Original subtitles

The Apothecary Diaries

Maomao

Concubine Gyokuyou, what do you mean by "Maomao is missing"?

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.

Sounds like we can rule out the possibility of you borrowing her without asking.

Episode 41: The Fox Village

I would never do that.

Did she get herself involved in some trouble again?

Lady Hongniang, how long has it been since anyone saw Maomao?

She was here around midday yesterday.

She said she was preparing mugwort at the doctor's office

for Lady Gyokuyou's moxibustion.

Apparently, they discussed making notices to put up in the rear palace.

She supposedly went to the school after that.

We searched everywhere that she might go,

but we couldn't find her.

She does tend to get carried away sometimes,

but she knows she'd be punished for leaving her post

while serving as Concubine Gyokuyou's lady-in-waiting.

Is there a reason why she can't come back?

Or did she get caught up in something?

Did she incur someone's wrath?

It sounds like there were multiple instances for that.

Not even Maomao could fight back if a whole group came after her, right?

No, but I doubt she'd let herself go down easily without taking someone with her.

If she remains missing without cause, I'll be forced to punish her.

But before that, we must find her.

Excuse me.

Oh, Master Jinshi. Let me make some tea—

No, don't.

I have questions for you.

This is about Maomao, isn't it?

Yes. Tell me about what happened before she went missing.

Yes.

That is all.

She prepared mugwort at the doctor's office, then went to the school.

I heard that already at the Jade Pavilion.

By the way, where's Maomao the cat?

Speaking of Maomao, she seemed to be quite stuck on the little lady before she left.

In what way?

Oh yes, it was right around when you were off to the washroom.

She was very persistent, and not just in a playful way.

I think it was right after the little lady said she had something to heal fatigue.

What is it, Luomen?

Was it this one she took?

Hmm, I don't remember.

But I do think we had more of that before.

My apologies, but may I go and search?

Do you know where she is?!

No, I'm afraid I mean the cat. I may also be able to find my daughter, though.

What use is there in searching for the cat?

Who knows?

It's still fresh and has a strong scent. Good medicine.

Maomao, where are you, meow? Meow?

I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

Cats don't travel very far, usually.

Master Jinshi! I found her!

Where?

In the bushes on the north side!

She's asleep... or more like, drunk?

These berries...

They're the same as the ones I brought along. And over here, as well...

Paper?

There's nothing written on it.

Probably something Maomao left behind.

But who knows what she meant if it's blank.

Perhaps we can find out if we go back to the doctor's office.

He doesn't speak until he knows for sure.

I guess Maomao learned her ways from her adoptive father.

It seems blank, but...

There's a little trick she enjoyed when she was young.

Is that text?!

Writing on paper using juices, teas, or other fluids

makes that part burn faster when putting it over a fire like this.

It seems she used alcohol this time.

Oh, right! She took a few bottles of alcohol with her, now that I think about it.

You could have told us earlier...

Why was Maomao the cat sleeping there?

This is silvervine.

A tea made with this is effective in warming the body and reducing fatigue.

Cats love it, and it puts them in a drunk-like state.

She probably used it thinking the cat could function as a hint.

The probability wasn't high, but she must have trusted that Luomen would notice.

Is this character "shrine"?

The other one... I can't read it.

Are there shrines in that area?

The rear palace's north side

has old buildings from before the capital was moved here.

I'll order a search.

The other character is...

What could it be?

It's like she rushed through that one.

Was she in danger?

Who knows?

Aren't you worried?

I am worried.

But I can only do what I can do.

Being overly concerned and unable to perform my other duties would do no good.

Besides, there was a point in time where she went missing for over a year.

Back when Maomao was just abducted, she couldn't contact her family.

She just worked diligently as a servant girl.

These two really are alike.

I, too, must do what I can.

Excuse me.

Master Jinshi.

I must behave like a noble.

What can I do?

Right now, I must track down Maomao as Jinshi the Eunuch.

This handwriting is a mess.

More like she was in a hurry, or not in a situation where she could write calmly.

It almost looks like "wing," but...

But the bottom half isn't as complex.

Maomao's handwriting is a bit unique, so...

Could you all take a look, too?

Is it "next" like "next day"?

It's similar, but feels different.

Yes, it's a bit more complex.

I agree. What do you think, Seki-u?

Isn't this "Sui"? See this part? It looks warped, but it could be straight.

Right. Sui is used in the word for "Jade" as in "Jade Pavilion," right?

I wonder why she wrote that?

"Shisui"?

What's that?

Oh, um, it's the name of a servant girl who hangs out with Maomao a lot.

Her name is Shisui.

A name... There was another person with "Sui" in their name.

There's also another girl named Xiaolan. They hung out together a lot.

Yes, I've met her a few times.

But the other one I've never even heard of—

Find the servant girl named Shisui!

Yes, sir!

Master Jinshi.

Going with the flow.

I wonder where we're going.

Who knows?

Obey me, if you want to save this girl.

