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ORIGINAL STORY BY NATSU HYUUGA
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{\an8}THIS STORY IS A FICION, AND ALL NAMES OF
FIGURES ND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS.
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{\an8}MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION
TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.
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{\an8}How do you lower the price of a courtesan?
5
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If you get her pregnant,
she is essentially worthless.
6
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Isn't that the restaurant you're going to?
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All right. I'll be off then.
8
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Here?
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We're disguised.
It would be pointless if I went in.
10
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Right.
11
00:02:16,010 --> 00:02:17,095
I'll be off then.
12
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I'm fine.
13
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I think I was able to say that
with no emotion.
14
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Enjoy the night.
15
00:03:05,101 --> 00:03:08,771
A dream of my past?
No, it was when I was a baby.
16
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{\an8}Is it because I talked
about that yesterday
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{\an8}Good morning.
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Good morning, Old Man.
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- What will you do today?
- I have no plans.
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In that case, will you go to
the Verdigris House for me?
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Sure.
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Hey, Maomao. Shouldn't you be at work?
23
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I got the day off.
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You got the day off, but you still
come to the apothecary?
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It's on the way.
It's not why I'm here, but...
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Wait, Pairin!
27
00:03:57,445 --> 00:04:00,031
We don't need to talk about that anymore!
28
00:04:00,114 --> 00:04:02,325
Oh? Maomao!
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00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:09,457
Welcome home!
30
00:04:09,540 --> 00:04:11,542
That's too hot, Big Sis Pairin.
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00:04:11,626 --> 00:04:14,796
I'm cold from all of Granny's scolding!
32
00:04:14,879 --> 00:04:18,549
We're not done talking! Which will it be?
33
00:04:18,633 --> 00:04:19,759
What?
34
00:04:19,842 --> 00:04:23,137
I don't really get it,
but Big Sis Pairin has it hard too.
35
00:04:23,221 --> 00:04:26,724
Just decide! It's your fault
for not leaving this place.
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That's why I make these deals for you!
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00:04:28,601 --> 00:04:29,936
I didn't ask for that!
38
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- You're always so selfish!
- What do you mean, selfish?
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00:04:34,899 --> 00:04:37,860
What? Maomao is here?
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00:04:37,944 --> 00:04:39,737
She was here the whole time.
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Is she going to the outhouse?
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Good morning.
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00:05:01,926 --> 00:05:04,846
I used to get kicked out
because she hated me back then,
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but she doesn't have the energy for that
anymore.
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00:05:08,266 --> 00:05:11,352
Or, maybe she can't talk.
46
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Her illness is progressing.
Her memory has been ripped to shreds.
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Old Man's medicines work well,
48
00:05:26,576 --> 00:05:28,703
but at this point, they're not effective.
49
00:05:29,912 --> 00:05:33,958
Even then,
this is the only treatment we know.
50
00:05:37,628 --> 00:05:40,506
That customer is here again.
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00:05:42,592 --> 00:05:45,511
He's got a nose for this.
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Call for Meimei.
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The Verdigris House is now
a prestigious brothel, but
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a little over ten years ago,
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there was a time when
the name of this brothel was tainted.
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00:05:58,316 --> 00:06:01,277
This courtesan took on customers
in those few years,
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00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:03,696
and unfortunately contracted syphilis.
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VERDIGRIS HOUSE
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By the time Old Man visited
the Verdigris House,
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00:06:10,953 --> 00:06:13,706
the disease had reached
its incubation period.
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00:06:14,582 --> 00:06:17,919
It could've been treated if he could
inform them of the illness,
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00:06:18,002 --> 00:06:21,047
but there was no way
the women would believe
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00:06:21,130 --> 00:06:22,048
a former eunuch
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00:06:22,131 --> 00:06:24,550
who appeared out of nowhere.
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One has to take on clients to eat.
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00:06:29,764 --> 00:06:31,557
That is the law of the brothel.
