1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,920 WRITTEN BY HYUGA NATSU 2 00:01:32,050 --> 00:01:33,426 THIS STORY IS A FICTION AND ALL NAMES OF FIGURES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS. 3 00:01:33,510 --> 00:01:34,886 MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS. 4 00:01:37,597 --> 00:01:40,183 -I'm going to the Jade Pavilion. -Yes. 5 00:01:42,977 --> 00:01:44,103 She has passed away? 6 00:01:45,104 --> 00:01:46,105 I see. 7 00:01:46,898 --> 00:01:47,982 Lady Jin has? 8 00:01:48,066 --> 00:01:51,444 It seems to have been food poisoning. The report just came in. 9 00:01:52,779 --> 00:01:56,324 I had heard she was bedridden this past year, but… 10 00:01:59,994 --> 00:02:01,955 Lord Jinshi has arrived. 11 00:02:02,831 --> 00:02:04,290 Let him through, please. 12 00:02:05,959 --> 00:02:07,210 Please do these. 13 00:02:07,293 --> 00:02:08,419 Of course. 14 00:02:13,174 --> 00:02:14,592 I shouldn't interrupt. 15 00:02:15,552 --> 00:02:17,470 A palace woman has gone missing? 16 00:02:17,554 --> 00:02:20,431 Yes, that's right. Her name is Tao. 17 00:02:20,515 --> 00:02:23,393 She was a hardworking and earnest young lady. 18 00:02:23,476 --> 00:02:25,436 Just as her term of service was ending… 19 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,522 and her wedding was approaching too. 20 00:02:28,189 --> 00:02:29,399 Wedding, you say? 21 00:02:29,482 --> 00:02:32,443 I heard she was given a hairpin at the garden party. 22 00:02:32,527 --> 00:02:36,990 And it was from a promising civil servant with good prospects. 23 00:02:37,073 --> 00:02:39,450 It seems the palace supervisor was holding her back. 24 00:02:39,534 --> 00:02:41,536 Eh? 25 00:02:41,619 --> 00:02:43,454 So, such an excellent palace woman 26 00:02:43,538 --> 00:02:47,041 disappears without a word, even though her wedding was near? 27 00:02:49,460 --> 00:02:51,880 Do you have any idea what happened? 28 00:02:51,963 --> 00:02:54,257 I have no idea. 29 00:02:54,340 --> 00:02:57,093 Well, it’s not like it’s completely unheard of. 30 00:02:57,802 --> 00:03:00,805 A lot of the women struggle with interpersonal relationships. 31 00:03:00,889 --> 00:03:01,848 Indeed. 32 00:03:04,517 --> 00:03:07,270 Sometimes, when I'm here like this, I almost forget that… 33 00:03:08,146 --> 00:03:09,898 this is the rear palace, 34 00:03:09,981 --> 00:03:13,192 a garden where 2,000 women stir and scheme. 35 00:03:17,155 --> 00:03:18,698 Today, there's a tea party outside. 36 00:03:19,407 --> 00:03:21,951 If they stay up too long, people might suspect pregnancy. 37 00:03:22,744 --> 00:03:24,871 They're mindful of the location and their attire, 38 00:03:24,954 --> 00:03:27,874 but by now, some must have noticed. 39 00:03:27,957 --> 00:03:31,044 The real question is whether those who've noticed are harmful… 40 00:03:31,127 --> 00:03:32,795 or harmless. 41 00:03:32,879 --> 00:03:34,297 Oh, you're back. 42 00:03:36,841 --> 00:03:39,052 Maomao, over here. 43 00:03:43,222 --> 00:03:44,641 Did you call for me? 44 00:03:44,724 --> 00:03:46,976 No, but he did. 45 00:03:47,977 --> 00:03:50,313 Shall we change the location? 46 00:03:51,064 --> 00:03:53,191 There's no particular problem here. 47 00:03:53,274 --> 00:03:54,817 Why don't we talk here? 48 00:03:55,443 --> 00:03:59,781 No, I can't stay too long at the Consort's side. 49 00:03:59,864 --> 00:04:01,157 And besides, do you hear that? 50 00:04:03,743 --> 00:04:07,538 -Oh. -Please, Your Highness, give up. 51 00:04:10,833 --> 00:04:13,127 So, what is it you need? 52 00:04:13,878 --> 00:04:18,883 You know the Emperor has been handing out novels to his consorts lately. 