1
00:00:01,543 --> 00:00:04,838
ORIGINAL STORY BY: NATSU HYUUGA

2
00:01:32,133 --> 00:01:33,510
THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF
FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS.

3
00:01:33,593 --> 00:01:34,928
MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION
TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.

4
00:01:53,822 --> 00:01:57,450
I heard that the palace woman
who drowned and died killed herself,

5
00:01:57,534 --> 00:01:59,744
she was the maid for the Garnet Pavilion.

6
00:02:00,620 --> 00:02:01,621
She was the one

7
00:02:01,704 --> 00:02:04,874
who poisoned Lady Lishu
at the garden party.

8
00:02:04,958 --> 00:02:08,628
Maybe she did it for her master,
Concubine Ah-Duo.

9
00:02:09,128 --> 00:02:10,588
The Pure Concubine?

10
00:02:10,672 --> 00:02:11,840
Yes.

11
00:02:11,923 --> 00:02:13,675
It was rumored that she'd be removed

12
00:02:13,758 --> 00:02:16,636
from the four ladies
and replaced by a younger concubine.

13
00:02:18,096 --> 00:02:22,267
Concubine Ah-Duo, at age 35,
is a year older than the Emperor.

14
00:02:22,767 --> 00:02:26,020
She lost a boy that she had
when the Emperor was still

15
00:02:26,104 --> 00:02:27,438
the Eastern Palace.

16
00:02:28,273 --> 00:02:32,652
The rear palace exists to have as many
children as possible. It can't be helped…

17
00:02:34,904 --> 00:02:37,365
A mother of a dead baby boy, huh?

18
00:02:38,616 --> 00:02:43,288
If Lady Lihua continues to not have
children, will she have the same fate?

19
00:02:43,872 --> 00:02:45,248
Same with Lady Gyokuyou.

20
00:02:45,331 --> 00:02:48,543
You never know for how long
she will be the Emperor's favorite.

21
00:02:49,419 --> 00:02:52,297
Even beautiful flowers will wilt one day.

22
00:02:52,964 --> 00:02:55,800
Flowers of the rear palace
must bear fruit to have value.

23
00:02:56,634 --> 00:02:58,303
I have to go back soon.

24
00:02:58,386 --> 00:03:00,054
Take this, too.

25
00:03:00,597 --> 00:03:02,599
It's leftovers
from the tea party yesterday.

26
00:03:02,682 --> 00:03:03,516
Thank you!

27
00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,269
You have so many snacks
that you have leftovers?

28
00:03:06,352 --> 00:03:08,688
Tea parties are amazing!

29
00:03:09,772 --> 00:03:10,857
You think?

30
00:03:11,733 --> 00:03:14,861
Tea parties are duties
that concubines must fulfill.

31
00:03:15,445 --> 00:03:16,946
Maomao, you get ready, too!

32
00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:18,823
There's another one?

33
00:03:20,074 --> 00:03:22,368
Everyone seems to be especially energized.

34
00:03:22,452 --> 00:03:24,412
Of course we are.

35
00:03:24,495 --> 00:03:26,581
The Virtuous Concubine,
Lady Lishu, is coming!

36
00:03:27,540 --> 00:03:31,085
The microcosm of the rear palace
can be found in this one room.

37
00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:34,339
Welcome, Concubine Lishu.

38
00:03:35,340 --> 00:03:37,300
Thank you.

39
00:03:37,884 --> 00:03:40,053
Poking at each other's hidden motives.

40
00:03:41,387 --> 00:03:43,723
Is it the fate of all women to be on edge

41
00:03:43,806 --> 00:03:46,059
when facing other women?

42
00:03:46,142 --> 00:03:47,393
Honestly,

43
00:03:47,477 --> 00:03:50,021
it's more tense
than when the Emperor comes to visit.

44
00:03:51,272 --> 00:03:55,485
Lady Gyokuyou is gathering information
even in a friendly conversation.

45
00:03:55,568 --> 00:03:58,112
She may look gentle,
but she's still a concubine.

