Sex Education With Maomao! PHARMACIST REACTS to Apothecary Diaries Episode 14

Parallel World Pharmacy Reactions: • Parallel World Pharmac...
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[@DefinitivelyZach]

Whoever had Maomao giving a sex ed seminar on their Bingo card for this season of anime, you win! Aside from all that stuff, I am genuinely interested in monicle guy and the new consort, Loulan. I'm sure they're going to be very important going forward.

[@wymarsane7305]

That would be me. ... because I read the manga.

[@SPatrickRoss]

It probably wasn't the Karma Sutra, but the Chinese did invent Tantric sex.

[@Kuroro2345]

Yep, monocle guy - aka Lakan - is going to be pretty important~!! 😆

[@inferlynx737]

Just wait till she goes frog catching in season two 😂

[@NocturnusArtemis]

The reason why Jinshi had the red mark on his cheek was due to his prolonged attempt at eavesdropping on the lecture (and still failing in the end) that’s how Maomao figured out that’s what he was doimg

[@DefinitivelyZach]

He's such a kid sometimes! haha

[@NocturnusArtemis]

@@DefinitivelyZach truly XD another eunuch can't even be thoughtful to Maomao without inciting his jealousy, such as when his assistant gave her the overcoat/cloak Jinshi glared at him

[@KHTimeProtecter]

Considering Maomao grew up in a brothel, I’d say she’s the perfect person to teach the consorts some techniques. Lishu is about 15 and of marriageable age. She’s old enough to learn these things. She also grew up in a convent after the previous emperor died.

[@Ncyphen]

It'll probably be cut from the anime, but Gyuokyou, Lihua, and the Emperor become valued customers for her adult "training" material.

[@deinonychus1948]

still, Lishu looks more like an adorable cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs! heck, it reveals much later on that the Emperor not only didn't do the dirty with her at all (to spite the former emperor) but in fact treated Lishu like she was his own daughter besides, considering how Maomao's bust is apparently 15 centimetres too short (the current emperor's own words lol), Lishu is WELL outside of that range; considering that she's flatter than Maomao (no offence to her though)

[@adrian_shepherd4003]

it was she was 14 and was a consort since 9 but the emperor didn't touch her yet

[@ashleypenn7845]

@@adrian_shepherd4003 yeah, I was gonna say. I got married at 20 as a virgin and even though I knew the mechanics of how everything worked, it still felt awkward and embarrassing on my honeymoon. Obviously, I've had 16 years (and 4 kids) to get better at what I do, but I totally feel for poor Lishu. She's still really new at this and it's an uncomfortable topic when you're first starting out.

[@xenobazilla]

Maomao Sensei: Today's lesson is the art of... FUCKERY

[@DefinitivelyZach]

LOL

[@xdxdsheep]

The very famous book from ancient China - The Art of Fuck

[@alsinakiria]

Maomao is currently one of the Emperor's favorite people. She saved his daughter, she saved Gyokuyou from poisoning, she saved Lihua from her ladies' stupidity and she taught that same lady some... techniques. Remember that 'proper ladies' are just taught "lie there and let your husband take care of it" so anything other than that is thanks to Maomao. He's pretty fond of her.

[@DefinitivelyZach]

As he should be

[@Ncyphen]

Maomao doesn't realize this. Hell, even in volume 8 of the books, I still don't think she realizes how much the emperor cherishes her as a valuable tool. Then again, Maomao understands the comparison of her position to emperor. Her dad and sisters taught her well in understanding the importance etiquette

[@deinonychus1948]

@@Ncyphen Imagine if Jinshi said this to her... "My dear Maomao, your Majesty values you to the point that anything outside of you literally poisoning someone other than yourself isn't going to get you punished! and even IF you intentionally poisoned someone, chances are high that you possess knowledge of a poison... or poisons, that would be untraceable to anyone outside of you!"

[@0th_Law]

Tobacco was on the New World side of the Colombian Exchange, and native americans introduced the practice of smoking to the Europeans, which led to it being spread throughout the world. This setting, despite not actually being real, is very clearly post-Colombian Exchange/equivalent, as evidenced by the chocolate, potatoes, tobacco, and syphilis.

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Was Marco Polo before or after that? XD

[@0th_Law]

@@DefinitivelyZach Marco Polo was 13th Century, the Chinese Emperor he was said to have met was Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty... also known as Kublai Khan of the Mongol Empire. This was very much before the Colombian Exchange began at the tail end of the 15th century.

