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She ended putting things together, but lets not forget that Lakan was paving the way as well. He found the pipe in the storage and left it there, which is what put her on the right track in that case; he's the one who tipped them off about the poisoned seaweed case through Gaoshun; and through Jinshi, he had her sort out the will of the metalworker who supplied the palace. It's like he's testing them if they're smart enough. He might not have all the pieces, but he knows there's a bigger picture deal going on. Lakan's shock could also be that Jinshi was carrying Maomao himself. Jinshi is royalty, so him doing that himself instead of having servants do it can have quite the social impact.

That guard better be fleeing the country as fast as he can.

Just my opinion. Everyone in there knew who Jinshi really is. And for him to carry a mere servant like her. It is like a message, hence why Lakan is surprised. My guess is he loves his daughter, and because Jinshi is known to be a flirt, he thinks Jinshi is just using Maomao. I mean a normal father wouldn't want that kind of treatment for his daughter, but when he saw him carrying her. She can't hide from the emperor anymore.

Lakan knows (as well as everybody there) but what shocked him is why someone in such a high position taking care/carrying a mere maid in his arms. And it, indirectly, confirmed his suspicion about how Jinshi feels for his daughter. ☺️

15:25 How I read Lakan's reaction is this: "Hey, why the fuck is my daughter unconscious and more beaten up than before she entered the room?"

The look on his face was more like he was scared stiff. Seeing his kid get knocked the fuck around, then running inside a big palace, followed by a ground shaking sound, and seeing his daughter injured and unconscious and doesnt know if she is okay or not. Yeah no, dude is full on shook.

If im not mistaken the weapon they used to hit Maomao across the face with is basically a solid metal bat. Literally just a giant hunk of metal, its extremely impressive she was able to get back up after taking that hit.

Lakan: literally saw his daughter half-dead "Why is he surprised?"

Lakan about to "relieve" that guard of his duties

Jinshi pretty much announced to everyone that Maomao is under his protection and messing with her meant messing with him. Between that and the fact that Maomao just foiled an assassination attempt on a "high ranking member of the nobility" (coughcoughemperorssoncoughcough), it is very likely that EVERYONE in the palace will be treating her practically as nobility herself. She'll be a court lady now whether she wants it or not.

Lakan was, in fact, foaming at the mouth in rage, but managed to conceal it. The glare and tone did change though.

It is highly unlikely that Lakan set this up. I'd say there's a higher probability that he figured some of the plot out in advance and was waiting nearby for when she figured it out too. For starters, Maomao didn’t know about the Ministry of Rites and the connection between the dead or those who ended up in comas, but Lakan would have. He even mentioned how that artisan's works were so good that they could be used for ceremonial tools in episode 18. Jinshi took it as Lakan vaguely threatening him about his true identity, but you could also consider it as a hint. And during the warehouse explosion incident in episode 14, he found the pipe. If he'd been behind it, he would have disposed of that clue instead of looking interested and putting it back. He also kept pushing different incidents Maomao's way that all wound up tying into this big conspiracy. He likes puzzles. Maomao likes puzzles. So it's more likely that he put Maomao in a position where she would be able to help solve this conspiracy. Maybe to get closer to her. Maybe to stimulate her. Maybe so she could be rewarded for saving a noble person. Maybe so she would figure out Jinshi's true identity on her own. It's already been stated that he likes talented people and got to where he is by putting them in all the right positions. I'd assume he'd be even more partial if that talented person is his daughter. One of Lakan's problems is that he doesn't explain things. If you read the manga, you'll know that there's a reason for this though. And if anything, what Lakan is guilty of is failing to warn anyone about what was coming after putting all of the pieces together. He wanted HER to do that. But if you looked at his face when Jinshi carried her out, you'll know that he never intended for her to get hurt. He was furious when the guard beat her too. He might not care if Jinshi was harmed, but Maomao is definitely different to him.

I have to remind y'all that Suirei is not Maomao's sister LOL it was never indicated or hinted anywhere at all.

Jinshi walking out while everyone was bowing to him, he looking like a whole thug this episode!

This is what PEAK anime looks like!!!

Lakan isn’t the bad guy he was surprised/disgusted how bad maomao was hurt

Daddy and dad are mad mad rip to that guard and everyone involved, maomao once again showed us why she's Best girl I had tears in my eyes when I saw her like that

Lakan knows who Jinshi is. The expression on his face was his concern over Maomao's physical state and the fact that, at that moment, he could not do anything for her.