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00:06:32,266 --> 00:06:36,187
A few years ago, once
the rashes reappeared again,
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the tumor spread like wildfire.
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00:06:42,985 --> 00:06:46,239
After that, this woman was forced
to live in this outhouse
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00:06:46,322 --> 00:06:48,616
where she cannot be reached
by the customers.
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A courtesan who can
no longer be of any use.
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00:06:52,286 --> 00:06:54,956
At least she wasn't thrown out
into the gutter.
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The smell is trapped in here.
I'll burn some incense.
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00:07:22,066 --> 00:07:24,777
- What's wrong?
- Big Sis told me.
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That weird glasses man is here.
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So you shouldn't come back here.
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I see.
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As long as I stay here, he won't come.
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A client of the Verdigris House.
A familiar face of many years.
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00:08:10,448 --> 00:08:11,616
What a
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00:08:12,575 --> 00:08:13,618
stupid woman...
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00:08:24,378 --> 00:08:27,798
Good work! That customer left.
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00:08:27,882 --> 00:08:30,301
Were you with him, Big Sis Meimei?
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00:08:31,010 --> 00:08:32,470
There's no one else.
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00:08:33,137 --> 00:08:36,516
I'm glad.
Big Sis seems to be doing well today.
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00:08:37,934 --> 00:08:40,311
Maomao, you got that offer again?
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00:08:40,895 --> 00:08:41,896
What?
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00:08:43,481 --> 00:08:45,525
Big Sis, how do you deal with them?
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00:08:46,150 --> 00:08:47,151
It's not so bad.
90
00:08:47,235 --> 00:08:50,404
Granny doesn't say anything
as long as he pays well.
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00:08:50,988 --> 00:08:55,117
Grams wants me to become a courtesan
for that very reason.
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00:08:55,201 --> 00:08:58,788
If I hadn't been hired by the court,
I might've been sold off by now.
93
00:08:59,288 --> 00:09:02,208
It's a once in a lifetime chance for some.
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00:09:02,291 --> 00:09:05,211
Don't you know how few courtesans desire
95
00:09:05,294 --> 00:09:07,088
and are desired in return?
96
00:09:07,171 --> 00:09:08,381
Grams would kick away
97
00:09:08,464 --> 00:09:11,384
anything of that sort
with the weight of the silver.
98
00:09:12,677 --> 00:09:15,179
She's saving up for the ferry boarding fee
for heaven.
99
00:09:15,263 --> 00:09:16,556
It can't be helped.
100
00:09:19,767 --> 00:09:23,646
I'm around the age where I have to
start thinking of what's next.
101
00:09:23,729 --> 00:09:25,648
She's not yet 30,
102
00:09:25,731 --> 00:09:28,651
but she's at the retirement age
for courtesans.
103
00:09:29,944 --> 00:09:31,195
You could work independently.
104
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Just a little bit longer...
105
00:09:41,289 --> 00:09:44,500
I want to work here
for a little bit longer.
106
00:09:46,377 --> 00:09:48,754
I don't really understand
107
00:09:48,838 --> 00:09:50,506
Big Sis Meimei's feelings..
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00:09:51,424 --> 00:09:53,384
I don't want to think about it too deeply,
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if it's the thing called love.
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I left behind those feelings
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inside the body of the woman
who birthed me.
112
00:10:15,281 --> 00:10:17,366
Should I rinse your back?
It's been a while.
113
00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:20,911
- No, it's fine.
- Come on!
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00:10:23,539 --> 00:10:25,708
It's been a while since
we rinsed each other!
115
00:10:25,791 --> 00:10:26,834
Let her do it.
116
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You probably can't come back
again for a while.
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00:10:30,588 --> 00:10:32,214
Really?
118
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{\an8}We're offering you a service. Don't forget
to bring more rich customers!
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00:10:52,401 --> 00:10:56,781
I didn't think the meeting place
offered these types of services.
