E5 - Covert Operations

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(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 5: Covert Operations
[02:18] Basen
    I yield.
[02:23] Jinshi
    You've improved, Basen.
[02:25] Basen
    No...
[02:27] Basen
    My brute force is still no match
    for your techniques, Master Jinshi.
[02:32] Jinshi
    But that force of yours is quite astounding.
    You truly carry the Ma clan's blood.
[02:40] Jinshi
    How's the apothecary doing, Gaoshun?
[02:44] Gaoshun
    What specifically do you mean?
[02:46] Jinshi
    Has she gained weight?
[02:48] Gaoshun
    I believe she has regained some, yes.
[02:51] Jinshi
    I see. Well...
[02:54] (Flashback) Maomao
    Don't you understand why this stuff was banned?!
[02:57] (Flashback) Maomao
    I told you, it's poison.
[02:59] Jinshi
    It was unexpected, seeing that side of her.
[03:03] Gaoshun
    Are you all right, sir?
[03:04] Jinshi
    Hmm? What?
[03:06] Gaoshun
    You seem very concerned.
[03:13] Gaoshun
    No, it's nothing.
[03:25] Maomao
    I knew I'd find it!
[03:28] Maomao
    Yes!
[03:31] Maomao
    Oh! Over here, too!
[03:33] Maomao
    And here, too!
[03:36] Maomao
    Where should I eat it? The kitchen?
[03:39] Maomao
    But I don't want people
    asking where I found it...
[03:42] Maomao
    Oh, but before that...
[03:45] Xiaolan
    Wow, looks so good!
[03:47] Xiaolan
    Thanks as always, Maomao!
[03:50] Xiaolan
    It's so kind of your higher-ups to share snacks
    with you every time there's a tea party.
[03:57] (Flashback) Yinghua
    You need to eat more!
[03:58] (Flashback) Guiyuan
    Gain more weight!
[04:00] (Flashback) Ailan
    Don't be shy!
[04:04] Xiaolan
    Oh, did you hear?
[04:06] Maomao
    Hmm?
[04:07] Xiaolan
    I heard a palace servant
[04:09] Xiaolan
    was able to seduce a military officer
    who was famous for hating women.
[04:13] Maomao
    Huh...
[04:14] Xiaolan
    Guess how she did it.
[04:16] Maomao
    Who knows?
[04:18] Xiaolan
    They say she used an aphrodisiac!
[04:20] Maomao
    Aphro...disiac?
[04:27] Maomao
    That one.
[04:28] Xiaolan
    What's wrong, Maomao?
[04:29] Maomao
    N-Nothing. It's not related. Probably.
[04:36] Maomao
    Good morning.
[04:38] Guen
    Oh, hey little lady! What's going on today?
[04:42] Maomao
    There's a secret I'd like to discuss with you.
[04:44] Guen
    What is it?
[04:46] Maomao
    This.
[04:49] Guen
    Wow! Those are fresh matsutake mushrooms!
[04:51] Maomao
    I'm glad to see you seem to like it.
[04:53] Guen
    We'll need charcoal!
    And some soy paste and salt!
[04:58] Maomao
    Somehow, I've ended up being
    buddy-buddy with the quack doctor.
[05:07] Guen
    Oh, how irresistible!
[05:09] Maomao
    I think it's ready.
[05:11] Maomao
    Pour on some soy paste, add some salt...
[05:16] Maomao
    Here.
[05:21] Guen
    Delicious!
[05:22] Maomao
    Now he's an accomplice.
[05:25] Maomao & Guen
    Delicious!
[05:28] Eunuch A
    D-Doctor!
[05:31] Eunuch A
    A c-curse...
[05:33] Eunuch A
    Can you make a medicine that cures curses?
[05:36] Maomao
    A curse?
[05:38] Guen
    What do you mean?
[05:39] Eunuch A
    It's this.
[05:43] Maomao
    That's quite a bad rash.
    Maybe an ointment, for starters?
[05:48] Guen
    Could you make some?
[05:50] Maomao
    Understood.
[05:52] Guen
    So, what's this curse you mentioned?
[05:55] Eunuch A
    It was two nights ago.
[05:59] Eunuch A
    Trash that comes out of the rear palace
[06:01] Eunuch A
    is burned in the pit on the west side.
[06:04] Eunuch A
    I was doing work as usual that day, when...
[06:09] (Flashback) Eunuch A
    What's that?
[06:13] (Flashback) Eunuch A
    A woman's dress? The bottoms of the
    sleeves are burnt.