I feel like Lakan was surprised that Jinshi would actually put all on the line to openly carry her after all those years of keeping his secret; he probably calculated that his feelings for her weren’t to this level. He’s so above everybody else people aren’t even looking him in the eyes, yet he holds a woman of lowly birth while getting his ceremonial attire tainted in her blood…. remember Jinshi wasn’t even eating meat in preparation.

people werent trying to save maomao and jinshi probably because jinshi is basically a prince, on ancient china you shouldn't face eye to eye to the nobles/warlords because it's considered to be disrespectful, they had the status that almost close like a god (the mandate of heaven) thats why everyone were bowing their head and not letting the their face seen except if the nobles said so. heck even when you meet the emperor you couldn't walk regularly, you had to trot to move.

I just realized that the clothes Jinshi was wearing, which has a dragon and Phoenix, those are also very high ranking animals that not anyone can wear, I know we all know this already, but somehow I doubt Maomao can put together that Jinshi is wearing really royal regalia that someone in the imperial family is allowed to wear. He was wearing something similar during the garden party too I think in episode 6

I like to think that he's surprised from whatever that crashing sound was from.

Apothecary Diaries and Dangers in my heart casually dropping their best episodes of this season on the same week😅. Idc what anyone say this season is stacked 🔥

Regarding people looking away, no one is allowed to look at the imperial family directly. Since Jinshi don't go to court, no one really knows how he looks like.

I think her theory just occurred to him seeing them together like that, now that's the new plan

That guard should start running

I don't like the last scene in this episode, in the manga/novel Jinshi panics and runs while carrying Mao-mao to get treated immediately, but here he's just walking...it's overdramatic like Maomao is dead.

12:00 Lakan knows who is Jinshi. If you remember last episode and their conversation: Lakan: "You can count on one hand the number of people who can defy someone as hight up as you." Jinshi: "As I thought, he does know who I really am." I thought than Lakan is mastermind of these "accidents" , but he was suprised. The mastermind is (probably) court lady.

I think lakan surprise because his daughter is fainted,hurt and bleeding 🤔

he was shocked to see his daughter hurt

This was my favorite discussion with y'all. Poor Gao-shun though. His little sigh had me rolling, as did your buddy saying she got clapped and predicted it. Like dang. You didn't know how real you were huh? Loved the commentary today. Can't wait for the next one.

Can someone remind me why they think MaoMao has a sister? Because I am really lost as to how they reached that conclusion.

I just cant piece lakan to be a villain, somethings telling me I'm getting mislead

The reason why Lakan, reacted that way Was because he didn’t see her face. She stood up and ran forward.

Thanks for this!

Either Lakan didn’t know it was Jinshe or he was surprised he was still alive. We shall see~

Ι think Lakan was angry about her injuries, not surprised.

EPIC EPISODE MAOMAO OMG!!!!😭😭😭😭😭😭

Lakan was probably shocked that he could have lost his daughter after coming to her aid and letting her go in so she gets the credit for saving Jinshi. He already knew everything but it's not in his nature to act himself and he moves the pieces around to get what needs to be done finished. He dropped hints and helped the investigation along to solve it, he probably also saw Maomao got involved and wanted her to be rewarded for solving it just as a dad lol, he looks happy when she runs off after he helped her pass the guards. Can see where she gets her eccentric personality from and her focus on a single subject, it was Lakan's focus on shogi and go that led him to her mother. As for the officials in the temple not doing anything it's because they are shocked at what just happened, royalty almost died and was saved by a palace maid lol, that just doesn't happen. They have their heads bowed while the ceremony is performed as in ancient China you wouldn't look at the face of the Emperor or anybody that high up, many times they'd only be recognised by what they are wearing which is why they have decorative robes and colours to show rank. Then after the thing falls and he's there with a random maid they are too shocked to do anything and they can't just run to to royalty and touch them even in that situation. This is also why as Jinshi passes everybody bows their head as they can't look at him, except Lakan who is in shock seeing his daughter badly hurt and bleeding being carried out, he also doesn't care much for rules and protocol as nobody makes him do anything since they fear him.

I’m wondering if lankan was wanting her to fail last second so she would come to him

I think Lakan wanted MaoMao see Jinshi die. He didn't anticipate that it's MaoMao who almost bites the dust. ...

