1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,920
WRITTEN BY HYUGA NATSU

2
00:01:32,592 --> 00:01:33,426
THIS STORY IS A FICTION AND ALL NAMES OF
FIGURES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS.

3
00:01:33,510 --> 00:01:34,552
MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION
TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.

4
00:01:34,636 --> 00:01:36,805
Let me introduce them to you, Maomao.

5
00:01:36,888 --> 00:01:39,682
These are the new attendants
at the Jade Pavilion.

6
00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:40,850
They’re three sisters.

7
00:01:41,851 --> 00:01:43,228
I’m Haku-u.

8
00:01:43,311 --> 00:01:44,646
I’m Koku-u.

9
00:01:44,729 --> 00:01:45,605
I’m Seki-u.

10
00:01:46,356 --> 00:01:48,107
They really do look alike…

11
00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:50,819
How have you been?

12
00:01:50,902 --> 00:01:52,654
Fine. It’s been a while.

13
00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:55,698
Do you know each other?

14
00:01:55,782 --> 00:01:59,077
Yes, we’re from the same hometown
and are familiar with each other.

15
00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,411
The eldest, Haku-u,

16
00:02:00,495 --> 00:02:02,789
is the same age as Lady Gyokuyou.

17
00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:07,043
So they're surrounding her
only with people from her hometown?

18
00:02:07,127 --> 00:02:10,004
For Lady Gyokuyou
who has been nearly assassinated before,

19
00:02:10,088 --> 00:02:11,923
this arrangement would be safer.

20
00:02:12,715 --> 00:02:13,675
And you are?

21
00:02:14,300 --> 00:02:16,761
I am Maomao, the food taster, Lady Koku-u.

22
00:02:17,595 --> 00:02:19,764
I'm not Koku-u.

23
00:02:19,848 --> 00:02:22,308
Oh, then you must be Lady Seki-u…

24
00:02:22,892 --> 00:02:23,768
I’m Haku-u.

25
00:02:28,565 --> 00:02:32,360
From now on, we’ll wear
hair ribbons that match our names.

26
00:02:32,443 --> 00:02:35,321
-Then you can tell us apart.
-Understood.

27
00:02:36,406 --> 00:02:39,117
I really can’t tell them apart…

28
00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,494
Well, I guess
I’ll figure it out over time.

29
00:02:42,537 --> 00:02:44,706
But more importantly…

30
00:02:44,789 --> 00:02:45,665
Maomao!

31
00:02:45,748 --> 00:02:47,917
Return to your designated room!

32
00:02:48,001 --> 00:02:50,962
No, the storage room is fine for me.

33
00:02:51,045 --> 00:02:54,048
Even Lady Hongniang told me
this is my room,

34
00:02:54,132 --> 00:02:56,009
so I’ll continue using it as it is.

35
00:02:56,092 --> 00:02:58,428
I will not allow that!

36
00:02:58,511 --> 00:03:01,180
You took that joke
too seriously once again!

37
00:03:01,848 --> 00:03:05,602
But I’ve already moved
all my belongings here…

38
00:03:05,685 --> 00:03:08,646
It wouldn’t set a good example
for the new attendants!

39
00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,028
What are you two doing?!

40
00:03:27,165 --> 00:03:28,166
Oh my.

41
00:03:28,249 --> 00:03:31,252
Has the storage room
completely turned into Maomao’s nest?

42
00:03:32,211 --> 00:03:34,005
You can do as you like with the shed.

43
00:03:34,923 --> 00:03:38,509
But when you sleep,
please use your designated room.

44
00:03:39,093 --> 00:03:39,969
Understood.

45
00:03:41,596 --> 00:03:43,389
They’re such kind superiors.

46
00:03:47,810 --> 00:03:49,437
With the arrival of new attendants,

47
00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,774
the workload per person
has significantly decreased.

48
00:03:53,524 --> 00:03:55,443
With Lady Gyokuyou expecting a child,

49
00:03:55,526 --> 00:03:59,322
the Jade Pavilion will need
even more hands.

50
00:03:59,405 --> 00:04:02,283
So reinforcing the workforce
is certainly a good thing…

51
00:04:03,284 --> 00:04:05,912
But this is also likely an effort
to balance things out

52
00:04:05,995 --> 00:04:10,250
with Lady Loulan’s Garnet Pavilion,
which has a large number of maids.

53
00:04:12,543 --> 00:04:13,503
Thanks for your hard work.

54
00:04:14,462 --> 00:04:16,381
Well then, I’ll head to the shed.

55
00:04:17,298 --> 00:04:18,424
Maomao!

56
00:04:19,550 --> 00:04:22,303
Lady Yinghua,
does Maomao really live in a shed,

57
00:04:22,387 --> 00:04:24,305
instead of a proper room?

58
00:04:24,389 --> 00:04:27,517
Is that true? Even though
she’s Lady Gyokuyou’s attendant?

59
00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,978
Well…

60
00:04:43,741 --> 00:04:46,869
The reason Lady Yinghua is trying to stop
me from shutting myself away in the shed

61
00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:50,873
is because
she’s looking out for my well-being.

62
00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:54,127
She wants me to quickly feel at ease with
the new attendants.

63
00:04:54,210 --> 00:04:55,837
It’s a reflection of her thoughtfulness.

64
00:05:01,968 --> 00:05:04,512
I’m sorry for acting so selfishly.

65
00:05:04,595 --> 00:05:06,472
It’s fine, but…

66
00:05:06,556 --> 00:05:09,475
Hey, Maomao, do you feel
even a little remorse?

67
00:05:09,559 --> 00:05:11,269
Huh? I do, of course.

68
00:05:11,352 --> 00:05:13,855
Really? Do you actually feel bad?

69
00:05:14,355 --> 00:05:15,398
Yes, of course…

70
00:05:15,481 --> 00:05:17,108
I thought so!

71
00:05:17,191 --> 00:05:20,611
Then tonight, you’re coming with me!

72
00:05:21,404 --> 00:05:24,866
Tonight, the only ones free are
you and me, Maomao!

73
00:05:24,949 --> 00:05:27,243
How convenient!

74
00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:31,622
I walked right into that…

75
00:05:36,961 --> 00:05:40,006
Uh, about going out tonight,
what did Lady Hongniang say?

76
00:05:40,089 --> 00:05:42,967
It’s fine. I already got her permission.

77
00:05:43,718 --> 00:05:45,720
The north side of the rear palace…

78
00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:50,349
There should only be
old buildings around here.

79
00:05:53,436 --> 00:05:54,395
Maomao, here.

80
00:05:55,146 --> 00:05:56,856
Put this on like this.

81
00:05:58,900 --> 00:06:00,151
Isn’t this hot?

82
00:06:00,234 --> 00:06:02,862
It’s fine. It’ll feel cooler soon.

83
00:06:09,118 --> 00:06:10,078
Here we are.

84
00:06:14,999 --> 00:06:17,627
Welcome. Two participants, correct?

85
00:06:17,710 --> 00:06:20,379
Yes, we’re looking forward to it.

86
00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,131
Likewise.

87
00:06:22,215 --> 00:06:25,593
Turn off the lanterns
and use these instead.

88
00:06:30,014 --> 00:06:33,434
She's beautiful,
but quite an aged palace woman.

89
00:06:34,102 --> 00:06:35,770
Now, let’s begin.

90
00:06:38,856 --> 00:06:42,401
This place was used
during the previous emperor’s reign.

91
00:06:43,152 --> 00:06:46,572
There are far fewer palace women
now than back then,

92
00:06:48,866 --> 00:06:50,910
but for something like this, it’s perfect.

93
00:06:55,623 --> 00:06:57,834
Take a seat wherever there’s space.

94
00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:05,174
Everyone’s here.

95
00:07:06,592 --> 00:07:11,013
Gathering 12 people in a closed room
on such a hot day…

96
00:07:11,639 --> 00:07:15,726
Everyone, are you ready for the stories?

97
00:07:16,436 --> 00:07:21,232
Tonight, let's enjoy 13 chilling tales.

98
00:07:21,941 --> 00:07:23,401
Thirteen tales?