I had no choice but to obey Suirei.

If I'd resisted, it would have been risky for both Shisui and I.

I wasn't won over by the offer of the resurrection potion.

Hmm? What?

But who knew the rear palace had that secret passage...

Don't even think about calling for help.

This is close to the place I first met Shisui.

Shenlü, keep an eye on them.

Yes.

Good. Let's go.

I hope Dad notices...

I have a carriage waiting on the other side.

From here, you'll pretend to be villagers who were sold off.

You'll get changed there, and we'll head to the port.

They found the alcohol when I got changed.

The only thing I was allowed to keep was the hair stick Master Jinshi gave me.

Should I try to plot an escape with Shisui?

No...

Going to sleep?

Yes.

Me, too.

She's usually so excited, like a little girl, but...

Good night, Maomao.

Good night, Shisui.

From here, we walk for a while.

We swapped ships twice. I guess we were on a river.

These guys must be guards.

That's odd. On the ship, it felt like we were going north.

But this forest is warm and humid...

Where are we?

I wonder if there's some weird plants or anything.

What was that?

A snake. Maybe she hates snakes.

Nothing wrong with that. But what feels out of place is...

It's okay. It's gone now.

This is bad.

Breathe in, slowly. Now breathe out...

Hey, you!

Now it's clear.

What were you thinking?

Just trying to harass you.

It seemed to be more than that.

Suirei, Shisui, you two know each other.

What are you talking about?

Shisui gives the impression that she had a much higher degree of education than normal.

She also showed signs of a noble upbringing from time to time.

Bugs!

Well, she also showed several signs to the contrary too, of course.

It's not rare for a servant to be like that.

After all, the strategist's own daughter is a servant, too.

She did her research on me, as well.

Shisui, you must have been startled when the kitten

jumped out of the secret passage suddenly.

So much so that when you gave chase, you accidentally allowed yourself to be found.

You're really sharp, Maomao.

So that's why you did that, to confirm.

But please don't. My dear sister hates snakes and the like.

I told you your name was too straightforward.

Nobody else noticed.

"Suirei" and "Shisui," only one character difference.

Most of the servant girls can't read, so I guess nobody noticed.

Also, that solved another mystery.

Where Maomao the cat came from...

It was around the same time as when Shisui was spending time at the baths.

She was trying to get in touch with Suirei, who was working

as a eunuch, transporting hot water.

Do I fail as a spy?

Why did they take me out of the rear palace?

Are they trying to use me as a bargaining chip against that man?

If so, that could end really badly...

Let's go.

I guess at this point, it's useless to try to run.

There's one more thing I haven't confirmed yet.

I don't know for sure, but could Shisui be...

We're here.

A village, out here? Hmm?

A hot spring resort?

Yeah, otherwise nobody would build a village out here.

No wonder it's hot and humid out here.

Is that... a foreigner?

That hair accessory... Is that the special envoy from that Moon Spirit thing?!

No, it can't be.

Whoa!

Ouch!

Watch where you're going! Stop standing there like an idiot!

Huh?

If this was the pleasure district, I would have given this little shit a good beating...

Hey.

Ow!

You weren't paying attention either, Kyou-u.

Big Sis!

Oh, and there's Suirei, too!

What's with the new look?! It works for you!

Shut up.

So, they know each other.

I heard I'd never see you two again.

Guess that maid was lying!

A maid, huh? I guess he's from a rich family.

Oh, is it for the festival? Is that why you're back?

It's tomorrow, after all!

Yeah, I'm glad we made it right on time!

Did you get a lantern for the festival?

I just got back. I wonder if there's any good ones left?

Let's go check! This way!

This must be an inn. Quite an impressive building.

Isn't that one of the guards that the special envoys had?

Are you wondering why the special envoy is here?

You know about the special envoys?

I had a lot of work to do after my resurrection.

No rest for the dead.

This way, Big Sis!

Let's go, Maomao!

Oh, young sir, I found them.

Is this enough?

Yeah, that looks like enough.

Oh, these are good lantern plants.

I know, right?

You like those, so I worked hard to find them.

More like your maid worked hard to find them.

Yes, thank you.

But Kyou-u, you didn't gather these yourself, did you?

Right.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Good job!

Ow! That hurts, Big Sis! Quit it!

He's got a good side, after all.

I'll upgrade him from "little shit" to just "brat."

A festival, huh?

How long have we been away from the rear palace?

Master Jinshi, we've received a report.

There was an old shrine near the bushes where the paper was.

It was an entrance to an unused waterway that was used as a secret path.

So, Maomao left the rear palace.

Perhaps.

Also, one of the new eunuchs went missing the same day Xiaomao disappeared.

Finally, regarding the servant named "Shisui"...

There was no such servant on the registry.

She's not on the registry?

Correct. No such servant exists.

Master Jinshi! Concubine Gyokuyou is...

Next Time

Next time: "Lantern Plant."

Episode 42: Lantern Plant