Oooh man, this was quite an emotionally loaded episode. Since Maomao was caught red-handed by Shenlui, she has been relocated to Shishou’s true stronghold which is high up in the snowy mountains. Furthermore, she is now treated like a prisoner, locked in a room with bars on the window and unable to leave. Now there’s truly no escape.
But she was spared a worse fate thanks to Loulan (Shisui’s true name) clever intervention. She had quickly improvised a reason to make her mother see Maomao as someone of value, otherwise she would’ve been subjected to getting tied to a post and get beaten by a cane. She claimed that Maomao is actually over thirty years old, that her experience as an Apothecary has contributed to her youthful appearance, and the bandaged scars on her arms is proof of her efforts. She insisted that Maomao may be able to produce the elixir of immortality, of which the former apothecary (whom they had killed) failed to do.
Of course Maomao feels quite conflicted and even betrayed by the fact Shisui’s identity as an ordinary girl had fooled them all. But it’s not like Loulan doesn’t feel bad about it. Contrary, she wished she hadn’t been so foolish to think appeasing to her mother would reduce harm to others. She thought behaving as her puppet would help, but it didn’t. And I genuinely feel bad for her, because man– you can tell the short time she spent as Shisui in the Inner Palace, was probably the most free she had been her entire life…
Unfortunately that isn’t the only pressing concern Maomao has to deal with. Now she knows the extent of just how bad things are. The Shi Clan is ready to start a war with the Emperor, and Maomao’s absolutely dreading the consequences that befalls the innocents who’ve been left in the dark. When a clan betrays the Emperor, nobody is spared, including the children. It’s difficult for Maomao to try and disconnect herself from them when she can hear them running around laughing, oblivious to the darker things the adults are organizing. Even more so when she’s grown a soft spot for Kyou-u. She pities the child, especially after seeing what the adults (his mother included) has been up to, all while he and the children are being told they are too busy because of work. She genuinely didn’t know what to say, but was able to safely work her way out of it by the legitimate reason of ‘she doesn’t know what she looks like so she couldn’t say’. Needless to say, this whole situation is just awful and unfortunately they are ticking down to a tragedy just waiting to happen. And sadly, this just makes the weight to what Loulan said last week during the festival. ‘It makes a for a good memory’, ‘insects never survive the winter, only leaving behind their children’, even heavier. Oof, it breaks my heart.
The other thing that has finally dawned to Maomao, is catching onto the hints Loulan had left her in regards to Jinshi’s hair pin. Maomao never thought to think too hard about it, but we saw her finally starting to connect the dots after she had asked Suiren how she had gained access as an eunuch in the first place. However typical Maomao stopped short of drawing the otherwise obvious conclusion.
Meanwhile, we see Jinshi has been forced into a corner. Unlike Maomao, he no longer has the luxury of attempting to runaway from things he wants to avoid (aka: embracing his status as the Moon Prince). Now that Lakan has provided indisputable evidence that the Shi Clan has been actively taking up arms for a rebellion, and Master Lakan has forced him to accept his role by properly imploring him to ‘rally the army to defeat Shishou the traitor,’ in addition of his his wordless plea associated with it to save his daughter Maomao. Jinshi hates this, but he knows he no longer can run away. The Moon Prince must rise, and lead the Forbidden Army to subdue the rebellion– especially if he wishes to save Maomao. There’s just no other way.
The fact he has to go to war (which is bad enough as it is) aside, this also deeply troubles him because he never got the chance to tell Maomao about his true status himself. Now, while she has likely figured it out already (though yet to consciously acknowledge the fact), it still pains him that he’ll have to show up as the one leading the army.
Among other emotional things we’ve learned this episode, was Shisui was actually Suiren’s original name, which was why Loulan had picked it as her disguise (since she’s very fond of it). It was stripped from her after Shenlui had kicked her and her birth mother out. It’s also why she abuses Suiren to the extent that she does, looking for any excuse to inflict harm onto her. Seriously that woman is an absolute psychopath and trash.
Oh and as if that wasn’t enough to make you hate Shenlui, we already know she has abused the shit out of her own daughter Loulan. Honestly it’s no wonder Loulan has bonded with Suiren, and I’m glad growing up, that they have had each other to lean on. The shit they are subjected to– I mean what the actual fuck, they had to sit in the same god damn room of the drugged up space of Shenlui chilling and watching orgy happening (and mind you, the anime toned that scene quite a bit, but you certainly got the gist of it). SAVE THESE TWO DAMN IT!
Apart from the heavier parts of the episode, there were two lighter moments that helped break the tension. The first was the fact what’s keeping Maomao’s spirits up (or perhaps better of to say: sane) is having a treasure grove of invaluable materials left behind by the former Apothecary… who was killed for failing. But the last bit doesn’t really matter to her, it’s the knowledge of medicine that’s important here!
And lastly, which was honestly the most endearing part of the episode, Master Lakan just being the softest puppy around his uncle Luomen. It really goes to show just how much Luomen means to him, as well how much he respects him. It’s actually heartwarming and to an extent, almost shocking to see Lakan behaving so politely around him. But it was thanks to Lahan rushing out to get the guy to quickly put an end to Lakan lashing out at Jinshi for being a coward and not doing more to save Maomao. It was also a very powerful moment to see him show proper respect that measures up to Jinshi’s true position as the Moon Prince.
We’re drawing closer to the climax, and man I can’t wait for the upcoming episodes, it’s gonna be a ride!
Notice: The Apothecary Diaries S2 Ep 21 Review will be released in a few days or next week as a double-post! (Varies on schedule)! Thanks for understanding!