If Jinshi is who I believe him to be, him carrying Maomao out in front of the entire court is a huge deal in so many ways. For one, it tells everyone she means a great deal to him and shouldn’t be messed with. But it also paints a larger target on her head for those who are willing to take the risk.

Lmao you think Lakan is bad guy? He already bring the kingdom to his knee if he's the bad guy, that's how dangerous and capable he is. And dude his only daughter is half dead there hes angry.

OOOOOHHHHHH THIS PLOT IS GETTING JUIIICCYYYYYY😮

I think Lakan's shock is from seeing how badly injured his daughter is.

Good discussion. You guys pick up on good shit and make good connections. I do think you were underestimating the sanctity of the ceremony though, and maybe didn't notice that the people that saw Jinshi leave with Maomao were members of of the department of rites.

There are a few important things to note regarding why Maomao hasn't identified who Jinshi is: 1) When Maomao doesn't have sufficient evidence and makes a guess based on conjecture, she disregards it entirely. 2) When Maomao says something doesn't affect her, it usually does, but she doesn't want to confront it, so she disregards or outright avoids it. 3) Maomao saw firsthand what could happen to people involved with the Imperial family because of her adoptive father, and doesn't want to get involved with them. 4) It's safer to see Jinshi as her boss and a flirty eunuch noble when the potential alternative is that he's the secret crown prince everyone believes dead who insists on drawing her further into his life.

Mad af with that 1 guy that hit best girl

Lakan knew who Jinshi was. Maomao didn't. If she knew she would have named him to the guard and not say someone of noble birth.

i've been waiting with all these new reactions! oh my god it's happening! insert the office michael shouting meme 🤯 by the way, in the manga he was running frantically instead of walking. my same comment from the other video 😓😢

Okay, so to put things in persepctive. Mao Mao is a young lowborn servant girl. Jinshi, we now know, is a member of the Emporer's family. He was publicly seen carrying her out of the ceremony temple. Showing more affection to her than any married couple would show in public. That's why Lakan was so surprised. It's a big fucking deal!

Firstly, no one knew who was doing the sacred rights, all they knew was that the person had a high enough status to be right under or even equal to the emperor in power. Secondly, Jinshi showed his face while carrying Maomao in front of all the priests, soldiers, and eunuch, who failed to protect him - which effectively had them all afraid because they will all suffer harsh punishments according to their positions and lack of action. Like MaoMao stated, they all look complicit in the attempted murder of Jinshi. Lastly, the courts were separated into various districts according to function and hierarchy. Jinshi had to cross 3-4 different districts to take MaoMao back home to the apothecary. Which means the high and lower courts were privy to Jinshi's status as well as his fondness for MaoMao. By harming MaoMao, they harmed him. They all already knew that MaoMao was part of Jinshi's team, but they easily brushed her off because of her humble nature and knack for downplaying herself to keep attention off of her. It's also really important to highlight that MaoMao is still in a position to become Jinshi's wife, she may not have passed the lady in waiting test but she's still scheduled to take it again and she is already trained as a courtesan. She's also the perfect analyst and strategist for someone in Jinshi's position. There are a lot of hints pointing to Jinshi either being the emporer's brother or his son with the late Pure Consort - that's why she was sent to such a prestigious palace near the emperor despite not having the title of consort. The real mystery is what is going with the emporer's successor and if he's using the whole situation with the other consort's and childrearing to protect a child he has already had, or a brother who will soon take his place. I mean, MaoMao's adoptive father got into trouble for something dealing with the infants and I believe there is more to that story despite what we know. His punishment was too severe to not be.

I don´t think, Lakan was the culprit of that murder attempt. 1) He pointed out these incidents to Jinshi to be investigated 2) He stepped forward as Maomao´s guarantor, so she may enter the building. If he knew what´s going to happen and wanted to kill Jinshi, he simply could have kept silent about any of these. But I suspect, he knows the person or people behind these incidents and the murder attempt, couldn´t figure out for himself what they were up to and didn´t want his name to get involved with the investigations. I think, Lakan was definitivly shocked about what happened and probably that he now understood what these people were planning the whole time without him figuring it out for himself.