99
00:07:26,988 --> 00:07:28,865
And so…

100
00:07:29,532 --> 00:07:31,659
Night after night,
at the moat by the north gate,

101
00:07:31,742 --> 00:07:34,871
there was a figure of a maid
repeatedly throwing herself in.

102
00:07:34,954 --> 00:07:39,167
Feeling pity, a palace woman
floated flowers in the water,

103
00:07:39,250 --> 00:07:41,919
when suddenly from somewhere,
a voice could be heard…

104
00:07:42,503 --> 00:07:44,964
Startled, she looked into the moat, and…

105
00:07:45,047 --> 00:07:47,592
the maid’s pale face
floated to the surface.

106
00:07:47,675 --> 00:07:50,261
As the palace woman panicked
and tried to flee,

107
00:07:50,344 --> 00:07:52,180
she was suddenly grabbed by the leg.

108
00:07:54,056 --> 00:07:57,226
The maid, crawling out of the water, said…

109
00:07:57,977 --> 00:08:02,648
"That day, the one who pushed me in…

110
00:08:05,276 --> 00:08:07,320
Was it you?!"

111
00:08:10,948 --> 00:08:13,701
This sounds like a story
I've heard somewhere before.

112
00:08:14,994 --> 00:08:18,122
She's scared, but it seems
she's enjoying it.

113
00:08:23,044 --> 00:08:26,797
Apparently, this event involves
telling ghost stories in order of seating

114
00:08:26,881 --> 00:08:30,218
and blowing out a candle
after finishing each tale.

115
00:08:30,885 --> 00:08:34,972
However, most of the stories
are just rear palace rumors.

116
00:08:35,056 --> 00:08:36,974
Not exactly chilling to the bone.

117
00:08:40,811 --> 00:08:43,356
After all, there's little entertainment
in the rear palace.

118
00:08:43,856 --> 00:08:46,651
That's probably why
such gatherings are permitted.

119
00:08:48,819 --> 00:08:51,614
-Good evening.
-Shisui.

120
00:08:51,697 --> 00:08:53,616
-Want some?
-I'll have a piece.

121
00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:00,540
Now then…

122
00:09:01,374 --> 00:09:04,585
This is a story from my hometown.

123
00:09:06,295 --> 00:09:07,421
There was a forest,

124
00:09:07,505 --> 00:09:11,592
which had long been said
to be forbidden to enter.

125
00:09:12,343 --> 00:09:14,136
Anyone who entered would be cursed,

126
00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:16,681
and their soul would be
devoured by a demon.

127
00:09:17,181 --> 00:09:19,100
But one day,

128
00:09:19,183 --> 00:09:22,478
a child broke this taboo.

129
00:09:23,271 --> 00:09:25,523
That year, crops had failed,

130
00:09:25,606 --> 00:09:28,025
and the child, starving beyond endurance,

131
00:09:28,109 --> 00:09:31,362
entered the forest in search of food.

132
00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:36,367
The child told his mother,

133
00:09:36,993 --> 00:09:38,911
"I'll tell you something good.

134
00:09:38,995 --> 00:09:41,706
There’s plenty of food in that forest."

135
00:09:42,873 --> 00:09:46,836
However, when the villagers learned
that the child had entered the forest,

136
00:09:46,919 --> 00:09:49,130
the mother and child
were cast out from the village.

137
00:09:49,964 --> 00:09:52,800
Isolated, with nothing to eat,

138
00:09:52,883 --> 00:09:55,011
they grew frail and weak.

139
00:09:55,094 --> 00:09:57,805
Yet, no one reached out to help them.

140
00:09:59,223 --> 00:10:00,850
One night,

141
00:10:01,350 --> 00:10:02,643
someone saw a flickering light

142
00:10:02,727 --> 00:10:06,439
enter the mother and child's home.

143
00:10:07,273 --> 00:10:10,234
The next day, upon hearing the news,

144
00:10:10,318 --> 00:10:11,944
the village chief
went to visit their home.

145
00:10:13,070 --> 00:10:14,905
But the child was already dead,

146
00:10:14,989 --> 00:10:17,158
and the mother was on the verge of death.

147
00:10:18,326 --> 00:10:20,161
With her last breath,
she said to the village chief,

148
00:10:21,537 --> 00:10:24,665
"I'll tell you something good…"

149
00:10:25,333 --> 00:10:29,128
And with that, she died.

