1 00:00:02,419 --> 00:00:05,755 ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA 2 00:01:32,133 --> 00:01:33,468 THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS. 3 00:01:33,551 --> 00:01:34,844 MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS. 4 00:03:08,938 --> 00:03:11,357 -Are you serious? -Of course. 5 00:03:11,441 --> 00:03:15,028 Maomao came back, so now's our chance, right? 6 00:03:19,365 --> 00:03:22,785 All done. Unlike the rear palace, 7 00:03:22,869 --> 00:03:26,122 there are no good medicinal herbs in the outer palace. 8 00:03:26,205 --> 00:03:28,207 I have to keep growing more bit by bit. 9 00:03:28,291 --> 00:03:29,792 Xiaomao. 10 00:03:29,876 --> 00:03:33,922 Didn't I ask you to clean the office? 11 00:03:34,005 --> 00:03:35,840 Right away, ma'am! 12 00:03:36,841 --> 00:03:39,469 Go easy on the gardening, alright? 13 00:03:40,303 --> 00:03:41,471 She's a tough opponent. 14 00:03:42,221 --> 00:03:44,641 -What does this mean? -I don't know… 15 00:03:44,724 --> 00:03:47,602 CRYSTAL PAVILION, LIHUA JADE PAVILION, GYOKUYOU 16 00:03:48,686 --> 00:03:50,271 Excuse me, sir. 17 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:01,241 You know about the new Pure Concubine in the Garnet Pavilion, yes? 18 00:04:01,324 --> 00:04:02,158 Yes… 19 00:04:02,742 --> 00:04:05,411 The successor for Concubine Ah-Duo, who left? 20 00:04:08,289 --> 00:04:12,418 The rear palace wants to educate this new concubine. 21 00:04:13,711 --> 00:04:15,713 They want you to be the instructor. 22 00:04:15,797 --> 00:04:17,215 INSTRUCTOR - MAOMAO 23 00:04:19,634 --> 00:04:20,718 You must be joking. 24 00:04:20,802 --> 00:04:22,387 Why would I make such a joke? 25 00:04:22,470 --> 00:04:24,889 Here's the name of the person who recommended you. 26 00:04:24,973 --> 00:04:25,932 Recommended me? 27 00:04:26,015 --> 00:04:28,393 THE PRECIOUS CONCUBINE: GYOKUYOU 28 00:04:28,476 --> 00:04:30,061 And there's another one. 29 00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:32,939 THE WISE CONCUBINE: LIHUA 30 00:04:33,022 --> 00:04:35,024 Lady Lihua… 31 00:04:39,070 --> 00:04:40,989 It must be that… 32 00:04:41,072 --> 00:04:43,032 So, I'm counting on you. 33 00:04:48,329 --> 00:04:53,042 I can't ignore the request of two concubines… 34 00:04:53,126 --> 00:04:57,046 They even listed how much I would get paid. 35 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,217 Grams really ripped them off, huh? 36 00:05:06,806 --> 00:05:08,099 Now's the chance… 37 00:05:09,517 --> 00:05:12,270 Are these teaching supplies you'll use for your lessons? 38 00:05:12,353 --> 00:05:15,398 Yes. And here's the bill. 39 00:05:16,858 --> 00:05:18,443 Just this? 40 00:05:19,193 --> 00:05:23,197 The color of the ink is different here. 41 00:05:24,407 --> 00:05:25,450 She's really tough! 42 00:05:25,533 --> 00:05:28,953 With her around, I can't be ripping off Young Master. 43 00:05:29,037 --> 00:05:31,039 What's inside? 44 00:05:32,623 --> 00:05:35,043 I can't have him seeing my precious teaching supplies! 45 00:05:35,126 --> 00:05:36,294 Hiss! 46 00:05:36,377 --> 00:05:38,337 Fine, I won't look. 47 00:05:39,881 --> 00:05:42,216 Should I help you carry these? 48 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:43,509 No thank you. 49 00:05:44,093 --> 00:05:46,679 If I have to do this, I'll go all in! 50 00:05:50,099 --> 00:05:52,351 It's been a while being in this environment. 51 00:05:52,435 --> 00:05:54,520 The feminine atmosphere calms me. 52 00:05:54,604 --> 00:05:58,524 -It's Sir Jinshi! -He's as beautiful as always. 53 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,363 There are a lot of spectators today. 54 00:06:04,447 --> 00:06:07,325 They probably heard rumors about the lessons. 55 00:06:10,453 --> 00:06:11,579 Listen up. 56 00:06:11,662 --> 00:06:14,665 The classes are only open to high-ranking concubines. 