46
00:03:58,821 --> 00:04:01,908
She apparently sends
the information she collects back home.

47
00:04:01,991 --> 00:04:04,202
Her home is a resting point for trade,

48
00:04:04,285 --> 00:04:06,371
so it must be important to understand

49
00:04:06,454 --> 00:04:07,997
the flow of people and the times.

50
00:04:15,505 --> 00:04:17,632
The food taster at the garden party?

51
00:04:17,715 --> 00:04:20,468
I'm glad she hadn't been punished
that harshly.

52
00:04:22,053 --> 00:04:24,180
I won't bite, you know.

53
00:04:25,265 --> 00:04:28,643
The other attendants aren't
paying attention to their lady at all.

54
00:04:29,477 --> 00:04:32,522
But it doesn't seem
that they're bullying her for now.

55
00:04:33,564 --> 00:04:37,318
If my report to Sir Gaoshun was a mistake,
then that's great news.

56
00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:41,281
You don't dislike sweets, do you?

57
00:04:41,864 --> 00:04:43,199
I love sweets.

58
00:04:43,866 --> 00:04:44,701
I'm glad.

59
00:04:46,452 --> 00:04:49,580
It's cold, so I thought
something like this would be nice.

60
00:04:50,248 --> 00:04:53,001
I brewed citrus peels with honey.

61
00:04:53,710 --> 00:04:55,545
It'll warm you up.

62
00:04:57,296 --> 00:04:59,507
I hope you like it.

63
00:05:04,554 --> 00:05:07,181
Oh? She can't have honey, either?

64
00:05:07,265 --> 00:05:09,350
She's being picky again?

65
00:05:09,434 --> 00:05:11,477
She won't even have what's offered to her?

66
00:05:11,561 --> 00:05:13,187
Twitch, twitch.

67
00:05:23,906 --> 00:05:24,907
Lady Gyokuyou.

68
00:05:26,409 --> 00:05:27,785
Oh, my mistake.

69
00:05:27,869 --> 00:05:29,912
I'm sorry, Ailan.

70
00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:32,540
It looks like we need to soak it
a little longer.

71
00:05:33,041 --> 00:05:34,667
I'll offer something else.

72
00:05:34,751 --> 00:05:36,753
Can you have ginger tea?

73
00:05:37,879 --> 00:05:40,214
Yes, I can.

74
00:05:40,840 --> 00:05:42,842
Unfortunately, it looks like

75
00:05:42,925 --> 00:05:45,511
the bullying rumors were true.

76
00:05:48,139 --> 00:05:49,140
Oh.

77
00:05:49,766 --> 00:05:51,976
Leave the cleaning up to us.

78
00:05:52,060 --> 00:05:54,020
You go rest, Maomao.

79
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,440
I can clean up, you know.

80
00:05:57,523 --> 00:06:00,443
How was the tea party
with Concubines Gyokuyou and Lishu?

81
00:06:01,486 --> 00:06:04,197
I thought it was weird
to suddenly invite Lady Lishu

82
00:06:04,280 --> 00:06:06,157
for a tea party.

83
00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:09,202
It was his plan all along.

84
00:06:10,411 --> 00:06:12,705
They seemed to enjoy themselves.

85
00:06:14,082 --> 00:06:16,084
We're not finished talking.

86
00:06:16,167 --> 00:06:17,794
Will you let me go?

87
00:06:20,588 --> 00:06:22,965
About the poisoning incident
at the garden party.

88
00:06:23,049 --> 00:06:27,095
Did you know that it was done by the
Garnet Pavilion maid that killed herself?

89
00:06:27,678 --> 00:06:28,971
I have heard rumors.

90
00:06:30,765 --> 00:06:32,975
Do you really think she killed herself?

91
00:06:34,894 --> 00:06:37,605
That's not for me to decide.

92
00:06:38,189 --> 00:06:39,857
Why would a mere maid want to

93
00:06:40,358 --> 00:06:43,319
put poison on Lady Lishu
the Virtuous Concubine's plate?

