Misunderstanding | APOTHECARY DIARIES Episode 21 REACTION

[@H4T5UK1]

About Maomao only saying half of everything, (not a spoiler, you can see this trend since episode 1) Maomao knows her place in the palace. She knows how expendable she is and one mistake can have her killed, she only says enough (what she consider "enough") to not get involved in anything that can put her neck at risk. She got involved in the events only because her curiosity and her sense of justice got better of her, but after she only got involved because of orders from higher ups. And she knows that making herself looks smart would only be detrimental for her safety, since she can get both allies and enemies (unknown to her is that she has her ass protected by all sorts of people that others would think twice before making an enemy out of them).

[@Sup_D]

Basically Maomao believes in the proverb “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down”.

[@andrewsuryali8540]

Yeah, but that's out of context. In this case Maomao is actually being very relaxed and a bit rude to Jinshi because she's already too used to giving him the cold stare like he's a worm. This is literally a case of Maomao absolutely not knowing her place. What Joe meant is that Maomao should have finished her sentences properly and say right away that she was checking for her sister, not herself.

[@forotherpurpose3671]

The rumor that Jinshi is the Emperor's favorite might be referring to the fact that he is the manager of the rear palace. As the manager who handles the Emperor's harem (and as the Emperor's brother), he ought to meet with the Emperor a lot. But I guess his "official" position is not that known in the outer court. Officials from outer court may have seen a beautiful man like Jinshi spending a surprising amount of time with the Emperor, so they automatically assumed he is his favorite "in bed." Just like Maomao's prejudice in episode 3, lol.

[@rakhatthenut3815]

I thought that there is a rumour that emperor loves to secretly spend good time with this beautiful eunuch, you know what I'm saying?

[@7thlittleleopard7]

Maomao's father was removed from his position not only because he failed to save Ah Dou's son (who no-one knew at the time was the current Emperor's brother, btw), but ALSO because he couldn't save Ah Dou's womb. His first red strike was the fact that because he was attending the Empress Dowager's birth, he couldn't save Ah Dou's ability to bear more children when he finally was allowed to attend to her (this wasn't his fault, of course - he was forced to attend to the Empress Dowager - and that's likely why he wasn't thrown out right away, but it still counted against him.) The second strike was when Ah Dou's son died - which WE know was actually the swapped brother, but everyone else believed was her actual child. THAT got him removed from his position as it was seen as possibly having something against Ah Dou herself - and as we've seen, striking against one of the Emperor's courtesans can result in death (the poisoning attempt on little girl courtesan ended in death for Ah Dou's handmaiden). He was lucky not to be killed for his failure to help Ah Dou but someone likely had brains enough to realise that it really could have been just a run of bad luck and not malicious, so they wrote it off as incompetence and let him go.

[@Sup_D]

Maomao speculated that Luomen was fired because he had failed to see the swap of the Imperial Brother and let him die (some people had learned about the swap, but it was too late by then). Not to forget that he was punished with removal of one of his knee joint before he was fired, which seems to high a punishment for just letting the child of the crown prince die (considering they were giving importance to the birth of Empress Dowager's child more than Ah-Duo's child). I mean, if a child death is enough to get the doctor fired (in a situation were babies survival rate was low), then Quack Doctor would have been fired long back (since the Current Emperor had lost 3 other child so far, ignoring Ah-Duo's). But Maomao's Father was fired quite late, approximately about a year after the birth of Ah-Duo's & Empress Dowager's child birth.

[@themather1]

Worth noting, Luomen wasn't just fired. He was also maimed by amputation of his kneecap as punishment.

[@Dryltd]

I had a girlfriend like Maomao who only said the bare minimum. I had to learn to keep asking questions like Jinshi so that I didn't go crazy as well.

[@nenap7984]

9:20 I thought it was like, Jinshi originally wanted to offer money to the soldier guy to get in good with the sister, and, therefore, gain favor in MaoMao's eyes. But, after the conversation, I think that Jinshi saw him more like a potential advisor or something in the future.

[@lyren.4652]

Yes, he knew Likahu is one of the people he can trust in the palace, having good supporting roles in the future.