57 00:06:14,749 --> 00:06:16,417 If that's not you, step back. 58 00:06:22,048 --> 00:06:24,675 Is this eunuch some kind of supernatural figure? 59 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:38,648 You mustn't! 60 00:06:39,398 --> 00:06:40,233 Why? 61 00:06:40,316 --> 00:06:44,195 You said yourself that the lessons are for high-ranking concubines only. 62 00:06:45,071 --> 00:06:46,030 But… 63 00:06:46,114 --> 00:06:48,157 He's stronger than he looks! 64 00:06:48,241 --> 00:06:52,912 Beyond this point is a top-confidential secret art only for women! 65 00:07:00,503 --> 00:07:04,006 Lady Gyokuyou is as beautiful as ever. 66 00:07:04,090 --> 00:07:06,592 Looks like Ms. Hongniang is doing well, too. 67 00:07:07,385 --> 00:07:10,012 Lady Lishu seems to be nervous. 68 00:07:10,096 --> 00:07:14,433 Well, it can't be helped, with three other high-ranking concubines here. 69 00:07:14,517 --> 00:07:18,354 As long as the food taster attendant is there, she should be alright. 70 00:07:18,438 --> 00:07:19,897 Lady Lihua, too. 71 00:07:19,981 --> 00:07:24,569 Her rich figure has returned, and she seems to be doing well. 72 00:07:25,278 --> 00:07:27,989 That attendant is from the face powder incident… 73 00:07:28,781 --> 00:07:30,366 She doesn't need to be that scared! 74 00:07:31,492 --> 00:07:33,703 Finally, the successor to Concubine Ah-Duo. 75 00:07:34,328 --> 00:07:36,998 The new Pure Concubine, Concubine Loulan. 76 00:07:37,665 --> 00:07:40,293 Does she prefer those southern-style flashy clothes? 77 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,421 Her facial features seem more northern, 78 00:07:43,504 --> 00:07:45,548 but I can't really tell… 79 00:07:48,426 --> 00:07:52,054 Based on her age, the Emperor will probably visit her at night. 80 00:07:52,847 --> 00:07:55,933 Looks like the rear palace's balance will be maintained for now, but… 81 00:07:57,602 --> 00:07:59,979 Whatever. That's not my business. 82 00:08:01,981 --> 00:08:04,734 I'll be your instructor for today. 83 00:08:04,817 --> 00:08:06,861 My name is Maomao. 84 00:08:07,945 --> 00:08:10,406 What I'll be teaching you today 85 00:08:10,489 --> 00:08:12,950 is a secret art to be used in the garden of women. 86 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:16,454 Please keep it confidential. 87 00:08:17,955 --> 00:08:20,875 Now, I'll hand out the teaching supplies. 88 00:09:10,591 --> 00:09:13,511 What do you think is going on? 89 00:09:13,594 --> 00:09:14,637 I can't tell… 90 00:09:16,180 --> 00:09:17,598 All done… Huh? 91 00:09:19,141 --> 00:09:21,060 Good work. You took a while. 92 00:09:21,686 --> 00:09:24,146 He must've been eavesdropping. 93 00:09:25,356 --> 00:09:26,691 What's going on? 94 00:09:28,234 --> 00:09:30,569 What happened here? 95 00:09:30,653 --> 00:09:33,030 You gotta change things up, you know? 96 00:09:33,823 --> 00:09:35,199 Touch this like this… 97 00:09:35,950 --> 00:09:38,703 I can't. I can't do it. 98 00:09:38,786 --> 00:09:40,079 Lady Lishu! 99 00:09:43,291 --> 00:09:46,627 I just gave my lesson, like you asked. 100 00:09:47,587 --> 00:09:51,090 Looks like the two recommenders were satisfied with my lesson. 101 00:09:58,764 --> 00:10:03,686 I couldn't tell what she was thinking to the very end. 102 00:10:08,608 --> 00:10:10,359 Use that any way you'd like. 103 00:10:10,443 --> 00:10:12,778 What kind of lesson was it? 104 00:10:12,862 --> 00:10:16,157 You can ask the Emperor for his opinion later. 105 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:17,491 Hey! 106 00:10:33,841 --> 00:10:35,468 I'm so tired… 107 00:10:38,721 --> 00:10:41,474 I'm so excited to get paid! 108 00:10:50,650 --> 00:10:52,568 This way! 109 00:11:01,327 --> 00:11:03,537 I'd better not. So cold! 110 00:11:10,211 --> 00:11:11,962 Sir Lakan? Sir Lakan! 