1 00:00:01,626 --> 00:00:04,838 ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA 2 00:01:31,007 --> 00:01:32,926 JADE PAVILION: MAOMAO 3 00:01:34,761 --> 00:01:36,137 What should we do…? 4 00:01:37,013 --> 00:01:38,348 What do you think, sir? 5 00:01:38,431 --> 00:01:39,641 THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS. 6 00:01:39,724 --> 00:01:40,892 MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS. 7 00:01:40,975 --> 00:01:42,101 After the execution 8 00:01:42,811 --> 00:01:45,438 of Fengming, her relatives were robbed of their wealth, 9 00:01:45,522 --> 00:01:48,817 and were sentenced to varying degrees of corporal punishment. 10 00:01:50,568 --> 00:01:53,905 The crime was said to be committed by Fengming alone, 11 00:01:53,988 --> 00:01:57,367 and it was fortunate that her master, Ah-Duo, was not questioned. 12 00:01:59,577 --> 00:02:00,495 And now, 13 00:02:01,079 --> 00:02:05,291 I have the names from Fengming's family and anyone with connections to the family. 14 00:02:05,375 --> 00:02:09,879 The list contains names of the customers who conducted business with the family. 15 00:02:09,963 --> 00:02:12,715 They did a wide variety of business, not just beekeeping. 16 00:02:12,799 --> 00:02:14,926 There are about 80 people with connections 17 00:02:15,009 --> 00:02:16,553 in the rear palace. 18 00:02:16,636 --> 00:02:19,180 Eighty people out of 2,000, huh? 19 00:02:20,140 --> 00:02:21,975 That's quite a blow. 20 00:02:22,058 --> 00:02:24,727 JADE PAVILION: MAOMAO 21 00:02:25,562 --> 00:02:28,398 The party where the Apothecary was sold off to after being kidnapped 22 00:02:28,481 --> 00:02:30,733 had connections to the family. 23 00:02:30,817 --> 00:02:33,528 We can cover this up if you'd like. 24 00:02:34,154 --> 00:02:35,822 "If you'd like." 25 00:02:36,573 --> 00:02:37,949 Of course, what else? 26 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:41,327 It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong. 27 00:02:41,411 --> 00:02:43,538 Whatever I say will happen. 28 00:02:44,414 --> 00:02:47,167 She's clear about the divide between commoners and nobility. 29 00:02:47,792 --> 00:02:50,336 She'll follow whatever order is given to her. 30 00:02:55,216 --> 00:02:57,594 It's simple for me to strike down any order. 31 00:02:57,677 --> 00:02:59,637 I can just decide right now. 32 00:03:00,305 --> 00:03:04,225 If I cover this up, I can keep her in the rear palace. 33 00:03:04,309 --> 00:03:09,647 But what if that's not what she wants? 34 00:03:09,731 --> 00:03:12,567 If she learned she was forced to remain where she didn't want to be, 35 00:03:13,651 --> 00:03:15,570 how would she react? 36 00:03:19,574 --> 00:03:21,409 I'm afraid of deepening the gap 37 00:03:21,492 --> 00:03:24,412 that already exists between us. 38 00:03:25,997 --> 00:03:27,040 Sir Jinshi. 39 00:03:28,499 --> 00:03:31,169 I thought she was just a convenient chess piece. 40 00:03:35,798 --> 00:03:38,218 -A mass firing? -Yeah, that's right. 41 00:03:38,301 --> 00:03:41,054 All the daughters of parents that did business 42 00:03:41,137 --> 00:03:43,556 with that family have to quit. 43 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,976 It's going to be a large number of girls. 44 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:48,394 I see… 45 00:03:48,478 --> 00:03:52,649 There's a lot of girls who are panicking because they have to quit suddenly. 46 00:03:52,732 --> 00:03:55,318 Looks like that family did business with a lot of people. 