:57.900 --> 02:58.570 Right! 03:00.770 --> 03:02.030 The man isn't breathing! 03:02.640 --> 03:04.490 The woman's breathing is too weak. 03:04.490 --> 03:07.000 We'll check if there's any vomit left in their throats. 03:07.000 --> 03:07.750 You check her. 03:07.750 --> 03:09.250 Y-Yes! 03:10.800 --> 03:13.580 No pulse. Nothing clogging the throat. 03:20.260 --> 03:21.700 Just saliva. 03:34.160 --> 03:35.150 Bring water! 03:35.500 --> 03:38.570 No water! Bring charcoal. Charcoal! 03:38.570 --> 03:39.960 Y-Yes! 03:49.680 --> 03:52.620 Great way to start the morning. 03:53.250 --> 03:55.890 Wow, I need a bath... 03:55.890 --> 03:59.550 Thank you, apothecary. They're both stable now. 03:59.840 --> 04:01.850 Wait, leave that alone. 04:01.850 --> 04:03.010 Even what they threw up on? 04:03.370 --> 04:05.430 There could still be poison in it. 04:05.430 --> 04:06.520 Poison... 04:08.290 --> 04:10.220 I'll go make some tea. 04:16.960 --> 04:20.560 The two who collapsed here were a courtesan and her customer. 04:20.560 --> 04:23.930 The room was filled with the scent of alcohol and tobacco. 04:25.250 --> 04:27.280 Two bottles. 04:27.890 --> 04:29.790 Broken glass cups. 04:30.950 --> 04:33.250 This is... a wheat stalk? 04:34.180 --> 04:36.710 A pipe and some tobacco leaves. 04:37.410 --> 04:40.340 They really went out of their way to cause trouble. 04:40.960 --> 04:42.970 I've got the charcoal... 04:42.970 --> 04:45.610 Good. Also, get me a text plate and something to write with. 04:45.610 --> 04:46.470 Huh? 04:48.640 --> 04:52.760 My dad should be out in the fields, near the southern wall. 04:52.760 --> 04:54.060 Bring him over here later. 04:54.410 --> 04:55.960 Got it. 05:06.930 --> 05:08.720 You're late, Dad. 05:08.720 --> 05:11.700 This girl was worried about my leg. 05:12.030 --> 05:13.660 I crushed the charcoal. 05:14.160 --> 05:18.040 Yes, let's mix it with the herbs and give it to them immediately. 05:18.960 --> 05:20.090 Can you drink this? 05:22.130 --> 05:23.170 What about him...? 05:23.170 --> 05:25.940 He's safe. He had the medicine, too. 05:27.170 --> 05:29.640 Your treatment's not bad. 05:29.640 --> 05:31.350 "Not bad," huh? 05:33.010 --> 05:38.620 Dad's able to deduce two or three things from a single piece of information. 05:40.390 --> 05:42.400 What kind of poison do you think this was? 05:42.730 --> 05:43.640 Here goes! 05:50.710 --> 05:54.450 Dad sometimes tries to make me learn stuff this way. 05:55.760 --> 05:57.880 Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. 05:57.880 --> 06:00.460 That would be what they'd use in a double suicide. 06:00.760 --> 06:03.210 You didn't have them drink water, right? 06:03.660 --> 06:05.400 Water would make things worse, right? 06:05.400 --> 06:09.500 Correct. Gastric juices can prevent the intake of poison in some cases, 06:09.500 --> 06:11.470 so diluting it might make things worse. 06:12.000 --> 06:16.270 However, what if this poison was already soaked in water? 06:18.430 --> 06:20.980 There are no leaves in the vomit. 06:20.980 --> 06:24.190 I missed that. Maybe I'm still half asleep. 06:24.190 --> 06:28.100 If the poison was soaked in water, sometimes diluting it with more water is good. 06:28.740 --> 06:30.280 Got it. Lesson learned. 06:32.950 --> 06:34.490 Sorry for the trouble. 