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ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA
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{\an8}THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION,
AND NAMES OF CHARACTERS,
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{\an8}ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER OFFICIAL TITLES
ARE ALL FICTIONAL CREATIONS.
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Old man!
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Old man!
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I hope old man's doing well...
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Oh, right.
Yesterday, after the garden party...
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What are you saying?
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The minister who ate the poison
needed a lot of treatment!
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A patient should rest!
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Thanks to them, I slept well.
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But I shouldn't have slept until noon.
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I'd feel weird not wearing my freckles...
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You should've taken the day off today.
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That's not acceptable.
If you need anything from me, just ask.
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Oh? Your freckles...
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I feel weird without them.
Can I keep my face like this?
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Of course. You're right.
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Everyone rushed in demanding to know
who my lady-in-waiting was.
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It was hard!
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- I'm so sorry about that.
- It's fine.
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Oh, Gaoshun's been here since
this morning. Do you want to talk to him?
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He looked bored, so I asked him
to weed the garden.
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Weeding the garden...
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He was seated in a high position
at the garden party...
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He's such a diligent man...
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I'm sure that man is also
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collecting his own group
of lady-in-waiting fans.
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May we borrow the drawing room?
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Certainly.
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- Hongniang?
- Yes, my lady.
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I feel like Hongniang's eyes
are glistening too...
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This is for you, from Sir Jinshi.
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This is the soup that Lady Gyokuyou
was meant to drink.
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- Yes.
- How thoughtful of you.
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- Don't eat it, all right?
- I won't.
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Silver corrodes quickly.
The soup is oxidized.
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- It won't taste good.
- It's about the taste...?
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Did you carry this with your bare hands?
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No. I didn't touch the bowl.
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I just dipped in a spoon
to see if it was poison.
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After that, I wrapped it quickly
with cloth.
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Please wait a minute.
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Snip, snip, snip.
Clatter, clatter, clatter.
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- Cotton, powder, and a brush?
- Yes.
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What will you do with these?
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At the apothecary I worked at,
to prevent pranks,
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we applied dye to containers
you weren't supposed to touch.
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I'm doing a version of that now.
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It's easy. Add some powder
to a rolled up cotton ball,
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and apply it on the container.
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After that, I'll take off the extra powder
using this brush.
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- Here it is.
- I see a white mark.
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This is the spot where someone
touched the surface.
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Any spot touched by a fingertip
leaves some sort of mark.
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This is especially true for
silverware that corrodes easily.
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Silverware is always wiped down
with a cloth before being used.
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In that case, the fingerprint
left on this bowl now belongs to
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the person who held this bowl
after it was cleaned?
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Exactly.
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The size and the location of
the fingerprint
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is enough to tell us how they held it.
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The person who held this bowl...
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What's wrong?
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It's nothing.
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My guess is there were a total of
four people that held this bowl.
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Four people, you say?
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First are the three that touched
around the bowl.
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The person who served the soup,
the person who carried the bowl,
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the food taster for Lady Lishu,
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and finally, one more. A third party
who touched the rim of the bowl...
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I think it's safe to assume that
the poison was placed by this third party.
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If that's true, why is the fingerprint
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of the food taster found
on a high-ranking concubine's bowl?
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It's simple.
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The food taster for Lady Lishu
swapped it on purpose to trouble her.
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- Not knowing it was poison.
- She swapped it?
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It's bullying.
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A lady-in-waiting bullying.
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- To a high-ranking concubine?
- So you don't believe it?
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Please tell me.
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I want to warn you in advance
that this is my personal speculation.
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That's no problem.
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Do you remember Lady Lishu's outfit
at the garden party?
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Yes. It was a flashy, pink costume.
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Normally, if a concubine
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chooses an outfit that is too similar
to Lady Gyokuyou's,
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the attendants would recommend
a different outfit.
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If not, the attendants would wear outfits
that match their lady.
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However, all her ladies-in-waiting
were wearing white.
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That made it seem as if
Lady Lishu, who was wearing pink,
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was a clown who couldn't read the room.
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Attendants are meant to
support their lady.
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If so, that day...
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You can't even understand
your own position as an attendant?
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To think you recommended
a pink outfit for her!
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Lady Ah-Duo's attendants were reprimanding
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the incompetence
of Lady Lishu's attendants.
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In the rear palace,
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surrounded by enemies,
the only people concubines can trust
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are her own ladies-in-waiting.