94
00:06:44,654 --> 00:06:45,780
I have no idea.

95
00:06:52,453 --> 00:06:56,374
Then, could you go help
at the Garnet Pavilion starting tomorrow?

96
00:06:57,792 --> 00:06:59,001
"Could you?"

97
00:06:59,085 --> 00:07:02,463
He says that,
as if I have any other choice.

98
00:07:04,799 --> 00:07:05,633
Yes, sir.

99
00:07:07,844 --> 00:07:09,262
A pavilion's atmosphere

100
00:07:09,345 --> 00:07:11,264
is determined by its master.

101
00:07:11,931 --> 00:07:14,684
Lady Gyokuyou's Jade Pavilion is homey,
and Lady Lihua's

102
00:07:14,767 --> 00:07:16,310
Crystal Pavilion was

103
00:07:16,394 --> 00:07:18,396
noble and refined.

104
00:07:19,021 --> 00:07:21,899
And the Garnet Pavilion
where Lady Ah-Duo lives is

105
00:07:21,983 --> 00:07:24,819
efficient, elegant, and practical.

106
00:07:25,361 --> 00:07:27,780
Sorry for making you come so suddenly.

107
00:07:27,864 --> 00:07:30,950
I look forward to working with you
for the next three days.

108
00:07:31,617 --> 00:07:34,787
I haven't been instructed by Sir Jinshi
to do anything.

109
00:07:34,871 --> 00:07:36,539
Might as well work, then.

110
00:07:36,622 --> 00:07:38,082
I haven't seen you around.

111
00:07:38,583 --> 00:07:41,002
Who are those girls, Fengming?

112
00:07:41,085 --> 00:07:43,171
They're here to help
with the spring cleaning.

113
00:07:44,464 --> 00:07:46,799
I see. Thank you for your work.

114
00:07:47,758 --> 00:07:49,552
The Pure Concubine, Lady Ah-Duo.

115
00:07:50,428 --> 00:07:52,513
She's neither flashy nor plump,

116
00:07:52,597 --> 00:07:55,725
but she's both feminine, masculine,
and dignified. She's beautiful.

117
00:07:55,808 --> 00:07:58,060
So she's 35, huh?

118
00:07:58,144 --> 00:08:01,314
If she wore the robe, one could
mistake her for a young civil servant.

119
00:08:02,857 --> 00:08:05,318
She might look better in hufu,

120
00:08:05,401 --> 00:08:07,653
rather than the robe and skirt
for concubines.

121
00:08:16,871 --> 00:08:19,290
Looks like they're into her.

122
00:08:26,964 --> 00:08:29,759
She reminds me of someone.

123
00:08:34,138 --> 00:08:35,890
Ms. Fengming, the head lady-in-waiting.

124
00:08:36,641 --> 00:08:40,853
She must come from a good family
based on her position,

125
00:08:40,937 --> 00:08:42,396
but she's very friendly.

126
00:08:44,023 --> 00:08:46,651
First, can you hang these books
out to dry?

127
00:08:49,820 --> 00:08:52,698
If anything is too heavy,
just give it to a eunuch.

128
00:08:55,618 --> 00:08:58,329
As expected of a veteran
high-ranking concubine.

129
00:08:58,412 --> 00:09:00,081
Though the mansion is clean,

130
00:09:00,164 --> 00:09:02,083
it's packed with things.

131
00:09:05,127 --> 00:09:06,921
Similar to the Jade Pavilion,

132
00:09:07,004 --> 00:09:09,549
the Garnet Pavilion attendants
are hard workers.

133
00:09:09,632 --> 00:09:12,301
I'd like to show this to the ladies
who are all talk, no work.

134
00:09:28,943 --> 00:09:30,236
We're finished here.

135
00:09:30,319 --> 00:09:32,613
You already got this much done?

136
00:09:32,697 --> 00:09:35,157
And everything is so neat.
You're a big help.

137
00:09:35,658 --> 00:09:38,160
Can you help at the reception room, too?