[06:17] (Flashback) Eunuch A
    And wood writing tablets...?
[06:19] Eunuch A
    I was a little curious, but I just
    threw it in the fire anyway. Then...
[06:39] Eunuch A
    It's a curse! That must be
    what got to my hands!
[06:44] Maomao
    Was the fire this color?
[06:51] Maomao
    Or perhaps this color?
[06:55] Maomao
    This would do the same thing.
[06:58] Guen
    Little lady, what is that?
[07:01] Maomao
    It's similar to how fireworks work.
[07:03] Maomao
    Some things change the color
    of a flame when burned.
[07:07] Eunuch A
    Then, what about my hands?
[07:09] Maomao
    There was probably something
    on the wood tablets.
[07:13] Maomao
    I think it caused the rashes
    when you touched them.
[07:16] Maomao
    Try this medicine, and let us know how it goes.
[07:19] Eunuch A
    Oh, thank you.
[07:21] Guen
    The little lady's medicines
    work like a charm!
[07:24] Guen
    You'll be better in no time!
[07:27] Jinshi
    Well done as always, apothecary.
[07:30] Guen
    Master Jinshi!
[07:33] Guen
    I'll make you some tea.
[07:37] Maomao
    Greetings, Master Jinshi.
    What business do you have with me today?
[07:41] Jinshi
    Do you mean I shouldn't talk
    to you unless I have business?
[07:45] Maomao
    Of course not.
[07:49] Jinshi
    Follow me for a moment.
[07:52] Guen
    Thank you for waiting, Master Jinshi—
[07:55] Guen
    Oh.
[08:01] Jinshi
    How many colors are there?
[08:03] Maomao
    I can't say specifically.
[08:05] Jinshi
    Then, how does one apply these colors?
[08:09] Maomao
    With salts, you can dissolve them in water.
[08:12] Maomao
    Some will dissolve in
    other things, like oil.
[08:17] Maomao
    But this is outside my area of expertise.
[08:20] Jinshi
    I see.
[08:22] Maomao
    If that's all, please excuse me.
[08:25] Jinshi
    Wait.
[08:27] Maomao
    What is it?
[08:29] Jinshi
    I like them teapot-steamed.
[08:34] Jinshi
    I'm counting on you, apothecary.
[08:36] Maomao
    So, he knew...
[08:39] Maomao
    I'll see if I can find more tomorrow.
[08:50] Jinshi
    Find everyone who's suffered burns
    on their arms recently.
[08:54] Gaoshun
    Understood.
[08:56] Maomao
    The colored wood tablets are
    probably some kind of code.
[09:00] Maomao
    People would only use something like
    that for... something secret?
[09:05] Maomao
    What would that be?
[09:09] Maomao
    None of my business. Nothing a food
    taster should be concerned about.
[09:17] Hongniang
    Thank you. Oh, please take that over there.
[09:22] Maomao
    I'm back.
[09:24] Hongniang
    Welcome back.
[09:26] Yinghua
    Maomao! Nice timing.
[09:27] Hongniang
    Over there, please.
[09:29] Yinghua
    Try this on, would you?
[09:31] Maomao
    Huh? I have a bad feeling about this...
[09:37] Maomao
    What is this?
[09:39] Yinghua
    Isn't it obvious? It's your dress
    for the garden party.
[09:42] Maomao
    Garden party?
[09:44] Yinghua
    Twice a year, the emperor and his
    high officials gather in the courtyard
[09:48] Yinghua
    to enjoy food and entertainment.
[09:51] Hongniang
    The emperor isn't married yet,
    so he has no empress consort, right?
[09:56] Hongniang
    In that case, it's customary to bring
     the upper first-rank concubines.
[10:01] Maomao
    Upper first-rank concubines...
SIGN    Current Emperor
SIGN    (Contender for Empress Consort)
SIGN    Upper First-Rank Concubine
[10:03] Hongniang
    The four high-ranking concubines who are
    the best contenders for the empress consort.
[10:12] Hongniang
    Concubine Gyokuyou, Precious Consort.
[10:14] Hongniang
    Concubine Lihua, Wise Consort.
[10:17] Hongniang
    Concubine Lishu, Virtuous Consort.
[10:19] Hongniang
    Concubine Ah-Duo, Pure Consort.
[10:22] Hongniang
    Last time, Lady Gyokuyou
    Lady Lihua couldn't attend,
[10:24] Hongniang
    because they had just given birth.