47 00:03:56,694 --> 00:03:58,613 I have a bad feeling about this. 48 00:03:59,322 --> 00:04:02,158 I'd be in a bind if I was fired right now. 49 00:04:02,242 --> 00:04:03,493 The timing is bad. 50 00:04:03,576 --> 00:04:04,535 After Lihaku's visit, 51 00:04:04,619 --> 00:04:08,873 I haven't been able to send any wealthy customers to Grams. 52 00:04:08,957 --> 00:04:10,124 If I go back now… 53 00:04:10,750 --> 00:04:11,918 I'm home! 54 00:04:12,961 --> 00:04:14,504 Here's a customer! 55 00:04:15,338 --> 00:04:17,507 I'll definitely be sold off… 56 00:04:18,967 --> 00:04:19,801 Maomao? 57 00:04:26,474 --> 00:04:30,436 When I checked last time, my registered family was 58 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,564 listed as a merchant family that conducts trade. 59 00:04:41,823 --> 00:04:43,908 If Fengming's family are bee farmers, 60 00:04:44,575 --> 00:04:46,035 they may have some kind of 61 00:04:46,703 --> 00:04:47,620 connection! 62 00:05:31,247 --> 00:05:32,290 Sir Jinshi! 63 00:05:43,676 --> 00:05:46,179 What's wrong? You're out of breath. 64 00:05:47,305 --> 00:05:50,224 -Well… -Calm down. Your face is all red. 65 00:05:50,975 --> 00:05:52,727 I need to talk to you. 66 00:05:53,728 --> 00:05:56,481 Fine. Let's talk inside. 67 00:05:58,816 --> 00:06:00,735 It's about the mass firing, right? 68 00:06:00,818 --> 00:06:01,986 Yes. 69 00:06:02,695 --> 00:06:06,032 -What'll happen to me? -Here's the registry. 70 00:06:06,699 --> 00:06:08,451 THE JADE PAVILION: MAOMAO 71 00:06:09,368 --> 00:06:11,954 So I'll be fired? 72 00:06:13,790 --> 00:06:14,665 What do you want? 73 00:06:20,088 --> 00:06:22,173 I thought she was just a convenient chess piece. 74 00:06:26,844 --> 00:06:29,472 Ever since I became Lady Gyokuyou's attendant, 75 00:06:29,555 --> 00:06:32,892 I can taste test, and have access to the medical office. 76 00:06:32,975 --> 00:06:35,770 I enjoy the life I have now. 77 00:06:37,105 --> 00:06:39,982 But I'm just a palace woman. 78 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:43,277 I'm in no position to request not to be fired. 79 00:06:44,362 --> 00:06:47,031 I can't look like I'm begging… 80 00:06:48,407 --> 00:06:50,451 I'm just a palace woman. 81 00:06:51,035 --> 00:06:53,538 Whether it's menial work, cooking, or taste testing, 82 00:06:53,621 --> 00:06:57,458 I'll do whatever you say, if it's an order. 83 00:06:58,626 --> 00:06:59,836 "If it's an order…" 84 00:07:00,545 --> 00:07:01,546 That's right. 85 00:07:01,629 --> 00:07:04,757 As long as it's an order, I can get through this. 86 00:07:04,841 --> 00:07:07,844 I won't complain even if my salary goes down. 87 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:11,597 If I can buy some time before I'm sold off, I can survive. 88 00:07:14,016 --> 00:07:16,394 So, don't fire me! 89 00:07:19,438 --> 00:07:20,481 I understand. 90 00:07:21,065 --> 00:07:21,899 So… 91 00:07:22,984 --> 00:07:24,402 I'll pay as much as I can. 92 00:07:26,654 --> 00:07:29,574 -Oh… -Negotiation failed. 93 00:07:29,657 --> 00:07:31,659 Maomao has been fired. 94 00:07:33,828 --> 00:07:35,413 All right, then. 95 00:07:43,796 --> 00:07:46,424 How long are you going to stay like that? 96 00:07:48,092 --> 00:07:50,720 You should have stopped her. 97 00:07:50,803 --> 00:07:51,804 Don't say anything. 98 00:07:54,432 --> 00:07:56,267 The week after she was dismissed, 99 00:07:56,893 --> 00:07:59,770 Xiaomao returned to the pleasure district. 