[@OriLOK2]

It's implied that there's a lot of migration from the west, such as how they comment on Gyokuyou having red hair and green eyes. It's like an alternative history that involves a lot of communication between east and west.

[@0th_Law]

@@OriLOK2 I mean, it's not an alt-history, it's a fully fictional setting.

[@OriLOK2]

@@0th_Law I meant that the scenario is that the west came into contact with the country much much earlier. It's referenced in the manga later on.

[@serenitysilvermoon]

The red spider lily growing there feels like some forshadowing. It's likely Lycoris radiata, also called the corpse flower, and it's a poisonous flower that symbolizes death (and rebirth, admittedly)

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I know right? I’m curious as to what it’s foreshadowing

[@inugome410]

Jinshi’s luckier than the emperor since the girl he likes is the MASTER of the course 💀

[@Lahann_]

I'm actually surprised we got Rikuson (the guy who was looking for Lakan) so early, since he wasn't supposed to appear until like the 3rd season and didn't even appear in the manga yet

[@igrok5843]

I was so happy that they showed us Rikusun! And when the actor spoke, I fell in love🤣 A voice that suits a real gentleman! God, if I didn't like Jinshi, I would ship Maomao with Rikusun

[@Akhilian]

Same here. When I was watching the episode for the first time I thought I was seeing things (after all he appears later in the novels) but no, it really is him. I feel like hinting such things is a good sign in regards to the future of the adaptation. Still, it's just how I see it

[@Ncyphen]

@@Akhilian There's no way it's not gonna get another season to finish the current arc. There's no time to complete both part A and Part B of the current arc.

[@Akhilian]

@@Ncyphen I am aware of that. If we speak of the novel the current arc technically begins in volume 1 and ends in volume 4. This in turn means that the audience will be left with a cliffhanger and will have to wait for the end of season 2 for all the puzzle pieces to fall into place. What I meant by Rikuson's early appearance being "a good sign for the future of the adaptation" wasn't season 2 but potential seasons beyond it. Why? Because Rikuson is first introduced in the 5th volume of the novel which wouldn't be covered in season 2 given the adaptation's pacing.

[@Ncyphen]

@@Akhilian One can hope, though, if the manga/LN publisher decides against it, they may end the series at the end of volume 3. It's a very good place to end it, and the tone of the novel shifts heavily. It would be questionable if the audience would be willing to continue watching despite Maomao no longer being on the palace grounds. At the end of the day, anime's first priority is to sell manga and merch. This is why so many shows don't get their proper ending.

[@sleepfishl]

I think the first scene of this episode was one of the most important ones. The depressing mood and color choices showed clearly that she doesn't want to be there. And her whole behavior shows this too. I'm excited to see where it leads, especially since the consorts are some of the most important characters of the show.

[@vdinh143]

Don't forget that Mao Mao was able to shine in the inner court because most rear palace doctors are quacks. This is because, as Mao Mao explained, competent doctors have the option of working elsewhere (medical knowledge is valuable to begin with), they don't have to subject themselves to eunuchization 😂 The outer court likely already has competent people in official capacities and it would be very jarring for a "commoner girl" to take up such an important post. Jinshi would have to pull major strings if it's even possible.

[@aizukiwiart]

Also that it was illegal for women to be doctors. Nurses or caregivers, sure, but they weren’t allowed to hold official medical titles.

[@martianunlimited]

​@@aizukiwiart That is not correct, women are allowed to be doctors in ancient China, there are no prohibitions on that, (see Tan Yunxian of 15th century China and prior to that Yi Shou (personal physician of the Empress) of the 2nd Century BC). The reason why we don't see women doctors (as common) is that value system of the era would have that the priority of the women would be to marry and then care for her family first, before practicing as a doctor. Medicine is not formalized until much later, and most doctors would be reluctant to take on female apprentices, (most of the recorded female doctors/healers apprenticed with their parents (usually fathers) who are doctors themselves). Good female doctors would be have been highly prized, they wouldn't be subject to crazy things when treating noble ladies such as having to feel her pulse through a thread.

[@aizukiwiart]

@@martianunlimited yeah sure, except this isn’t ancient China (loosely based on it), and they have expressly said in the story that women were not allowed to be official doctors and that Maomao is allowed to do what she’s doing because of Jinshi essentially overlooking it and giving her special permissions.