150
00:10:29,837 --> 00:10:33,841
Her face bore an eerie smile.

151
00:10:34,717 --> 00:10:38,679
In the end, no one knew
what she had meant to say.

152
00:10:38,763 --> 00:10:41,974
Even now, the forest is feared
as a forbidden land.

153
00:10:42,058 --> 00:10:43,809
And they say that a demon appears

154
00:10:43,893 --> 00:10:45,645
at the homes of those who break the taboo,

155
00:10:45,728 --> 00:10:48,356
devouring their souls.

156
00:10:51,525 --> 00:10:55,279
-Hmm, I see…
-See what?

157
00:10:55,363 --> 00:10:56,906
I’ll tell you later.

158
00:10:59,075 --> 00:11:01,077
I'm kinda sleepy…

159
00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,245
There are so many people
in such a small space.

160
00:11:03,329 --> 00:11:05,623
I’m feeling dizzy from the crowd.

161
00:11:05,706 --> 00:11:07,750
Now it's your turn.

162
00:11:08,459 --> 00:11:10,211
Okay!

163
00:11:12,797 --> 00:11:17,593
This is a story from a far,
far eastern land.

164
00:11:19,178 --> 00:11:21,347
A certain monk,

165
00:11:21,430 --> 00:11:24,725
on his way back after conducting
a funeral in a distant place,

166
00:11:24,809 --> 00:11:27,478
realized that night had already fallen.

167
00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:31,440
The area was an open plain
covered in silver grass,

168
00:11:31,524 --> 00:11:34,485
and it seemed that a pack of stray dogs
were lurking nearby.

169
00:11:35,111 --> 00:11:38,072
As the anxious monk looked around,

170
00:11:38,155 --> 00:11:40,491
he spotted an old, worn-down house.

171
00:11:43,285 --> 00:11:45,830
Pardon the late hour. Is anyone home?

172
00:11:47,415 --> 00:11:49,708
What brings you here, dear monk?

173
00:11:49,792 --> 00:11:53,045
Before I could cross the mountain,
night fell…

174
00:11:53,129 --> 00:11:55,256
If you wouldn’t mind,
even a corner of the barn would do.

175
00:11:55,339 --> 00:11:57,216
Could you let me stay for just one night?

176
00:11:57,299 --> 00:12:01,512
Oh my… You must be exhausted.

177
00:12:03,389 --> 00:12:05,266
The wife fed him

178
00:12:05,933 --> 00:12:08,269
and even prepared
a sleeping place for him.

179
00:12:09,145 --> 00:12:11,605
Moved by her heartfelt hospitality,

180
00:12:11,689 --> 00:12:14,233
the monk, who had
nothing to offer in return,

181
00:12:14,316 --> 00:12:17,278
decided to at least recite a sutra
as a token of gratitude.

182
00:12:24,034 --> 00:12:25,578
Is that the sound of a bell?

183
00:12:26,537 --> 00:12:29,206
No… It sounds like a bell, but…

184
00:12:29,957 --> 00:12:32,168
Is this… a human voice?

185
00:12:32,835 --> 00:12:35,171
So, what will you do?

186
00:12:35,254 --> 00:12:37,423
Nothing. It should be fine as it is.

187
00:12:37,506 --> 00:12:40,092
No, that won’t do!

188
00:12:40,176 --> 00:12:42,011
I don’t want to be alone.

189
00:12:42,094 --> 00:12:44,305
Then, what do you plan to do?!

190
00:12:45,014 --> 00:12:46,724
I can't take this anymore…

191
00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:52,021
Are they arguing? Should I step in?

192
00:12:52,104 --> 00:12:56,400
No. I mustn’t interfere.
I just have that feeling…

193
00:12:56,484 --> 00:12:59,862
-That monk… we'll use him instead.
-I guess there’s no other way…

194
00:13:01,614 --> 00:13:04,450
Alright, let's do this.

195
00:13:07,077 --> 00:13:09,622
Where is he? Where’s the monk?

196
00:13:21,383 --> 00:13:22,760
Did he escape?

197
00:13:25,387 --> 00:13:27,806
He’s not here. He’s gone!

198
00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:31,644
I have to find him. Otherwise, I…

199
00:13:31,727 --> 00:13:33,145
I…

200
00:13:39,860 --> 00:13:41,153
The monk

201
00:13:41,237 --> 00:13:45,491
continued chanting the sutra,
until the sounds of chewing stopped.

202
00:13:46,450 --> 00:13:50,454
When the noise ceased,
the monk stepped outside.

203
00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,708
The young couple was nowhere to be seen,
and in their place…

204
00:13:56,001 --> 00:13:58,254
only insect wings lay scattered
on the ground.

205
00:13:58,879 --> 00:14:02,508
The monk quietly pressed his hands
together in prayer

206
00:14:03,717 --> 00:14:05,970
and continued walking,
chanting the sutra, until dawn.

207
00:14:07,096 --> 00:14:09,557
She's really good at telling stories.

208
00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,475
It’s like she's
a completely different person.

209
00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:14,979
This side profile…

210
00:14:15,729 --> 00:14:18,482
Feels like I’ve seen it somewhere before…

211
00:14:21,151 --> 00:14:22,820
Maomao. You’re up next.

212
00:14:23,571 --> 00:14:24,613
Oh, right…

213
00:14:25,239 --> 00:14:27,157
What should I talk about…?

214
00:14:28,993 --> 00:14:31,328
My foster father once told me a story.

215
00:14:31,412 --> 00:14:34,915
There was a rumor that ghostly fireballs
appeared in the graveyard.

216
00:14:36,542 --> 00:14:38,210
It sounded suspicious,

217
00:14:38,294 --> 00:14:41,714
so a group of brave young men
went to investigate.

218
00:14:43,132 --> 00:14:44,300
And what they found was…

219
00:14:49,847 --> 00:14:52,057
A man from the same town,

220
00:14:52,141 --> 00:14:54,685
walking with a torch in his hand.

221
00:14:56,854 --> 00:14:58,814
-That’s it?
-Yes.

222
00:14:59,315 --> 00:15:01,483
The man was a grave robber,

223
00:15:01,567 --> 00:15:03,652
trapped by a sinister curse.

224
00:15:03,736 --> 00:15:06,655
He would dig up graves,
cut open corpses’ bellies,

225
00:15:07,239 --> 00:15:09,992
and take human livers,
said to cure rare diseases--

226
00:15:10,075 --> 00:15:11,243
Enough!

227
00:15:12,578 --> 00:15:14,246
That’s all…

228
00:15:16,832 --> 00:15:19,376
You're next, Lady Yinghua.

229
00:15:21,211 --> 00:15:23,255
Well…

230
00:15:23,923 --> 00:15:26,884
There was once a man…

231
00:15:26,967 --> 00:15:29,762
No, an old woman…?

232
00:15:30,429 --> 00:15:31,764
And then… Um…

233
00:15:31,847 --> 00:15:33,599
So then… Um…

234
00:15:38,479 --> 00:15:41,023
Then, I’ll go next.

235
00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:43,233
Come to think of it,

236
00:15:43,317 --> 00:15:46,528
that palace woman mentioned
"13 tales" at the start.

237
00:15:47,363 --> 00:15:50,991
But there are only 12 of us here.
What does she mean?

238
00:15:51,075 --> 00:15:53,535
This is a story from
the previous emperor’s time.

239
00:15:54,119 --> 00:15:57,247
Back then, the rear palace kept growing,

240
00:15:57,331 --> 00:16:00,042
and new quarters
were constantly being added.

241
00:16:00,125 --> 00:16:02,002
For what reason?

242
00:16:02,670 --> 00:16:05,631
The Grand Empress Dowager,

243
00:16:05,714 --> 00:16:08,592
who wielded immense power at that time,

244
00:16:08,676 --> 00:16:13,055
was gathering girls to match
the emperor’s tastes.

245
00:16:15,432 --> 00:16:16,684
What…?

246
00:16:16,767 --> 00:16:18,268
The previous emperor

247
00:16:18,352 --> 00:16:22,189
would choose young girls, barely of age,
and take their innocence.

