# E7 - Homecoming
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GWDU8EXQ3/homecoming)
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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.
**[01:35] (Flashback) Maomao**
Dad!
**[01:40] (Flashback) Maomao**
Dad!
***SIGN*** Episode 7: Homecoming
**[01:53] Maomao**
I wonder if Dad's doing okay.
**[01:59] Maomao**
Right. Yesterday, after the garden party...
**[02:02] (Flashback) Yinghua**
What are you talking about?!
**[02:04] (Flashback) Ailan**
The minister who ate the poison
is in terrible condition!
**[02:07] (Flashback) Guiyuan**
You're sick. Get lots of sleep!
**[02:10] Maomao**
Thanks to them, I got a good deal of sleep.
**[02:13] Maomao**
But sleeping until noon is too much.
**[02:21] Maomao**
I can't go without makeup now.
**[02:28] Gyokuyou**
Oh.
**[02:29] Gyokuyou**
You could have taken a day off.
**[02:32] Maomao**
I can't allow myself to do that.
Please put me to work.
**[02:36] Gyokuyou**
Oh? Your freckles.
**[02:38] Maomao**
I'm uncomfortable without them.
Can I keep them on?
**[02:42] Gyokuyou**
I understand.
**[02:44] Gyokuyou**
Everyone kept demanding to know
who that lady-in-waiting was.
**[02:49] Maomao**
My apologies.
**[02:51] Gyokuyou**
It's fine.
**[02:52] Gyokuyou**
Anyway, Gaoshun came by this morning
and hasn't left. What do you want to do?
**[02:56] Gyokuyou**
He seemed bored, so I asked him
to pull up some weeds.
**[03:01] Maomao**
Weeds...
**[03:02] Maomao**
* Back at the garden party, he was*
* in a pretty high-ranking seat.*
**[03:06] Maomao**
*I guess he really is caring.*
**[03:09] Maomao**
* He must win the hearts of*
* the ladies-in-waiting in his own way.*
**[03:15] Maomao**
May I use the parlor?
**[03:19] Gyokuyou**
Sure. Hongniang.
**[03:22] Hongniang**
Yes.
**[03:22] Maomao**
* Is it just me, or is Hongniang*
* being sparkly-eyed, too?*
**[03:27] Gaoshun**
Master Jinshi wanted me to bring you this.
**[03:31] Maomao**
This is the soup that Lady Gyokuyou
was supposed to drink, right?
**[03:35] Gaoshun**
Yes.
**[03:36] Maomao**
How kind of him.
**[03:39] Gaoshun**
Please don't eat it.
**[03:40] Maomao**
I won't.
**[03:42] Maomao**
Silver corrodes quickly.
This is oxidized and no longer tasty.
**[03:48] Gaoshun**
Tasty...
**[03:50] Maomao**
Did you pick this up with your hands?
**[03:52] Gaoshun**
No, I didn't touch the bowl.
**[03:55] Gaoshun**
I only picked up the contents
in a spoon to see if it was poison.
**[03:58] Gaoshun**
*Shoop shoop shoop.*
**[03:58] Gaoshun**
After that, I immediately
wrapped it in cloth.
**[04:02] Maomao**
One moment, please.
**[04:04] Maomao**
*Clip clip clip.*
**[04:06] Maomao**
*Clunk clunk clunk.*
**[04:08] Gaoshun**
Cotton, powder, and a brush.
**[04:10] Maomao**
Yes.
**[04:11] Gaoshun**
What will you do with these?
**[04:13] Maomao**
In the apothecary I used to work at,
**[04:15] Maomao**
we used to put dyes on containers
that weren't supposed to be touched.
**[04:20] Maomao**
This is a similar technique.
**[04:22] Maomao**
It's simple. I put some powder
on this cotton ball.
**[04:27] Maomao**
I dust the bowl with it...
**[04:29] Maomao**
Finally, I brush off the excess.
**[04:36] Maomao**
And there.
**[04:36] Gaoshun**
There's some white marks.