[@vdinh143]

@@aizukiwiart Regardless of whether it was legal or not, it certainly would've been in defiance of the status quo. A woman holding positions of power through merit is a slap in the face of such a patriarchal society. Any power a woman can have must be derived from a male in her proximity (e.g. Consort Gyokuyou borrowing the Emperor's authority, Consort Loulan borrowing her father's influence, etc.) It's already difficult enough for a commoner male to make a case for himself and earn respect through merit, Mao Mao has no shot of doing anything vaguely important if it weren't for the whims of the people who happened to take a liking to her, and those whims can only carry her so far.

[@SaveMeAzathoth]

The scene of Loulan's entry to the palace suits her character so well. Effectively adding foreshadowing that wants at least another season to pay off. The animators are doing such a great job on this show.

[@MedusaLegend]

I really like how they are keeping the mystery around Monocle Guy (whose name is Lakan) and the new consort (who doesn't seems really thrilled to be a high consort, but I don't want to make assumptions).

[@kryshunter]

Jinshi was pressing his cheek against the door so hard that he bruised it...and still didn't hear Jack!

[@roribeedm]

Loulan was wearing a reddish purple when she arrived at the Garnet Pavilion, as Purple is the Pure Consort's color. If she was wearing a full on red, it would be disrespectful to Gyokuyou, as Gyokuyou's color is red. Each consort has their own color, as was mentioned at the garden party when Lishu arrived wearing pink and Maomao mentioned that it was disrespectful, made Lishu look like she didn't know any better, and was one of the hints to Maomoa that Lishu was being bullied by her handmaids. Also, their pavilions heavily favors those primary colors. In episode 4 we see Lihua's Crystal Pavilion has blue drapes and even her bedding is blue to match the outfits she usually wears. In episode 10, we see Ah-duo's Garnet Pavilion has a lot of the wood painted purple and the drapes are a similar shade. Gyokuyou's Jade Pavilion we see has red drapes throughout the first 12 episodes. The interesting thing is, when Loulan enters the sitting room we see that the drapes and tassels on the lanterns are all green. She is still wearing purple and we do see that one of the shelves that had Ah-duo's books and scrolls on it is still purple. Because of this, we can tell that the consorts gathered at the Garnet Pavilion for their lesson, because the room they are waiting in has green drapes, matching the sitting room Loulan first entered. As soon as Maomao was investigating the warehouse and noticed the flour dust, I knew she was going to copy a Mythbusters experiment. It was hilarious to see and pretty much replicated what happened to Adam Savage, though Lihaku didn't lose his eyebrows. Aerosolized powders from fine sawdust to coffee creamer to flour can create massive fireballs from the smallest ignition source. One thing that goes back to episode 13, at the very end of the episode someone gave a guard in front of one of the warehouses that pipe. And the silhouette of the person did look similar to Lakan (monocle man). Since Maomao failed the Court Lady test, Jinshi said he would have to make her his personal servant. He stated that when he was disappointed that she had failed.

[@Akhilian]

As someone who's read the novels I cannot help but laugh seeing Maomao's lesson animated at last, lol. If I may I'd like to provide a little clarification. Do not worry, it's not a spoiler. Firstly, Lady Suiren is in no way related to Jinshi, she's simply his head (and at this very moment only) lady-in-waiting who's been serving him for a looong time. Secondly, Jinshi wanted to clear more paths for Maomao but since she failed the exam she ended up serving him instead. Lastly, Jinshi wasn't slapped, he just pressed his face to the door so hard that it left a mark. xD With all that being said, i think you'll enjoy what's to come. ;D

[@wrongmouse1658]

Yes!

[@DefinitivelyZach]

I hope Maomao gets to do what she wants still!

[@exia0616]

Also Suiren previously served a higher official.

[@Mirthy0902]

Como lectora de la novela al parecer si comparten parentezco sanguineo pero no diré de que forma

[@IZEASGT]

I really do feel bad for Lishu, because she’s got it rough in a lot of ways - a political pawn with theoretically high status but no real power or influence, a concubine to a pedophile at the age of nine, resented and bullied even by the people she should be able to trust, an actual _assassination attempt_ just because someone was scared she might tell her mother figure “you know, I almost died when I was a baby because I ate honey”… But sometimes, it is just so much fun to watch her suffer.

[@Ncyphen]

(spoiler regarding why Lishu is a high concubine) . . . . . . . The emperor sees Lishu like a daughter. Fully aware of how her father treated her, he made her a high concubine hoping she could find happiness in the rear palace. He never plans to touch her sexually.

