# E2 - Chilly Apothecary
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GVWU0WE92/chilly-apothecary)
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
***SIGN*** The Apothecary Diaries
***SIGN*** The Apothecary Diaries
***SIGN*** 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.
***SIGN*** Episode 2: Chilly Apothecary
**[01:41] Soldier A**
Hey!
**[01:44] Soldier A**
It's poison!
**[01:47] Soldier B**
Damn you! Who's behind this?!
**[01:51] Officer**
Wait.
**[01:53] Officer**
Tend to the soldiers first.
**[02:04] Jinshi**
Poison?
**[02:05] Gaoshun**
The food was cooked by the villagers.
**[02:08] Gaoshun**
The village leader has been put into
custody for aiding the barbarians.
**[02:12] Gaoshun**
Please advise.
**[02:14] Jinshi**
Understood. Give me a moment.
**[02:17] Gaoshun**
As you wish.
**[02:19] Gaoshun**
By the way...
**[02:20] Gaoshun**
I heard you hired a new lady-in-waiting
to serve Concubine Gyokuyou.
**[02:25] Jinshi**
Yes. Concubine Gyokuyou
has only four women serving her.
**[02:29] Jinshi**
It's too few compared to Concubine Lihua,
**[02:31] Jinshi**
who also high-ranking and has over ten.
**[02:35] Jinshi**
It hurts her dignity as
a high-ranking concubine.
**[02:38] Gaoshun**
Yes. However, Concubine Gyokuyou
is not just bright and gentle,
**[02:43] Gaoshun**
but also wise and cautious.
**[02:46] Jinshi**
She would never hire
someone of unknown origin.
**[02:50] Jinshi**
Being constantly wary of
everyone around them
**[02:55] Jinshi**
is the only way an emperor's
concubine can survive.
**[02:57] Gaoshun**
And who is this new lady-in-waiting?
**[03:01] Jinshi**
Gaoshun, I found just the right pawn.
**[03:05] Jinshi**
It's that freckled servant girl.
**[03:10] Jinshi**
Her knowledge of medicine
is too valuable to pass up.
**[03:13] Gaoshun**
I see. But if she were to abuse
that knowledge...
**[03:18] Jinshi**
I'll make sure she can't do that.
**[03:21] Jinshi**
It should be easy.
**[03:23] Jinshi**
* I suppose I should seduce*
* her a little, just in case.*
**[03:29] Xiaolan**
It's so cool that you get to serve
a high-ranking concubine.
**[03:32] Maomao**
Ugh, I really didn't want to.
**[03:40] Jinshi**
Apothecary. Are you ready to move?
**[03:43] Maomao**
Yes, I'm on my way to the Jade Pavilion soon.
**[03:46] Maomao**
Did you need something?
**[03:48] Jinshi**
No, nothing.
**[03:50] Maomao**
Huh?
**[03:52] Maomao**
*Why's he here, then? Nothing better to do?*
**[03:58] Jinshi**
Be sure to serve Concubine Gyokuyou well.
**[04:06] Maomao**
Excuse me.
**[04:09] Xiaolan**
Good luck, Maomao!
**[04:14] Maomao**
Ew, gross...
**[04:20] Hongniang**
Are you Maomao?
**[04:22] Maomao**
Oh, yes.
**[04:24] Hongniang**
I am Hongniang,
head lady-in-waiting for Lady Gyokuyou.
**[04:28] Hongniang**
For starters, I'll show you around
the Jade Pavilion. Follow me.
**[04:32] Maomao**
Yes.
**[04:37] Gyokuyou**
Welcome to the Jade Pavilion.
I've been waiting for you, Maomao.
**[04:44] Gyokuyou**
Looks like Xiaoling is happy to see you, too.
**[04:47] Gyokuyou**
We're glad to have you around.
**[04:52] Maomao**
Thank you.
**[04:55] Hongniang**
This is the parlor, where we bring guests.
**[04:59] Maomao**
So big...
**[05:00] Hongniang**
This is the kitchen. You should be able
to do some simple cooking here.
**[05:04] Maomao**
Wow.
**[05:06] Hongniang**
This is the living room.
**[05:07] Hongniang**
Here are the other ladies-in-waiting.