53 00:04:18,967 --> 00:04:22,887 Yes. And after they read them, the attendants read them as well, 54 00:04:22,971 --> 00:04:25,890 and it seems like they're reading them aloud to the other palace women. 55 00:04:27,058 --> 00:04:27,892 Copies are being circulated, 56 00:04:27,976 --> 00:04:30,687 and some are even trying to learn how to read. 57 00:04:30,770 --> 00:04:32,063 I see. 58 00:04:33,398 --> 00:04:35,692 Though it's still in the conceptual stage, 59 00:04:35,775 --> 00:04:38,695 I was thinking of making something like this. 60 00:04:38,778 --> 00:04:41,948 I believe they call it a "writing school" among commoners. 61 00:04:42,031 --> 00:04:44,617 A school for the maidservants, huh? 62 00:04:44,701 --> 00:04:46,953 I had a feeling he was up to something, 63 00:04:47,036 --> 00:04:49,205 but he is surprisingly quick to act. 64 00:04:50,456 --> 00:04:51,291 It's a good idea. 65 00:04:51,374 --> 00:04:52,750 What?! 66 00:04:52,834 --> 00:04:55,003 What happened to your usual gaze?! 67 00:04:55,086 --> 00:04:57,505 Is something wrong with your health? 68 00:04:57,588 --> 00:04:59,132 What’s with that reaction? 69 00:04:59,799 --> 00:05:02,385 No, it's just that I feel uneasy… 70 00:05:06,306 --> 00:05:07,181 Masochists. 71 00:05:09,976 --> 00:05:11,811 So, what do you think? 72 00:05:11,894 --> 00:05:15,648 Actually, there are those who wish to learn, so I think it’s a fine idea. 73 00:05:16,566 --> 00:05:19,360 It will also connect to work after their apprenticeship ends. 74 00:05:19,444 --> 00:05:20,403 I see. 75 00:05:21,195 --> 00:05:23,364 -But… -Go ahead and say it. 76 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:25,700 The southern side… 77 00:05:25,783 --> 00:05:28,411 while it’s convenient for deliveries and such, it’s near the main gate 78 00:05:28,494 --> 00:05:32,248 and a prime spot for the senior and middle-ranking consorts. 79 00:05:32,332 --> 00:05:35,084 Many of them are very proud. 80 00:05:35,168 --> 00:05:37,462 They may not feel comfortable 81 00:05:37,545 --> 00:05:39,589 about the maidservants being educated. 82 00:05:40,965 --> 00:05:43,092 It's better to move it to the northern side then. 83 00:05:43,176 --> 00:05:46,721 Yes. That area is less maintained, 84 00:05:46,804 --> 00:05:49,307 and there are even unused buildings. 85 00:05:49,932 --> 00:05:52,143 If we renovate that, it should be enough. 86 00:05:52,769 --> 00:05:57,273 Also, how about presenting it as vocational training on the surface? 87 00:05:57,356 --> 00:06:00,359 If people view it as a means to make a living, more will gather. 88 00:06:01,569 --> 00:06:02,695 Is that so? 89 00:06:02,779 --> 00:06:05,656 Perhaps try giving them snacks occasionally. 90 00:06:05,740 --> 00:06:06,741 Occasionally? 91 00:06:06,824 --> 00:06:10,203 Yes. An occasional treat is the most effective. 92 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:12,622 I see. 93 00:06:13,706 --> 00:06:18,336 The idea isn’t bad, but his upbringing makes his execution weak. 94 00:06:18,419 --> 00:06:21,130 I'm sure he's asking because he's aware of it too. 95 00:06:21,214 --> 00:06:23,633 This is just my subjective opinion, though. 96 00:06:24,842 --> 00:06:26,511 Is that all you wanted to talk about? 97 00:06:26,594 --> 00:06:29,013 Ah. And one more thing. 98 00:06:29,097 --> 00:06:31,349 Are you familiar with mushrooms? 99 00:06:32,517 --> 00:06:37,105 Well, I use them both for food and medicine, so I know a bit. 100 00:06:37,188 --> 00:06:39,148 Around this time of year, 101 00:06:39,232 --> 00:06:43,361 there are always palace women who pick mushrooms and end up with food poisoning. 102 00:06:43,444 --> 00:06:46,405 There’s always someone who’s too greedy for food. 103 00:06:46,489 --> 00:06:51,452 Exactly. There was someone at the medical office eating matsutake mushrooms. 