[@hanin3128]

​​@@Ncyphenthe fact that she's even alive proves this, as usually when the former emperor dies the next in-line emperor would usually "get rid" off previous concubines (exiled, executed etc) so him taken in Lishu essentially saved her life

[@Ncyphen]

@@hanin3128 Actually, and I believe this was already explained in the anime, when the prior emperor passed, Lishu was sent to live in a convent of women and girls. It was quite some time before the current emperor declared her a high concubine as she had already learned to bathe and dress herself.

[@seanickel]

A raise for a raise. That is different.

[@DefinitivelyZach]

fair trade

[@Kuroro2345]

Gotta love all of the consorts' reactions when they were provided those books by Maomao and the Verdigris House! Gyokuyo and Lihua being ecstatic (ESPECIALLY Lihua after she got that one "spicy bedroom idea" from Maomao in episode 4 😂), Loulan didn't give any fucks about it and just gave the book to her lady-in-waiting, and poor Lishu... her soul nearly left her body when she saw all the erotic contents!! 😱

[@reprieve5279]

Had a relative who died of lung cancer due to 2nd hand smoking. So your talk on tobacco hits hard for me and thank you for doing it. Love your weekly reaction on Apothecary Diaries and Frieren. Thank you.

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Sorry for your loss, thanks for the kinds words 🙂

[@deviancepurplehaze6045]

Jinshi be like: MY PRECIUOS!!!

[@dumbdave961]

I've been looking forward to this reaction since I knew Zach would love this episode

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Y'all know me by now xD

[@vdinh143]

The specific phenomenon that Mao Mao is referring to is called Dust Explosion. It happens when a sufficient concentration of combustible particles suspended in the air gets ignited within a confined space. It is a particular danger in coal mines, but otherwise harmless dusts like flour, starch, sugar, or even flower pollen can get ignited into an explosion.

[@LoopyChew]

I remember a joke about the difference between education and training that goes like: "my children need to get sex education. I sure as hell ain't letting them go to sex training." This isn't sex education, it's sex training.

[@Nemi-pp2zs]

50 shades of Mao Mao 😂

[@DefinitivelyZach]

lol

[@ladyblackwings4835]

What the new consort Loulan tossed in the box was the crown of the consort. And I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering about cart vs stairs!

[@walnut6684]

7:56 "SHE PULLED IT UP THE STAIRS!" Thank you for noticing it too

[@DefinitivelyZach]

I was like I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE WHO SAW THIS

[@martianunlimited]

That's an animation error, if you pause at minute 5:47 in the anime, you will see the design of the palace. This design is a typical chinese palace design (See also Summer Palace and the Forbidden City for a Qing's take on palace design ), with the central "stairs" as a ramp for carts. (Mao Mao would also have the option of using the ramps on the side which are more gradual). (I checked the manga, and the "is he an ayakashi?" gag used a cutaway to show the other concubines "melting" so there wasn't a need to have all 3 characters in the same frame as the concubines. (Ayakashi's are said to be spirits of those who drowned who try to tempt others to drown themselves, if you need the reference/connection to the concubines "melting")

[@janewow77]

This episode may be like two mini episodes but just like part 1, it'll come full circle. Just to emphasize for upcoming story...

[@Sup_D]

Regarding the "Ivory Pipe", we can see it being given to someone by someone at the end of previous episode 13.

[@stevelordofdarkness2340]

Calls Loulan short… when she’s actually pretty tall for a woman. Maomao is like more than a head shorter than Loulan, though Maomao herself is actually pretty short for a woman. Maomao pulled the cart up a ramp, the staircase has a large ramp down the middle for this purpose. Maomao’s textbooks were provided by the Verdegris House, who contracted a professional printing workshop to produce them. Depending on their proclivities, the craftsmen either had the best or the worst day ever. The books include plentiful illustrations. The Emperor suggested the lesson because all of his consorts arrive at the Rear Palace as virgins and little prior contact with anyone who may give them creative ideas for the bedroom. Maomao, having been essentially raised by courtesans, is someone who possesses more wisdom on the subject than all the thousands of women in the Rear Palace combined. I wish to call attention to Lihaku holding Maomao by the scruff of the neck, and she just accepts it and continues thinking while suspended in the air. That is all. We saw a guard get handed that pipe by a suspicious person last episode. The pipe did not belong to Lakan (monocle dude). Loulan is perfectly capable of speaking Linese (the native language of the fictional Li Empire in which this story is set). She would not have been permitted to become a High Consort otherwise, as whichever consort produces a male heir for him first will become his Empress and it would be rather embarrassing if she couldn’t speak Linese fluently. Lihua almost became Empress but her son passed away before she could officially take the title.

