The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと)

ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA

THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS.

MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.

I accept my loss.

- You've improved, Basen. - No.

I merely push through with force.

I'm still no match for you, Sir Jinshi.

But that is a great force you have.

As expected from the Ma clan.

So how is she, Gaoshun?

The apothecary, I mean.

How do you mean?

Has she gained a little weight?

She's slowly gaining it back.

I see. However...

Do you even know why this was forbidden?

I'm saying it's poison, damn it!

I never imagined she had such a side to her.

Are you all right?

- What? Why? - You worry about her quite a lot.

No, it's nothing.

I knew it was here!

All right!

Another one!

Here too?

Where should I eat this? In the kitchen?

But it'd be troublesome if they ask where I got this...

Oh, before that...

Wow, it looks so good!

Thanks for doing this again, Maomao!

The other attendants are so kind to share dim sum

each time we have tea together!

Eat more!

You need to get more fat.

Don't be shy!

- Oh, did you hear? - Huh?

An Imperial Court palace woman

succeeded in seducing a eunuch who's famous for hating women!

I see.

- How do you think she did it? - I have no idea.

She used a stimulant potion!

Stimulant potion?

It's that one.

What's wrong, Maomao?

Oh, it's nothing.

It's probably unrelated. I think...

Good morning.

Hey, miss! What do you need today?

I have something to ask you in confidence.

What is it?

- It's this. - Wow!

It's the first matsutake mushroom of the year!

I'm glad you seem to like these.

We need coal!

I'll also bring some soy paste and salt!

All in all,

I've built a good relationship with the quack doctor.

This is the stuff!

It looks ready now.

Drizzle some soy paste, add a little salt...

Here you are.

It's so good!

Now, we're partners in crime.

So delicious!

Doctor!

Could you...?

Make something to cure my curse?

A curse?

- What is this about? - It's this.

That's a pretty bad rash.

Maybe some ointment first?

Will you make me some?

Sure.

So, what is this curse?

This happened in the evening two nights ago.

The trash produced

in the rear palace is burned in the fire on the west.

I was working that night like always, then...

What is it?

A woman's clothing? The sleeves are burnt.

And is this a wood tablet?

It bothered me a little,

but I threw them in the fire as is. But then...

It's a curse! That's why my hands are like this...

Was the flame you saw this color?

If not this, then this.

I can make this one too.

Miss, what is this?

It works the same way as fireworks.

Some things can change the color of the flame when it burns.

So what about this hand?

My guess is something was attached to the wood tablet.

The rash came from coming into contact with that.

Apply this ointment and see if it works.

Thank you very much.

Her medicine always works well!

You'll get better in no time!

Wonderful. As expected of the apothecary.

Sir Jinshi!

I'll prepare some tea right away.

How do you do, Sir Jinshi?

Did you need something?

Are you saying I can't talk to you if I don't need something?

No, not at all.

Come with me.

Here you are, Sir Jinshi...

How many colors are there?

I don't know the exact number.

How do you apply the color, then?

With salt, you can apply color by dissolving it in water.

I know there are certain dyes

that dissolve with things like oil, not water.

But this isn't my area of expertise, so I don't know.

I see.

If we're finished here, I'll be off.

Wait.

What is it?

I love mushrooms too.

I'm expecting good work, Apothecary.

So he knew...

I'll go out tomorrow... To look for them...

Search for those who've suffered a burn to their arm recently.

Understood, sir.

A colored wood tablet is probably a code...

Do they go through the trouble of making a code

because the information can't be made public?

But what could that be...?

It's not my business, really.

It's nothing a poison tester should meddle in.

Thank you.

That one goes there.

I'm back.

Welcome home...

Maomao! Perfect timing.

Can you put this on?

I have a bad feeling...

What is this?

The costume for the garden party, obviously!

The garden party?

Twice a year, the Emperor and the higher-ups gather

at the court garden to enjoy

performances and a meal.

The Emperor isn't married yet,

so he has no consort.

In that case,

He is to take the highest status concubines.

Highest status concubine...

The most likely candidates for the next consort, the high-ranking concubines.

The highest ranking concubines...

The four high-ranking concubines.

The Precious Concubine, Concubine Gyokuyou.

The Wise Concubine, Concubine Lihua.

The Virtuous Concubine, Concubine Lishu.