Let me introduce them to you.
**[05:11] Hongniang**
Everyone, gather up.
**[05:12] Ladies-in-waiting**
Yes!
**[05:14] Yinghua**
Nice to meet you, I'm Yinghua. Ask me anything!
**[05:19] Guiyuan**
I am Guiyuan. Nice to meet you.
**[05:22] Ailan**
I am Ailan. Very pleased to meet you.
**[05:27] Maomao**
I'm Maomao. Looking forward
to working with you.
**[05:31] Hongniang**
At the Jade Pavilion,
we don't hire any serving girls.
**[05:35] Hongniang**
So, we do all the work around here.
**[05:38] Yinghua**
It's the least we can do to make sure
Lady Gyokuyou lives comfortably.
**[05:43] Maomao**
Then I'll also—
**[05:44] Yinghua**
You go ahead and rest in your room.
**[05:46] Maomao**
Huh?
**[05:47] Guiyuan**
Take it easy.
**[05:49] Ailan**
You have a special task coming up.
**[05:52] Maomao**
Special task?
**[05:54] Hongniang**
Maomao, I'll show you to your room.
**[05:57] Maomao**
Um, sure.
**[06:01] Yinghua**
Did you see her left arm?
**[06:04] Yinghua**
She's hiding it with those bandages,
but there are scars under them, right?
**[06:08] Guiyuan**
She must have been abused
by her parents back home,
**[06:10] Guiyuan**
and sold off to the rear palace...
**[06:13] Ailan**
On top of that, there's that terrible job...
**[06:17] Three Ladies-in-waiting**
That poor, unfortunate girl!
**[06:23] Hongniang**
Wait here until you're summoned, all right?
**[06:25] Maomao**
Hey, um...
**[06:32] Maomao**
I've gotten quite the promotion.
**[06:37] Maomao**
The Jade Pavilion's always
been run by a select elite.
**[06:40] Maomao**
So of course a newcomer
wouldn't be totally welcome.
**[06:44] Maomao**
But they all looked so...
**[06:48] Maomao**
Sympathetic? Why?
**[06:53] Jinshi**
Tasting for poison.
**[06:55] Jinshi**
That's your job, apothecary.
**[06:59] Maomao**
*Poison! Tasting for poison!*
**[07:04] Maomao**
*Oops.*
**[07:06] Jinshi**
Food cooked for the concubine changes hands
a few times before being brought here.
**[07:15] Jinshi**
It's possible for it to be
poisoned during that process.
**[07:20] Jinshi**
In fact, when Concubine Gyokuyou
became pregnant,
**[07:23] Jinshi**
her food was poisoned at least twice.
**[07:26] Jinshi**
The taster back then received nerve damage
and still can't move her hands or feet.
**[07:33] Maomao**
* I see. That's why the others*
* were sympathetic to me.*
**[07:38] Hongniang**
So... Here you go.
**[07:42] Maomao**
*These bowls...*
**[07:45] Maomao**
*No suspicious colors. Or scents.*
**[07:52] Maomao**
*No numbness.*
**[07:56] Maomao**
I can't detect any poison here.
**[08:00] Maomao**
* Back when I lived by the brothels,*
* I ran a lot of experiments on my arm.*
**[08:07] (Flashback) Luomen**
Mad scientist.
**[08:10] Maomao**
* I've gradually trained my body against poisons,*
* so many of them have no effect on me.*
**[08:15] Maomao**
* To be honest, detecting*
* poison isn't suited for me.*
**[08:19] Maomao**
*But in a way, I'm lucky to get this job.*
**[08:25] Jinshi**
She's laughing...
**[08:27] Maomao**
I think you should switch to silver plates.
Those react to poisons.
**[08:33] Hongniang**
It's like Master Jinshi said. We used
ceramics on purpose to test you.
**[08:41] Maomao**
*That was his idea!*
**[08:45] Hongniang**
Your knowledge applies to both
poisons and medicines, then.
**[08:48] Maomao**
I used to work as an apothecary.
**[08:51] Hongniang**
If you'd mentioned that you're literate,
you would have gotten paid more.
**[08:56] Maomao**
I was kidnapped and brought here,
**[08:58] Maomao**
and I'm incensed that part of my pay
gets sent to the kidnappers.
