# E5 - Covert Operations
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GK9U3MJDV/covert-operations)
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 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