**[04:39] Maomao**
That's where a human hand made contact.
**[04:42] Maomao**
When you touch this with
your fingers, it leaves a mark.
**[04:46] Maomao**
It's especially visible on silver,
which is easily corroded.
**[04:50] Maomao**
That's why you thoroughly
wipe silver items before use.
**[04:54] Gaoshun**
In other words, the finger
marks remaining here
**[04:57] Gaoshun**
were from people who touched
the bowl after it was wiped clean?
**[05:01] Maomao**
Indeed.
**[05:03] Maomao**
The size and placement of the finger marks
allows us to guess how they held it.
**[05:09] Maomao**
The bowl was held...
**[05:12] Gaoshun**
What is it?
**[05:17] Maomao**
Nothing.
**[05:19] Maomao**
The bowl was held by four people, I think.
**[05:23] Gaoshun**
Four people.
**[05:25] Maomao**
First, three people who touched
the side of the bowl.
**[05:28] Maomao**
The one who poured the soup,
**[05:31] Maomao**
the one who carried it,
**[05:33] Maomao**
and Lady Lishu's taster.
**[05:36] Maomao**
But there was one more.
**[05:38] Maomao**
An "outsider" that touched
the rim of the bowl.
**[05:41] Maomao**
I believe this unknown
person poisoned the food.
**[05:47] Gaoshun**
If that's true, why is the taster's finger
mark on the high-rank concubine's bowl?
**[05:53] Maomao**
That's simple. Lady Lishu's taster swapped it
on purpose as a form of harassment,
**[06:00] Maomao**
not knowing it was poisoned.
**[06:01] Gaoshun**
Swapped it?
**[06:04] Maomao**
It's bullying.
**[06:05] Gaoshun**
A lady-in-waiting is bullying
a high-ranking concubine?
**[06:08] Maomao**
Sounds like you can't believe it.
**[06:10] Gaoshun**
Can you explain?
**[06:13] Maomao**
Let me first say that this is all
just conjecture on my part.
**[06:18] Gaoshun**
That's fine.
**[06:19] Maomao**
Do you remember Lady Lishu's
dress during the garden party?
**[06:23] Gaoshun**
Yes. I believe it was a flashy pink color.
**[06:27] Maomao**
Normally, you'd think that if a concubine
**[06:29] Maomao**
picked a color that would clash
with Lady Gyokuyou's dress,
**[06:32] Maomao**
her ladies-in-waiting would
recommend another one.
**[06:35] Maomao**
Or, at least, they'd wear something
that matches it themselves.
**[06:40] Maomao**
However, all of her servants
were wearing white.
**[06:46] Maomao**
That makes Lady Lishu appear like
a buffoon who can't read the room.
**[06:52] Maomao**
Ladies-in-waiting should
allow their mistress to shine.
**[06:55] Maomao**
Come to think of it, that day...
**[06:57] (Flashback) Ah-Duo's Lady-in-Waiting 1**
Have you no decency? A crimson dress?
**[07:04] Maomao**
Lady Ah-Duo's ladies-in-waiting
**[07:07] Maomao**
were scolding Lady Lishu's
servants for not doing their jobs.
**[07:10] Maomao**
The rear palace is full of enemies,
**[07:12] Maomao**
so the only people a concubine can
truly trust are her ladies-in-waiting.
**[07:17] Maomao**
I suspect the ladies-in-waiting recommended
that dress to their young Lady Lishu,
**[07:23] Maomao**
and she wore it without realizing
they'd done it to humiliate her.
**[07:26] Maomao**
She didn't suspect a thing.
**[07:28] Gaoshun**
Not only that, but she also tried to swap
the food to further harass Concubine Lishu?
**[07:35] Maomao**
Yes, though she was unaware it was poisoned.
**[07:38] Maomao**
It ended up saving her.
**[07:42] Maomao**
But it's still quite distasteful.
**[07:46] Gaoshun**
Why would they do such a thing?
**[07:48] Maomao**
Lady Lishu became the previous
emperor's concubine at a very young age.