104 00:06:51,536 --> 00:06:54,455 I’ve heard that the fruit from the orchard also tends to disappear. 105 00:06:55,081 --> 00:06:57,416 Those were not poisonous mushrooms. 106 00:06:57,500 --> 00:07:00,753 As for the orchard, I was just pruning and tasting them. 107 00:07:00,837 --> 00:07:05,216 So, please dispose of anything that could be mistakenly eaten. 108 00:07:05,299 --> 00:07:08,594 Also, let me know what kind of poisonous mushrooms there are. 109 00:07:09,387 --> 00:07:13,433 At the Jade Pavilion, you'll mainly rest, except for poison testing. 110 00:07:15,351 --> 00:07:19,981 If that's the case, isn't it better to explain it in front of Lady Gyokuyou? 111 00:07:22,275 --> 00:07:24,318 What’s going on with him? 112 00:07:25,778 --> 00:07:27,155 I’m counting on you. 113 00:07:27,864 --> 00:07:29,157 Understood. 114 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:33,661 There might be something behind all this, but it sounds interesting. 115 00:07:35,538 --> 00:07:38,040 Now, where should I start? 116 00:07:38,708 --> 00:07:41,169 The garden, the orchard, the pine forest… 117 00:07:41,252 --> 00:07:44,630 There are many places where mushrooms might grow. 118 00:07:44,714 --> 00:07:46,966 It’s the season when they’re sprouting everywhere. 119 00:07:47,925 --> 00:07:51,721 If the palace women are picking them secretly, places where people often go 120 00:07:51,804 --> 00:07:54,682 or the southern side can probably be excluded. 121 00:07:56,058 --> 00:07:59,103 So, if that's the case… it’s probably towards the north. 122 00:08:11,782 --> 00:08:15,620 What is this smell? It’s strangely pungent… 123 00:08:17,830 --> 00:08:21,125 Is this the weird smell that Shisui mentioned before? 124 00:08:21,209 --> 00:08:23,669 Maybe the leaked sewage is acting as nutrients, 125 00:08:23,753 --> 00:08:26,214 and that’s why the mushrooms are growing so well. 126 00:08:28,132 --> 00:08:29,508 I’m back. I’ve returned. 127 00:08:30,301 --> 00:08:32,386 Welcome back! 128 00:08:34,639 --> 00:08:36,349 Don’t come in all dirty! 129 00:08:36,432 --> 00:08:37,475 Dirty… 130 00:08:37,558 --> 00:08:41,103 Maomao, you smell! What on earth were you doing? 131 00:08:42,063 --> 00:08:45,066 It was a very fulfilling day. 132 00:08:45,816 --> 00:08:48,569 I managed to harvest some mushrooms that can be used as medicine. 133 00:08:49,278 --> 00:08:53,491 I told the quack doctor that they're poisonous, so he won’t eat them. 134 00:08:54,825 --> 00:08:59,163 It’s almost time for Lady Gyokuyou’s evening meal, so please change quickly. 135 00:08:59,247 --> 00:09:00,081 Yes. 136 00:09:03,251 --> 00:09:05,711 Excuse me. I’m sorry for being late. 137 00:09:08,130 --> 00:09:09,840 I apologize for rushing you. 138 00:09:10,466 --> 00:09:11,342 No. 139 00:09:12,009 --> 00:09:15,137 The black cords on their wrists… 140 00:09:16,305 --> 00:09:20,601 I’ll be going out after the evening meal. Please come with me. 141 00:09:20,685 --> 00:09:21,602 Understood. 142 00:09:22,812 --> 00:09:27,108 In other words, someone of noble status in the rear palace has passed away. 143 00:09:30,695 --> 00:09:33,322 She was a consort named Jin. 144 00:09:33,406 --> 00:09:35,616 She's one of the top intermediate consorts. 145 00:09:36,284 --> 00:09:37,702 Daughter of a high official. 146 00:09:38,369 --> 00:09:42,665 For the past year, she had been unwell and confined to her quarters. 147 00:09:42,748 --> 00:09:46,210 It seems she suffered from food poisoning, and that was the end. 148 00:09:46,294 --> 00:09:49,922 The Emperor never visited her; 149 00:09:50,006 --> 00:09:52,133 she should have returned to her family home. 150 00:09:53,551 --> 00:09:57,430 That’s unusual. It’s rare for you to speak so harshly. 