[@Kuronosa]

Lakan/Rakon is...pretty important later, and you can tell that the newest Pure Consort..doesn't really want to be here...I don't know if its been mentioned yet, but each of the Consorts that are the favorites(the Gem Consorts) have some familial connection(for the most part) that they bring to the table...I think, if I remember correctly, the newest Pure Consort is related to some Warlord or Tribe out in the reaches of the Empire that this arrangement would allow them to become part of the fold or something.

[@LibeliumDragonfly]

The "door" is just supposed to be a screen wall, some of them come in door shape in Forbidden City in Beijing, for whatever reason, the show decide to make all of them like that, even though in reality there was only one or two out of dozens of screen wall like that.

[@amandabernard8179]

Luolan just looks sad to me when she is alone

[@noodles.dumplings.kimchi2878]

Historically - the women in the inner palace sadly never had sex education. The Emperors back then used to disguise themselves and sneak off just to get some excitement in that department. In this case if someone like Maomao existed they were definitely worth their weight in gold.

[@tanglung1543]

An amazing reaction episode as always. Apothecary Diaries (alongside KINGDOM, which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR YOU TO WATCH) is one of my Chinese-themed anime series.

[@littlemaiden13]

I know we really want Maomao to be Jinshi's official apothecary or doctor, but Maomao needed to pass the court lady exam (kinda like a civil service exam) to be viable for official training of such position. So that's why Jinshi needs her to pass the exams. Unfortunately, Maomao didn't pass, thus the reason why the dilemma last episode for Jinshi/Suiren/Gaoshun on what they should do. (She can retake it, I think!)

[@alsinakiria]

She can but it's only held once every year or two. And they would have to find a way to force her to study. A carrot and a stick.

[@Hakitosama]

It's time for the CULTURE MINUTE : flour explosion, or more commonly called dust explosion, was the origin of the "Great Mill Disaster" in Minneapolis in 1878 that killed 18 workers and greatly damaged the flour production of the region as the fire destroyed most mills around the original explosion site. Nowadays, any site working with fine powder, be it flour, ciment or industrial chemical powder components (like lime powder) has to respect drastic rules regarding fire sources. It was the CULTURE MINUTE.

[@KebusuNiisan]

To give an example of how dangerous flour/starch is, a deadly fire happened on a water park in Taiwan last 2015 that claimed 15 fatalities and almost 500 injuries, and it was caused by colored cornstarch dispersed to the crowd, which was ignited by stage lights causing a huge fireball.

[@Sup_D]

Basically, this Episode is about Sex Ed. Seminar and Dust Explosion.

[@jordancrawford7605]

Keep a eye on the new girl for future

[@Catgirl2021]

I see the new consort and Maomao being friends. They are a bit similar. I don’t know if she’s interested in Jinshi, she was probably looking at Maomao maybe seeing herself in her.

[@Mirthy0902]

Creo que es más probable que mirara a Jinshi. Mao mao tenía rato en la conferencia y solo cuando Jinshi llegó miro a la entrada

[@wrongmouse1658]

OK, I hope to do better this time. For those who don’t get it about the first half of this episode, your punishment is to rewatch the first half of this season. As for the teaching materials, much more about it in the LN’s. We are now 2 episodes into the second volume of the LN’s. The second half of this episode we get one of the opening scenes. LOL “LN” are Japanese light novels.

[@Persona3Yukari]

aww~ Poor Lady Lishu ❤😂

[@DefinitivelyZach]

so adorable! XD

[@sh3n3ng]

Based on Loulan's fasion, i think it's from some steppe/Tungusic tribe, and her name literally is the name of Loulan kingdom.... if this story take place in paralleled universe ming dynasty, she could be a Manchurian....

[@stevelordofdarkness2340]

I’m not familiar with Chinese or broader Asian history, but as for the setting this story takes place in, Maomao resides in the Li Empire and Loulan is from the the northern reaches of Li in what is called the Shi province. Maomao makes the observation that her facial structure appears typical of the northern region yet during the lesson she’s dressed in a style that’s more common in the south of the Empire.

[@alraen2510]

Iirc, she just likes to wear outfits of other cultures (which confuses, like, everyone).

[@TalasDD]

the door in the middle of the courtyard is eighter a ghostwall or a sign for the emperor.

[@teongreen5254]

Lishu learned very valuable things today :)

[@raeveii]

What's crazy about the 2nd-half is that as I sat there eagerly waiting what happens next, the credits rolled and I was like, YO! iT's oVEr???