06:34.490 --> 06:39.100 Serving us snacks reserved for customers? That's quite generous of her. 06:41.840 --> 06:46.390 I see, it prevents lipstick from getting on the cup. 06:48.280 --> 06:52.500 You really saved us. This is just a small token of our gratitude. 06:53.050 --> 06:54.350 Oh no, that's too much— 06:54.350 --> 06:57.870 Dad, can you afford rent this month? 06:57.870 --> 06:58.970 Ah, in that case... 06:58.970 --> 07:01.020 Jeez, you old man... 07:05.350 --> 07:09.530 Must have been a double suicide. Not exactly rare in the pleasure district. 07:09.970 --> 07:11.760 A man who can't afford to buy out a courtesan, 07:11.760 --> 07:13.770 and a courtesan with time left on her term. 07:13.770 --> 07:15.990 People like that often reach this same conclusion. 07:16.520 --> 07:20.500 Still, that man was very well-dressed. 07:20.500 --> 07:22.270 He had a handsome face, too. 07:22.270 --> 07:25.000 Didn't seem like someone who'd be short on money or women. 07:25.310 --> 07:28.090 Dad wouldn't approve of me judging through stereotypes, but... 07:30.500 --> 07:32.160 He didn't seem like someone 07:32.160 --> 07:35.220 who'd drink poison with a courtesan out of despair for their future. 07:39.860 --> 07:41.310 I'm going to go check on them. 07:42.230 --> 07:45.260 The man seemed to be in worse condition... 07:52.950 --> 07:53.860 What are you doing?! 07:58.910 --> 08:02.330 Don't stop me! This guy deserves to die! 08:19.080 --> 08:21.720 Wh-What are you doing?! 08:25.240 --> 08:29.150 Apothecary, may I speak with you? 08:34.380 --> 08:37.490 That man was always a problem customer. 08:38.130 --> 08:41.980 He'd sweet-talk a courtesan and insinuate that he would buy her out. 08:41.980 --> 08:44.000 When he got tired of her, he'd just dump her. 08:44.480 --> 08:48.500 He was widely hated. Some woman tried to stab him, even. 08:49.270 --> 08:51.800 He'd been poisoned in the past, too. 08:51.800 --> 08:55.320 But his rich merchant father pampers him. 08:55.320 --> 08:57.800 He settles everything with money. 08:59.090 --> 09:04.170 Recently, he asked his father to hire guards for him to travel to the brothels with. 09:04.570 --> 09:07.230 This girl's older sister got dumped by him, too. 09:08.680 --> 09:12.250 She was so happy she could live with him, 09:12.250 --> 09:15.240 but on the day of the buy-out, he suddenly canceled on her. 09:19.840 --> 09:22.790 That's why, I think, she couldn't forgive him. 09:22.790 --> 09:26.500 The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her, as well. 09:26.500 --> 09:28.540 So, you want me to pretend I didn't see anything? 09:28.540 --> 09:31.580 If he's such a problem, why not just ban him? 09:31.580 --> 09:34.310 It's the courtesan who fell for him. 09:35.080 --> 09:37.530 In that case, I suppose word of a double suicide 09:37.530 --> 09:40.680 would make matters worse for the brothel. 09:41.040 --> 09:42.940 So, they served us the good snacks 09:42.940 --> 09:47.160 because we prevented a rich merchant's son from dying on the premises. 09:47.160 --> 09:48.480 And... 09:50.570 --> 09:54.740 That must have felt unfair to her. 09:57.600 --> 09:58.660 I understand. 10:01.410 --> 10:04.600 I just happened to be home today, 10:04.600 --> 10:09.990 but if the girl shops with us often, perhaps she knew when my dad is usually away. 10:11.970 --> 10:14.330 Normally you'd call for a doctor at a time like that, 10:14.330 --> 10:17.260 but she went out of her way to find a missing apothecary. 