**[07:52] Maomao**
Then she left the rear palace
soon after. Her situation is unique.
**[07:55] Maomao**
A wife must sacrifice everything
to devote to her husband.
**[07:58] Maomao**
We are all taught this from a very young age.
**[08:01] Maomao**
I guess, from that perspective,
to wed her deceased husband's son
**[08:05] Maomao**
is an indecency beyond words.
**[08:09] Maomao**
I think the mark near the bowl's edge
**[08:12] Maomao**
was left by the person who added the poison.
**[08:15] Maomao**
They must have held the edge
while stirring in the poison.
**[08:18] Gaoshun**
I see.
**[08:20] Maomao**
Your fingers must not touch the area
that noble lips are supposed to go.
**[08:25] Maomao**
That is the teaching of Hongniang.
**[08:27] Maomao**
That's all I came up with.
**[08:31] Gaoshun**
May I ask one more thing?
**[08:34] Maomao**
What is it?
**[08:37] Gaoshun**
Why did you try to protect that
taster yesterday?
**[08:43] Gaoshun**
I'm just curious. This isn't
an investigation or anything.
**[08:50] Maomao**
The life of a serving girl is worthless
compared to that of a concubine.
**[08:58] Maomao**
Especially if that life
belongs to a food taster...
**[09:08] Gaoshun**
I'll try to explain this to Master Jinshi.
**[09:11] Maomao**
Thank you.
**[09:16] Maomao**
Well, I should be thankful, since she
did go out of her way to make the swap.
**[09:23] Maomao**
I was able to taste that poison thanks to her.
**[09:26] Maomao**
I really should have swallowed that soup.
**[09:35] Gaoshun**
That is all.
**[09:36] Jinshi**
I see. You always impress me
with how you word things.
**[09:41] Gaoshun**
Is that so?
**[09:43] Jinshi**
This is clearly an inside job, right?
**[09:46] Gaoshun**
The situation indicates as much, yes.
**[09:50] Jinshi**
You make it sound so simple.
**[09:53] Jinshi**
I haven't had time to sleep
at all because of this.
**[09:55] Jinshi**
I haven't even been able to change clothes.
**[09:57] Jinshi**
I want to stop thinking.
**[09:59] Gaoshun**
Your natural self is showing.
**[10:01] Jinshi**
Who cares? There's nobody here.
**[10:04] Gaoshun**
I am here.
**[10:05] Jinshi**
Can you cut me some slack?
**[10:07] Gaoshun**
No.
**[10:09] Jinshi**
Nothing I say will move you, huh?
**[10:11] Gaoshun**
We've had a long relationship.
**[10:13] Jinshi**
It's not easy having someone
look after you since you were born.
**[10:18] Gaoshun**
Master Jinshi, you forgot
to remove your hairpin.
**[10:21] Jinshi**
Oh, oops. Totally forgot.
**[10:24] Gaoshun**
It was hidden in your hair.
**[10:26] Gaoshun**
I don't think anyone noticed your true status.
**[10:29] Jinshi**
Take care of it for me.
**[10:32] Gaoshun**
You're treating it roughly again.
**[10:36] Gaoshun**
It's something only special individuals
can wear, so please take care of it.
**[10:41] Jinshi**
I know.
**[10:43] Gaoshun**
You don't.
**[10:46] Gaoshun**
Excuse me.
**[10:53] Jinshi**
Let's do this...
**[10:58] Xiaolan**
Oh right, did you get any hairpins?
**[11:01] Maomao**
A few.
**[11:04] Xiaolan**
I see!
**[11:06] Xiaolan**
So, now...
**[11:08] Xiaolan**
You can get out of the rear palace!
**[11:12] Maomao**
Huh? What did you say?
**[11:14] Xiaolan**
You can get out of the rear palace?
**[11:17] Maomao**
More details please!
**[11:20] Xiaolan**
Yes...
**[11:24] Xiaolan**
You can't meet men from the outside
while at the rear palace,
**[11:27] Xiaolan**
but if you get special permission,
a man can escort a female worker outside.