100 00:08:00,646 --> 00:08:02,231 I hear she was courteous 101 00:08:02,315 --> 00:08:06,527 and said goodbye to all the people that took care of her. 102 00:08:07,445 --> 00:08:09,322 I won't help you even if you regret this. 103 00:08:10,114 --> 00:08:13,117 He lost his favorite toy. 104 00:08:13,201 --> 00:08:16,829 It'll be a lot of work to find an interesting replacement toy for him. 105 00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:19,832 I want the other one! 106 00:08:20,875 --> 00:08:22,376 No… 107 00:08:22,460 --> 00:08:26,088 Perhaps that girl isn't a toy after all. 108 00:08:27,048 --> 00:08:30,718 He didn't make her stay because he didn't want to use her. 109 00:08:31,761 --> 00:08:35,515 What a burdensome master I have. He's a lot of work. 110 00:08:35,598 --> 00:08:37,225 If I can't find a replacement… 111 00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:40,728 Perhaps I'll ask that soldier. 112 00:08:41,395 --> 00:08:44,982 Depressed, sulking, gloomy… 113 00:08:51,572 --> 00:08:54,492 See. You look better without freckles! 114 00:08:54,575 --> 00:08:57,495 I'll lend you my lipstick. 115 00:08:57,578 --> 00:09:01,207 I never imagined that I would ever get ready for a banquet with Maomao… 116 00:09:01,832 --> 00:09:03,251 Our work tonight is 117 00:09:03,334 --> 00:09:06,379 a banquet for the nobility held outside of the brothel. 118 00:09:06,462 --> 00:09:09,799 It costs that much money to invite courtesans to one's mansion. 119 00:09:09,882 --> 00:09:10,716 Not only that, 120 00:09:11,509 --> 00:09:15,221 one night of entertainment costs a year's worth of salary for a common man. 121 00:09:15,304 --> 00:09:18,724 To call the Three Princesses of the Verdigris House at the same time… 122 00:09:19,475 --> 00:09:22,228 Some people are just really rich, huh? 123 00:09:23,062 --> 00:09:24,605 I might be going with you, 124 00:09:24,689 --> 00:09:27,525 but I'll just be there to support you, Big Sisters. 125 00:09:27,608 --> 00:09:28,859 Here you go, Maomao. 126 00:09:29,860 --> 00:09:33,447 I was able to get more money than I imagined when I left the rear palace. 127 00:09:33,531 --> 00:09:35,866 That's why I was able to prevent being sold off. 128 00:09:37,410 --> 00:09:40,162 A supporting role is very important. 129 00:09:40,246 --> 00:09:42,123 Let's work hard, Maomao! 130 00:09:43,082 --> 00:09:44,875 You're really cute! 131 00:09:44,959 --> 00:09:47,336 It's almost time! Hurry up… 132 00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:53,217 Hey, you look better than usual. 133 00:09:53,301 --> 00:09:55,803 I can get you a customer right now, if you'd like. 134 00:09:58,931 --> 00:10:02,935 Looks like Grams really wants me to be a courtesan. 135 00:10:04,312 --> 00:10:05,646 Go earn us some money! 136 00:10:06,647 --> 00:10:09,442 I can't sing poetry, and I can't play erhu. 137 00:10:09,525 --> 00:10:11,652 Never mind dancing. 138 00:10:11,736 --> 00:10:15,156 I'm just an apothecary's daughter who's only interested in medicine. 139 00:10:15,865 --> 00:10:19,160 But she keeps approaching me with offers these past few years… 140 00:10:39,555 --> 00:10:42,433 As expected of nobility. 141 00:10:43,309 --> 00:10:46,145 This house is packed with super-expensive furnishings! 142 00:10:46,228 --> 00:10:49,190 I'm sure they won't notice if I take one… 143 00:10:49,273 --> 00:10:51,025 No, I shouldn't. 144 00:10:51,108 --> 00:10:53,527 It's this room right here. 145 00:11:02,119 --> 00:11:06,290 I hear they're high court officials who are friends of Lihaku's. 146 00:11:06,374 --> 00:11:08,334 But they're younger than I imagined. 147 00:11:08,959 --> 00:11:09,877 Drool… 148 00:11:10,753 --> 00:11:12,880 All right, let's go. 149 00:11:15,508 --> 00:11:17,426 If he knew someone this rich, 150 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:20,429 he should've introduced me earlier! 