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.

She has no understanding of chastity.

She's a picky eater too!

It's not like she'd die.

- So cold! - The warming stones help a little, but...

To have nothing to do in this cold is torture.

The wind is so chilly!

At least have some sort of tent...

This seating is made to foster hostility among the four concubines.

Look. That lady is the Empress Dowager.

She's very youthful.

She's quite young, actually.

Because she gave birth to the Lord at...

She must've worked hard to give birth to him!

The Empress Dowager has two children,

the Lord and his younger brother.

But it's rumored that

the brother is very ill and can't leave the house often.

It seems like he was here until recently, but...

I see.

What? You call this plain?

An attendant is to serve her master.

What's the point of dressing up?

Did you hear that?

It's the master who suffers

when her attendant looks poor.

I'm so pissed!

Those attendants are Lady Lihua's...

Oh no, Yinghua's at it. They started a battle by proxy.

Let's go, Maomao.

She even hired that ugly duckling, that's to be expected.

Ugly duckling? Is she talking about me?

That is so embarrassing!

What did you say?

- Yinghua! - Calm down!

They haven't realized?

We were so close at the Crystal Pavilion!

If you get too carried away, I'll tell Father!

Then I'll make sure you physically can't tell on anyone.

Huh?

It was just a courtesan joke...

Apologize to Maomao!

Why are you suddenly all quiet?

I'll leave you alone for now!

- Huh? - You...

You better be grateful!

What's up with them?

Hey, are you okay, Maomao?

They don't know you're really this cute.

It doesn't bother me.

Do you want to switch warming stones?

Not only did she suffer misfortune,

she even mistrusts men so much that she dirties her face...

She desperately suffered horrible bullying

at the Crystal Pavilion for two months...

She didn't complain once,

and she doesn't want to worry us...

It makes sense that the kind-hearted Sir Jinshi watches out for her!

They're making up stories again.

Doesn't she even know her position?

Look at that red clothing!

Another battle by proxy.

It's the Virtuous versus the Pure.

Those two groups don't get along well, either.

The Virtuous Concubine is very young at 14,

while the Pure Concubine is a veteran at 35.

Of course they don't get along!

And, they were formerly mother and daughter-in-law.

Mother and daughter-in-law?

So... This is a bit complicated,

but the two Ladies were originally the former Emperor's concubine

and the current Lord's concubine.

But then, the former Emperor passed away.

The former Emperor's concubine became a monk,

then came back as the current Emperor's concubine.

The former Emperor passed away five years ago.

Concubine Ah-Duo, who was a Lady at the time, was 30-years-old.

The Virtuous Concubine, Lishu, was nine at the time.

I know it's politics, but to be married at nine...

Can you believe it? A nine-year-old mother-in-law.

A nine-year-old mother-in-law...

A mother-in-law?

So...

The one who was concubine to the former Emperor was...

Lady Lishu?

So that is the young mother-in-law?

I think you've noticed,

but the Virtuous Concubine, Lady Lishu, is still quite young.

It seems like it.

Traditionally, the Virtuous Concubine should be wearing white.

But that dark pink color...

It clearly overlaps with Lady Gyokuyou, The Precious Concubine.

Maybe she doesn't notice things like that.

The warming stones were a big help. Please make them again.

Yes, ma'am.

‪So cold...

If you're cold, you should have these.

Here.

Here.

You're too nice.

Asking whether you can share with the attendants in the Crystal Pavilion.

You even asked for permission from Lady Gyokuyou.

It's nothing.

A hair clip?

That's how they recruit talented people hidden in the flower garden.

I see.

It can have other meanings though.

I see.

I said, it can have other meanings!

Meanings, huh?

This is for you, miss.

I guess he's giving them out to everyone

so that no attendants are embarrassed.

Thanks.

I'm Lihaku.

Nice to meet you!

He's like a big dog.

Woof, woof!

You got that? Show me.

It's a participation prize.

That's not enough, don't you think?

Long time no see.

Long time no see, My Lady.

That's all for now.

Lady Lihua?

Let's go. Goodbye, all.

Lady Gyokuyou...

Might get a little more than upset.

What are you going to do?

Wow.

This is quite impressive.

He must be more higher-up than I imagined.

He fits right in with all the soldiers.

That soldier from before is there too.

He's in the last seat. He's young, so he might have been promoted.

That glittery eunuch isn't here.

But that doesn't matter.

Now, time for poison testing!