120
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I didn't go there to buy such things.
121
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Apothecary, may we talk?
122
00:11:17,301 --> 00:11:18,135
Yes, sir.
123
00:11:18,969 --> 00:11:20,471
Drink this with Suiren.
124
00:11:20,971 --> 00:11:22,556
It's a gift from the eccentric.
125
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The eccentric?
126
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- Thank you.
- Sure.
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I'll be going back to work now.
128
00:11:40,991 --> 00:11:42,576
My, my.
129
00:11:45,287 --> 00:11:47,665
We're having a Buddhist meal today.
130
00:11:47,748 --> 00:11:50,626
So don't snack on any meat or fish,
Xiaomao.
131
00:11:53,629 --> 00:11:55,172
Just because we're on a break
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00:11:55,256 --> 00:11:57,258
doesn't mean you can wander off like that.
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00:11:57,341 --> 00:11:58,384
Yes.
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A Buddhist meal.
135
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Shoot.
136
00:12:01,470 --> 00:12:05,266
I thought I'd be able to get my mind
off of it once I started working.
137
00:12:08,769 --> 00:12:09,979
Also,
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you're not allowed to hide strange herbs
inside the closet.
139
00:12:16,318 --> 00:12:17,570
She's really observant.
140
00:12:17,653 --> 00:12:21,157
If there's no place to put them,
you could ask Sir Jinshi
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00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:23,659
to use one of the leftover rooms.
142
00:12:24,368 --> 00:12:26,620
No. I cannot use an aristocrat's room
143
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as a medicine cabinet.
144
00:12:29,206 --> 00:12:32,084
Xiaomao, you look like you don't care,
145
00:12:32,168 --> 00:12:34,587
but you're actually careful
about boundaries.
146
00:12:34,670 --> 00:12:37,965
I'm born of a very low status.
It's very strange
147
00:12:38,048 --> 00:12:40,926
that I'm in a place like this.
148
00:12:41,510 --> 00:12:42,636
That's true.
149
00:12:43,345 --> 00:12:46,640
But just because someone was
born into a high status
150
00:12:46,724 --> 00:12:49,602
doesn't mean they're
completely different people.
151
00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:52,354
You don't know
152
00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:55,566
what sorts of things life will
throw at you.
153
00:12:55,649 --> 00:12:59,069
Dividing everything by status
is such a waste.
154
00:13:00,446 --> 00:13:01,572
You think so?
155
00:13:01,655 --> 00:13:03,908
Yes.
156
00:13:03,991 --> 00:13:07,912
All right, time to work.
Can you run an errand for me?
157
00:13:09,121 --> 00:13:12,416
Excuse me! I'm here to get some medicine.
158
00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,085
All right. Wait here.
159
00:13:21,217 --> 00:13:25,346
It's nothing like the rear palace
medical office run by the quack doctor.
160
00:13:26,096 --> 00:13:29,183
This is close to the military base,
so they treat many injuries.
161
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I love this smell that spreads
a bitter taste in my mouth!
162
00:13:35,564 --> 00:13:38,442
I wonder what's in the cabinets?
163
00:13:38,526 --> 00:13:42,029
I want to raid this whole office...
164
00:13:42,613 --> 00:13:45,282
No, I can't! Stop it!
165
00:13:45,366 --> 00:13:46,534
What are you doing?
166
00:13:50,371 --> 00:13:51,789
She's from back then...
167
00:13:53,999 --> 00:13:55,918
I'm just waiting for my medicine.
168
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Suirei!
169
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You were here?
170
00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:05,010
I'm here to stock up on medications
for the station.
171
00:14:05,094 --> 00:14:06,011
I see.
172
00:14:09,765 --> 00:14:11,433
The station?
173
00:14:12,226 --> 00:14:16,564
Right, we met before
near the military base.