248
00:16:23,273 --> 00:16:25,234
The girls, once taken,

249
00:16:25,317 --> 00:16:27,987
were never allowed to leave,

250
00:16:28,070 --> 00:16:30,197
spending their days in confinement.

251
00:16:30,990 --> 00:16:34,702
One of them became pregnant

252
00:16:35,494 --> 00:16:37,705
and pleaded with the emperor.

253
00:16:38,664 --> 00:16:42,209
But she was never allowed
to leave the rear palace,

254
00:16:42,292 --> 00:16:44,336
and just before she died,
she spoke her last words…

255
00:16:47,214 --> 00:16:50,175
"Next… it will be your turn!"

256
00:16:51,927 --> 00:16:52,761
Maomao!

257
00:16:55,848 --> 00:16:57,766
No wonder my head feels foggy!

258
00:16:58,267 --> 00:16:59,852
Lady Yinghua, Shisui!

259
00:16:59,935 --> 00:17:02,813
Move the weakened palace women
near the windows and doors!

260
00:17:02,896 --> 00:17:05,023
What on earth is going on?

261
00:17:05,107 --> 00:17:07,484
Hurry! The lingering flames are releasing

262
00:17:08,152 --> 00:17:10,988
toxic air that's filling the room.

263
00:17:12,031 --> 00:17:13,157
Got it!

264
00:17:18,495 --> 00:17:20,456
I realized it too late…

265
00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,377
And I was so close.

266
00:17:29,381 --> 00:17:30,841
That palace woman…

267
00:17:36,472 --> 00:17:38,766
Things got pretty chaotic, huh?

268
00:17:38,849 --> 00:17:41,143
And the hostess disappeared too.

269
00:17:42,019 --> 00:17:42,978
Maomao!

270
00:17:43,979 --> 00:17:45,355
The girl from earlier…

271
00:17:45,439 --> 00:17:47,191
She's an acquaintance of mine.

272
00:17:47,775 --> 00:17:50,652
Hey, Maomao.
What was that story about earlier?

273
00:17:51,236 --> 00:17:52,237
Earlier?

274
00:17:52,321 --> 00:17:54,865
You know, the story
about the Forbidden Forest.

275
00:17:57,284 --> 00:18:00,287
The "Forbidden Forest"
is just a superstition,

276
00:18:00,370 --> 00:18:04,583
but I can’t say for sure that
there’s no reason it became taboo.

277
00:18:06,001 --> 00:18:08,587
The forest is rich in food,

278
00:18:08,670 --> 00:18:10,881
but it’s also full of things
that aren’t edible.

279
00:18:12,132 --> 00:18:14,092
People from other lands would come,

280
00:18:14,176 --> 00:18:17,721
eat things from the forest and fall ill.

281
00:18:18,555 --> 00:18:22,059
And so, people started saying,
"You mustn’t eat anything

282
00:18:22,142 --> 00:18:23,727
from the forest carelessly."

283
00:18:24,394 --> 00:18:28,357
Over time, that became a forbidden rule.

284
00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,734
And when famines occurred later on,

285
00:18:30,818 --> 00:18:35,280
people could no longer tell which foods
were safe and which were not.

286
00:18:36,073 --> 00:18:39,910
The mother and child in that story were
starving during a year of poor harvest.

287
00:18:40,452 --> 00:18:44,540
Since they were breaking the rules,
they must have entered the forest at dusk,

288
00:18:44,623 --> 00:18:48,794
gathered food,
and returned home after nightfall.

289
00:18:49,711 --> 00:18:51,463
There’s a mushroom called
"moonlight mushroom,"

290
00:18:51,547 --> 00:18:53,966
a type of mushroom
that resembles oyster mushrooms.

291
00:18:54,049 --> 00:18:56,635
It looks very delicious,
but it's poisonous.

292
00:18:56,718 --> 00:18:59,054
And it has a unique trait,
it glows in the dark.

293
00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:03,851
If a villager had seen
someone walking at night from afar,

294
00:19:03,934 --> 00:19:06,061
they might have mistaken it
for a ghostly spirit.

295
00:19:07,062 --> 00:19:09,106
The poison isn’t very strong,

296
00:19:09,189 --> 00:19:12,985
but if a starving, weakened mother
and child ate it…?

