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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.

If you're going to thin the bloodline, why don't you add this one to it?

You should hide your favorites.

Or else someone may hide them from you.

Good morning, Master Jinshi.

Are you ready for tomorrow?

Yes, everything is in place.

So, all that's left is that girl...

If you're going to have her along on this expedition,

I doubt that it would be possible to hide it from her.

I know.

I plan to tell the apothecary the truth myself during this expedition.

About what my true status is.

Maomao, you're being summoned.

Excuse me.

Lady Gyokuyou, how may I be of service?

It's actually not me who called you.

It's me.

How may I serve?

I would like for you to return this one to me for a few days.

"Return" her?

I guess, technically, I'm only back in the Jade Pavilion

as a special assignment, limited to the term of Lady Gyokuyou's pregnancy.

Oh, no. Who will taste my food during that time?

I will loan you my servant woman.

Is she trustworthy?

Of course.

For a few days, though... Are you going somewhere?

I was invited to a hunting trip by someone I can't turn down.

Someone you can't turn down?

An invitation from Master Shishou.

It must be tough to keep up with all of that.

So, that's why you want to "borrow" my Maomao.

Yes, I would like to have her "returned."

Must it be Maomao? I have other good girls around.

No, just returning that girl to me would be fine.

Hmm... Which girl is it, I wonder?

Well, that girl.

You keep saying just "that girl."

Is there a problem?

Gaoshun?

Yes?

What do you call Maomao?

I use "Xiaomao".

So, what do you call Maomao?

Oh. Come to think of it, he's never called me by name before. Not that I mind.

Why is Master Jinshi so uncomfortable?

It took thirty minutes for Lady Gyokuyou to grant permission.

Episode 35: The Hunt

The character used to write the name of our nation, "Li,"

also depicts the story of its founding.

Three swords under grass.

"Grass" is for "flower," representing the Mother Royal, ancestor of the emperor.

The three "swords" under it represent the three warriors who helped her.

Of the three swords, the one larger sword represents the Shihoku-shu, the northern lands.

That entire area grows sorghum and wheat.

If you go further north, you enter a mountainous region...

Hey, are you listening?!

Oh, I'm sorry, Master Basen.

I'm explaining the place we're going to.

The, uh, northern...

Shihoku-shu!

It's controlled by Lord Shishou's clan,

and he's the one who invited Master Jinshi on the hunting trip.

Using the hunt as an excuse to bring him to his own turf.

He couldn't get the emperor to come, but it's still supposed to be quite a roster.

Why does my father care so much about this girl?

Father, huh?

Master Basen is Master Gaoshun's son, apparently.

Master Gaoshun was invited on this trip as a guest in his own right,

so Master Basen will serve as Master Jinshi's aid instead.

Eunuchs aren't born that way,

so it's not strange for him to have a son, given his age.

We're almost here.

With its high altitude and chilly weather,

this region was the late emperor's favorite summer resort, and he visited yearly.

Members of the imperial family haven't visited during the current emperor's reign,

but Master Shishou's clan continues to manage the area.

So, this is where we're staying...

This room is strangely warm.

And that aside, what's with the way this guy's relaxing?

He might be more tired than usual, but still, there have to be limits.

Is that a face mask?

Does he need to hide his beauty whenever he leaves the room?

What should I call you while we are here?

Indoors, you can use the usual name.

Outside, call me "Kousen".

Understood, Master Kousen.

Huh?

Is this some kind of strange rule?

About that...

Master Gaoshun was invited as a guest today, right?

Yes, but...

In that case, why was he placed in the same building?

There seems to be a bit more difference in rank between these two...

We, the Ma clan, have served Master Kousen's family for many generations.

Of course we'd be placed in the same building.

I see.

So Master Jinshi is from a good family, after all.

Father, what's going on? Could it be that she...

Xiaomao knows nothing about it.

Master Jinshi will tell her soon.

Until then, stay silent about it.

But still, of all things...

What are they doing?

Anyway, I have to help unpack and clean up.

I have to do some work, otherwise Lady Suiren will get angry with me later.

It's so lively outside with all the partying.

Why is he hiding away in this sealed-off room?

Um, should we at least open the windows?

No, don't. Just taste the food for now.

You'll understand when you do.

Is this... softshell turtle?

Apparently.

The aperitif is really strong too, though they're trying to hide it with the fruit juice.

Everything, from the side dishes to the deserts...

They all seem to be, well, invigorating.

Now you see, right?

Preserved food?

You're not going to eat this? It's not poisoned.

Even if it's not, it's not anything I should eat.

Well, it would be suspicious if it went untouched,

so may I eat it instead?

Do as you like.

Is it good?

It's delicious.

The other dishes are probably great, too.

Are you sure you don't want any?

Are you sure I can eat it?

Well, it's your food, after all.

Are you absolutely sure?

What's with him?

I won't. Basen, you can eat it.

Are you sure?

Yeah. In fact, I order you to.

In that case...

It's delicious.

That's good.

But...

But?

How is this girl not affected?!

All I can say is that's just how I'm built.

E-Excuse me. I'll go to my room...

It's not easy being young and vigorous.

What should we do?