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The young Lady Lishu merely followed
the recommendation of her attendants
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and wore that outfit
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and was shamed publicly on purpose.
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She had no idea.
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Not only that, but they also swapped meals
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to trouble Lady Lishu even more?
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Yes, without knowing it was poison.
Though it ended up saving her life.
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Their methods are dirty.
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Why would they do such a thing?
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Lady Lishu is in the unique position
of being the former emperor's concubine,
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then entering monkhood soon after.
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She had been educated since childhood
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that a wife serves her husband.
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People must think that it is
extremely immoral of her
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to marry her late husband's son.
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I think the print left on the rim
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belongs to the culprit
who added the poison.
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- She held the rim to mix in the poison.
- I see.
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You must not dirty the area
where a high-class person's lips touch
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with your fingers.
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Hongniang taught me that.
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Those are my speculations.
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- Can I ask you one thing?
- What is it?
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Why did you try to cover for
the food taster attendant yesterday?
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I'm just curious.
I won't pursue this any further.
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The life of an attendant
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is worth much less
than that of a concubine.
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Especially the life of a food taster...
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I'll think of a good excuse
for Sir Jinshi.
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Thank you very much.
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I have to thank her in some way
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for swapping the bowls.
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I did get to taste the poison, after all.
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I really should've swallowed that soup...
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- That's all.
- I see.
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You're clever at wording things, as usual.
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- Is that so?
- It's clearly an inside job, right?
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Yes, looking at the circumstances.
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You put it so simply.
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Because of this, I haven't slept
since yesterday. I haven't even changed.
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I want to stop thinking.
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Your true nature is coming out.
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- No one's here. It's fine.
- I'm here.
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- That doesn't count.
- Yes sir, it does.
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- There's no way to trick you, is there?
- I've known you too long for that.
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It's troublesome to be taken care of
by someone since you were born...
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Sir Jinshi.
Your hair clip is still in your hair.
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Oh, shit. I totally forgot.
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It was hidden in your hair.
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I don't think
anyone figured out your true status.
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Keep this, will you?
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Don't treat it so roughly.
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This can only be worn by those
with special status. Be careful.
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- I know, I know.
- No, you don't.
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All right, then. I'll be off.
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Time for work...
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- So, did you receive any hair clips?
- Yeah.
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I see. That means...
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You can leave the rear palace!
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- What did you say?
- You can leave the rear palace?
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Give me the details!
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Yes, ma'am...
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In the rear palace, you can't meet men
from the outside,
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but with special permission,
men could take palace women outside.
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I see.
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So that's what the hair clips
being given out in the garden party mean.
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Exactly!
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Alternately, you can use hair clips
to ask to be let out of the rear palace.
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I see. Thanks, Xiaolan.
I'll give it a try.
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You're very welcome!
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Maomao, thanks for the hawthorn fruit!
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It was delicious!
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I've received four hair clips in total.
Out of those, two were from men.
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Wait. If they lost their "male parts,"
are they not called men...?
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Apothecary!
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Okay.
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Sir Lihaku, a palace woman
from the rear palace is here.
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What? All right.
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What should I do? An obligatory hair clip
was taken seriously...
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But I'd hate to turn down
a beauty's invitation...
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{\an8}THE JADE PAVILION: MAOMAO
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I only gave a clip to one attendant
from the Jade Pavilion.
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That means...
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It's her!
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So, how should I refuse her?
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Excuse me.
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Sorry for the wait.
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Wait, who are you?
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- I hear that a lot.
- Makeup really changes your looks.
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I hear that a lot too.
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And to call on me, of all people?
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I'd like to visit home.
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Home? Do you even know what this means?
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I hear that it's possible to
visit home temporarily
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if you can be my guarantor.
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You've got some nerve.
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An attendant like you, asking
a soldier like me to be a guarantor?
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Exactly.
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And you called me all the way here
just for that?
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Yes.
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Shall I call you bold or reckless?
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So what?
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You're asking me to be used as a tool
so you can visit home?
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Not at all. I have something in mind
to gift you for the favor.
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THE VERDIGRIS HOUSE REFERRAL: MEIMEI
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How about a flower-watching party
at the Verdigris House?
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00:14:04,134 --> 00:14:05,427
The Verdigris House?
209
00:14:05,511 --> 00:14:09,265
You're joking! That brothel is worth
a year's salary!
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No need to worry. You'll understand
once you see this referral.
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Pairin. Joka. Meimei.
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I can't believe this even more now!