138
00:09:38,244 --> 00:09:39,453
Yes, ma'am.

139
00:09:39,537 --> 00:09:42,456
She's friendly, observant,
and praises others well.

140
00:09:43,457 --> 00:09:47,461
She's skilled in employing others
as the head lady-in-waiting.

141
00:09:54,051 --> 00:09:57,722
I haven't done physical labor in a while.
I'm tired.

142
00:10:01,100 --> 00:10:04,312
-Good work. Thank you for helping today.
-Not at all.

143
00:10:04,395 --> 00:10:08,024
You're spending the night
at the Garnet Pavilion, right?

144
00:10:08,107 --> 00:10:09,066
Come with me.

145
00:10:17,700 --> 00:10:19,327
A sweet scent?

146
00:10:19,410 --> 00:10:23,205
Use this. It'll be cold tonight.

147
00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:24,624
Thank you, ma'am.

148
00:10:25,625 --> 00:10:27,084
Rest well.

149
00:10:37,887 --> 00:10:41,432
I haven't been told by Sir Jinshi
to do anything,

150
00:10:41,932 --> 00:10:42,892
but…

151
00:11:02,661 --> 00:11:06,540
Would I really find the mastermind
behind the poisoning here?

152
00:11:06,624 --> 00:11:09,043
Everyone truly works hard.

153
00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:11,545
Not just the attendants, but…

154
00:11:11,629 --> 00:11:12,546
Ms. Fengming!

155
00:11:12,630 --> 00:11:15,257
We can do the wiping down there.

156
00:11:15,341 --> 00:11:16,884
It's all right, it's nothing.

157
00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:18,636
I just noticed it, that's all.

158
00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,555
Ms. Fengming is the leader of the pack.

159
00:11:21,639 --> 00:11:23,641
She's past the age to get married,

160
00:11:23,724 --> 00:11:25,851
but if she had,
she would've been a good wife.

161
00:11:26,727 --> 00:11:28,854
Did she not consider getting married?

162
00:11:29,605 --> 00:11:33,359
Maybe she chose to dedicate
her whole life to Concubine Ah-Duo.

163
00:11:34,443 --> 00:11:36,278
A strong sense of loyalty

164
00:11:36,362 --> 00:11:39,115
could very well be the motive
for the poisoning.

165
00:11:39,949 --> 00:11:42,743
Now that a new concubine may be coming,

166
00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:45,413
Lady Ah-Duo's position is at the

167
00:11:45,496 --> 00:11:46,414
highest risk.

168
00:11:47,123 --> 00:11:49,417
But what if another seat opens up
before that?

169
00:11:50,543 --> 00:11:53,337
The Emperor only reacts positively
to ripened fruits.

170
00:11:53,421 --> 00:11:55,965
As such, he does not visit Lady Lishu.

171
00:11:56,465 --> 00:11:59,927
This is great news,
considering her age of 14,

172
00:12:00,010 --> 00:12:02,930
but she's also not fulfilling her duties
as a concubine.

173
00:12:03,889 --> 00:12:06,434
If the poison attempt was done
for Concubine Ah-Duo,

174
00:12:07,184 --> 00:12:10,187
Lady Lishu is a reasonable target.

175
00:12:10,896 --> 00:12:12,523
Can someone help here?

176
00:12:14,942 --> 00:12:15,901
Honey?

177
00:12:15,985 --> 00:12:19,155
Ms. Fengming's home runs a bee farm.

178
00:12:20,197 --> 00:12:23,909
That's why you have so much
high-quality honey.

179
00:12:24,827 --> 00:12:27,746
So the sweet scent yesterday was honey.

180
00:12:33,335 --> 00:12:34,712
Lady Lishu?

181
00:12:34,795 --> 00:12:37,465
She's only here with the food taster?

182
00:12:37,548 --> 00:12:39,800
Why is she at the Garnet Pavilion?

183
00:12:39,884 --> 00:12:41,469
Oh, right. At the tea party…

184
00:12:49,810 --> 00:12:52,480
That's all that happened
at the Garnet Pavilion.

185
00:12:53,814 --> 00:12:54,940
I see.

186
00:12:56,025 --> 00:12:56,859
So?

187
00:12:57,485 --> 00:12:59,862
There's nothing else for me to say.

188
00:13:00,613 --> 00:13:03,032
I don't know what he's looking for,

189
00:13:03,115 --> 00:13:04,867
but I'm just a regular apothecary.

190
00:13:05,659 --> 00:13:08,120
It's not my job to be a spy.

191
00:13:08,704 --> 00:13:11,540
Anyways, isn't he a little too laid back
these days?

192
00:13:16,587 --> 00:13:18,172
Let me rephrase my question.

193
00:13:18,672 --> 00:13:22,551
If anyone were to use special methods
to contact the outside,

194
00:13:22,635 --> 00:13:23,511
who would it be?

195
00:13:24,303 --> 00:13:26,514
What a mean question.

196
00:13:27,932 --> 00:13:29,808
Someone who could possibly do that is

197
00:13:29,892 --> 00:13:32,770
the head lady-in-waiting, Ms. Fengming.

198
00:13:32,853 --> 00:13:33,979
Why do you say that?

199
00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,941
She had bandages
wrapped around her left wrist.

200
00:13:37,608 --> 00:13:39,443
The colored wood tablet from before

201
00:13:39,527 --> 00:13:42,947
was wrapped around a woman's robe
with burnt sleeves.

202
00:13:44,156 --> 00:13:46,992
Someone made the effort
to burn different colored flames.

203
00:13:47,076 --> 00:13:48,953
If the flames meant anything,

204
00:13:49,036 --> 00:13:50,120
it would be code.

205
00:13:50,621 --> 00:13:51,914
Honestly, I can't imagine

206
00:13:51,997 --> 00:13:54,375
a calm head lady-in-waiting like that

207
00:13:54,458 --> 00:13:56,544
scheming anything like that, but…

208
00:13:57,294 --> 00:13:59,547
That's only my personal speculation.

209
00:14:03,092 --> 00:14:04,552
I guess you pass.

210
00:14:05,219 --> 00:14:07,721
He took the chance to eat some honey.

211
00:14:07,805 --> 00:14:10,266
I'm sure he knew this much.

212
00:14:12,685 --> 00:14:15,646
I have to give treats to good girls.

213
00:14:16,981 --> 00:14:19,567
-No thank you!
-No need for that.

214
00:14:23,529 --> 00:14:26,282
I don't need it. Do that for someone else.

215
00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:30,244
Just because he's good-looking,
he thinks he'd get away with anything!

216
00:14:30,327 --> 00:14:32,746
That's the kind of pervert he was!

217
00:14:35,291 --> 00:14:36,625
Sir Gaoshun!

218
00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:39,920
I'll poison you with laxatives!

219
00:14:40,504 --> 00:14:43,340
-You don't like sweets?
-I like salt and spice.

220
00:14:44,049 --> 00:14:45,467
But you can eat it, right?

221
00:14:45,551 --> 00:14:48,220
Shit. I can't get through to him.

222
00:14:48,304 --> 00:14:50,806
If he wasn't a higher-up,
I would kick him in the crotch.

223
00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:52,975
No. I can't kick what's not there.

224
00:14:53,058 --> 00:14:55,227
Should I just obey his orders,

225
00:14:55,311 --> 00:14:56,937
or run away and keep my dignity?

226
00:15:02,943 --> 00:15:06,530
Only if this was an aconite syrup…

227
00:15:09,617 --> 00:15:12,036
You don't dislike sweets, do you?

228
00:15:12,119 --> 00:15:13,662
I hope you like it.

229
00:15:33,849 --> 00:15:34,683
Honey?

230
00:15:34,767 --> 00:15:36,644
Ms. Fengming's home

231
00:15:36,727 --> 00:15:39,229
-runs a bee farm.
-Lady Lishu?