[@kyotoguitar6463]

Not long ago, over southern from here, Brazil. Happened that corn flour exploded.... Badly.

[@kyotoguitar6463]

It happened over Palotina city, august 2023

[@Sai-AnneMa-jax]

The teaching scene is funnier in the show vs being in the light novel.

[@marcoftheninja6278]

Loulan's entry at the beginning looked like a funeral march... I didn't expect she wasn't greeted when she moved in... She also doesn't seem to care about her position as a high ranking concubine at all, as if she isn't staying for long. She wasn't listening to Maomao's lessons, as if she wouldn't need any of it. I'm curious, what Jinshi and the emperor were discussing in private... I'm also curious, who took Maomao's place as Lady Gyokouyu's food taster..

[@doggygod]

monocle guy needs a watson

[@Lahann_]

His children are his Watsons

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

What time period is this series meant to be set in? Because Tabaco is native to the Americas along with Cocoa bean and Potatoes. They wouldn't have arrived in China until the 17th century.

[@DefinitivelyZach]

True, but once they did get it they were able to cultivate it there.

[@roribeedm]

China got tobacco from the Philippines in the early to mid 1500s, because the Philippines were controlled by the Spanish, who were the first to cultivate tobacco outside of South America. That would also have been their primary source for other goods from the New World. Likewise, the clothing style is very similar to what would have been worn during the Ming Dynasty in the 1500s. Rough estimate would be the 1520s-1560s.

[@chukasssss]

"KAMA SUTRA" Kama. Not KARMA. No "R" in the first word.

[@eizy1010]

I aasumed Luolan are from different tribe (for example: I meant different...how should I explain.....Do you guys know three kingdom?) Thr way ger outfit are different......plus that first scene where she carelessly doesnt't take good care of the hair ornament...I yhink it's the same thing Ah Duo left beind since she bo longer a consort.

[@roribeedm]

That is the crown of the Pure Consort. It is indeed the one Ah-duo left behind as a sign of no longer being consort.

[@cherry1311]

Well done

[@shcheng2247]

I AM GUNDAM~!!

[@DefinitivelyZach]

ORE WA GUNDAMUH

[@mickeyroth1454]

Where can I find Apothecary Diaries in English?

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Crunchyroll

[@Tomboy014]

I'm wondering if the new consort looks bored because she doesn't speak the language. If she's from a different province, they might speak a different dialect

[@stevelordofdarkness2340]

Loulan is from a high-borne family that was quite close with the previous Emperor and the Empress Regnant (the previous Emperor’s mother). She does not speak here because she chooses not to, not because she can’t speak or read Linese (which is what Maomao’s native language is called).

[@vdinh143]

@@stevelordofdarkness2340 To add to your explanation, her marriage is also one of pure political machinations, so she doesn't recognize the task of pleasuring the emperor and bearing his children as her main objective (although having a child would give her more sway, it is only instrumentally desirable to her), but rather to garner political power to benefit her house. I'm speaking on conjecture but I imagine there isn't much a political operative can do in this seminar setting, hence her apparent boredom.

[@exia0616]

Tbh, this episode flew too fast, but since last episode they are laying clues that will have a payoff at the end of the season

[@Aleariaa]

Okay but they have a child here

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Lishu is like 14 or 15 so sexual education should be given, although I don't think it's appropriate to teach her about EVERY sexual position or whatever haha.

[@SPatrickRoss]

I'm wondering if this was the book Miomio was teaching from? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_N%C3%BC_Jing#%3A%7E%3Atext%3DSu_N%C3%BC_Jing_or_Su%2Cin_the_Huang_Di_era.?wprov=sfla1

[@roribeedm]

Maomao had the ladies at the Verdigris House write the book, then they had to have scribes make multiple copies. That's why she was thinking about Granny when she was giving Jinshi the bill. She even tried to slip in some extra charges that Suiren (Jinshi's handmaid) pointed out were in a different color ink. Considering at the time of the series (roughly the mid 1500s based on the clothing and when China started trading with the Spanish for tobacco and other products from the "New World"), that text was written 1700 years earlier, lost 600 years before the series, and rewritten in Japan. If it was available anywhere in China it would most likely only be in the Imperial Library or a noble or merchant's private collection because such things were not cheap. The consorts theoretically could have borrowed the text you mention from the Imperial Library....except virgins brought in from the far corners of the empire wouldn't have even known about the existence of books like that.

[@MarleeBby]

We need a bonk counter in the corner for episodes the big sisters appear 🍑🍑

[@DefinitivelyZach]

Definitely xD