151 00:10:01,017 --> 00:10:03,436 Lady Jin was a bit… 152 00:10:03,519 --> 00:10:06,314 She was someone with a rather difficult personality. 153 00:10:06,397 --> 00:10:09,108 She was intensely jealous of other consorts and maidservants. 154 00:10:09,859 --> 00:10:13,362 She would spread slander and resort to violence against those of lower status… 155 00:10:14,071 --> 00:10:18,159 It was around that time when Lady Gyokuyou, who was pregnant 156 00:10:18,242 --> 00:10:19,619 with the princess, was poisoned. 157 00:10:22,204 --> 00:10:27,084 Of course, she wouldn’t directly harass the higher-ranking consorts. 158 00:10:27,168 --> 00:10:30,671 But, with a personality like that… 159 00:10:30,755 --> 00:10:34,592 It seems that Lord Jinshi inquired about the situation. 160 00:10:34,675 --> 00:10:36,093 But… 161 00:10:37,428 --> 00:10:40,181 Is there any evidence? 162 00:10:41,807 --> 00:10:45,144 In the end, it remained mere suspicion. 163 00:10:45,227 --> 00:10:47,271 Things got quite chaotic internally, 164 00:10:47,355 --> 00:10:48,814 and even her attendants… 165 00:10:48,898 --> 00:10:52,777 suffered from the fallout. Honestly, 166 00:10:53,486 --> 00:10:55,696 I can’t help but feel relieved it ended like this. 167 00:10:55,780 --> 00:10:58,449 If anything had happened to Lady Gyokuyou again… 168 00:11:01,327 --> 00:11:04,747 For Miss Hongniang, that's her honest feelings. 169 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,626 It seems she suffered food poisoning and passed away. 170 00:11:08,709 --> 00:11:12,046 Also, let me know what kind of poisonous mushrooms there are. 171 00:11:13,047 --> 00:11:17,009 Why would Lord Jinshi ask me to investigate mushrooms? 172 00:11:17,885 --> 00:11:22,681 Why didn’t they talk about this in the Jade Pavilion where Lady Gyokuyou resides? 173 00:11:22,765 --> 00:11:27,186 It’s because they suspect someone from the Jade Pavilion. 174 00:11:27,853 --> 00:11:30,773 Of being the one who killed Lady Jin with poisonous mushrooms. 175 00:11:31,649 --> 00:11:35,069 Although it seemed they were overly partial to Lady Gyokuyou, 176 00:11:35,152 --> 00:11:37,530 they’re actually handling things fairly, aren’t they? 177 00:11:38,364 --> 00:11:40,825 But if their true intentions were exposed, 178 00:11:40,908 --> 00:11:43,536 it would surely affect trust in the future. 179 00:11:44,453 --> 00:11:48,082 However, Lady Gyokuyou is unlikely to be the culprit. 180 00:11:48,165 --> 00:11:50,292 Poisoning someone to death is too labor-intensive, 181 00:11:50,376 --> 00:11:53,963 and there are countless other ways to bring down a mid-ranking concubine. 182 00:11:54,046 --> 00:11:57,716 As for the other attendants, they aren’t suited for such covert operations. 183 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:00,469 If that’s the case, the one suspected is… 184 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:02,888 Me, huh? 185 00:12:02,972 --> 00:12:04,974 If asking me to search for poisonous mushrooms 186 00:12:05,057 --> 00:12:07,935 was a way to gauge my reaction, 187 00:12:08,018 --> 00:12:10,563 I can’t help but feel impressed rather than disappointed. 188 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:12,398 Please. 189 00:12:14,275 --> 00:12:15,151 Huh? 190 00:12:15,234 --> 00:12:19,155 She's Lady Jin's attendant. Did she develop a rash from something? 191 00:12:19,905 --> 00:12:22,116 -Here you are. -But, that wound… 192 00:12:27,538 --> 00:12:30,207 If only I could’ve known what symptoms she had 193 00:12:30,291 --> 00:12:32,251 while she was alive. 194 00:12:44,346 --> 00:12:46,974 Lady Sou! Please stop! 195 00:13:02,573 --> 00:13:04,533 It’s her own fault. 