Original subtitles

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.

I never intended for you to meet my mother.

I had to pretend you were the new apothecary to get out of that situation.

Father says Mother wasn't like this in the past,

but who knows?

She's been the way she is from the day I was born.

Bullying my sister, bullying the young ladies-in-waiting,

corrupting other women related to her...

Father never said anything. He can't.

He can't push back.

He just waits, forever, for her to forgive him.

Devouring her husband after giving birth to a child...

She's like an insect.

No, insects are far better.

They only do that to allow their children to live.

I don't want to be like my mother.

Shisui refused to become a mother, enough to willingly take abortion medicine.

Shisui only has one mother. But she doesn't want to be like Shenmei.

That's her prime motivation...

I did some research into you, Maomao.

Your father's a high-ranking official, and you were raised by a former doctor.

You're similar to my sister.

I have no father or mother. Just a dad.

Yes, that's similar to what my sister said.

Yes, you're right.

My sister probably isn't really my sister, either.

My father is a scheming tanuki, after all.

He must have been plotting something by having my sister,

who has imperial blood in her, under his control.

Therefore, my sister has nothing to do with the Shi clan.

Lies.

When she makes this face, they look really similar.

Shisui really loves her sister, Suirei.

That's why, even after all that's happened,

she claims they're unrelated, to protect her.

But that logic won't work at all.

Suirei is far too involved in all of the incidents that have happened so far.

Hey, Maomao...

If these kids were insects,

they'd have survived the winter, don't you think?

If they were insects...?

Insects never survive the winter. They only leave behind their children.

I see it now.

That's why she brought me here.

Shisui's not...

Shisui won't be coming back anymore.

Shisui...

You should just run.

Just throw it all away, and escape with Suirei.

Politics, your parents, the clan, just throw it all away.

I don't care about other people, either. I'm the most important person to me.

Do you realize how much I went through after being dragged here?

But, still...

Why can't I stop myself from reaching out to her?

Don't stop me!

I have my own duties.

What difference will it make?

I have my own pride.

Just throw that away.

Hey, Maomao...

If there was an unknown poison in front of you,

and you were told you had just one chance to drink it,

what would you do?

Swallow it in one gulp.

Right?

She's going...

But...

I don't know what to tell her!

Shisui!

At least let me wish you good luck.

Good luck?

That's not like you.

Yes, it's rare. Really...

Give this back to me some day. It was a gift.

That's unreasonable. I might sell it off.

If you do, that's fine.

In my collar? Not my hair?

You'll be too flamboyant if you put any more in your hair.

You have soot on your face and hair.

You're right, I look like a tanuki.

Thank you, Maomao.

Please take care of the rest.

"Take care of the rest." Right.

We go back in time, briefly.

Episode 46: Royal Guard

Time is of the essence!

If you were just a little later, I would have dragged you out physically!

Father, theoretically, if you were to treat an imperial family member that way,

would you be the only one punished for it?

Lahan.

Yes, what is it?

Did you realize that Jinshi and I were the same person?

Yes. Height, weight, chest, waist...

It's quite rare for two people to have the exact same measurements.

You are extremely beautiful. Unfortunate that you weren't born a woman.

Now, explain to us the plan to take that stronghold.

This area is known for its rich forestry resources,

and has been under the Shi clan's control for many generations.

According to our investigation, a supply of metal has been flowing to Shishou.

Additionally, the hot springs nearby provide ample sulfur.

There are caves too, which provide saltpeter.

Sulfur and saltpeter... They can make gunpowder from that.

We can expect Shishou to have gunpowder weapons ready for war.

Feifas?

Those aren't well-suited for defensive fighting.

To take out a group of enemies from atop a wall...

Cannons.

We can expect some heavy casualties trying to approach the stronghold.

That's troubling.

In theory, however,

it's possible to neutralize them without letting them use the cannons.

Or so our math-head thinks.

What do you propose?

First, we take out their gunpowder reserves, to prevent them from using their cannons.

It is a somewhat eccentric method, but...

I see.

This is a very economical method.

But...

There is one problem.

What issue is there?

The royal guard, launching a surprise attack?

The royal guard.

The emperor's finest soldiers.

We must fight with dignity, as befits that status.

I agree with the Grand Commandant.

I want to minimize the damage.

Understood.

Right. Lahan.

Yes.

You will need to approach that girl differently from now on.

I know.

Master Lakan, the scouts are reporting in.

The snow will stop by nightfall.

We should be able to launch our strike then.

Get the fire lancers in position.

Yes, sir!

Just wait, Maomao. Papa's coming to save you!

I can't sleep.

There's still some time before the royal guard attacks, yet...

She indulges in her hedonism within my earshot, on purpose.

She gathers virtuous wives and child-raising mothers on purpose,

to watch them fall into depravity with male prostitutes.

She wasn't always like this.

The royal guard hasn't made its move yet.

What was that shock, then?

The gunpowder workshop in the basement?!

I have to do something!

I know this, yet I do nothing. How pathetic.

I haven't slept well at all for two decades, now.

That was when all of my pain started.

I must ask you to do something for me.

I want you to take my daughter as your wife.

I had her exiled as the daughter born as a result of

adultery between Taihou and the doctor.

I made her live such a hard life.

Even though she deserved to be raised as a princess in the palace,

free from all worries.