232
00:15:40,606 --> 00:15:41,815
Syrup…

233
00:15:45,277 --> 00:15:46,612
Honey.

234
00:15:48,906 --> 00:15:49,740
Apothecary?

235
00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,910
What are you doing to my lady-in-waiting?

236
00:15:56,497 --> 00:15:58,248
Concubine Gyokuyou, this is…

237
00:15:58,332 --> 00:16:00,709
Whose permission do you have to do that?

238
00:16:05,631 --> 00:16:06,465
Xiaomao,

239
00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:09,635
he just got carried away.

240
00:16:09,718 --> 00:16:12,221
Will you forgive Sir Jinshi?

241
00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:16,767
In that case, you should lick him
next time, Sir Gaoshun.

242
00:16:18,185 --> 00:16:20,979
Lick? Well, that's…

243
00:16:22,690 --> 00:16:23,732
Do you get it now?

244
00:16:24,858 --> 00:16:28,570
I have a few things I need to confirm.

245
00:16:32,157 --> 00:16:33,367
Excuse us.

246
00:16:33,450 --> 00:16:35,869
Welcome… Oh?

247
00:16:37,079 --> 00:16:38,789
Sir Jinshi isn't here?

248
00:16:38,872 --> 00:16:41,083
No. Sorry for barging in like this.

249
00:16:42,793 --> 00:16:46,046
So? What does a Jade Pavilion attendant
need from me?

250
00:16:46,714 --> 00:16:48,173
I need to ask you something.

251
00:16:54,805 --> 00:16:56,932
You're from the garden party…

252
00:16:58,434 --> 00:16:59,476
What is it?

253
00:17:00,853 --> 00:17:02,604
Do you dislike honey?

254
00:17:04,106 --> 00:17:05,649
How do you know?

255
00:17:05,733 --> 00:17:07,067
It's pretty obvious.

256
00:17:08,902 --> 00:17:12,364
Have you ever had an upset stomach
from consuming honey?

257
00:17:12,448 --> 00:17:14,825
It's common to dislike
a certain food after

258
00:17:14,908 --> 00:17:16,452
experiencing food poisoning.

259
00:17:17,536 --> 00:17:19,038
That's not what happened.

260
00:17:19,121 --> 00:17:21,832
I don't remember. I was just a baby.

261
00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,627
I hear my life was at risk at one point.

262
00:17:26,253 --> 00:17:29,631
My wet nurse told me never to eat it.

263
00:17:29,715 --> 00:17:33,218
You're being quite rude.
These are intrusive questions.

264
00:17:36,305 --> 00:17:39,600
You didn't even protect your lady
at the tea party. You're one to talk.

265
00:17:39,683 --> 00:17:40,768
What are those eyes?

266
00:17:40,851 --> 00:17:43,604
You don't need to listen
to an attendant like that.

267
00:17:43,687 --> 00:17:46,899
Yes. It's rude to you, Lady Lishu,
the Pure Concubine.

268
00:17:46,982 --> 00:17:48,233
You should kick her out!

269
00:17:48,317 --> 00:17:51,403
They must make outsiders
out to be the villain this way

270
00:17:51,487 --> 00:17:54,239
to make her think
they're her only friends.

271
00:17:54,907 --> 00:17:57,576
-Lady Lishu…
-A sheltered rich girl like her

272
00:17:57,659 --> 00:17:59,578
would easily get tricked.

273
00:18:00,746 --> 00:18:02,372
An isolated concubine

274
00:18:02,456 --> 00:18:04,792
must rely on her attendants.

275
00:18:04,875 --> 00:18:07,586
She doesn't even realize
she's being bullied.

276
00:18:08,504 --> 00:18:10,005
It's a vicious cycle.

277
00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:14,384
I was ordered to come here. If you have

278
00:18:14,468 --> 00:18:15,636
any complaints,

279
00:18:16,345 --> 00:18:18,514
say them directly to Sir Jinshi.

280
00:18:18,597 --> 00:18:20,557
To Sir Jinshi?

281
00:18:20,641 --> 00:18:22,184
Directly?