**[11:32] Maomao**
I see, so that's what the hairpins
they hand out at the garden party means.
**[11:36] Xiaolan**
Exactly! You can also use the hairpin to ask
someone to take you out of the rear palace.
**[11:43] Maomao**
I see. Thanks, Xiaolan. I'll give it a try.
**[11:49] Xiaolan**
No problem.
**[11:51] Xiaolan**
Maomao, thanks for the hawthorn!
**[11:54] Xiaolan**
It was yummy!
**[12:00] Maomao**
*I received a total of four hairpins.*
**[12:03] Maomao**
*Two are from men.*
**[12:06] Maomao**
Or rather, since one of the two
lost his important parts,
**[12:08] Maomao**
maybe I shouldn't call him a "man"?
**[12:11] Jinshi**
*Apothecary!*
**[12:14] Maomao**
Right!
**[12:20] Eunuch 1**
Master Lihaku, a lady from
the rear palace sent you this.
**[12:23] Lihaku**
Oh, understood.
**[12:26] Lihaku**
* Yikes, did she take that*
* consolation hairpin seriously?*
**[12:31] Lihaku**
* But if it's a pretty lady,*
* it would be a waste...*
***SIGN*** Jade Pavilion
Maomao
**[12:36] Lihaku**
I only gave out one hairpin
at the Jade Pavilion...
**[12:39] Lihaku**
Which means...
**[12:43] Lihaku**
That one?
**[12:45] Lihaku**
Wonder how I should turn her down...
**[12:51] Maomao**
Excuse me.
**[12:55] Maomao**
Thank you for waiting.
**[12:57] Lihaku**
Huh? Who are you?
**[12:59] Maomao**
I get that a lot.
**[13:01] Lihaku**
Do people ever tell you that
makeup changes you drastically?
**[13:04] Maomao**
I get that a lot, too.
**[13:08] Lihaku**
But anyway, you called me up...
**[13:11] Maomao**
I'd like to go back to my family.
**[13:14] Lihaku**
Your family?
**[13:15] Lihaku**
Do you know what this means?
**[13:18] Maomao**
I was told that I could go home temporarily,
as long as you can vouch for me.
**[13:23] Lihaku**
You're quite bold.
**[13:25] Lihaku**
You, a mere lady-in-waiting, are demanding
that I, a military officer, vouch for you?
**[13:29] Maomao**
Yes.
**[13:32] Lihaku**
And you summoned me just for that?
**[13:36] Maomao**
Yes.
**[13:37] Lihaku**
I don't know if you're dauntless or clueless.
**[13:42] Lihaku**
So, little girl, you're trying to
exploit me for your homecoming?
**[13:48] Maomao**
No, I believe I can offer you
something valuable in exchange.
**[13:53] Lihaku**
Huh?
***SIGN*** Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Pairin Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Joka Verdigris House - Introduction Letter - Meimei
**[13:57] Maomao**
Could I interest you in a flower-viewing
session at the Verdigris House?
**[14:02] Lihaku**
Th-The Verdigris House?!
You've gotta be kidding!
**[14:05] Lihaku**
A night at that super high-class brothel
could cost a year of my salary!
**[14:08] Maomao**
If you're worried, you can show them
one of these introduction letters.
**[14:12] Maomao**
Pairin. Joka. Meimei.
**[14:17] Lihaku**
Th-That's even less believable!
**[14:19] Lihaku**
Those are the Three Princesses that not even
the highest-rank officials can afford!
**[14:22] Maomao**
If you can't believe it, that's just too bad.
**[14:25] Lihaku**
Huh?!
**[14:26] Maomao**
My deepest apologies for
having wasted your time.
**[14:29] Lihaku**
W-Wait...
**[14:30] Maomao**
It's very unfortunate, but I'll just
have to ask someone else.
**[14:33] Maomao**
Please forget I mentioned this.