I had no intention of taking a wife,

but I couldn't decline a request from the rapidly weakening emperor.

Shishou, you are my most loyal supporter.

If you accept this, I will grant you any wish.

I had a fiancée who'd entered the rear palace.

If you would truly grant any wish...

I accepted the late emperor's daughter as my wife, and Suirei was born.

Then, my fiancée Shenmei returned from the rear palace,

and this is how that turned out.

What was that noise from earlier?

I'm going to find out right now.

What is this, Loulan?! You're absolutely filthy!

I won't take that from you, Mother.

Nor from any of you, who have descended into decadence,

leaving your children behind.

Loulan?!

Is this... really my daughter?

I thought she was just a doll, always obedient to Shenmei

and dressing as Shenmei ordered her to.

I'm sorry, Dear Sister. I'm late.

It's like she's done this dozens of times before.

I knew Shenmei resented Suirei.

But was this level of abuse commonplace?

While I was serving at the palace...

What a pathetic father I am.

Father.

As a final act, take responsibility for once in your life.

Loulan...

You're the tanuki master of a village of foxes.

Let's pull off one last trick.

What is this?!

An avalanche?!

The armory...

We can't fight without it!

No gunpowder, either. I burned it all.

Loulan, you—

You knew we had no chance to win.

Father.

I will see Mother off.

Take responsibility...

She's right.

It's my responsibility.

The armory's buried under the snow!

Get more men over here!

There's no time before the royal guard arrives!

We're under attack!

The royal guard?! When?!

Fend them off!

The enemy is in disarray! Strike them now!

Don't kill those who have no will to fight. Capture them!

There's fewer soldiers than I expected.

Most of the soldiers who were supposed to defend the front

returned to the building to fight the fire.

We push on.

Yes, sir!

Who'd have thought this tactic would go so well...

Also, who'd have thought Shishou, known for his wiles in the palace,

would make the mistake of holing up in a place like this.

Moreover...

The little lady's boss, the eunuch with the beauty of a heavenly goddess,

showing up as the leader of the royal guard...

Everyone was shocked to the core.

Some may think this is not the strategy befitting the royal guard,

a proud force led by an imperial family member.

However, this is the best strategy to minimize our casualties.

That is my decision. I will accept any criticism that it is a sneak attack!

Really, what goes on in their heads?

Those who come up with plans like these, and those who accept them.

Hey, you! What's it like in there?

I have to put out the fire, or else the lady will...

Please, wait!

You wish to speak?

Yes.

I'll allow it.

Thank you.

This smoke means we shouldn't linger here.

Everyone inside will come out before long.

I know.

But there may be some inside who are trapped.

We'll go search in your stead, then.

I can't stay out of this.

It would be great if your precious self could stay somewhere safe...

Grand Commandant Kan's daughter is being held here.

Here?!

Yes.

If you let her die... You'll make a new political enemy.

Yes, indeed.

I'll just do my job, then.

Is that...?

No way. There's no way he would be here.

The royal guard will arrive any moment now.

I might get mistaken as a member of the Shi clan if I stay here.

But...

Please take care of the rest.

I should have run.

What an idiot I am. I'm in no position to criticize Shisui.

I hope whoever busts in here is reasonable!

Sorry to trouble you, but could you protect me, Master Jinshi?

Are you hurt? That blood...

It's fine. It's not mine.

That's not fine!

It's just snake blood.

Snake?

I missed this atmosphere.

Hey, is that...

Crown Prince!

I am no longer crown prince. Lady Gyokuyou gave birth to a prince.

Crown Prince...

So that's who Master Jinshi really was.

The emperor's younger brother is 19 years old.

I thought Master Jinshi was supposed to be 25, but...

Master Jinshi, you're younger than you look.

Lihaku! Are you here?!

Yes, sir!

I'll leave this to you.

I have a question for you.

You resemble a girl who works in the palace, called Maomao.

That's me.

What are you doing here?

I was kidnapped.

Wait, so is your father...

Please don't say his name. Just "that old guy" is fine.

Right.

Well, sorry about that!

If you say so, then that must be it.

You're quite a mess. Look at all that blood.

It's snake blood.

Don't get hurt or anything, okay?

That old guy got all worked up and threw out his back. He can't move.

Were the avalanche and the surprise attack timed with it his plan, too?

Yeah.

Hmm?

Is someone asleep here?

Children. But they're not breathing.

I think they drank poison.

I see. Even if they did survive, they'd all be executed.

Women, children, it doesn't matter.

I don't like it.

Are the remains of the executed left to rot?

No, they're cremated and then buried.

Could they at least be allowed to rest with their mothers?

That's not my job.

It's like they're asleep.

Hey! I need a hand here!

Yes, sir!

Master Lihaku?

We can't just leave them here, right?

I can't give them a proper funeral, but I could bury them nearby, secretly.

Wouldn't you be punished for that?

Dunno. If something happens, help bail me out, okay?

Me, help you? How...

Oh, I know! Just go up to that old guy and call him "Papa" or something.

He'll let you—

Sorry, never mind.

What was that whistle for?

To signal that I fulfilled an order.

Let's go.

Getting you out safely

is my job.

I'll do what Shisui entrusted me with.

That's all.

Next Time

Next time: "The Shi Clan."

Episode 47: The Shi Clan