I don't think the author would make Lakan the villain of the story, just give him a sinister and sophisticated personality This episode reveals that Lakan actually cares a lot about his daughter, but he also doesn't mind using his daughter as a pawn As for why maomao loathes her blood father, it could be because Lakan caused what happened to maomao's adoptive father, or because Lakan did something wrong to maomao's mother, or because she loathes being treated as a pawn by him, it's all possible. I think the author wanted to portray the character as a smart, sophisticated strategist, but a failed father.

At the beginning of the episode, Maomao's angry face is shown again. This was to compare with Lakan's angry face later at the stairs. They have emotions but just run away from it most of the time. Lakan's shock face( other big emotion) however is for not protecting his estranged daughter. This is the moment you see him as more of a father than a mentor putting cases for her to solve. Lakan is a different anime dad

Stepping away from the main plot for awhile, I'm again astounded by the attention to the detail of this anime of the palace, especially that tower or pagoda where the ceremony is being performed. And the interior decoration: it even resembles some chinese temples in Malaysia with the central altar, though not with that dangerous pillar hanging over head. That round shape of the pagoda I think is reminiscent of Song dynasty or Kublai Khan's Yuan dynasty. Astounding details, all the beam carvings and banner wordings seem legit. Man, this is really making Chinese culture proud in my opinion. Jesus, now I'm thinking that the Locksmith with the 3 sons who died earlier, may not have died of natural causes. Almost every mystery even from the first season which I thought were loose ends or isolated incidents, looks like it is leading up to this incident. It really looks like someone is out for Jinshi, and surprisingly, I don't think its Lakan.

Oh my god I just remembered this gem. If ya all have time you guys should def check out the anime, Ouran High School Host Club. It's an old anime but oh my god...it's got peak humor and the cutest scenes. I usually dont like comedy and a tinge of romance but this show is tooo good. I def recommend it😂❤

Good reaction, you guys were discerning as always and I liked your discussions, which weren't far off. God this was a hearbreaking episode. Especially the part where Maomao threw everyone into her conclusion because she was 99% sure that someone's life was in danger. Remember the last time she lost control like this was when she realised that Concubine Lihua's lady in waiting was still using poison makeup. Only when someone's life is in danger, Maomao self preservation is put off and she risks her life. Regarding your analysis for Lakan, your arguments are valid that Lakan may be the cause of all this happening just to get Maomao, but his WIDE EYED REACTION when Jinshi brought Maomao out, I think rather than the shock of Jinshi showing his identity to whole court, I think he was shocked about Maomao's injury instead. Maybe the bastard really does care about Maomao as his daughter. My take is that Lakan may not be the big bad villain in charge of this whole plot, but it IS an asshole which is trying to get himself into Maomao's life even though Maomao seems to know who he is. Suirei on the other hand, looks to be the equivalent of Lady Fengming right now. God, it really looks like it'll be her head rolling if someone manages to connect her with all the incidents to date. Can someone answer for me, I'm not sure in the previous episode, it was clearly stated if the woman in the Annex of the brothel is Maomao's mother stricken with syphillis, which also affects mental health which is why she seemed so catatonic in the previous episiode. To me, it's very heavily implied but did they outright state it was Maomao's mother? Might have missed that tranlation. Jesus Christ, I wish they had subbed the song they were singing as Jinshi carried Maomao out. It sounded really tragic. This is only the second song I like after the one where Concubine Fuyou exited the palace to marry her childhood friend. Damn, just when I was hoping for some light hearted stuff, they brought out the big guns and now we got a royal assassination plot going on. I think this is only the third time we get a genuine reaction from Jinshi, the first being the Garden Party, the second being drunk before Ah Duo left the palace. Man, now I miss the outer court harem. I want to se Gyokuyou again...... Oh Shit, now I wonder if the new concubine Loulan is connected to all this.

Well, this episode made Lakan's character completely different in my opinion. I think there is still a small possibility that he was behind this all, but I think its more likely that he simply was on the same trail and sent mao after that trail to test her. His viceral reaction to seeing her get hit, shows that he cares, and the final surprised look is surely because mao got even more hurt. After this, something feels wrong about his past transgressions. I dont think the past is as black and white as it seems. Like if he was a guy who maybe completely ruined the life of her mother, gave her syphillis and devalued her, wouldn't he have thicker skin when seeing mao get hurt? If Mao is someone he cares about, than it logically makes sense that he cared for her mother too. Honestly, it feels like the face he made at the end of the episode, could also be the reaction he had way back when her mother got sick.