174
00:14:17,731 --> 00:14:21,402
She must've smelled like medicinal herbs
because she works at the military.
175
00:14:25,281 --> 00:14:28,367
Why does she hate me so much?
176
00:14:28,450 --> 00:14:30,536
Do you need anything else?
177
00:14:30,619 --> 00:14:31,996
Not particularly.
178
00:14:34,707 --> 00:14:37,626
She wouldn't need to work
as a court lady in her position...
179
00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:41,922
It's nothing. I'll get your medicine!
180
00:14:48,304 --> 00:14:49,805
What medicine is this?
181
00:14:54,143 --> 00:14:55,561
Lick!
182
00:14:56,979 --> 00:14:58,606
Potato powder?
183
00:14:58,689 --> 00:15:01,066
This is for Sir Jinshi, right?
184
00:15:01,650 --> 00:15:05,571
Now that I think about it, there are
many mysteries surrounding Sir Jinshi.
185
00:15:05,654 --> 00:15:10,075
Like the work he receives regularly,
about two times a month.
186
00:15:11,035 --> 00:15:13,662
He takes a long bath the day before
187
00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:15,581
and burns incense and goes out.
188
00:15:16,206 --> 00:15:17,541
Same with the Buddhist meals.
189
00:15:18,459 --> 00:15:19,877
Like a purification ceremony.
190
00:15:20,502 --> 00:15:22,630
Can eunuchs perform rituals as well?
191
00:15:24,006 --> 00:15:27,051
It wouldn't be strange
if he was of royalty.
192
00:15:27,134 --> 00:15:29,637
But why would someone like that become
a eunuch?
193
00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:33,182
Could it be that Sir Jinshi
was also forced to be a eunuch
194
00:15:33,265 --> 00:15:36,894
by the previous Emperor's Wife?
195
00:15:37,728 --> 00:15:39,313
Like Old Man.
196
00:15:40,814 --> 00:15:44,568
That girl's adoptive father is
a former eunuch and physician.
197
00:15:44,652 --> 00:15:47,279
If she was taught by a former physician,
198
00:15:47,363 --> 00:15:49,531
it makes sense that she is
so knowledgeable.
199
00:15:50,366 --> 00:15:52,868
- But he was a former eunuch?
- Yes.
200
00:15:53,494 --> 00:15:56,997
I can't think of such a skilled physician
who was a eunuch...
201
00:16:03,963 --> 00:16:06,006
Excuse me.
202
00:16:08,801 --> 00:16:11,929
Should we continue our discussion
from last time?
203
00:16:19,979 --> 00:16:24,108
It seems you've done a terrible thing.
204
00:16:24,191 --> 00:16:25,734
That is quite rude!
205
00:16:25,818 --> 00:16:28,028
You're one to talk.
206
00:16:28,612 --> 00:16:31,991
It took more than ten years
to convince that old woman.
207
00:16:32,074 --> 00:16:36,829
So imagine my shock
when someone snatched her away!
208
00:16:38,122 --> 00:16:39,748
So you want your "treat" back?
209
00:16:40,332 --> 00:16:43,502
I'll pay whatever you want.
210
00:16:43,585 --> 00:16:46,714
I don't want to make the same mistake
as last time.
211
00:16:48,215 --> 00:16:49,383
What if I say no?
212
00:16:49,466 --> 00:16:53,429
In that case, I have nothing to say.
213
00:16:53,512 --> 00:16:55,806
There are only a few people
214
00:16:56,515 --> 00:16:59,518
who can go against your word,
with your high position.
215
00:17:00,227 --> 00:17:03,522
I knew it.
He knows what my true identity is.
216
00:17:03,605 --> 00:17:08,485
It all depends on what the girl thinks.
217
00:17:10,946 --> 00:17:12,948
I hate this.
218
00:17:13,449 --> 00:17:15,492
So, that's how it is.
219
00:17:17,244 --> 00:17:18,746
I don't want to accept it.