213
00:14:20,317 --> 00:14:23,612
Even high-ranking officials can barely
afford those Three Princesses!
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00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:26,907
If you can't believe me,
it can't be helped.
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00:14:26,991 --> 00:14:30,119
I'm sorry for taking your time.
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- Wait...
- This is extremely unfortunate.
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00:14:32,913 --> 00:14:36,542
I'll ask elsewhere.
Please pretend I never asked...
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00:14:38,335 --> 00:14:41,255
Does this woman have other offers?
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And they're rose quartz
and silver hair clips?
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They're both of higher statuses than me!
221
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Who is this girl?
222
00:14:49,388 --> 00:14:51,765
Does this mean that
this offer is legitimate...?
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00:14:51,849 --> 00:14:54,018
No, it's too suspicious!
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00:14:54,101 --> 00:14:58,981
But if it's really true,
I'd never have the chance to meet
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00:14:59,064 --> 00:15:00,524
the Three Princesses again...
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What should I do?
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So, what will you do?
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I accept my loss.
229
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Congrats, Maomao!
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To think that Maomao would beat us...
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00:15:21,754 --> 00:15:25,132
- I'm so glad!
- You must've met someone wonderful!
232
00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:27,384
Thank you.
233
00:15:27,468 --> 00:15:29,845
Why are you so carefree?
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00:15:29,929 --> 00:15:32,389
It's okay. I'll bring back souvenirs.
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00:15:32,473 --> 00:15:35,434
- How did you meet this man?
- I just went with the flow...
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From the looks of it, she doesn't know
the meaning of hair clips at all.
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Yes. I'm certain.
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Geez. I feel the worst for him...
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This is so fun.
240
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What face would he make?
241
00:15:53,619 --> 00:15:57,414
Oh, gosh. Looks like there's going to be
another drama...
242
00:15:57,498 --> 00:15:59,375
Jinshi, having finished his work,
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got bored and came to visit
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the day after Maomao's departure.
245
00:16:05,881 --> 00:16:10,135
Maomao left with some mysterious man...
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00:16:16,642 --> 00:16:18,602
To visit home for three days!
247
00:16:19,770 --> 00:16:23,357
My home, the pleasure district,
is not so far away.
248
00:16:24,441 --> 00:16:27,069
After crossing the fence and moat
of the rear palace,
249
00:16:27,152 --> 00:16:29,113
it's within walking distance.
250
00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:33,867
How extravagant, riding a carriage
for this distance...
251
00:16:33,951 --> 00:16:36,745
But the Three Princesses
at the Verdigris House
252
00:16:36,829 --> 00:16:40,666
are almost a god-like idol admired
even by regular people, after all...
253
00:16:41,542 --> 00:16:44,628
It's an honor to be able to
witness them even once.
254
00:16:44,712 --> 00:16:46,880
We're almost there!
255
00:16:48,674 --> 00:16:49,842
It's the pleasure district!
256
00:16:53,137 --> 00:16:57,558
There are girls that come to the district
wanting to become like their idols,
257
00:16:57,641 --> 00:16:59,351
but it's not so easy.
258
00:17:00,227 --> 00:17:02,855
Even for apprentices,
or courtesans-in-training,
259
00:17:02,938 --> 00:17:04,690
there's no guarantee she'd sell.
260
00:17:07,276 --> 00:17:10,070
- So this is the Verdigris House...
- Yes.
261
00:17:10,154 --> 00:17:10,988
VERDIGRIS HOUSE
262
00:17:11,071 --> 00:17:13,407
It's very dignified.
263
00:17:13,490 --> 00:17:17,369
It's a historical brothel
with a full lineup from middle-ranking to
264
00:17:17,453 --> 00:17:18,787
the highest ranking courtesan.
265
00:17:20,372 --> 00:17:22,041
Long time no see, Granny!
266
00:17:23,375 --> 00:17:24,293
How's everyone doing...
267
00:17:29,673 --> 00:17:31,633
What do you mean, "Long time no see"?
268
00:17:31,717 --> 00:17:32,718
You idiot!
269
00:17:32,801 --> 00:17:35,721
Are you okay?
What's wrong with this old woman?
270
00:17:36,388 --> 00:17:40,100
That's Grams,
the owner of the Verdigris House.
271
00:17:40,184 --> 00:17:41,393
Brings me back.
272
00:17:41,477 --> 00:17:44,146
This is how I used to
vomit poison back in the day.
273
00:17:44,855 --> 00:17:46,774
What? So this is the very rich patron?