196 00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:08,370 That blistered face… 197 00:13:08,454 --> 00:13:10,706 Are you familiar with mushrooms? 198 00:13:10,789 --> 00:13:14,585 Even her attendants suffered from the fallout. 199 00:13:16,295 --> 00:13:18,047 I see, it’s all starting to make sense. 200 00:13:19,673 --> 00:13:22,343 The thing Lord Jinshi was searching for… 201 00:13:27,056 --> 00:13:28,891 The woman who caused the scene yesterday, 202 00:13:28,974 --> 00:13:31,810 I heard she was a low-ranked consort named Sou. 203 00:13:31,894 --> 00:13:34,146 Daughter of a wealthy merchant family, good-natured, 204 00:13:34,939 --> 00:13:38,108 and the Emperor would occasionally visit her chambers. 205 00:13:38,192 --> 00:13:41,153 However, around this time two years ago… 206 00:13:43,239 --> 00:13:46,283 Why… how could this happen?! 207 00:13:47,076 --> 00:13:51,080 She contracted a mysterious illness and was dropped from the consort's position. 208 00:13:51,163 --> 00:13:55,584 But, even if she returned to her family, she would no longer be able to marry. 209 00:13:56,252 --> 00:13:59,588 Keeping her in the rear palace must have been the Emperor's kindness. 210 00:14:01,674 --> 00:14:04,218 So then, why did that lower-ranking consort 211 00:14:04,301 --> 00:14:06,595 do such a thing at Lady Jin’s funeral? 212 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:08,681 The answer is simple. 213 00:14:08,764 --> 00:14:12,476 She believed that the cause of her illness was Lady Jin. 214 00:14:16,438 --> 00:14:17,356 Found it. 215 00:14:21,944 --> 00:14:23,404 Lord Jinshi, take a look at this. 216 00:14:24,238 --> 00:14:25,948 How ominous. 217 00:14:26,031 --> 00:14:27,908 Yes, it's highly poisonous. 218 00:14:40,212 --> 00:14:42,631 This… where did you find it? 219 00:14:43,257 --> 00:14:45,092 In the northern wooded area. 220 00:14:45,175 --> 00:14:47,720 It seems the overgrown, neglected forest provided 221 00:14:47,803 --> 00:14:50,639 a good environment for this mushroom. 222 00:14:50,723 --> 00:14:53,601 Although its occurrence is rare, 223 00:14:53,684 --> 00:14:55,936 it’s an extremely dangerous specimen. 224 00:14:56,020 --> 00:14:59,481 Even a tiny fragment ingested is enough to reach a lethal dose, 225 00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:03,485 and just touching it releases toxicity. Please don’t get any closer. 226 00:15:03,569 --> 00:15:06,113 You’ll end up like Lady Jin or Lady Sou if you do. 227 00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:14,622 Long ago, I found these mushrooms while gathering herbs with my father… 228 00:15:14,705 --> 00:15:16,749 -Did you touch it? -Yes. 229 00:15:16,832 --> 00:15:19,460 I washed it off immediately, but as you can see, this is the result. 230 00:15:20,628 --> 00:15:23,714 Are there still marks under that bandage? 231 00:15:23,797 --> 00:15:27,301 No, the rest are scars from my own experiments. 232 00:15:27,384 --> 00:15:29,094 Wait, what kind of experiments? 233 00:15:29,178 --> 00:15:31,347 -It's… a hobby. -A hobby? What kind of hobby? 234 00:15:31,972 --> 00:15:34,350 I've never shown it to anyone before. 235 00:15:34,433 --> 00:15:37,978 -Well, that's not important right now. -Not important…? 236 00:15:39,313 --> 00:15:41,106 The body of Lady Jin that at the funeral 237 00:15:41,190 --> 00:15:44,109 had blistered skin and hair loss. 238 00:15:44,818 --> 00:15:49,406 Weren't you investigating the source of this poison? 239 00:15:49,490 --> 00:15:51,200 As sharp as ever. 240 00:15:54,161 --> 00:15:57,623 Two years ago, Lady Sou suddenly fell ill with a mysterious disease. 241 00:15:57,706 --> 00:16:00,417 It was suspected that poison was the cause. 242 00:16:00,501 --> 00:16:02,503 And the person rumored to be the culprit was… 243 00:16:03,379 --> 00:16:05,547 -Lady Jin. -That's right. 244 00:16:06,298 --> 00:16:10,552 But there was no conclusive evidence to prove that she administered the poison. 245 00:16:10,636 --> 00:16:11,804 And then, a year ago… 246 00:16:12,888 --> 00:16:16,558 Lady Jin started exhibiting the same symptoms as Lady Sou. 247 00:16:16,642 --> 00:16:20,312 She must have accidentally touched the poison while using it on someone else. 248 00:16:21,063 --> 00:16:24,775 After that, Lady Jin became depressed and was like a different person. 249 00:16:25,984 --> 00:16:31,031 I visited to check on her once a month, but she was barely able to speak. 250 00:16:31,949 --> 00:16:34,827 She was a proud and dignified consort to begin with. 251 00:16:34,910 --> 00:16:37,204 Unable to bear it, she poisoned herself… 252 00:16:37,287 --> 00:16:41,125 That’s the testimony of the serving maids who attended her. 253 00:16:41,792 --> 00:16:45,421 At first glance, it seems to make sense. But… 254 00:16:46,255 --> 00:16:49,174 Lady Jin died after ingesting a poisonous mushroom, didn’t she? 255 00:16:49,258 --> 00:16:52,469 -Yes. -Then there’s something odd about that. 256 00:16:53,095 --> 00:16:54,888 What do you mean? 257 00:16:55,472 --> 00:16:57,182 This mushroom, when eaten, 258 00:16:57,266 --> 00:17:00,227 causes stomach pain, vomiting, and numbness. 259 00:17:00,310 --> 00:17:03,313 It also causes inflammation in the mouth, 260 00:17:03,397 --> 00:17:05,816 but I’ve never heard of it spreading to the face. 261 00:17:05,899 --> 00:17:07,067 Is that true? 262 00:17:07,693 --> 00:17:12,656 Yes. The swelling on the face looked quite recent. 263 00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:16,285 It was as if the poisonous mushroom had been directly rubbed onto her face. 264 00:17:16,368 --> 00:17:19,246 Meanwhile, her hands remained perfectly clean. 265 00:17:19,329 --> 00:17:20,539 The body part with blisters was… 266 00:17:25,169 --> 00:17:27,379 If you have something to say, go ahead and say it. 267 00:17:33,260 --> 00:17:34,720 Could you give me a few days? 268 00:17:35,429 --> 00:17:40,017 If possible, could you provide a few capable and tight-lipped eunuchs? 269 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,479 I’m not sure, but… 270 00:17:44,188 --> 00:17:45,063 Still, do it. 271 00:17:46,857 --> 00:17:50,069 Well, being ordered around is probably easier for me. 272 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:52,654 Understood. 273 00:17:55,532 --> 00:17:59,828 But what is Xiaomao planning to investigate? 274 00:17:59,912 --> 00:18:01,455 I don’t know. 275 00:18:01,538 --> 00:18:02,706 But… 276 00:18:02,790 --> 00:18:07,169 The apothecary's job in such times is simply to search for evidence. 277 00:18:27,356 --> 00:18:28,357 We've arrived. 278 00:18:30,651 --> 00:18:31,819 Mushrooms… 279 00:18:32,528 --> 00:18:34,571 Could you dig here? 280 00:18:34,655 --> 00:18:35,531 Understood. 281 00:18:47,709 --> 00:18:48,877 This smell… 282 00:19:01,765 --> 00:19:03,892 Is this the evidence? 283 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,896 I didn’t expect to get it right on the first try. 284 00:19:09,773 --> 00:19:13,527 That body, it seems to be Lady Jin's. 285 00:19:13,610 --> 00:19:15,737 Her family crest was on the ornaments. 286 00:19:16,363 --> 00:19:18,866 Whether it was murder or an accident, we can't be sure, but… 287 00:19:18,949 --> 00:19:21,702 she must have died a year ago. 288 00:19:21,785 --> 00:19:23,954 Was it around the time she fell ill? 289 00:19:24,037 --> 00:19:26,582 Yes. The real one was buried in the forest, 290 00:19:26,665 --> 00:19:29,543 and I believe someone else took her place. 291 00:19:29,626 --> 00:19:32,212 So, what about the body at the funeral? 292 00:19:33,547 --> 00:19:35,716 Do you know of the missing palace woman? 293 00:19:36,633 --> 00:19:40,804 A woman named Tao, who disappeared before her marriage. 294 00:19:41,555 --> 00:19:43,724 She looks very similar to Lady Jin, doesn't she? 295 00:19:44,975 --> 00:19:48,228 From the inquiries I made, it seems their build was quite similar. 296 00:19:48,937 --> 00:19:52,024 If her face was covered, the only ones who could identify her 297 00:19:52,107 --> 00:19:53,734 would probably be her attendants. 298 00:19:54,318 --> 00:19:58,363 It would have been possible to deceive those who came once a month. 299 00:19:58,447 --> 00:19:59,573 In other words, 300 00:19:59,656 --> 00:20:03,619 that woman, Tao, conspired together with Lady Jin's attendants? 301 00:20:03,702 --> 00:20:07,331 Probably, I don’t know the exact details, but… 302 00:20:10,834 --> 00:20:12,711 I have my own assumptions. 303 00:20:13,378 --> 00:20:14,963 The trigger was likely jealousy. 304 00:20:15,047 --> 00:20:20,177 Lady Jin didn't like that a palace woman resembling her was being courted. 305 00:20:21,053 --> 00:20:24,973 She resented the fact that the Emperor never visited her. 306 00:20:25,057 --> 00:20:28,977 In fact, it seems Tao was being treated terribly. 307 00:20:29,061 --> 00:20:31,188 Perhaps that led to a quarrel, 308 00:20:31,271 --> 00:20:33,982 whether it was murder or an accident, Lady Jin died. 309 00:20:34,733 --> 00:20:37,778 The attendants, perhaps out of self-preservation and sympathy for Tao, 310 00:20:37,861 --> 00:20:40,739 proposed to cover up Lady Jin's death. 311 00:20:40,822 --> 00:20:42,741 Tao could hardly refuse. 312 00:20:43,617 --> 00:20:47,079 But as the discussion for marriage progressed, 313 00:20:47,162 --> 00:20:50,249 it became impossible to continue the deception. 314 00:20:53,752 --> 00:20:55,045 Yeah, I should stop. 315 00:20:55,128 --> 00:20:58,298 The motive can be created by the high-ranking officials as they please. 316 00:20:58,382 --> 00:21:02,886 However, how did you know where the body was buried? 317 00:21:02,970 --> 00:21:06,264 -There was evidence left behind. -Evidence? 318 00:21:08,350 --> 00:21:09,268 Mushrooms! 319 00:21:09,351 --> 00:21:11,853 The mushrooms growing around there prefer to grow near 320 00:21:11,937 --> 00:21:14,523 animal carcasses and feces. 321 00:21:14,606 --> 00:21:17,442 No wonder there was a distinct rotten smell. 322 00:21:17,526 --> 00:21:21,488 I never imagined I was observing mushrooms on top of a corpse… 323 00:21:24,241 --> 00:21:26,243 What are you going to do with those mushrooms? 324 00:21:29,371 --> 00:21:31,790 There are many very interesting mushrooms in here. 325 00:21:31,873 --> 00:21:33,583 Mushrooms that grow on corpses? 326 00:21:33,667 --> 00:21:37,671 I haven't found any mushrooms like caterpillar fungus. 327 00:21:38,588 --> 00:21:41,466 Also, if it grows on humans, it would be human fungus. 328 00:21:41,550 --> 00:21:42,676 Take it away! 329 00:21:50,267 --> 00:21:52,853 It was just pure curiosity… 330 00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:03,238 Mushrooms that grow from corpses, huh? 331 00:22:06,158 --> 00:22:07,743 If they exist… 332 00:22:08,994 --> 00:22:10,412 what form would they take? 333 00:22:11,330 --> 00:22:13,665 And what properties would they have? 334 00:23:46,049 --> 00:23:49,970 NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW 335 00:23:57,394 --> 00:23:59,771 The next episode is "Replica." 336 00:24:00,981 --> 00:24:01,815 Subtitle translation by: Abhishek Chand Ramola fungus.