297
00:19:16,864 --> 00:19:21,076
Perhaps, in her final moments,
the mother wanted to say this…

298
00:19:22,452 --> 00:19:26,165
"There are delicious mushrooms
in the forest…"

299
00:19:27,708 --> 00:19:30,043
She meant to say that
as a way to get back at the villagers

300
00:19:30,127 --> 00:19:32,087
who abandoned her and her child.

301
00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:34,548
So that’s what it was!

302
00:19:34,631 --> 00:19:36,925
Yeah, now it all makes sense!

303
00:19:37,009 --> 00:19:39,052
Well, I’m heading back this way!

304
00:19:42,014 --> 00:19:44,725
Once you understand the truth behind it,
it's nothing special.

305
00:19:45,601 --> 00:19:48,937
I'm sure other stories have
similar hidden meanings too.

306
00:19:50,272 --> 00:19:52,399
Well, who knows?

307
00:19:52,482 --> 00:19:54,943
What do you mean by that?

308
00:19:57,321 --> 00:19:58,655
I'm back.

309
00:19:58,739 --> 00:20:01,575
Oh, that was quicker than I expected.

310
00:20:01,658 --> 00:20:03,994
There was a bit of commotion.

311
00:20:04,077 --> 00:20:05,621
Well, as expected…

312
00:20:05,704 --> 00:20:09,333
When someone inexperienced
is in charge, things happen.

313
00:20:09,875 --> 00:20:11,168
Inexperienced?

314
00:20:11,251 --> 00:20:14,171
The palace woman who handled it
until last year passed away,

315
00:20:14,254 --> 00:20:17,424
so I was worried about
who would take over this year.

316
00:20:18,842 --> 00:20:22,596
She was a very thoughtful and kind person.
I was taken care of by her too.

317
00:20:22,679 --> 00:20:25,432
In the end, she never
got to leave the rear palace.

318
00:20:26,099 --> 00:20:29,436
Actually, she was once favored
by the previous emperor,

319
00:20:29,519 --> 00:20:32,648
and that gathering was
her only source of joy.

320
00:20:33,732 --> 00:20:36,693
The fact that the gathering ceased
the year after she passed away,

321
00:20:36,777 --> 00:20:38,779
I always found that rather unsettling.

322
00:20:39,613 --> 00:20:42,282
I'm glad someone decided to continue it.

323
00:20:44,952 --> 00:20:46,370
That story…

324
00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:53,877
The previous emperor chose young girls,
barely of age, taking their innocence.

325
00:20:54,503 --> 00:20:58,298
The girls, once taken,
were never allowed to leave…

326
00:21:00,133 --> 00:21:04,054
Was that palace woman's
story her own tale?

327
00:21:04,805 --> 00:21:08,600
Or was it a cruel jest by someone
who knew the truth?

328
00:21:11,687 --> 00:21:15,565
The world is full of things
we may never understand.

329
00:21:16,733 --> 00:21:17,859
Tonight,

330
00:21:17,943 --> 00:21:21,571
let's enjoy 13 chilling tales.

331
00:21:22,990 --> 00:21:26,493
At that time, at that place,
even counting the elder palace woman,

332
00:21:26,576 --> 00:21:28,578
there were only 12 people present.

333
00:21:29,204 --> 00:21:30,372
For now,

334
00:21:30,455 --> 00:21:33,917
I'm glad we didn’t end up
becoming the 13th ghost story.

335
00:21:35,127 --> 00:21:37,087
-Maomao!
-Yes?

336
00:21:37,713 --> 00:21:41,008
Can I sleep with you tonight?!

337
00:21:46,555 --> 00:21:48,640
Rather than a spine-chilling night,

338
00:21:48,724 --> 00:21:51,685
it became a restless,
uncomfortable one instead…

339
00:21:52,853 --> 00:21:55,355
-Too hot to bear.
-What is…this…?

340
00:23:46,133 --> 00:23:50,512
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

341
00:23:58,186 --> 00:23:59,771
The next episode is "The Hunt."

342
00:23:59,855 --> 00:24:01,690
Subtitle translation by:
Abhishek Chand Ramola
…