**[09:05] Hongniang**
So, you'd rather take less pay than give
your kidnappers drinking money, hmm?
**[09:20] Hongniang**
Goodness, this was quite expensive.
**[09:24] Hongniang**
You couldn't afford it with
your lady-in-waiting salary.
**[09:27] Hongniang**
How will you send money to your family?
**[09:30] Hongniang**
In fact, we might need to charge them.
**[09:34] Maomao**
Ah, I'm so sorry.
**[09:38] Maomao**
Please take it out of the money to my family.
**[09:40] Maomao**
If that's not enough,
from my savings, too.
**[09:43] Hongniang**
Yes, I'll arrange the paperwork.
**[09:46] Hongniang**
By the way, here's hazard pay
for your food tasting services.
**[09:52] Maomao**
*Almost equal to my regular salary...*
**[09:55] Maomao**
* Since the kidnappers don't get*
* a cut of this, it all goes to me.*
**[10:00] Maomao**
Thank you.
**[10:03] Maomao**
*She knows how to motivate her workers.*
**[10:17] Yinghua**
Don't worry about it!
**[10:19] Guiyuan**
Rest for now.
**[10:20] Ailan**
We've always been fully staffed.
**[10:22] Maomao**
I'm bored!
**[10:25] Maomao**
I only get called on as taster for
two meals and the mid-day tea time.
**[10:30] Maomao**
Now that I have my own room,
**[10:33] Maomao**
if there was a venomous snake or
something, I could experiment...
**[10:36] Hongniang**
Maomao.
**[10:39] Maomao**
Did you need me, Lady Gyokuyou?
**[10:41] Gyokuyou**
He does, actually.
**[10:45] Maomao**
*Ugh.*
**[10:47] Jinshi**
Why won't this work on her?
**[10:54] Maomao**
How may I serve you today?
**[10:56] Jinshi**
I received these from a certain
military officer. Can you taste them?
**[11:01] Maomao**
*Baozi* buns...
**[11:07] Maomao**
It has an aphrodisiac in it.
**[11:10] Jinshi**
You can tell without eating it?
**[11:11] Maomao**
It's not harmful. Please
feel free to enjoy them.
**[11:15] Jinshi**
Given who I received
these from, I can't do that.
**[11:19] Maomao**
Perhaps that person
might visit you tonight.
**[11:24] Jinshi**
Hmm. So you can tell by the smell alone?
**[11:27] Maomao**
* Did this guy try to make me eat one*
* knowing they have an aphrodisiac in them?!*
**[11:38] Jinshi**
I had one more question for you.
**[11:42] Maomao**
Yes, what is it?
**[11:44] Jinshi**
A squad of soldiers on a mission to attack
some barbarians was poisoned the other day.
**[11:49] Maomao**
Poisoned?
**[11:50] Jinshi**
Yes. Several fell ill after a meal.
**[11:53] Jinshi**
They reported nausea, difficulty
breathing, and other ailments.
**[11:57] Maomao**
Nausea and difficulty breathing...
**[12:01] Jinshi**
The meal was prepared in a nearby village.
**[12:04] Jinshi**
They arrested the village leader
for assisting the barbarians,
**[12:07] Jinshi**
but an officer diffused the situation,
**[12:09] Jinshi**
and has put the decision on hold.
**[12:12] Maomao**
* It would be natural to assume*
* the villagers poisoned the soldiers, but...*
**[12:20] Maomao**
Master Jinshi, where were they eating?
**[12:23] Jinshi**
They were at camp, so
they likely ate outside.
**[12:25] Maomao**
Did the villagers provide
the plates and chopsticks?
**[12:28] Jinshi**
No, the soldiers should
have provided their own.
**[12:33] Jinshi**
Did you notice something?
**[12:36] Maomao**
This is just my opinion.
Let me share something.
**[12:40] Maomao**
This flower is a rhododendron.
**[12:44] Gyokuyou**
Does it taste good?
**[12:45] Maomao**
No, eating it causes nausea
and difficulty breathing.
**[12:49] Jinshi**
Hey!
**[12:51] Maomao**
As you see, even the rear palace
has plants with poison in them.