111 00:11:22,431 --> 00:11:24,975 Sir Lakan, I looked all over for you! 112 00:11:29,063 --> 00:11:30,606 Does something bother you? 113 00:11:30,689 --> 00:11:33,734 No. It's nothing. 114 00:11:43,994 --> 00:11:47,081 What was the commotion last night? 115 00:11:48,666 --> 00:11:51,335 He's a eunuch, but he also has work 116 00:11:51,419 --> 00:11:53,170 for the outer palace, too? 117 00:11:54,463 --> 00:11:59,301 Seems like he can't ignore proposed laws, no matter how silly they are. 118 00:12:02,138 --> 00:12:05,683 It's good paper. Selling it would make some money. 119 00:12:05,766 --> 00:12:07,351 What a waste to burn these. 120 00:12:08,936 --> 00:12:12,314 The garbage incinerator is near the military base… 121 00:12:12,398 --> 00:12:13,399 Xiaomao. 122 00:12:15,025 --> 00:12:16,360 It's cold outside. 123 00:12:19,864 --> 00:12:21,031 Thank you, sir. 124 00:12:21,991 --> 00:12:25,453 He's watchful, as always. What a waste that he's just a eunuch. 125 00:12:30,124 --> 00:12:32,626 This is from Sir Jinshi! 126 00:12:32,710 --> 00:12:35,921 I merely handed it to you! 127 00:12:36,005 --> 00:12:36,839 I see. 128 00:12:37,798 --> 00:12:41,343 He even needs permission to hand over one padded gown to a maid? 129 00:12:41,427 --> 00:12:42,803 Must be tough. 130 00:12:42,887 --> 00:12:45,890 Thank you, Sir Jinshi. 131 00:12:46,557 --> 00:12:47,808 Don't worry about it. 132 00:12:54,857 --> 00:12:58,235 The outer palace is several times bigger than the rear palace, 133 00:12:58,319 --> 00:13:00,446 but I can't find many medicinal herbs. 134 00:13:01,238 --> 00:13:04,700 Looks like the only usable herbs are dandelions and mugworts, 135 00:13:04,783 --> 00:13:07,161 which I can find anywhere… 136 00:13:08,204 --> 00:13:10,664 It's winter, so plants are hard to find, but still… 137 00:13:10,748 --> 00:13:13,417 I should plant some seeds around here. 138 00:13:15,628 --> 00:13:16,795 Red spider lily! 139 00:13:16,879 --> 00:13:18,547 Here, and here! 140 00:13:18,631 --> 00:13:22,301 The bulbs taste so good when you soak them in water! 141 00:13:22,384 --> 00:13:24,136 If you mess up removing the poison, 142 00:13:24,220 --> 00:13:27,139 you'll suffer from a stomach ache, but… 143 00:13:28,807 --> 00:13:32,645 Sir Lihaku? His ribbon is a different color than before… 144 00:13:32,728 --> 00:13:34,271 Did he get promoted? 145 00:13:36,148 --> 00:13:37,650 Oh, hey, miss! 146 00:13:38,442 --> 00:13:39,860 Sir Lihaku. 147 00:13:39,944 --> 00:13:42,112 Are you here with a concubine? 148 00:13:42,196 --> 00:13:44,281 It must be unusual, leaving the rear palace. 149 00:13:45,658 --> 00:13:48,285 He doesn't know I was fired? 150 00:13:49,286 --> 00:13:52,831 This is Sir Lihaku. He's in love with Big Sis Pairin, one of the 151 00:13:52,915 --> 00:13:54,750 Three Princesses of the Verdigris House. 152 00:13:54,833 --> 00:13:57,127 He's a loveable idiot, 153 00:13:57,211 --> 00:14:00,089 trying to get promoted for a woman. 154 00:14:01,882 --> 00:14:03,759 To call for Big Sis Pairin, 155 00:14:03,842 --> 00:14:07,054 you need about half a year worth of salary for the common man. 156 00:14:07,596 --> 00:14:10,182 She's too expensive to call upon frequently. 157 00:14:10,266 --> 00:14:14,562 I hear he comes to the Verdigris House often to have tea with apprentice girls. 158 00:14:15,354 --> 00:14:17,273 But he never ran into her. 159 00:14:17,356 --> 00:14:19,191 Now that he tasted the heavenly syrup, 160 00:14:19,275 --> 00:14:22,820 he visits frequently to get at least one look at her. 161 00:14:24,321 --> 00:14:25,406 He's a hard worker, huh? 162 00:14:25,990 --> 00:14:28,158 -Huh? What's wrong? -Nothing. 163 00:14:28,826 --> 00:14:30,536 I don't work in the rear palace anymore. 164 00:14:30,619 --> 00:14:33,205 I work as an assigned live-in servant for someone. 