[10:26] Hongniang
    So this time, they decided
    to invite all four concubines.
[10:29] Maomao
    And what do we do there?
[10:32] Hongniang
    Well, nothing, actually.
[10:38] Gyokuyou
    We're invited as guests.
    We just have to follow the emperor.
[10:43] Hongniang
    Some officials come by
    to pay their respects.
[10:46] Hongniang
    So, don't forget to smile.
[10:48] Maomao
    Huh...
[10:51] Maomao
    Is everyone required to attend?
[10:53] Yinghua
    Of course!
[10:56] Yinghua
    This is Princess Lingli's
    first public appearance,
[10:58] Yinghua
    and a rare event with all four
    high-ranking concubines!
[11:01] Yinghua
    This is a war! We have to brace ourselves!
[11:05] Yinghua
    Let's do this!
[11:08] Maomao
    Lady Gyokuyou has so few
    ladies-in-waiting to start with.
[11:11] Maomao
    The newbie can't sit this out.
[11:14] Maomao
    Besides, if there's a meal,
    the taster is indispensable.
[11:18] Yinghua
    I guess you do need to
    stuff the chest area a little.
[11:22] Yinghua
    I want to bulk up your waist, too. Is that okay?
[11:25] Maomao
    I'm in your hands.
[11:28] Yinghua
    We'll be doing some nice makeup, too!
[11:31] Yinghua
    You should hide your freckles occasionally.
[11:36] Maomao
    Staying outside in the strong winds,
[11:39] Maomao
    watching the entertainment, eating the food,
[11:41] Maomao
    smiling at the officials who come by...
[11:45] Maomao
    I'll definitely need an iron
     bladder for this one.
[11:50] Maomao
    In that case...
[12:01] Maomao
    Good.
[12:03] Hongniang
    That smells nice.
[12:06] Hongniang
    What are you making?
[12:08] Maomao
    It's candy made of ginger and oranges.
[12:10] Hongniang
    Candy?
[12:11] Maomao
    Orange peels improve blood flow,
    and ginger warms the body.
[12:17] Hongniang
    Wait, is it for the garden party?!
[12:20] Maomao
    Yes. I also made this, just in case.
[12:24] Maomao
    I sewed pockets into my underrobe.
[12:27] Maomao
    By putting pocket warmers in there,
    it should help me withstand the cold.
[12:30] Hongniang
    Maomao!
[12:32] Maomao
    Huh?
[12:32] Hongniang
    Please, make enough for everyone!
[12:36] Maomao
    S-Sure...
[12:42] Maomao
    I guess getting too used to custom
    can stifle the simplest ideas.
[12:48] Maomao
    A little work can make things better.
[12:53] Maomao
    Come in.
[12:54] Jinshi
    I'd like to ask for one, myself.
[12:56] Gaoshun
    Me too, please...
[12:58] Maomao
    Okay.
[13:00] Seamstress
    Please teach me how to make that.
[13:02] Cook
    Please.
[13:04] Maomao
    The emperor's own seamstress and cook, too?
[13:36] Yinghua
    So cold!
[13:53] Maomao
    Finally finished.
[13:56] Maomao
    So, it's tomorrow.
[14:01] Maomao
    Let's make some of those too, just in case.
[14:06] Gaoshun
    Regarding the search for those
    with burns on their arms...
[14:09] Jinshi
    No luck yet?
[14:13] Gaoshun
    I'm sorry.
[14:15] Jinshi
    I hope the garden party goes smoothly...
[14:39] Ladies-in-Waiting Trio
    Wow...
[14:42] Yinghua
    You're beautiful, Lady Gyokuyou!
[14:44] Guiyuan
    Crimson looks so good on you!
[14:46] Ailan
    Such wonderful beauty...
[14:49] Maomao
    No wonder they say crimson suits her
    better than anyone in all the land.
[14:52] Hongniang
    Yes, you outshine all others.
[14:56] Gyokuyou
    Thank you. And for you all...
[15:01] Gyokuyou
    Here. I have to mark you, to make
     sure you don't attract any bad bugs.
[15:07] Gyokuyou
    Maomao.
[15:10] Gyokuyou
    Remember, Maomao. You are my lady-in-waiting.
[15:17] Maomao
    Uhm, thank you.
[15:21] Yinghua
    Got her!
[15:24] Maomao
    Um, wait.
[15:25] Guiyuan; Ailan
    Makeup time!
[15:28] Gyokuyou
    Time to become as cute as you can be!