151 00:11:20,513 --> 00:11:22,098 If they're Lihaku's connections, 152 00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:24,475 then some of my debt might've been taken away. 153 00:11:25,893 --> 00:11:27,686 All right, I have to work. 154 00:12:25,744 --> 00:12:29,915 I know it's work, but it's tiring to smile all the time. 155 00:12:30,749 --> 00:12:32,668 Oh? Isn't he entertained? 156 00:12:33,752 --> 00:12:36,005 Excuse me. 157 00:12:36,088 --> 00:12:37,798 Leave me alone. 158 00:12:38,966 --> 00:12:40,759 I want to be alone. 159 00:12:40,843 --> 00:12:44,513 Huh? His voice sounds familiar… 160 00:12:49,810 --> 00:12:51,187 Sir Jinshi? 161 00:12:54,356 --> 00:12:55,816 Why are you running away? 162 00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:58,027 You can't touch courtesans. Don't you know? 163 00:12:58,110 --> 00:13:01,906 Has anyone ever told you that you look really different with makeup? 164 00:13:01,989 --> 00:13:03,657 I get that a lot. 165 00:13:03,741 --> 00:13:05,910 Why are you dressed like that? 166 00:13:05,993 --> 00:13:07,703 I'm earning money. 167 00:13:07,786 --> 00:13:09,830 -At a brothel? -Yes. 168 00:13:10,748 --> 00:13:11,749 Could it be, you…? 169 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:16,504 He must be in the habit of questioning people's chastity. 170 00:13:16,587 --> 00:13:19,340 I don't take any personal customers. 171 00:13:20,299 --> 00:13:23,093 -Yet. -Yet… 172 00:13:23,802 --> 00:13:26,305 Shall I buy you, then? 173 00:13:26,972 --> 00:13:28,974 What? You've got to be kidding… 174 00:13:30,684 --> 00:13:32,269 Wait, that might be a good idea. 175 00:13:33,646 --> 00:13:37,566 It won't be so bad to work in the rear palace again. 176 00:13:39,151 --> 00:13:41,820 I thought you quit because you didn't like it there. 177 00:13:41,904 --> 00:13:45,074 What? When did I say that? 178 00:13:45,157 --> 00:13:48,577 I said I wanted to keep working there. You're the one that fired me. 179 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:49,870 What? 180 00:13:49,954 --> 00:13:52,331 Yes, it was annoying work, 181 00:13:52,957 --> 00:13:56,877 but not anyone can become a food taster. 182 00:13:56,961 --> 00:14:00,339 My only complaint was I couldn't experiment with my poisons. 183 00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:05,719 You shouldn't experiment with poison. 184 00:14:06,303 --> 00:14:10,140 His expressions are really childish today… 185 00:14:10,224 --> 00:14:13,727 That's right. That's the kind of person you are. 186 00:14:13,811 --> 00:14:14,728 What do you mean? 187 00:14:14,812 --> 00:14:17,731 Are you ever told that you don't explain yourself enough? 188 00:14:17,815 --> 00:14:18,941 I get that a lot. 189 00:14:22,278 --> 00:14:24,238 Why are you running from me? 190 00:14:24,321 --> 00:14:25,573 It's the rules. 191 00:14:25,656 --> 00:14:27,908 -It's just a little. -It's against the rules. 192 00:14:27,992 --> 00:14:30,619 -It won't cost you anything! -My willpower. 193 00:14:30,703 --> 00:14:32,580 Just one hand. Just the fingertips! 194 00:14:33,455 --> 00:14:36,584 I forgot how stubborn this guy was… 195 00:14:38,752 --> 00:14:40,379 Just the fingertips, okay? 196 00:14:42,339 --> 00:14:43,257 What… 197 00:14:54,018 --> 00:14:55,269 This dude… 198 00:14:55,352 --> 00:14:57,354 Now I'm blushing too! 199 00:14:58,147 --> 00:14:59,940 Oh, when did that happen? 200 00:15:00,482 --> 00:15:02,818 -You should've told us, Maomao! -So embarrassing. 