220
00:17:19,997 --> 00:17:23,917
But Lakan is Maomao's birth father.
221
00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:36,597
Will you tell her
that I'll come to see her soon?
222
00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:38,724
Goodbye.
223
00:17:47,983 --> 00:17:50,277
- Apothecary.
- Yes, sir.
224
00:17:51,195 --> 00:17:54,406
There's an official who wants
to meet with you.
225
00:17:55,157 --> 00:17:56,241
Who is it?
226
00:17:57,117 --> 00:17:59,578
It's the eccentric I've mentioned before.
227
00:17:59,661 --> 00:18:01,205
His name is Lakan.
228
00:18:08,003 --> 00:18:09,630
I'll tell him you can't.
229
00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:12,007
Thank you so much, sir.
230
00:18:12,508 --> 00:18:15,052
I'll be going back to work now.
231
00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:21,058
I've never seen her look like that.
232
00:18:22,518 --> 00:18:25,562
I'd prefer it
if I didn't see that ever again.
233
00:18:26,563 --> 00:18:29,817
So he knows, huh?
234
00:18:46,583 --> 00:18:49,795
This smell...
It's a field of medicinal herbs!
235
00:18:49,878 --> 00:18:52,798
Here, and here, and over there!
236
00:18:54,716 --> 00:18:57,344
You again?
237
00:19:01,223 --> 00:19:04,226
Shoot.
I look way too suspicious this time.
238
00:19:04,893 --> 00:19:07,729
Don't worry. I haven't taken anything yet.
239
00:19:07,813 --> 00:19:09,606
The dirt on your hands.
240
00:19:09,690 --> 00:19:13,110
Is it safe to assume that you were
planning to take these herbs?
241
00:19:17,447 --> 00:19:19,408
You're not in any trouble.
242
00:19:20,617 --> 00:19:22,828
This field doesn't belong to anyone.
243
00:19:22,911 --> 00:19:25,747
But the physicians know of this spot too.
244
00:19:25,831 --> 00:19:27,791
You shouldn't come here much.
245
00:19:28,959 --> 00:19:31,378
Were you assigned to maintain this place?
246
00:19:31,461 --> 00:19:32,462
Not really.
247
00:19:32,963 --> 00:19:36,049
I just grow what I want here.
248
00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:39,511
She's selectively picking out the weeds.
249
00:19:40,554 --> 00:19:43,265
I heard them call her Suirei.
250
00:19:43,932 --> 00:19:45,809
I'm one to talk,
251
00:19:46,310 --> 00:19:49,646
but she doesn't seem to be
the energetic type.
252
00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,316
What do you grow here?
253
00:19:57,779 --> 00:19:59,656
Resurrection medicine.
254
00:20:00,782 --> 00:20:02,242
You mean...?
255
00:20:02,326 --> 00:20:04,620
A medicine that could bring
the dead back to life.
256
00:20:05,579 --> 00:20:08,248
{\an8}If something like that exists,
257
00:20:08,332 --> 00:20:10,375
{\an8}I want it more than anything!
258
00:20:11,251 --> 00:20:12,628
I'm joking.
259
00:20:13,795 --> 00:20:14,922
Joking...?
260
00:20:15,005 --> 00:20:18,008
I heard you were an apothecary.
261
00:20:18,091 --> 00:20:20,636
Just how skilled are you?
262
00:20:22,221 --> 00:20:23,222
I'm not sure.
263
00:20:28,810 --> 00:20:30,979
In the near future,
264
00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:33,440
I'll plant some morning glories here.
265
00:20:43,158 --> 00:20:44,284
Goodbye.
266
00:22:36,021 --> 00:22:39,983
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
267
00:22:47,657 --> 00:22:50,952
{\an8}Next episode, "Chance, or Something More?"
268
00:22:51,036 --> 00:22:51,953
Subtitle translation by: Yukimi Ohashi