165 00:14:33,831 --> 00:14:37,459 An assigned servant? That person has some strange taste! 166 00:14:37,543 --> 00:14:39,378 I agree with you. 167 00:14:40,379 --> 00:14:42,798 You must be on some business. 168 00:14:42,882 --> 00:14:43,924 Yeah, that's right. 169 00:14:44,717 --> 00:14:47,386 It's a small fire. Not rare at this time of year. 170 00:14:47,469 --> 00:14:50,431 They don't know the source, so I'm here to investigate. 171 00:14:50,514 --> 00:14:53,267 A mysterious fire, huh? 172 00:14:53,350 --> 00:14:55,436 The commotion last night must be from this. 173 00:14:56,145 --> 00:14:57,563 Anyone injured? 174 00:14:57,646 --> 00:15:01,233 Just the warehouse guard. His life isn't in danger… 175 00:15:01,317 --> 00:15:03,360 Hey, don't get too close. 176 00:15:03,444 --> 00:15:04,486 Got it! 177 00:15:05,571 --> 00:15:07,448 He tells me all that, 178 00:15:07,531 --> 00:15:09,992 and then he tells me not to get involved? 179 00:15:12,119 --> 00:15:14,371 The coal reached all the way to the next room. 180 00:15:15,164 --> 00:15:17,625 The debris scattered all around the building. 181 00:15:18,292 --> 00:15:21,253 This isn't a fire. It's an explosion. 182 00:15:23,130 --> 00:15:24,506 I see. 183 00:15:25,466 --> 00:15:28,135 So they suspect it might be arson, huh? 184 00:15:28,218 --> 00:15:30,638 Now I know why Sir Lihaku, and not just some 185 00:15:30,721 --> 00:15:33,265 lowly official, is here to investigate. 186 00:15:34,516 --> 00:15:36,894 If it's just some warehouse, they may not care. 187 00:15:36,977 --> 00:15:39,146 But this happened in the Emperor's Court. 188 00:15:40,814 --> 00:15:43,984 This country is relatively peaceful, 189 00:15:44,068 --> 00:15:48,155 but not everyone is satisfied with the current state of things. 190 00:15:49,156 --> 00:15:51,742 Foreign troops sometimes attack us, 191 00:15:51,825 --> 00:15:55,412 and there have been some famines and droughts. 192 00:15:55,496 --> 00:15:59,333 We don't know for how long peace with other nations will continue. 193 00:15:59,416 --> 00:16:03,170 There must be foreign countries dissatisfied with the status quo. 194 00:16:05,381 --> 00:16:09,343 Is this charcoal? No, it's a burnt potato. How wasteful. 195 00:16:11,512 --> 00:16:14,306 This must be a food storage space, then. 196 00:16:25,776 --> 00:16:28,445 Is this ivory work? Looks like a pipe. 197 00:16:29,196 --> 00:16:31,407 Don't just wander around! 198 00:16:32,116 --> 00:16:34,076 A smoking pipe… 199 00:16:34,743 --> 00:16:37,830 Explosion, food storage warehouse, 200 00:16:37,913 --> 00:16:39,081 a smoking pipe… 201 00:16:40,249 --> 00:16:41,417 Oh… 202 00:16:42,084 --> 00:16:43,544 Hey! 203 00:16:54,638 --> 00:16:55,889 Are you listening? 204 00:16:56,473 --> 00:16:58,142 I can hear you. 205 00:16:58,225 --> 00:16:59,893 But not listening. 206 00:17:00,477 --> 00:17:04,148 Was the burned warehouse arranged like this room? 207 00:17:05,399 --> 00:17:08,110 Yeah. Looks like the old stuff goes in the back. 208 00:17:10,195 --> 00:17:12,239 Can I have this? 209 00:17:12,906 --> 00:17:14,324 That's probably fine. 210 00:17:14,408 --> 00:17:17,494 Also this. And I'd need a hammer, a saw, 211 00:17:17,578 --> 00:17:19,705 and some nails. 212 00:17:19,788 --> 00:17:21,790 What are you planning on doing? 213 00:17:22,416 --> 00:17:24,251 Just a little experiment. 214 00:17:29,298 --> 00:17:30,466 All set. 215 00:17:31,050 --> 00:17:32,551 You're weirdly good at this. 216 00:17:33,218 --> 00:17:36,972 I grew up a peasant. I'm good at making things we don't have. 217 00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:43,979 That's flour, right? 218 00:17:44,062 --> 00:17:45,939 Yes. It was in the storage. 