[@naylaw1928]

I think Jinshi is much simpler than that. I think he just wanted to make sure he wasn't a threat especially when he knows how oblivious Maomao can be and she was the one saying everything is ok

[@Simmlex]

Why are they hiding that Jinshi is the emperor's son/brother? So he doesn't get a huge ass pillar dropped on him during a ceremony or something. OH WAIT!!!!

[@brandonwithnell612]

i think its also due to the mixup with his birth, if people knew who he was they might connect him to au dao whos son was suposed to be dead

[@alexpartlow8623]

Not even Jinshi himself knows that he is the son. Only a few know. The 2 mothers who did the swap and probably the emperor and doctor when they figured it out later. He was raised as the brother without knowing it. Jinshi made a bet/deal with the emperor in order to achieve his goals and walk his own path ( he said this in a early episode) and thus he is assuming the role of Jinshi. That's why they always say the brother is sick and so the prince can use a fake identity.

[@realglutenfree]

​@@alexpartlow8623 I think not even the empress dowager knows Jinshi isn't her son. Well maybe she realized it later on when she saw him grow up and comparing him to Aduo

[@alexpartlow8623]

@@realglutenfree In the novels and Mangas, the Empress Dowager does know. I'm not sure how far the 2nd season anime will go into the story and show her backstory. But she was in on it with Ah'duo.

[@realglutenfree]

@@alexpartlow8623 Oh damn, maybe I skipped that part somehow. The scans I have were not that good :D I just wonder why she agreed to the sceme.

[@JediLordWong]

Second reaction I see. Very nice dude. Thankfully looks like you chat with others along the way and get the details somewhat straight (a lot is speculative hough, like the whole emperor's brother thing) Sorry won't comment much, others have said more than me. But in my opinion, I thnk Pairin has the financial freedom to leave the industry whenever she wants, she just waiting or looking for the right person to settle with, even if that person isn't wealthy. Maomao did comment that Pairin is also waiting for her prince and is a seasoned veteran of the business too. I hope the two end together. Frankly its a common romantic story even in ancient chinese history, a courtesan being bought out to be wife or concubine of a well to do family and finding happiness after that. God, and now the conniving Lakan is back. Just when I was softening my heart to him, he shows that face. NO SPOILERS PLEASE!

[@ozgarzon3931]

You have to watch the old chapters again because you don't remember how the baby who was the brother of the current emperor died. (poisonous honey)

[@terrifrosthunter]

What I think happened is when the 2 women went through labor as we know jinshi's mom didn't get the proper care required because they were busy tending to the other one. I believe when no one was around someone switch jinshi the child that needed more with the child that didn't because he and his mother had proper care and before they could be swapped back [when jinshi got better] 💀 death by honey.

[@gprovidakes]

Deforestation was a problem ergo ban for a few years.

[@indygabee]

HEY DON'T GET MAD AT MAOMAO!!! the audacity. how dare you.

[@BomaMOruwari]

What we need to remember with this writer based on previous episodes, is that every single detail has relevance which comes to light in a huge reveal. Can't wait to see what relevance the dr's story has as well as the direction Lehaku's connection to Lakan will take 😊

[@gprovidakes]

He is the only Doctor in Rear Palace.

[@ironcrossproduction9280]

Maomao probably used to not talk anything completely that might get wrong or put herself and others in danger as we see in previous episode so she's limiting her sentences here that makes the whole ordeal getting worse with lack of context. It's frustrating to us because she should have said the whole context why but she didn't

[@MassEffectSteve]

Remember, the "previous" Emperor had a 9 year old concubine, that the "current" Emperor won't touch because he thinks that is way too young (she is like 12 or something - I don't remember when they said the "previous" Emperor died). Since Jinshi is 19 (born before the young concubine), he can't be the "current" Emperor's son right? So he would just be the brother ("previous" Emperor's son). In the flash back, Jinshi's mom didn't look very young, but she was being dismissed for being 35, which means she would have had to of been 16 during that scene. I think they said something about Maomao being 17 at the beginning, and Jinshi's mom looked older than her in that flashback. Time is just weird in Anime sometimes. It seems like memories use the "current" character designs so the viewer can keep track of who is who in them, but they obviously would have been much younger in the memory. It is also entirely possible that I am 100% wrong and misunderstood everything. That option does totally exist.