**[14:37] Lihaku**
*She has other contacts?!*
**[14:40] Lihaku**
*Hairpins with rose quartz and silver?!*
**[14:43] Lihaku**
* They're obviously from*
* people who far outrank me.*
**[14:46] Lihaku**
*Just who is this girl?!*
**[14:48] Lihaku**
*In that case, what she said might be...*
**[14:50] Lihaku**
*No, it's too suspicious!*
**[14:53] Lihaku**
*But if it* is *true, I'll never get another
chance to meet the Three Princesses again...*
**[14:59] Lihaku**
*What should I do?!*
**[15:03] Maomao**
So, what will it be?
**[15:13] Lihaku**
I lose.
**[15:15] Yinghua**
Congratulations, Maomao!
**[15:17] Yinghua**
Who would have thought
you'd go before any of us...
**[15:20] Ailan**
I'm so glad!
**[15:22] Guiyuan**
You must've met someone nice!
**[15:24] Maomao**
Uh, thank you?
**[15:26] Yinghua**
Why are you so casual about this?!
**[15:28] Maomao**
Don't worry, I'll bring back souvenirs.
**[15:31] Yinghua**
How'd you meet this guy?
**[15:33] Maomao**
Um, coincidence?
**[15:35] Hongniang**
I'm pretty sure she has no idea
what the hairpin means.
**[15:39] Gyokuyou**
Yes, I'm sure of it. I feel so
sorry for a certain someone.
**[15:46] Gyokuyou**
This is so amusing.
**[15:50] Gyokuyou**
I wonder what kind of face he'll make...
**[15:52] Hongniang**
I suspect some turmoil in the future...
**[15:56] Narrator**
* Jinshi was finally able to finish up*
* his work and find time to visit*
**[16:01] Narrator**
*the day after Maomao had already left.*
**[16:04] Gyokuyou**
Maomao took off with someone.
**[16:15] Gyokuyou**
On a three-day homecoming.
**[16:18] Maomao**
* The pleasure district where*
* I grew up isn't far away.*
**[16:23] Maomao**
* It's walking distance from the rear palace,*
* just beyond the walls and moats.*
**[16:30] Maomao**
*A carriage? How extravagant.*
**[16:32] Maomao**
* Well, the Three Princesses*
* of the Verdigris House are*
**[16:35] Maomao**
*idolized by the population. Worshiped, even.*
**[16:40] Maomao**
* Just being able to meet*
* them would be an honor.*
**[16:43] Lihaku**
Oh, there it is...
**[16:47] Lihaku**
The pleasure district!
**[16:51] Maomao**
* There are girls who enter the brothels,*
* wanting to become like them.*
**[16:56] Maomao**
*But it's not easy.*
**[16:59] Maomao**
* Even if they become a serving girl,*
* a courtesan-in-training,*
**[17:01] Maomao**
*there's no guarantee that they'll make it.*
**[17:06] Lihaku**
So, this is the Verdigris House...
**[17:08] Maomao**
Yes.
***SIGN*** Verdigris House
**[17:09] Lihaku**
It's very dignified.
**[17:12] Maomao**
It's a long-standing, reputable brothel,
**[17:14] Maomao**
providing everything from middle-
to super-high-rank courtesans.
**[17:19] Maomao**
Hey, long time no see, Grams.
**[17:22] Maomao**
How has everyone—
**[17:28] Old Lady**
What do you mean,
"long time no see?!" Stupid girl.
**[17:31] Lihaku**
Are you okay?! What's with this old woman?!
**[17:35] Maomao**
This is the old madam,
proprietor of the Verdigris House.
**[17:39] Maomao**
I remember this used to help me
spit out all the poison I tried.
**[17:43] Old Lady**
So, is this the good customer?
**[17:46] Old Lady**
He's got a handsome face and a good build.
**[17:50] Old Lady**
I heard you're a rising star, too.
**[17:52] Maomao**
Hey, why say that out loud to his face?
**[17:56] Old Lady**
Hey, get Pairin.
**[17:59] Old Lady**
She should be making tea today.
**[18:00] Serving Girl**
Yes, ma'am!