10:18.130 --> 10:21.400 That servant girl is scarier than she looks. 10:24.130 --> 10:28.240 It's too bad your homecoming turned out this way. 10:28.240 --> 10:30.100 Dad, show me that money from earlier. 10:30.100 --> 10:31.000 Hmm? 10:31.440 --> 10:33.960 Yep, all there. 10:33.960 --> 10:36.970 As expected, including hush money. 10:36.970 --> 10:38.950 Something bothers me, though. 10:39.760 --> 10:43.060 Judging from the stories, the man is pretty clever. 10:43.660 --> 10:47.950 Would someone like him join a double suicide over romance? 10:48.680 --> 10:55.130 Was it a forced suicide? No, a man who'd been poisoned before wouldn't easily— 10:55.710 --> 10:59.430 Maomao, you shouldn't speak based on conjecture. 11:00.390 --> 11:03.350 Dad, you already figured out what really happened, right? 11:07.200 --> 11:13.130 Let's try to recall what was at the scene and what I might have missed. 11:13.130 --> 11:14.750 Tobacco leaves are deadly poisons. 11:14.750 --> 11:16.840 This would be what they would use in a double suicide. 11:16.840 --> 11:20.590 However, what if this poison was already mixed in water? 11:20.590 --> 11:22.960 It's the courtesan who fell for him. 11:22.960 --> 11:25.150 This guy deserves to die! 11:25.150 --> 11:28.700 The courtesan who drank the poison today was close to her as well. 11:28.700 --> 11:33.080 I see, it prevents the lipstick from getting on the cup. 11:38.850 --> 11:41.020 This wasn't a double suicide. 11:41.630 --> 11:43.000 It was murder. 11:49.470 --> 11:55.800 Poisoned water, wheat stalks, two separate drinks with different colors... 11:59.810 --> 12:02.070 It's already over. 12:03.460 --> 12:04.950 I know. 12:08.500 --> 12:10.890 Murder, not a double suicide. 12:10.890 --> 12:13.960 And it's the courtesan who tried to kill the man, 12:14.500 --> 12:18.460 using drinks laced with tobacco poison. 12:18.880 --> 12:22.810 But the man was cautious enough to have guards around. 12:22.810 --> 12:25.080 How did she get him to drink the poison? 12:26.000 --> 12:29.890 Simple. She took a sip as well. 12:29.890 --> 12:33.600 If the courtesan was safe, the man would drink, too. 12:33.600 --> 12:38.150 But if she drank the poison, she'd be in danger herself. 12:38.630 --> 12:40.800 That's why she used a trick. 12:40.800 --> 12:43.650 Two drinks, one cup. 12:44.120 --> 12:48.680 Different drinks have varying thicknesses and weights. 12:49.080 --> 12:53.370 By pouring a lighter drink slowly over a heavy drink, 12:53.370 --> 12:55.790 you can create a pretty-looking, layered drink. 12:55.790 --> 12:58.790 She used that as a small parlor trick to impress her guest. 12:59.630 --> 13:04.880 Then, she used the wheat stalk to drink just the lower layer, without raising suspicion. 13:19.520 --> 13:22.030 Afterwards, she drank from the upper layer as well. 13:22.280 --> 13:24.780 Just a little bit, so it wouldn't kill her. 13:25.430 --> 13:28.140 She didn't want to end up dead herself. 13:32.700 --> 13:37.400 She did the act in the morning to increase the odds that he would die, 13:37.400 --> 13:39.630 and she would survive. 13:39.630 --> 13:43.610 And conveniently, someone came to witness it. 13:44.800 --> 13:48.760 She appeared fragile, but she's actually quite clever. 14:14.450 --> 14:18.400 What are you doing, Big Sis?! You should stay in bed! 14:18.400 --> 14:21.210 The servant girl did behave a bit strangely. 