Let him sleep here. I'll sleep in his room.

I'll carry him to his room.

You must be tired.

If you say so...

The guards will use my room, so Xiaomao, please use this room.

Yes.

A bath, too? How extravagant.

The hunt starts tomorrow.

I hope it goes without incident.

Is this it? It's quite small.

It's the latest model. It has improved range and accuracy, too.

With this, we can use them in the forest, too.

This will be where they die.

The hunt takes place at a location half an hour away by horse,

and then one hour up the mountain by foot.

It seems like the point of the event is

to cook the game caught by the nobles on the spot.

There's nothing to do. Maybe I'll take a walk.

This is a pretty nice forest.

It seems like a good place for herbs and mushrooms...

Hmm?

Is there a large waterfall nearby?

Oh, good boy!

Good boy, good boy!

Hmm? Is that...

Hello.

Hello?

Hey! Little miss! What are you doing all the way out here?

I was asked to join.

Is that so?

Well, same here.

I was invited to join the guards, but they made me take care of the dog instead.

Master Lihaku got invited to join too,

but he's from the countryside.

The other prideful guards must have pushed him out.

He seems to be climbing the ranks recently,

but that does tend to be met with resistance.

You're bad at whistling.

Hush, you.

It's fine. I have this.

He's smart.

I know, right? I hear that in some cases, he can be summoned from miles away.

Huh...

The dog is petting a dog...

Summer resorts should be cool,

but the skies are too clear today, and it's very hot.

Getting comfortable isn't easy.

Even in this heat, he won't take his mask off, and won't eat the food.

Despite his suspicious mask,

given his seat, he must be the most important person at this party.

That's Master Shishou, Concubine Loulan's father.

He is the leader of the Shihoku-shu region and the organizer of this hunt.

Hmm? Did he say something to him?

Would that infinitely well-mannered eunuch show such an obvious attitude?

Wait, could it be, because of the heat...

He's telling me not to do anything?

Xiaomao.

Yes.

May I take this?

Oh, yeah, sure.

Master Ji—

Master Kousen!

It's you.

Please take this off.

I can't.

There's nobody around.

Someone might come along.

Ugh, what a bother!

If you want so badly to go unseen, let's just move somewhere we won't be found.

Excuse me. Let me wipe your face.

It's hot. I bet he's dizzy.

I need to make him drink the water I brought...

Apothecary, there's something I want to tell you.

Now?

I was going to tell you at some point.

I'm... I'm actually...

What was that?

The smell of sulfur?

A feifa?!

Sorry!

This may startle you a bit!

You call this a bit startling?!

Shall we search under the waterfall?

There's no way he'd survive this height.

More importantly, go hide the feifa.

I'm sorry if you couldn't swim.

I don't think it matters if I could swim or not in that situation...

The cliff was easily 50 meters high. Jumping that was crazy.

I thought you went mad.

This waterfall basin is very deep.

If you jump correctly, you probably won't die, unless you drown.

Oh sure, unless I drown.

What are you doing?!

I apologize for the indecent display, but I don't want to catch a cold.

I'll leave my undergarments on, I guess.

Even though it's just a set of skinny ribs, I'd like to hide what I can.

I'll wring yours out too, if you take them off.

I'll do it myself.

Give me yours, too. I'm stronger than you.

Yes.

Good, he looks healthier than earlier.

His mood seems worse, though.

These herbs are useless now.

Is there anything else?

Master Jinshi.

What?

I know it isn't much, but would you like to eat any of this?

Is this some kind of medicine?

It's butterbur, from our breakfast.

I brought it as a snack, but I think you need salt right now.

Salt?

When I was chasing after you, I brought some water with soy paste and sugar in it,

but I left it at the top of the waterfall.

Anyway, since you went out hunting with your mask on,

and refused to eat or drink, you must be in bad shape.

Aren't you getting a headache from the heat and lack of hydration?

Your fever seems to have come down, but please take some salt, just in case.

If you say so...

It's not as bad as I thought.

You eat some, too.

Thank you.

What was that back there, anyway?

A feifa.

Feifa?

It's a weapon of war that uses gunpowder.

It requires preparation after every shot.

However, they shot twice in quick succession.

So, does that mean there were multiple assailants?

Yes, at least two. Perhaps more.

Who holds a grudge against him, and why?

Master Jinshi, do you know how to exit this place?

Besides swimming, of course.

There's a hole in the ceiling, deeper in.

Does Master Gaoshun know about that?

He might not. Basen would know, but I don't know if he'll notice right away...

Can we shout from here to call for help?

They would have to be very close to hear.

Maybe if we kept yelling all day, someone might notice, but...

What?

No, nothing.

It's high, but if one of us stacked on the other, we might be able to reach.

If Lady Suiren finds out I stepped on Master Jinshi...

I would crush you if I stood on you.

But...

Do it.

You should gain some weight.

Now is not the time.

It's wet and slippery, but as long as I can get my fingers hooked...

I'm standing up.

Right!

Oh, a frog.

Hey!

It... doesn't hurt.

Excuse me, Master Jinshi—

Next Time

Next time: "Ka Zuigetsu."

Episode 35: Ka Zuigetsu