**[12:55] Maomao**
This one has poison in the leaves, but some
have poison in the branches or roots.
**[12:59] Maomao**
Some wood can even emit poison when burned.
**[13:04] Gyokuyou**
When burned...?
**[13:09] Jinshi**
I see.
**[13:11] Maomao**
It's fortunate the bright
officer was there.
**[13:14] Maomao**
We could have lost a whole village.
**[13:17] Jinshi**
Yes.
**[13:19] Maomao**
If that's all, I'll take my leave.
**[13:21] Jinshi**
No, wait.
**[13:23] Maomao**
Is there more?
**[13:27] Jinshi**
Can you make an aphrodisiac?
**[13:31] Maomao**
*Make? You mean...*
**[13:34] Maomao**
*Making drugs?!*
**[13:42] Maomao**
Given time, the proper ingredients,
and the right tools,
**[13:45] Maomao**
I could make something like that.
**[13:49] Mid-Rank Concubine**
Master Jinshi, where are you headed?
**[13:54] Jinshi**
I'm returning to my office. May I help you?
**[13:58] Mid-Rank Concubine**
I was wondering if you'd have
tea with me in my room...
**[14:01] Jinshi**
Unfortunately, I have much work
to attend to. Please excuse me.
**[14:10] Gaoshun**
The servants must not be aware
**[14:13] Gaoshun**
that Master Jinshi serves as a test
of their loyalty to the emperor.
**[14:18] Jinshi**
Just because the emperor does not visit her,
**[14:20] Jinshi**
she shouldn't try and lure
other men to her room.
**[14:22] Jinshi**
What an indiscretion.
**[14:24] Gaoshun**
Indeed.
**[14:25] Jinshi**
A concubine cannot simply be
beautiful or well-educated.
**[14:30] Jinshi**
They must be loyal to
the emperor, and be chaste.
**[14:34] Gaoshun**
But to place you in the rear palace
and use your beauty as a test...
**[14:41] Gaoshun**
Our emperor can be quite severe at times.
**[14:43] Jinshi**
We all use whatever is available to us. But...
**[14:46] Jinshi**
Not only does she feel no lust
for me, but that look...
**[14:50] Maomao**
*Glare...*
**[14:53] Jinshi**
* I've never been so harshly*
* looked down on in my life.*
**[14:57] Gaoshun**
Well then, I will take my leave.
**[15:05] (Flashback) Maomao**
Perhaps that person
might visit you tonight.
**[15:07] Maomao**
*Tonight... Tonight...*
**[15:13] Maomao**
I'm leaving now.
**[15:15] Hongniang**
Good luck.
**[15:17] Maomao**
Yes!
**[15:24] Maomao**
Pardon me.
**[15:26] Maomao**
*The quack doctor, and...*
**[15:29] Gaoshun**
Miss Maomao. Let me reintroduce myself.
**[15:32] Gaoshun**
I am Gaoshun.
**[15:34] Gaoshun**
I'm Master Jinshi's assistant.
**[15:37] Gaoshun**
Pleased to make your acquaintance.
**[15:39] Maomao**
Hello.
**[15:41] Maomao**
*It can't be easy assisting that guy.*
**[15:44] Guen**
What is this servant girl
doing in my territory?
**[15:50] Gaoshun**
This way, please.
**[15:54] Gaoshun**
I have been told you may use
anything in this room.
**[16:09] Jinshi**
Is that some sort of cursed dance?
**[16:15] Maomao**
* What a luxury, being able*
* to use paper so freely.*
**[16:19] Maomao**
And also, I need...
**[16:22] Gaoshun**
Over there?
**[16:25] Maomao**
* He's really quick to notice things.*
* Compared to his master...*
**[16:30] Maomao**
* If you're not going to do*
* anything, just go away.*
**[16:33] Gaoshun**
Here you are.
**[16:35] Maomao**
Thank you.
**[16:38] Maomao**
That's not enough...
**[16:41] Jinshi**
What is this?
**[16:42] Maomao**
It's cacao.
**[16:43] Jinshi**
If you need more, we'll simply find more.
**[16:46] Maomao**
But it's from the West,
and the far southern region, too.