14:21.540 --> 14:23.820 In order to make sure the man didn't survive, 14:23.820 --> 14:26.720 she went to an apothecary, not a doctor. 14:26.720 --> 14:28.840 She even took her time bringing my dad over. 14:29.520 --> 14:32.870 Wasn't she worried that her "Big Sis" would die? 14:33.360 --> 14:39.060 Wasn't she worried that someone close to her would die again, like her real sister? 14:39.420 --> 14:43.630 It's almost as if she knew the courtesan would survive. 14:43.630 --> 14:45.820 Or am I over-thinking this? 14:46.530 --> 14:49.820 In addition, the other courtesan was sympathetic to the servant girl. 14:50.290 --> 14:52.880 Plus, the very generous madam... 14:52.880 --> 14:56.580 Once I start doubting, there's no stopping. 14:57.120 --> 14:59.030 Could they all have been... 15:03.120 --> 15:06.580 I shouldn't speak based on conjecture. 15:08.920 --> 15:11.590 I really missed this pleasure district, 15:11.590 --> 15:13.980 but in essence, it's no different from the rear palace. 15:14.520 --> 15:17.350 It's both a garden and a cage. 15:18.120 --> 15:22.090 The stale, trapped air poisons everyone. 15:22.820 --> 15:26.360 The courtesans also eat the poison around them 15:26.360 --> 15:28.900 to become a sweet poison themselves. 15:32.850 --> 15:35.910 I don't know what'll happen to that courtesan. 15:35.910 --> 15:40.190 Maybe the annoying customer will assert that she tried to poison him. 15:40.190 --> 15:44.880 Maybe the brothel will accuse him of ruining their merchandise instead. 15:47.010 --> 15:48.890 Well, whatever. 15:48.890 --> 15:53.180 You can't live life in this neighborhood worrying about every little thing. 15:54.760 --> 15:55.680 Maomao. 15:57.650 --> 15:59.390 Meimei. 16:01.890 --> 16:03.950 You're going back to the rear palace already? 16:03.950 --> 16:06.440 I have a year left on my term. 16:06.440 --> 16:09.070 I also have work to do that I can't force on others. 16:09.070 --> 16:12.240 That's too bad. You just got back. 16:13.080 --> 16:17.360 Everyone was worried when you suddenly went missing. 16:17.360 --> 16:19.530 Pairin, Joka, and even the old lady. 16:19.530 --> 16:21.660 Really? She never said... 16:23.160 --> 16:26.920 She acted like usual, right? It's because you came back. 16:27.590 --> 16:28.820 I see. 16:31.710 --> 16:35.080 Oh no, did I make you all sentimental? There, there! 16:35.080 --> 16:36.970 Come on, Meimei! 16:41.380 --> 16:44.460 Maomao, did you visit the annex? 16:46.760 --> 16:47.880 I'll go later. 16:59.080 --> 17:01.150 Take care of yourself. 17:01.150 --> 17:02.230 You, too. 17:02.950 --> 17:04.120 I'm off. 17:05.670 --> 17:10.040 My three-day homecoming was over before I knew it. 17:13.460 --> 17:16.100 I'm so sad to see you go so soon! 17:16.600 --> 17:18.390 Right, Master Lihaku? 17:18.390 --> 17:21.450 Yes! I'm so sad, too! 17:21.450 --> 17:23.560 Looks like he had a good dream. 17:23.840 --> 17:27.730 Once you have a taste of the heavenly dews, there's no turning back to reality. 17:28.310 --> 17:31.820 I'm sure they'll squeeze him dry, gently but thoroughly. 17:32.880 --> 17:36.820 That said, I'm the one that has to cover for the amount that I couldn't pay up front. 17:37.920 --> 17:40.810 Let me know when you're coming home next. 17:41.300 --> 17:44.580 And thus, my next buyer has been determined. 17:50.260 --> 17:53.530 What's with the intense stare? 17:53.530 --> 17:54.940 I'd better make my escape. 