[15:30] Yinghua
    We'll wipe off your face
    and apply some scents.
[15:32] Yinghua
    Then we'll deal with your freckles...
[15:34] Guiyuan
    There.
[15:38] Ailan
    Huh?
[15:39] Guiyuan
    Maomao?
[15:40] Yinghua
    No...
[15:41] Hongniang
    Why?
[15:43] Gyokuyou
    Maomao, you're...
[15:46] Maomao
    Ah...
[15:47] Maomao
    They caught me.
[15:50] Gyokuyou
    All right, let's go.
[16:12] Jinshi
    Concubine Lishu, I look forward to
    seeing you later in the garden party.
[16:16] Lishu
    Yes, Master Jinshi.
[16:26] Jinshi
    Last is the Precious Consort, Lady Gyokuyou.
[16:32] Gaoshun
    He seems to favor Concubine Gyokuyou.
[16:35] Gaoshun
    Could it be because of his favorite toy?
[16:39] Gaoshun
    He can be so troublesome.
[16:45] Gyokuyou
    Maomao, you've helped out quite a bit.
[16:48] Maomao
    Glad to be of service.
[16:50] Jinshi
    Greetings, Concubine Gyokuyou.
[16:52] Gyokuyou
    Oh, greetings.
[16:54] Jinshi
    My lady, you certainly
    look wonderful in crimson.
[16:58] Jinshi
    Your gorgeous, yet somewhat mysterious
    style must stem from your jade eyes.
[17:06] Gyokuyou
    Thank you.
[17:12] Jinshi
    Now, to check in on the princess...
[17:24] Maomao
    Greetings, Master Jinshi.
[17:30] Jinshi
    Oh, it's you, apothecary.
[17:32] Jinshi
    Are you wearing makeup?
[17:34] Maomao
    No, I'm not.
[17:36] Jinshi
    Your freckles are gone.
[17:38] Maomao
    Yes, I removed them.
[17:40] Jinshi
    You covered them with makeup, you mean?
[17:41] Maomao
    I removed my makeup. That's why they're gone.
[17:46] Jinshi
    That doesn't make any sense.
    You're contradicting yourself.
[17:50] Maomao
    Ugh, what a bother.
    I should have just nodded along.
[17:55] Maomao
    Every day, I put dried clay
    on my face to add freckles.
[18:00] Maomao
    I already had makeup on every
     time you saw me before this.
[18:04] Maomao
    Cosmetics aren't just for making
    a face more beautiful.
[18:08] Jinshi
    Why would you do such a thing?
[18:12] Maomao
    You really want to know?
[18:15] Maomao
    It's to prevent being
    dragged into a back alley.
[18:20] Maomao
    I lived near the brothels, but not
    every man left sexually satisfied.
[18:24] Maomao
    Some had empty wallets, violent
    tendencies, and venereal diseases.
[18:28] Maomao
    A short, skinny, ugly girl
     rarely becomes a target.
[18:34] Jinshi
    Were you ever dragged away?
[18:35] Maomao
    Attempts were made. Instead, I got kidnapped.
[18:43] Maomao
    My makeup was faded. They seemed
    to think I was borderline marketable.
[18:49] Jinshi
    I see.
[18:51] Jinshi
    I'm sorry we couldn't police them.
[18:55] Maomao
    I don't particularly care.
[18:57] Maomao
    A buyer can't tell if you were kidnapped, or just sold off
    legally so there'd be one less mouth to feed.
[19:05] Jinshi
    Doesn't that make you angry?
[19:07] Maomao
    Obviously, it does. But it's not your fault.
[19:16] Jinshi
    I'm sorry.
[19:20] Maomao
    He's being straightforward for once.
[19:30] Maomao
    That hurts.
[19:32] Jinshi
    Sorry. It's yours.
[19:37] Jinshi
    See you at the party.
[19:50] Maomao
    A man's hairpin? Why?
[19:54] Yinghua
    Wow! So nice!
[19:57] Guiyuan
    I'm jealous!
[19:58] Ailan
    I want one, too!
[20:00] Maomao
    I could give it away,
    but how would I split this?
[20:03] Gyokuyou
    Oh, you broke our promise already.
[20:10] Gyokuyou
    You're no longer mine alone.
[20:16] Maomao
    Um, what does that mean—
[20:21] Gyokuyou
    It's starting.
[20:49] Maomao
    The garden party begins.
SIGN    Next Time
[22:46] Narrator
    Next time: "The Garden Party."
SIGN    Episode 6: The Garden Party