201 00:15:02,901 --> 00:15:05,988 Hey, Big Sisters! Sir Gaoshun? 202 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:10,868 I was in so much of a frenzy 203 00:15:10,951 --> 00:15:13,495 I don't really remember what happened after. 204 00:15:13,579 --> 00:15:16,081 -Who was that? -How do you know him? 205 00:15:16,165 --> 00:15:17,833 Geez. You're good! 206 00:15:17,916 --> 00:15:21,962 I just remember that Big Sisters' interrogations were 207 00:15:22,046 --> 00:15:23,839 never-ending… 208 00:15:23,923 --> 00:15:26,091 VERDIGRIS HOUSE 209 00:15:28,177 --> 00:15:29,595 All right, next… 210 00:15:29,678 --> 00:15:31,930 I'll make some just in case. 211 00:15:32,014 --> 00:15:34,600 Nothing good ever happens without my freckles. 212 00:15:35,851 --> 00:15:37,853 That must've been last winter… 213 00:15:41,357 --> 00:15:43,150 I was surprised to be kidnapped, 214 00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:45,736 but to think I was sold off to the rear palace… 215 00:15:49,073 --> 00:15:51,700 Not only that, I also got promoted to be an attendant. 216 00:15:55,537 --> 00:15:59,917 I was supposed to stay out of people's business until my term was up… 217 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,378 Maomao. Is it ready? 218 00:16:02,461 --> 00:16:03,963 Yeah. Here it is. 219 00:16:05,172 --> 00:16:08,425 I need you to see a patient. Can you do it? 220 00:16:08,509 --> 00:16:09,510 Okay. 221 00:16:23,857 --> 00:16:25,734 The rear palace, huh? 222 00:16:25,818 --> 00:16:28,696 That's the one place I never wanted to get involved in… 223 00:16:34,076 --> 00:16:36,453 I hope everyone's doing well. 224 00:16:40,541 --> 00:16:42,001 I'm leaving now. 225 00:16:42,084 --> 00:16:45,713 Stay put. You only have so many chances to bathe here. 226 00:16:53,012 --> 00:16:55,097 So what are your plans now? 227 00:16:55,180 --> 00:16:57,057 I'll pay back my debt. 228 00:16:57,141 --> 00:16:58,851 Of course you will. 229 00:17:00,853 --> 00:17:03,355 Are you going back to the rear palace? 230 00:17:05,065 --> 00:17:06,275 I don't know. 231 00:17:08,027 --> 00:17:10,738 But maybe, the rear palace and the pleasure district… 232 00:17:10,821 --> 00:17:12,698 Are not so different. 233 00:17:12,781 --> 00:17:13,782 I see. 234 00:17:27,129 --> 00:17:28,964 Can't sleep? 235 00:17:29,590 --> 00:17:31,717 I'm going to get some fresh air. 236 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,386 -Be careful. -Yeah. 237 00:18:05,959 --> 00:18:09,797 The rear palace, the pleasure district, it's all the same… 238 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:12,883 It's a flower garden, and a bird's cage… 239 00:19:30,586 --> 00:19:32,254 LUOMEN 240 00:20:17,507 --> 00:20:20,719 What will happen next? 241 00:20:27,559 --> 00:20:28,894 So cold… 242 00:20:32,231 --> 00:20:33,649 VERDIGRIS HOUSE 243 00:20:33,732 --> 00:20:35,484 A few days later, 244 00:20:35,567 --> 00:20:39,404 a beautiful nobleman comes to the capital's pleasure district. 245 00:20:42,574 --> 00:20:45,452 Equipped with enough money to make even Grams happy, 246 00:20:45,535 --> 00:20:47,204 and, for some reason… 247 00:20:50,499 --> 00:20:54,086 a strange plant growing out of an insect… 248 00:20:58,674 --> 00:21:01,426 All this man wished for was one girl. 249 00:22:36,021 --> 00:22:39,524 PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE 250 00:22:47,657 --> 00:22:50,077 Next Episode, "Serving in the Outer Court." 251 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:51,661 Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi rt."