17:55.380 --> 17:57.640 I'll go get changed. 17:57.640 --> 17:58.510 Tell us... 17:58.510 --> 17:59.130 Everything... 17:59.130 --> 18:00.500 Later! 18:04.870 --> 18:07.370 I'll be waiting for you in the parlor. 18:20.400 --> 18:21.870 Excuse me. 18:25.830 --> 18:28.740 For some reason, he seems really upset. 18:29.990 --> 18:31.640 Am I over-thinking it? 18:32.250 --> 18:33.660 I hope I'm over-thinking it. 18:33.660 --> 18:34.500 Let's go with that. 18:36.120 --> 18:38.950 Why are we alone, anyway? 18:39.480 --> 18:42.170 So, you went home, huh? 18:42.170 --> 18:43.030 Yes. 18:43.920 --> 18:45.320 How was it? 18:45.320 --> 18:47.770 Everyone's doing well, so I was glad for that. 18:49.190 --> 18:50.450 I see. 18:50.450 --> 18:51.260 Yes. 18:52.920 --> 18:56.030 What is this Lihaku fellow like? 18:56.920 --> 18:58.780 He was my guarantor. 18:59.360 --> 19:01.930 How does he know that name? 19:03.400 --> 19:07.000 Do you even know what that means? 19:07.000 --> 19:12.250 Yes. Only a higher-ranking official with a good record can serve as a guarantor. 19:17.490 --> 19:19.470 Did he give you a hairpin? 19:19.470 --> 19:23.190 He was passing out several, so I took one as a consolation prize. 19:23.750 --> 19:27.020 So, I lost to a consolation prize, huh? 19:29.680 --> 19:33.860 I thought I gave you one too, but I never heard from you. 19:34.880 --> 19:35.880 Huh? 19:36.360 --> 19:41.860 In other words, he's just unhappy because I didn't rely on him instead? 19:42.240 --> 19:48.120 Weird. It's obviously way better to not get involved in any trouble. 19:48.560 --> 19:52.870 Is he so bored that he wants attention, even if it'll cause problems? 19:53.430 --> 19:59.380 I'm sorry. I couldn't think of a repayment that you'd enjoy. 20:02.080 --> 20:03.430 What repayment? 20:04.150 --> 20:07.710 Did you give something to this Lihaku guy? 20:07.710 --> 20:11.400 Yes, I granted him a night of blissful dreams. 20:13.160 --> 20:14.270 A night... 20:15.190 --> 20:17.850 He seemed very happy. 20:17.850 --> 20:20.530 I worked hard, so I'm pleased with myself. 20:24.580 --> 20:26.730 What are you doing? 20:26.730 --> 20:28.910 Let's wipe you off before it stains. 20:28.910 --> 20:30.910 Excuse me. 20:30.910 --> 20:33.670 You should get this washed right away. 20:36.560 --> 20:40.330 I'll clean up the cup right away, too. Don't touch it. 20:43.170 --> 20:44.280 Excuse me. 20:44.280 --> 20:45.430 Whoosh. 20:52.320 --> 20:53.270 Ow! 21:06.000 --> 21:09.820 Not just some superficial sweetness 21:12.210 --> 21:17.140 I want more warmth than I can even use, oh 21:18.420 --> 21:23.470 Having these selfish idealistic thoughts 21:23.470 --> 21:28.040 I swallowed them again today before putting them into words 21:28.610 --> 21:33.210 Still in my memories, the scent of fragrant olive 21:33.210 --> 21:36.330 The color of twilight in the city 21:36.330 --> 21:41.150 We were laughing... 21:41.150 --> 21:53.060 Filled with sadness, the tears welled up in my eyes 21:53.590 --> 22:01.280 I found a glow during those days 22:01.280 --> 22:05.340 I guess I took everything for granted 22:05.960 --> 22:18.380 The wind was so loud I covered my ears 22:18.380 --> 22:25.920 I gotta stop being like that 22:25.920 --> 22:34.120 Even if I stumble over the words of love 22:34.950 --> 22:49.970 Next Time 22:46.130 --> 22:49.300 Next time: "Suicide or Murder?" 22:46.170 --> 22:49.970 Episode 9: Suicide or Murder?