Imagine the soldiers face when he saw the literal prince walking out with the girl he just hit in his arms 😂 I wish we could see his face. I’m with Director, Empress Dowager seems fishy, who else would want Jinshi dead 🤔 Also I on Mao Mao’s side in regards to Lakan but it was still so satisfying to have him show up and help her, also imagine the soldiers face when he finds out who’s daughter he messed with 😂

Lakan didn't know that Jinshi is royalty but had a hunch. He didn't strike me as a person who cares about politics so I don't think he is setting up Jinshi and MaoMao. He just visit Jinshi after Jinshi bought Mao Mao from Verdigris. He just want to harass or see who bought his daughter.

Man, I kinda feel bad about the guard. Imagine if he let her in and she went in there and stabbed the fucking prince, lol.

17:03i think there is a real old case where a princess fall down a boat and nobody dare to save her because it is forbidden to touch a royalty? probably its just that. cuz they knew who that is since they bow to him like that.

I don't know why Lakan was surprised or scared when they come out. Didn't he knows that he have a very high status, plus he likes her and willing to do anything for maomao

I think Lakan reacted that way because his daughter got hurt that way

Remember, everybody thinks that Jinshi is a beautiful eunuch, so when Jinshi comes out carrying Maomao, not only is he the high ranking official but he is carrying the lowly servant Maomao. Not only has Lakan seen his daughter severely harmed, but he has learned how high ranked Jinshi is now, and that Jinshi deeply cares for Maomao. Lakan is putting the pieces together in his head and the truth is terrifying him, on top of the anger he has now for whoever brought harm to his daughter.

SI NO LLORASTE, NO MERECES LLAMARTE OTAKU!!!!

09:11 his daughter marrying jinshi is the last thing lakan would want in my opinion, given the unfriendly relationship he has with him

Maomao and her mother are cherished and cared for by the brothel granny and princesses. They shelter Maomao from Lakan who has no interest in meeting with him. The brothel has refused to sell Maomao to Lakan. So Lakan has some feeling for his dailughter and does not want to repeat his past efforts to devalue a woman to buy her cheaper BUT it is too late. Whatever specifically happened caused her mother’s tragic fate and estranged Maomao from Lakan. Lakan says he has spent 10 years trying to buy/get close to Maomao that is since she was 7 years old. So what happened from Maomao’s birth u til she was 7 years old. There is a tragic backstory here that Maomao thinks explains why she thinks her mother was stupid and lost her ability the experience love when she was in the womb. Lakan, the great strategist, has been manipulating events around Jinshi assignation and Maomao relationship with him. However, as in his first manipulating the courtesan/Moamao mother, his plans where flawed in resulted in Maomao serious injury and the distance closing between Jinshi’s and Maomao BUT not between her and her generic Dad. He realizes the shortcomings of his planning resulting in Maomao injury and nearly killed Jinshi.

Waiting 4 DIMH reaction

Can you watch "Villainess level 99" please?

🔥 Yo for real I thought we were going to get the Anakin look when Jinshi was carrying Xiaomao

Coments full of spoilers guys. If you are anime only dont read them

Jinshi u had the opportunity to call her name but why u just call her ‘oy’😭 like cmon mannnn

I don't want to spoil if lakan did it or his daughter (yes that girl) but what i can say is one guard is about to graduate life.

This episode pretty much cemented this show as the best fantasy thriller this season, for me that is. Edit: as the comments indicate, I do not follow the preconceived notions of the meanings the genres nowadays mean, as I follow their original meaning. This anime is a thriller for me, as I get the Thrills watching each and every episode of it. Again, I don't attach the genre thriller to it, but the original meaning it conveyed. Fantasy, now this should explain itself. The meaning of fantasy is a wishful reality, and not the preconceived notion it has attached to it about being something paranormal or supernatural. I HAVEN'T wrote the word fantasy here to indicate the tag or genre that's known by the same name.

8:44 Why would anyone think Lakan cares about someone. You saw what he did to Maomao's mother. The only reason Lakan cares is because he sees Maomao as his prize (Jinshi's phrase in the previous episode). 9:21 Lakan likes Maomao's mother? He gave her gave her syphilis. He destroyed her because he cannot possess her. And now Jinshi is in the way of him possessing his prize.