282
00:18:22,684 --> 00:18:25,270
I should be able to get away
with this much.

283
00:18:25,354 --> 00:18:30,234
I'm excited to think how these attendants
would approach that pervert eunuch.

284
00:18:30,818 --> 00:18:33,153
Another question for you.

285
00:18:34,822 --> 00:18:36,657
Have you ever met Ms. Fegming,

286
00:18:38,117 --> 00:18:40,452
the head lady-in-waiting
at the Garnet Pavilion?

287
00:18:55,676 --> 00:18:58,470
-Xiaomao?
-Sir Gaoshun,

288
00:18:58,554 --> 00:19:01,557
is there a way to learn about past events
in the rear palace?

289
00:19:05,269 --> 00:19:06,812
I'll look in the court archives.

290
00:19:09,231 --> 00:19:10,816
Thank you, sir.

291
00:19:16,113 --> 00:19:18,824
What did she find out this time?

292
00:19:19,491 --> 00:19:20,951
She's a clever girl.

293
00:19:21,034 --> 00:19:23,287
I can't believe that she's just 17.

294
00:19:23,370 --> 00:19:25,080
She's knowledgeable and calm.

295
00:19:25,706 --> 00:19:29,334
She thinks things through rationally,
and can process information well.

296
00:19:30,919 --> 00:19:34,882
She can be a bit strange,
but also somewhat impressive.

297
00:19:37,926 --> 00:19:39,595
Seventeen years ago,

298
00:19:39,678 --> 00:19:42,431
when the current Emperor was still
the Eastern Palace,

299
00:19:42,931 --> 00:19:44,683
he had a baby boy

300
00:19:44,766 --> 00:19:46,518
with Concubine Ah-Duo.

301
00:19:47,019 --> 00:19:48,604
The boy has since died.

302
00:19:49,521 --> 00:19:52,482
The boy was born around the same time
as the Emperor's brother,

303
00:19:52,566 --> 00:19:55,611
the child of the former Emperor
and the Empress Dowager.

304
00:19:56,486 --> 00:19:58,989
He only had that one child
as the Eastern Palace.

305
00:19:59,489 --> 00:20:01,450
His only concubine was Lady Ah-Duo.

306
00:20:02,451 --> 00:20:05,829
The current Emperor and Lady Ah-Duo
are foster siblings,

307
00:20:05,913 --> 00:20:08,832
so I get that he's attached
to Lady Ah-Duo, but…

308
00:20:09,499 --> 00:20:13,253
I can't believe that lustful old man
only had one concubine.

309
00:20:15,088 --> 00:20:19,968
The baby boy died 16 years ago.
It was investigated by…

310
00:20:20,052 --> 00:20:21,428
LUOMEN

311
00:20:25,015 --> 00:20:26,183
I had imagined

312
00:20:26,266 --> 00:20:27,935
that this might be the case.

313
00:20:28,852 --> 00:20:31,647
The medicinal herbs growing
in the rear palace

314
00:20:31,730 --> 00:20:34,775
are ones I've been using for a long time.

315
00:20:35,275 --> 00:20:37,694
Someone must have transported them here.

316
00:20:39,780 --> 00:20:43,700
A man who drags his foot
like an old woman.

317
00:20:44,868 --> 00:20:46,912
A man so skilled in medicine
that it's a waste

318
00:20:46,995 --> 00:20:48,956
he's an apothecary
in the pleasure district.

319
00:20:50,791 --> 00:20:53,585
A man with one of his knee bones removed.

320
00:20:53,669 --> 00:20:55,128
A former eunuch.

321
00:20:55,212 --> 00:20:56,463
LUOMEN

322
00:20:56,546 --> 00:20:57,881
What the hell are you doing?

323
00:20:59,675 --> 00:21:00,884
Old man?

324
00:22:35,979 --> 00:22:37,147
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE

325
00:22:47,532 --> 00:22:50,035
Next Episode, "Reducing Two to One."

326
00:22:50,118 --> 00:22:51,620
Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi
d.