**[18:01] Lihaku**
Pairin...
**[18:02] Maomao**
Master Lihaku, how strong are your arm muscles?
**[18:06] Lihaku**
I do train pretty regularly.
**[18:09] Maomao**
*This could be...*
**[18:11] Serving Girl**
This way, please.
**[18:14] Lihaku**
I'm getting nervous...
**[18:16] Maomao**
Make a good impression, okay?
**[18:18] Lihaku**
Yeah.
**[18:21] Old Lady**
So, why'd you vanish for ten
whole months without a word?
**[18:27] Maomao**
I had no say in the matter.
Didn't you read the letter I sent?
**[18:31] Old Lady**
Of course I read it! That's why
I'm taking care of that guy for you,
**[18:33] Old Lady**
even though we're introduction only!
**[18:35] Maomao**
I know, I know. I got half of my pay at
the rear palace early, as a special deal.
**[18:43] Old Lady**
This isn't enough for Pairin.
**[18:47] Maomao**
Can we say it's enough for just some tea?
**[18:49] Old Lady**
Idiot! Pairin won't leave
those muscles alone.
**[18:54] Maomao**
I knew it. But that's not
something I can control...
**[18:57] Old Lady**
That won't fly! I'll add it to the tab.
**[19:00] Maomao**
I could never afford that...
**[19:02] Old Lady**
In that case, bring more good customers.
**[19:05] Old Lady**
Similar to that guy. Young, so that we can
drain him over a long period of time.
**[19:09] Maomao**
*Would a eunuch be an acceptable customer?*
**[19:12] Maomao**
* No way. The courtesans*
* would pull out all the stops*
**[19:15] Maomao**
*and put the brothel out of business.*
**[19:17] Maomao**
* But I'd feel bad for Gaoshun*
* or the quack doctor...*
**[19:22] Old Lady**
Maomao, your old man should be
at home. Go visit him already.
**[19:30] Maomao**
* Cross just one street, and the face of*
* the town changes dramatically.*
**[19:35] Maomao**
* Rough shacks, beggars,*
* and syphilitic streetwalkers.*
**[19:41] Maomao**
Things haven't changed.
**[19:57] Maomao**
I'm home, Dad.
**[19:59] Luomen**
Welcome home. You were out for a while.
**[20:05] Maomao**
I'm finally home.
**[20:08] Maomao**
Yeah, on that day, I was out
getting dyes for my freckles, when...
**[20:25] Maomao**
I still have time left on my term, so I'll
go back to the rear palace in two days.
**[20:29] Luomen**
I see.
**[20:30] Maomao**
I'm sleepy, but I also want a bath.
**[20:33] Luomen**
You should borrow a bath at
the Verdigris House tomorrow.
**[20:38] Maomao**
Yeah, I'll do that.
**[20:58] Luomen**
The rear palace? What a twist of fate.
**[21:06] ED Lyrics**
*Not just some superficial sweetness*
**[21:12] ED Lyrics**
*I want more warmth than I can even use, oh*
**[21:18] ED Lyrics**
*Having these selfish idealistic thoughts*
**[21:23] ED Lyrics**
* I swallowed them again today*
* before putting them into words*
**[21:28] ED Lyrics**
* Still in my memories,*
* the scent of fragrant olive*
**[21:33] ED Lyrics**
*The color of twilight in the city*
**[21:36] ED Lyrics**
*We were laughing...*
**[21:41] ED Lyrics**
* Filled with sadness,*
* the tears welled up in my eyes*
**[21:53] ED Lyrics**
*I found a glow during those days*
**[22:01] ED Lyrics**
*I guess I took everything for granted*
**[22:06] ED Lyrics**
*The wind was so loud I covered my ears*
**[22:18] ED Lyrics**
*I gotta stop being like that*
**[22:26] ED Lyrics**
*Even if I stumble over the words of love*
***SIGN*** Next Time
**[22:46] Narrator**
*Next time: "Wheat Stalks."*
***SIGN*** Episode 8: Wheat Stalks