[@rizawl6568]

3:07 haha i didn't even register it as "oh it's a child" and more like "oh it's a servant girl"

[@dylanjohnston4388]

I'm going to rewatch this episode a few times, for you know research and lore. 😊

[@cherry1311]

I rewatch to laugh a lot in special Jinshi jealous role

[@gprovidakes]

Lihaku thinks he a love toy with the Emperor.

[@Shinigami00Azael]

It isn't even the first time that Jinshi is potreyed that way.

[@Irimu_]

5:26 I've been screaming this at the novel for years

[@MarcusMapua]

If you read this episode in the manga, it becomes a lot more funnier!!!!!!

[@Robyntalks]

I just re-watched ch.20. Jinshi remarks that the emperor's mother gave birth to the emperor's younger brother some 10yrs after the emperor was born. That would mean that the current emperor became a father at the age of 9-12. If true, how old was Ah-Duo? They both looked adult in the anime. If not true, was Jinshi lied to or is it said just to deceive us?

[@alexpartlow8623]

The emperor was 16/17 and Ah'duo was 18/19. She is 2 yrs older than him. So they were teens or I guess in that Era marriageble age.

[@alexpartlow8623]

Junshi didn't mean exactly 10yrs, he meant 10 and a few years ish. That's what 10 odd years means in his context.

[@gprovidakes]

Remember he was sent after the explosion, worked with her before the temple incident, told her about Siurei …

[@adamdavid5049]

Joe!!! You're watching kimi ni todoke!?!? Finally! It's one of my all time favorite animes! It's so good! .... I'd almost pay for patreon to watch your reactions to it, but I can't be spending money like that right now, unfortunately. I hope you enjoy it. Also I've said before but you should give series recaps and overall impressions when you finish a series whether you recorded your reactions or not. There's a lot I'd be interested in hearing your final thoughts on.

[@renanchoutock4886]

Is not anime shit, is historical accuracy 😅

[@kaiju115]

Now I wanna see Lihaku and Pairin get married!!!

[@604Oaks]

Very few people know that jinshi the eunuch is actually the emperor’s brother and even fewer people, only 5 living people with maomao and A’duo included (have fun trying to figure out the other 3) know that the emperor’s brother is actually his son. I won’t spoil the actual reason for why jinshi is acting as a eunuch but I will say that it is not explicitly for anyone’s safety

[@gprovidakes]

Both babies Ah-Duo and the Emperor’s babies survived, but were switched reaso TBD, Emperor brother died by honey poisoning. Whether that was done or directed to be done Fengming because they (Fengming did not know) they knew the baby was the Emperor’s brother, TBD, why why including the punishment to Maomao’s Dad is also TBD. We will need to see the next Season to reveal all of this. I think Jinshi and the Emperor agreed (per Jinshi, maybe Ah-Duo) to be Emperor’s brother to allow any Prince(s) to step into heir role. If he was revealed to be the son, first born to a lesser nobility family nursemaid’s daughter Ah-Duo, he would not as strong a candidate risking rebellion. This might be Emperor crafty thinking Jinshi just wants out.

[@gprovidakes]

I think he will play the Emperor’s brother role indefinitely to allow other Princes to succeed to the throne.

[@babytacprimo]

​@@gprovidakeshe is the emperor's brother... Empress dowager just made a story of swapping to avoid the former emperor to be close to him... The only one who knew the real story is former empress dowager, current empress dowager and the emperor but Lakan knew it so that's why the emperor is very cautious on lakans position being neutral

[@LydiBugB-zk2ls]

But who’s Jinshi’s Father then?

[@gprovidakes]

My bet he is the son of Ah-Duo and the current Emperor when he was a Prince and only had Ah-Duo as his “wife.”