**[16:50] Jinshi**
I'm sure there's more in
the trading goods storage.
**[17:01] Maomao**
Milk, butter, sugar, honey,
and powdered cacao.
**[17:07] Maomao**
That should be enough.
**[17:09] Yinghua**
All expensive ingredients.
**[17:11] Ailan**
I wonder what she's making?
**[17:13] Guiyuan**
A snack, maybe?
**[17:15] Hongniang**
What are you all doing?
**[17:17] Hongniang**
Get back to work!
**[17:19] Three Ladies-in-waiting**
We're sorry!
**[17:22] Hongniang**
Goodness.
**[17:24] Maomao**
Now to actually make the aphrodisiac!
**[17:31] Maomao**
*I had a taste of cacao just once in the past.*
**[17:33] (Flashback) Meimei**
This is called "chocolate." Say "ah," Maomao.
**[17:39] (Flashback) Meimei**
Maomao?!
**[17:43] Maomao**
* Perhaps a malicious customer wanted to get*
* a popular courtesan's attention.*
**[17:47] Maomao**
* Unfortunately for him, he got*
* banned by the shrewd old lady.*
**[17:52] Maomao**
Looks good.
**[17:53] Maomao**
There.
**[17:57] Maomao**
Now I just cool it and wait for it to harden.
**[18:00] Maomao**
*I have a bit left over. Oh, I know.*
**[18:05] Maomao**
*This probably doesn't need to be cooled.*
**[18:10] Maomao**
*I guess I should clean up now.*
**[18:17] Maomao**
*Wait, medicinal herbs?!*
**[18:19] Maomao**
*There too?! And over there!*
**[18:24] Maomao**
Oops, I got a little carried away.
**[18:27] Maomao**
Sorry for the delay!
**[18:41] Jinshi**
At least we know it works.
**[18:44] Hongniang**
So, what's going on?!
**[18:46] Maomao**
Well, it is what it is...
**[18:49] Maomao**
It's fine, they didn't go all the way—Ow!
**[18:54] Gyokuyou**
So, this is the aphrodisiac?
**[18:56] Maomao**
No, this is.
**[19:00] Jinshi**
Then what are the other ones?
**[19:02] Maomao**
A midnight snack for myself.
**[19:05] Maomao**
If you're used to alcohol
and other stimulants,
**[19:07] Maomao**
it won't have that much of an effect.
**[19:10] Jinshi**
Oh, so it won't be a problem if I ate it?
**[19:14] Gaoshun & Hongniang**
Please don't do that!
**[19:17] Jinshi**
Haha, just joking.
**[19:19] Maomao**
* What a reprehensible joke to make*
* in front of the emperor's concubine.*
**[19:23] Maomao**
* But if he approached someone with*
* an impassioned blush on that face...*
**[19:30] Maomao**
* It'd immediately captivate*
* any person, male or female.*
**[19:33] Maomao**
*He does have a great face, after all.*
**[19:36] Maomao**
It's quite strong, so please
limit it to one piece at a time.
**[19:40] Maomao**
Too many could excessively increase
blood flow and cause nosebleeds.
**[19:44] Gyokuyou**
Maybe you can make some for the emperor,
to avoid things getting too dull.
**[19:48] Maomao**
It should be around three times
more potent than the usual tonic.
**[19:53] Gyokuyou**
Three times? Does she mean duration...?
**[19:56] Maomao**
Let's pretend I didn't hear that.
**[19:59] Maomao**
Also, please only use it when you are
alone with the person in mind.
**[19:59] Gyokuyou**
Three times... Three times...
**[20:04] Jinshi**
I see.
**[20:06] Gyokuyou**
Well, I'll take my leave now.
**[20:12] Hongniang**
So she can make drugs?
**[20:16] Gyokuyou**
How reliable.
**[20:22] Maomao**
It's finally over.
**[20:29] Jinshi**
Good work.
**[20:39] Jinshi**
Thank you.
**[20:46] Maomao**
I see.
**[20:48] Maomao**
I hope there aren't any victims.
***SIGN*** Next Time
**[22:45] Narrator**
* Next time: "The Unsettling*
* Matter of the Spirit."*
***SIGN*** Episode 3: The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit