Apothecary Diaries 1x4 Reaction Extended (YT link below)
Added 2025-07-31 01:00:04 +0000 UTCIn Apothecary Diaries 1x4, The Threat, if Maomao were to show up for a smackdown in the Rhododendron Pavillion, what kind of medicine would
In Apothecary Diaries 1x4, The Threat, if Maomao were to show up for a smackdown in the Rhododendron Pavillion, what kind of medicine would it be?
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Jinshi's contribution in this episode was to distract and confuse the ladies-in-waiting. He acted familiar with Maomao in front of them, which made them both jealous of her, flustered, and wary. They treated her like a lowly servant girl, but if Jinshi "likes" her (in whatever way you want to take that), then she might have privileges because of his interest. He also reinforces to them that she is there due to the Emperor's request, which was vague enough to explain away/ignore as providing an extra pair of hands during this stressful time, not specifically to cure Lady Lihua. He knows why he's been appointed as Manager of the entire Rear Palace area - to keep all the concubines healthy and in line. If his looks help him with that, he's going to use them as necessary. You can catch more flies with honey than salt, so the saying goes, and it's worked for him so far, rather than being cold or too strict. Of course he finds Maomao fascinating and a challenge (and fun to tease, let's be real) because neither his charm nor looks work on her.
Serralinda
2025-08-13 06:53:12 +0000 UTCNOOOO please keep an open mind for my Jinshi i promiseee. Each time you say ew when heβs on screen an angel loses its wings πππ
Ether
2025-07-31 14:04:33 +0000 UTCOne thing I'm wondering from watching Jinshi this episode is what exactly does Jinshi want from Maomao? It could be nothing but it feels like he's testing her, to see what she's capable of, maybe for some purpose he has in mind... I also don't know much about his personal motivations yet, if he's actually truly loyal to the emperor, etc.
Alex G
2025-07-31 04:01:28 +0000 UTCSo, there seems to be a slight misconception. The Rhododhendron was used not in the poisonous face powder, that was lead, but instead its branch was what Maomao tied the message to Lihua and Gyokuyo about the face powder. And there was a second instance that it was brought up in episode 2, to demonstrate that different parts of plants can be considered poisonous depending on how they're used. She was chewing on the flower petals of the Rhododhendron, while explaining this concept to Jinshi and Gyokuyo. So, a small moment in this episode that I really like for some reason is when Maomao is waving to Xiaolan when she's leaving the table to do her own work. I just really like how is animated and it looks cute to me. This episode can be summed up by a single phrase that Gyokuyo said in episode 1, "Ignorance truly is a sin." Because if I was to give leeway and grace to not only Lady Lihua, but also her ladies in waiting, it would be that this could have all been avoided if they weren't ignorant to the face powder being toxic and poisoning both Lihua and the late prince. People who watch this episode seem to really enjoy when Maomao slaps Lihua's lady in waiting and I can understand why, although it's not really something I take enjoyment in personally. I take more enjoyment in her telling her off and taking charge of the situation like a leader and the ladies in waiting falling in line and following her lead. Now, as for what Maomao told Lihua before she left, it's for her to use her physical assets during private time with the emperor. It's why she said she learned it from her big sisters from the Verdigris house and said she doesn't have the ability to use the technique personally. She's not as...endowed as Lihua or the 3 from the brothel. So, a small tangent about Jinshi in this episode that's mainly relevant to the dub of this episode, so take this more as trivia or a fun fact, I guess? In the EN dub, Jinshi's VA is Kaiji Tang and he also voices Satoru Gojo from JJK. But in the scene when he and Maomao are trying to go see Lihua, he says in a borderline seductive voice, "Want me to come inside?" or something to that affect. But in general, Jinshi in the dub is usually much more childish or whimsical in nature and not taking himself too seriously in less serious scenes while he is more focused on elegance and refinement in the sub. Both of these interpretations of his character works really well based on how he interacts with Maomao and the others. Back in the context of the episode though, Jinshi's authoritative presence was something that couldn't be ignored, so he really only interjected in the one instance that Maomao did NOT have the power or authority to do what she needed in this episode. After that, he stepped back and let her do what she had to do. Which is quite a bit of respect or maybe even trust in her to get things done without much need for his intervention or help. The only other thing that Jinshi did, at the request of Maomao, was have the steam bath built for Lady Lihua. I like that Jinshi isn't doing or involving himself more than is absolutely necessary, because it shows to us as the viewer that he's not actively nor intentionally undermining or devaluing Maomao's efforts, capabilities, or autonomy to handle situations and make her own judgements and decisions in the moment. Onto Lady Lihua now. Her first impression gave us the implication that she's stubborn, prideful, and foolish because even though the note from the Rhododhendron never reached Lihua, Gyokuyo still tried to share the information that SHE learned from her note only for her to ignore and disregard is out of fear that Gyokuyo is attempting to sabotage her position or kill her son. Only to be grief stricken after her son passes and her physical health continues to deteriorate from the toxic face powder that her ignorant lady in waiting kept putting on her. And when she gets physically better, her attitude towards Maomao shows a different side that we haven't yet seen. She is vulnerable with Maomao about her worries that she can't bear anymore children and that she feels ashamed for ignoring help from another concubine who had shown no ill intent towards her. Though it makes sense in the context of how competitive and even cutthroat this concubine lifestyle is. People have made attempts on the lives of the Consorts before, so it's not insane to be wary or skeptical of what your perceived competition says to you. Overall, this episode is definitely the one that people start to really commit to this show on if they were on the fence prior.