274
00:17:47,524 --> 00:17:51,320
He has a handsome face,
and a good body too.
275
00:17:51,403 --> 00:17:54,239
I hear you got promoted young.
276
00:17:54,323 --> 00:17:57,785
Granny, that's not something to say
to someone's face.
277
00:17:57,868 --> 00:18:00,162
Hey, go get Pairin.
278
00:18:00,245 --> 00:18:02,081
- She should be taking tea today.
- Yes!
279
00:18:02,915 --> 00:18:07,377
- Pairin...
- Are you confident in your arm muscles?
280
00:18:07,461 --> 00:18:09,421
I do train daily.
281
00:18:10,214 --> 00:18:12,883
Oh? Maybe this could work...
282
00:18:12,966 --> 00:18:14,593
Right this way!
283
00:18:15,511 --> 00:18:16,470
I'm nervous.
284
00:18:17,346 --> 00:18:20,057
- Good luck out there!
- Thanks!
285
00:18:22,392 --> 00:18:25,312
Maomao. I can't deal with you.
286
00:18:25,395 --> 00:18:28,398
Disappearing for ten months
without contacting us...
287
00:18:28,482 --> 00:18:32,361
I had no other choice.
You didn't read the wood tablet I sent?
288
00:18:32,444 --> 00:18:36,323
Of course I did! Why else
would I entertain a first-timer?
289
00:18:36,406 --> 00:18:38,617
I know.
290
00:18:38,700 --> 00:18:41,954
This is half of all I earned
at the rear palace so far.
291
00:18:42,037 --> 00:18:44,039
I asked them to pay in advance.
292
00:18:44,123 --> 00:18:46,333
This is Pairin we're talking about!
293
00:18:46,416 --> 00:18:48,293
This isn't enough at all.
294
00:18:48,377 --> 00:18:51,463
- Come on. It's just tea!
- Idiot!
295
00:18:51,547 --> 00:18:54,967
You don't really think nothing's happening
with those arms?
296
00:18:55,050 --> 00:18:56,051
You think?
297
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,680
- But that's out of my control...
- Of course not!
298
00:18:59,763 --> 00:19:02,015
I'll add it to your receipt.
299
00:19:02,099 --> 00:19:03,559
I can't pay...
300
00:19:03,642 --> 00:19:05,978
Then give me all your best customers!
301
00:19:06,061 --> 00:19:09,982
Like that one, someone young
who I can keep squeezing out of!
302
00:19:11,066 --> 00:19:13,110
Could a eunuch be a customer?
303
00:19:14,027 --> 00:19:17,739
Not him. The courtesans would fall
head over heels and run out of business.
304
00:19:18,782 --> 00:19:21,743
I'd feel bad about offering Gaoshun
or the quack doctor...
305
00:19:23,245 --> 00:19:27,207
Maomao. Old man should be at home.
Go to him.
306
00:19:31,378 --> 00:19:33,463
Just crossing a street
from the pleasure district
307
00:19:33,547 --> 00:19:35,716
changes the scenery completely.
308
00:19:36,675 --> 00:19:40,470
The dilapidated houses, beggars,
and the syphilitic streetwalkers.
309
00:19:42,598 --> 00:19:44,474
It hasn't changed at all.
310
00:19:58,947 --> 00:20:00,866
I'm home, old man.
311
00:20:00,949 --> 00:20:04,870
Oh, welcome home. You're late.
312
00:20:06,997 --> 00:20:08,874
I finally arrived home.
313
00:20:09,750 --> 00:20:13,712
I was out getting dye
for my freckles that day.
314
00:20:13,795 --> 00:20:15,047
But then...
315
00:20:26,516 --> 00:20:28,310
I still have my term of service.
316
00:20:28,393 --> 00:20:30,938
- I'm going back in two days.
- I see.
317
00:20:31,563 --> 00:20:34,441
I'm sleepy, but I want a bath.
318
00:20:34,524 --> 00:20:38,362
Go borrow the bath
at the Verdigris House tomorrow.
319
00:20:40,239 --> 00:20:41,448
I'll do that.
320
00:21:00,175 --> 00:21:01,802
The rear palace, huh?
321
00:21:02,636 --> 00:21:04,429
Some trick of fate, huh?
322
00:22:36,063 --> 00:22:38,940
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
323
00:22:47,741 --> 00:22:49,910
{\an8}Next episode, "Wheat Stalks".
324
00:22:49,993 --> 00:22:51,828
{\an8}Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi