The reason MaoMao still doesn't think of Jinshi as the Emperor's son/brother yet is because she's trying to avoid jumping to a premature conclusion, and well the more she knows the more political danger she's in. We know that he is likely one of those things but MaoMao isn't privy to all of the clues the audience has and she isn't eager to start digging skeletons out of the Imperial closet. MaoMao also has a tendency towards practicing willful blindness when it comes to powerful people, the knowledge itself is risky and she has no faith that she won't be used and then cast away if she gets too involved. I think that deep down she suspects it, but isn't yet willing to completely go there.

Mao means Cat in Chinese so her name is literally ''CatCat'' and some people call her XiaoMao because it means ''Little cat''

Can't help but think that Jinshi is kind of underestimating his own abilities... I mean he clearly isn't just a pretty face.

0:55 In ep 2, Jinshi said his purpose in the rear palace is to test the concubine's loyalty to the Empror (by flaunting his beauty). In this ep, it's implied he got that job because of his condition with the Emperor; if he did the job well, the Emperor most likely would grant his wish (because Jinshi said it's the only way he can choose his own path; meaning what he wished for is unobtainable under ordinary means). This conversation happend long before Jinshi met Maomao -- bc this was the moment when he agreed to work in the rear palace -- so the wish he wanted to obtain has nothing to do with Maomao. (Great signs that he has more character in him other than being the mc's potential love interest 👀) 4:05 You're right; Jinshi wanted her to assist him with more mysteries -- at least it's implied that way 😂 And to do that, he wants to place her in the official worker's seat (as a court lady) so she could gain access to the recources she needed in order to do the work Jinshi intended for her to do. He doesn't want to resort to nepotism either -- hence, his urge for her to study more. But alas, she's just not good at remembering things that doesn't interest her 😂 4:42 Things made out of someone's hair is believed to work like a voodoo (either for love charm or curse item; it can swing both ways I think). Jinshi really is the subject for crazy admirers and haters, lol. 5:30 Stable is a horse's shed. It's placed in a more secluded place because of the smell. Maomao wants that place because then, she could do whatever she wants (laughing and dancing over rare medicines, compounding more meds, experimenting poisons) without disrupting anyone. Unfortunately Jinshi consider that place unbefitting and he thought Maomao is just being modest, so he rejected her idea 🤣 Another miscomunication, lol. I bet if he learn the true reason why she wants a stable, Jinshi would provide it to her instantly; heck, he'd provide even better place for her purposes 😂 But Gaoshun was against the idea because she'd stood out even more as Jinshi's favourite and it'd bring more troubles, lol

I have the feeling Maomao is gonna remember all the public offices based on which herbs grow near the buildings

Maomao is so one-track minded, she don't give a damn if it isn't about poison or drugs.

So, I don't know much about the status levels, but I'm wondering if Jinshi can only marry someone above a certain station, hence wanting Maomao to become a court lady. I'm totally guessing here, but I am curious what the rules are with something like that. Also, I saw someone else say in the comments the Jinshi is really devaluing his talents and assets. I completely agree! Beauty is not the only thing he has going for him. Maybe by the end, Maomao will help him to see that. I love this show! Maomao looked so pretty when she left! I loved Jinshi's reactions. It was so sweet.

Many missed the implication when she said to the lady that wack her in the head near the military buildings smell of sandalwood and some bitter smell. My wife right away knew what it meant. Sandalwood is a predominantly male fragrance and bitterness is of sweat and $ex. She was also coming from the military area were al the men are…. I’m sure she knows that particular smells from her “sisters” working in the pleasure house.

Here's some details that may have been missed, as they were not directly addressed, only implied. Leoman works for the brothel, and as you know, he's a eunuch, which means Maomao is not his blood daughter. This indicates that Maomao very likely a child of one of the courtesans, hence why she refers to the proprietress as "granny."

I think the stable is ideal for her herb collection, experimentation, maybe even finding venomous creatures. It’s a bit vulgar and not so clean.

Yea the old man is "evil" Evilly goofy

Jingshi isn't much older than Maomao. It would not surprise me if the author plans for them to wed by the end of the story.

Maomao does not care for anything else than herbs and medicine. He is intimidated by his Dad/brother skilll and has an inferiority complex. We have not yet really understand Jinshi. .

The stable thing ? Maomao wanna trade that nice room to sleep in a stable instead, "BUT" it has to be a well nearby, for her alchemical interests. And of course, Jinshi would say no, you, my best girl, sleeping in a stable !? NO. That kind of thing.

Truly glad this series is back ❤️❤️❤️ Now gonna wait for Shangri-La frontier later

The guy with the monocle is here ? So fast

Who has a higher right to succeed to the imperial throne, the emperor's younger brother or the sons of the emperor, who may be born to his many wives?There may be a dispute over the right to the imperial throne even though both are actually sons.

Oh weird. This video didn’t appear in my subscription feed. I was super confused why you hadn’t uploaded your reaction to this episode yet. Thank goodness I pulled up your channel and saw this video or I never would have know you uploaded it already.

Maomao is very smart, but she has zero motivation for anything other than drugs. She didn't take the test seriously and this was the result. FYI much later she retook it and got top marks. Also, a good cue for this series is that everyone has their family secrets.

The Chinese word "xiǎo" is the Japanese word "chan". It does not mean "small". It does not mean Little cat. It is a term of endearment for a young child. "The name we use for young children." ＝ "xiǎo Mao" Same as "Mao-chan" in Japanese.

I was excited for the opening reaction but nevermind TvT

Maomao's dad

8:51 I never seen a genuine good person who wears monocles in my life. Well, I never seen anyone actually wear monocles in real life

Please check out the wrong way to use healing magic. It's so much fun. I just caught up with the manga yesterday. It's great.

Between Serien and Lacan, Frieren and Apothecarie diaries are really presenting them like evil villain XD. I mean ... they deserve it a bit ? But poor them X,D

yay happiest new year for anime seaso

Xiao Mao = Little Cat

Also waiting for The Dangers in my heart season 2 episode one reaction. 😉😉😉

MAOMAO IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to inform you. I was notified of your other reactions (I am subscribed), but Apothecary Diaries did not show up on my list. Just though you should know, just in case there was something amiss with the settings on your side.

I was thinking that big lady was related to Jinshi, maybe his half sister. I'm probably totally wrong.

6:56 well she is also critical character in the story but not going to tell much on it as it would spoil everything

4:55 Don't forget, she still thinks that he's castrated.

So she didn't pass cause Maomao only really invests herself mentally in stuff that interests her and she found no interest in what the books had to offer or the job really

what's a court lady? I don't know either. can someone explain?

For me I consider this Chinese anime is the best anime for this year specially with Japanese cooperation

The first op was so much better.

What's with the hair underwear? Does anybody know?

It's funny you say Maomao should be a doctor........if this series gets a few more seasons of anime adaptation in the future, you will find out first why women aren't doctors and then what happens to Maomao.

the monoclue guy while hes a bit of an antagonist he isnt the big villian or the big.. head however... he plays an very important role.. especally in the next couple of episodes if my hunch is right i just wonder how that whole scene will play out. and he probably plays important on maos side of the story and not jinshis per say

First