219 00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:51,904 Is this good? 220 00:17:51,987 --> 00:17:54,656 And the kindling coal I asked for? 221 00:17:55,991 --> 00:17:58,660 -It's right here. -Thank you, sir. 222 00:18:03,165 --> 00:18:04,666 What the heck is going on? 223 00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:08,670 We're all ready to go. It's dangerous, so please step back. 224 00:18:09,463 --> 00:18:10,923 Oh, alright. 225 00:18:13,509 --> 00:18:16,261 Be careful, Sir Lihaku. 226 00:18:16,345 --> 00:18:17,721 What's so dangerous? 227 00:18:17,805 --> 00:18:21,058 No matter what you do, miss, I'm a soldier. I'll be fine. 228 00:18:22,226 --> 00:18:23,811 Fine. Do what you'd like. 229 00:18:23,894 --> 00:18:26,396 It's dangerous, so be careful. 230 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,941 Run away quickly, alright? 231 00:18:29,733 --> 00:18:32,069 What? What do you mean, run? 232 00:18:36,573 --> 00:18:38,033 Erase it right now! 233 00:18:41,829 --> 00:18:44,164 Didn't I tell you? 234 00:18:47,292 --> 00:18:50,587 So, what did what to cause an explosion? 235 00:18:51,296 --> 00:18:52,589 This is the cause. 236 00:18:53,465 --> 00:18:54,842 Flour? 237 00:18:54,925 --> 00:18:58,804 Yes. Powder like flour and buckwheat is highly flammable, 238 00:18:58,887 --> 00:19:02,099 and when it scatters in the air, it can catch fire. 239 00:19:04,059 --> 00:19:05,477 And this started the fire. 240 00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:07,396 A smoking pipe? 241 00:19:08,272 --> 00:19:11,567 If you sneak inside for a smoke, 242 00:19:13,277 --> 00:19:16,196 the outside air flows inside, causing the flour to scatter. 243 00:19:17,114 --> 00:19:19,199 If you light the smoking pipe in that environment… 244 00:19:21,952 --> 00:19:24,746 The flour that filled the entire warehouse will ignite, 245 00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:27,416 causing an explosion. 246 00:19:28,584 --> 00:19:33,463 You should tell the guards not to smoke inside the warehouse. 247 00:19:33,547 --> 00:19:36,592 How did you even know that? 248 00:19:36,675 --> 00:19:40,721 I've accidentally blown up a room I was renting in the Verdigris House. 249 00:19:41,346 --> 00:19:42,973 You… 250 00:19:43,765 --> 00:19:47,102 You stupid girl! 251 00:19:47,186 --> 00:19:49,897 Grams was so scary then… 252 00:19:49,980 --> 00:19:52,566 But it's strange to think 253 00:19:52,649 --> 00:19:54,026 that powder can explode. 254 00:19:54,109 --> 00:19:57,279 There are very few strange things in this world. 255 00:19:57,362 --> 00:20:00,657 If you think it's strange, it just means you didn't know. 256 00:20:03,076 --> 00:20:05,579 Be careful not to catch a cold. 257 00:20:05,662 --> 00:20:09,666 If you do, Luomen's medicines in the pleasure district will work well. 258 00:20:10,584 --> 00:20:12,961 Old Man is bad at selling. 259 00:20:13,045 --> 00:20:15,505 I have to contribute sometimes. 260 00:20:17,049 --> 00:20:20,010 He can stop by when he visits Big Sis Pairin. 261 00:20:21,136 --> 00:20:24,306 -I'll be going back to work, then. -Okay. 262 00:20:28,977 --> 00:20:30,604 I brought this by accident. 263 00:20:31,313 --> 00:20:35,484 If I clean this up and add a new mouthpiece, would it work? 264 00:20:35,567 --> 00:20:37,611 It could sell for a good amount of money. 265 00:20:38,737 --> 00:20:42,491 This is too nice for a warehouse guard to own. 266 00:20:42,574 --> 00:20:44,743 Maybe it's something precious. 267 00:20:46,286 --> 00:20:48,205 I should polish this and return it to him. 268 00:20:55,128 --> 00:20:56,338 Shit! 269 00:20:56,421 --> 00:21:00,300 I can do it too… Shit… 270 00:22:35,979 --> 00:22:38,982 PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE 271 00:22:47,532 --> 00:22:49,785 Next episode, "Raw Fish." 272 00:22:49,868 --> 00:22:51,620 Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi im.