[@deinonychus1948]

2:40 they really don'ty mince words do they lol

[@deinonychus1948]

2:51 I'm not sure if I'm worried about that young girl or EXTREMELY envious probably a bit of both

[@ironysteeth]

I just want guy to get his crush. Ot was pretty cute to see mao playing matchmaker.

[@Robyntalks]

Just a theory (I have not read any of the source materials)- What if Suirei is related to Lakan and Maomao, the slight green tinge in her hair like Lakan, the blue eyes like Maomao. The clear intelligence, deviousness and strategy. Maybe a sister or aunt. Just putting it out there in case I'm right😋

[@FreshestAnime]

yup, i said that initially

[@B4ndG33k1]

Do you have your kimi ni todoke reactions on KZbin? I did a search but couldn't find it- though that could just be the KZbin algorithm messing with results. I really enjoy your Apothecary Diaries reaction! It's great to see guys react to shojo and josei- anime genres geared toward girls and women. This series really stands out because each episode builds to the next mystery, and you're never sure how many layers deep it all goes :))

[@Sage16226]

Emperors favorite meaning people think the emperor likes to clap Jinshi cheeks

[@Shinigami00Azael]

3:52 I was more interested in Pairin age here. So Maomao is 17, and when she was a toddler, Pairin was already breastfeeding her. For that she would need to be at least after puberty, so I would estimate minimum of 15 y.o. and optimum of 16 y.o. That means Pairin would be around 32-34 y.o. which sounds crazy! Today it is known that it is best to have your first child before 30 y.o. for proper development and no complication. If Pairin is one of the most expensive courtesans out there, it would mean that she probably is still a virgin, meaning that she is already too old for optimal childbearing. That is wild to know.

[@orelliaorellia142]

She is not virgin at all. Unlike Mao Mao's mom she sell her body too and have no problem doing it. Mao Mao says it herself in various occasions during the episode.

[@Shinigami00Azael]

@@orelliaorellia142 Just because she does something naughty with them, doesn't mean she is having sex with them. If she would, she probably wouldn't be one of the most expensive girls. However this way or another, my point about childbearing stands.

[@ishanbasak5088]

Why does the anime do Lakan like that 😢 He is made to be the worst villain in the anime.

[@VKHikara]

It's a great way to approach new/only anime audience, it builds the tension up. We, the manga/LN reader, of course know what he really is, but back when the story was around this timeline, we still doubted him.

[@Shinigami00Azael]

As anime only I will say, that maybe story in the anime potrays Lakhan that way, but opening is 100% showing him as mostly good guy and tragic character, which I hate because I would prefer much more to be gaslit by the show.

[@PredatoryQQmber]

@@Shinigami00Azael Ah, you also noticed that.

[@paige8453]

@@VKHikara I don't really like that though. I'm an anime only watcher but I read spoilers because I was curious about his character. I'm afraid that by the time the truth is revealed people won't care about what he is really like and will continue to hate him and not give him a chance just like Maomao.

[@yos_hari]

Jinshi is Ah-Duo's son?

[@noodles.dumplings.kimchi2878]

maomao => meow meow 😆

[@nurusds3]

I swear if Lakan try destroying another flower. It's been awhile since I hate a character.

[@havyn88]

Why? Because it's natural.

[@cherry1311]

I agree with you. Jinshi is the emperator’s son. But what is the reason why the baby change ? By the way, everybody in there calls Jinshi emperor favorite. Because his beauty and be a eunuch.

[@Tacticalmetdown]

Spoiler Jinshi is the brother... the empress dowager made a story that jinshi is a changeling. The person only knew the real story is the previous empress dowager, current empress dowager, current emperor, lakan and previous emperor(instinct only).

[@sp1n4ch]

from what i know it was ah duo’s doing. ah duo knew that her son (jinshi) would have a better chance at living if he “became” the empress dowager’s son, because when she gave birth to jinshi the doctor (luomen) was forced to attend the empress dowager instead of her, resulting in her loosing her womb, this signifies the difference in status and power between ah duo and the empress. to make sure jinshi survives and is able to live a good life, she switched him with the empress’s son, unfortunately the empress’s son aka the REAL brother of the emperor died while he was a baby. dont know if ah duo was helped by the current emperor to achieve this.