TrueAuraGuardian
2025-07-31 02:44:26 +0000 UTCAn aesthetically pleasing day, don't let any doctors throw you off your game
Alex G
2025-07-31 02:36:24 +0000 UTCNot Rhododendron. Lead poisoning. It's actually been Rhododendron 0/4 times. I think you got fixated on it when Maomao used it as an example of how common poisonous or toxic things are all around us. She mentioned them because they were in the room as she was explaining how poisons and toxic things are in many plants - sometimes in the flowers, sometimes in the roots, sometimes in the wood or the bark. Irritability and a change in personality is a symptom of lead poisoning. Which explains Lady Lihua's change in personality.
Guy
2025-07-31 02:23:45 +0000 UTCI wake up in the morning and listen to the birds chip while drinking my Rhododendron tea. When I do some light exercise and drink my Rhododendron powder protein shake. After that I shower using my limited edition Rhododendron shampoo and conditioner, before heading downstairs to make bacon and eggs, seasoned with Rhododendron. Afterwards, I like to relax on the couch and watch my favorite show "How I met your Rhododendron", before heading to work at the Rhododendron factory.
Galleon
2025-07-31 02:11:47 +0000 UTCHer laying down the authority when she realized how insane and unnecessary the problem was felt amazing. Like, she goes in there with some humility about not overstepping and needing to assess the situation. And then all goes out the window when she realizes she's needed
Alex G
2025-07-31 01:51:31 +0000 UTCIt feels deliberate to me, like they're burying his true character beneath artifice
Alex G
2025-07-31 01:45:53 +0000 UTCThat's the one idea I had π But I was wondering if there was some method to get him to visit in the first place
Alex G
2025-07-31 01:45:03 +0000 UTCThis is just a guess on my part but pretty sure there's one explicit trick in the bedroom women with large... Chest assets can use to please a man. It involves making a sandwich if you catch my drift π₯ͺ π
KrimzonHawka
2025-07-31 01:43:50 +0000 UTCI think youβll come around to Jinshi eventually but youβre right to be off put by him initially kinda just like Subaru in the earlier eps of Re Zero
bl0odm1st
2025-07-31 01:36:09 +0000 UTCGreat reaction This is probably my favorite episode. The feeling when Maomao steps in to save the day feels so great because in my case it reminds me of the times where i knew how to solve a problem and everyone else didnt and it makes u feel so great when you fix it. I think this is part of the reason on why i like Maomao so much because she is like the only person here that knows what their doing and they have a ton of medical problems and have like one doctor that barely knows how to do his job. Also this part at 18:00-18:18 made me laugh so hard xD you know darn well Maomao is planning to overthrow the goverment and get revenge on master Jinshi for invading her personal space xD he'll never see it coming!!
Snor
2025-07-31 01:33:41 +0000 UTCMy impression is that there are very few absolute monarchies remaining (like the emperor in the show). I doubt that's a coincidence or flash in the pan development. I actually traveled to one of them this year, Brunei. It was interesting talking to people and hearing them (and also radio broadcasts) referring to "his Majesty"
Alex G
2025-07-31 01:31:33 +0000 UTCGood chance whatever it is does flow downstream from technology!
Alex G
2025-07-31 01:29:25 +0000 UTCNext stage of societal evolution? Isn't that just the Pantheon series eventually? Geth Consensus from Mass effect here we come everyone! π€£
KrimzonHawka
2025-07-31 01:25:36 +0000 UTCI would say Democracies are the abberation. Monarchies are much more natural.
ArmdVctr
2025-07-31 01:17:00 +0000 UTC
