Images: Toho Animation
Subtle threats in the rear court emerge in episode 2.
The wheels are already turning in the second episode of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, entitled Caravan. While the first episode served as a light-hearted appetizer to start the season, this new episode dives straight into palace intrigue, with mysteries already beginning to unfold.
There’s so much to unpack in this short yet compelling episode, and it leaves us wanting for more. The episode paints a vivid picture of life in the inner court—not just of its glamour, but the subtle undercurrents of danger that can emerge at any moment.
Let’s break the episode down into detail and discuss the theories and questions burning in our minds since its airing.
Warning: Major plot points ahead.
Excitement fills the rear palace when a caravan arrives, bringing exotic goods from other lands like luxurious fabrics, trendy clothing and accessories, fragrances, oils, and spices for the consorts of the inner court and their ladies-in-waiting to indulge in. The festive mood even extends to Maomao, who momentarily lets her guard down.
Yet behind the lively and bustling atmosphere, a sense of unease begins to creep in. Unlike the overt threats of season one—such as disease, poison, accidents, or murder—this time, danger lurks in the seemingly harmless and ordinary.
The dynamics at play
We don’t get a lot of fluffy Jinshi-Maomao interaction in this episode, but the events presented effectively stir the viewer’s curiosity. In fact, the looming threat around Jinshi and Maomao’s environment is what makes their dynamic even more special, with Maomao’s keen senses and Jinshi’s more or less sound judgement becoming a powerful combination that enhances their dynamic.
Power dynamics are also presented subtly here. With the new high consort Loulan living in extravagance with more than 50 servants, outwardly, it may look like the emperor favours her the most. In an attempt to balance the scales of power at the rear palace, Jinshi quietly arranges for additional servants for Lady Gyokuyou, who was currently the emperor’s favourite.
The new girl – Shisui
Maomao once again encounters the new, hyperactive, servant girl from episode 1.Her quirky knowledge of jasmine tea and peculiar fascination with insects sparks Maomao’s curiosity. While they both share an interest in bugs, Maomao’s focus is on their poisonous properties, whereas Shisui’s passion appears more innocent—though her odd behaviour leaves us wondering if there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Hints of another pregnancy?
This is one of those “blink and you miss it” moments. While Lady Gyokuyou’s pregnancy has been kept a closely guarded secret, there are some subtle hints that she’s not the only pregnant.
For one, most of the designs which merchants sold and advertised were clothes that were loose around the waist, with claims that it's the current trend. However, just as Maomao said, they wouldn’t be selling it if they weren’t catering to a particular client.
If Gyokuyou’s pregnancy was kept a secret to people outside Jinshi, Gaoshun, is it possible that it has leaked outside of the Jade Pavilion? Or are the merchants catering to another high-ranking consort?
A few quick scenes provide us hints of this. Already fully recovered, Lady Lihua’s beauty and vitality has been restored. And given the little “trick” Maomao whispered into Lihua’s ear in the first season that caused the emperor’s visits to Jade Pavilion to drop, we may assume that the emperor has been visiting Lihua as well.
In Episode 26, Lihua gently and intentionally caresses her belly while drinking tea—suggesting that she may have just learned that she’s pregnant. Secondly, her lead lady-in-waiting, Lady Shin, receives a message from the clinic. Upon reading it, her expression darkens. Whatever she read seems to have upset her. We can only assume two things: Lihua is pregnant, and Shin isn’t happy about it; or perhaps another consort is pregnant, and Shin is unhappy about how things may unfold for her master. Whatever it is, it seems that Maomao and Jinshi are on the right track to uncovering the truth behind all of this.
Doesn’t it resemble “that”?
Here Maomao’s impressive deductive skills were highlighted. Having worked both as an apothecary and being raised around courtesans, Maomao is one of the only people to discover things that may seem harmless to everyone but can prove detrimental to pregnant women.
She does so, after being overwhelmed by fragrances in the laundry area, causing her to go on a sniffing spree at the Jade Pavilion—which caused the head of the Crystal Pavilion, Shin to complain to Jinshi.
Among the herbs Maomao mentioned, two are known to be harmful to pregnant women in large amounts, and can even cause a miscarriage or induce labour: Jasmine, because of the caffeine content, and Cinnamon, which is known for its labour-inducing properties when used excessively.
Back in that era, substances like benzoin, frankincense, rose oil, and poppy were also believed to be harmful to pregnant women when inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Even to this day, some of these essential oils haven’t been cleared as safe for pregnant women, as there aren’t enough studies to support their negative effects.
It all sounds like a coincidence, similar to the lead face powder in Season 1, but Maomao doesn't want to draw conclusions just yet. Is someone from the foreign delegation intentionally bringing in items harmful for pregnant women? Or is it a mere coincidence that someone from the inner palace is taking advantage of? What are the forces at play here?
A death, a whisper, and poison
The episode concludes with the sudden death of a mid-ranking consort. Gaoshun whispers something to Jinshi, ending with the ominous word “Poison?!”
Earlier in the episode, there was a brief yet curious scene of someone moving a box of exotic-looking bottles, with the faint sound of a woman coughing in the background. While this moment seemed unimportant at the time, it now raises suspicions—could it be connected to the consort’s death?
The episode leaves us with burning questions: What kind of foul play is involved? Who is the true target, and who is behind it all? The answers will likely be revealed in the episodes to come.