Apothecary Diaries Episode 12 (EARLY UNCUT ACCESS)

"Id really like to play an instrument" plus you like maomao so much (she reminds me of kumiko) plus you seem to enjoy the feel of this sort of drama PLUS you like the focus on lighting in the animation. You're enjoying this show way too much and saying way too many things that suggest you would LOVE sound euphonium. I've thought that up till now, but this just confirms it. It would make a fantastic react here. You NEED to watch it, it is right up your alley.

Shucks

Flexie's face is visibly pink after that scene

Ace The FireDragon

This! Also, it's important to make a distinction between the kidnappers vs families in need. During those times it was pretty normal to "sell" your daughter to go work for the nobles as to avoid starving to death or even just to help the family get by. The girl would send part of the money she earned to her family, therefore supporting them. These girls would often accept these conditions to help their families, so on their families' volition. Then, there's the kidnappers, who basically snatched girls and sold them under the pretense of being their families (because kidnapping is obviously a crime). That way, the kidnappers get part of the money earned by the girl sent to them. For the rear palace, there is no way of knowing if these girls were "sold" there one way or the other. On Maomao's official paperwork, her "family" is listed as the kidnappers. Therefore Jinshi would feel terrible forcing her to stay, knowing quite well she didn't agree to leave her home and that her real family never sold her.

Lucia Petrozzi

Very nicely worded reply, I sense a fellow philosopher. :)

Michal Krátky

My interpretation is that Maomao is aromantic because of the fact she was brought up in a brothel. She experienced from up close how shallow and fickle love can be so she's a bit disillusioned. It doesn't mean she's asexual or that it's impossible for her to develop some kind of feelings for Jinshi, just that her mind doesn't really go "there", so every time Jinshi flirts with her, instead of feeling attracted, she just feels noticed and it's something she's uncomfortable with for many reasons.

Milosz Skowronski

Different times, different sensibilities. It's not an excuse, it's a fact. This story is all about how times were different and people had different ideas of how a society should work. And it's nice to be able to separate art from reality sometimes so you can enjoy works of art for what they are, instead of applying contemporary, real world sense of morality where it doesn't really belong.

Milosz Skowronski

I don't understand how that moment could be intimate or hot, Maomao doesn't like him at all physically, she gets shivers every time he approaches. If a man were to act to a woman like that in our world, well, he would get all kinds of hell.

Michal Krátky

I did a legit spit take at that first comment. I had to pause the video to clean off my keyboard.

a2daj

For the confusion around how Jinshi feels about MaoMao....it is complicated. It's not as simple as "I like her, I'm going to ask her out" Like with the time period and the political differences, not to mention the fact that MaoMao seems to have no romantic interest in him....it's complicated, and you're right to be confused lol. He clearly has affection for her and cares for her, but what does he do about that? Hard to have an answer. This scene from this episode is actually what got me into watching Apothecary Diaries, because I HAD to find out what the hell this interaction was about 😂

Gabriella Pinkoski

"I feel like one of my best friends just got laid..." - hmmm... that's an expression I've not heard before lol btw, you said, "I want to hug her and be like, oh my god! Tell me all the details!" There's an image in popular Western media of men, and particularly young men, being indiscreet and talking about details of their sexual encounters. I'm in my 50s and have never had such a conversation with a man. Several female friends have tried to have those conversations with me, though. It's totally off topic, I know, but I'm just making the observation. Make of it what you will lol

Caradoc Elmet

After seeing this I’m convinced Flexie needs to watch more romance anime, this was a great reaction

Richard Knouff

I think as viewers it hits a little weird that she's let go because we're listening to Maomao's internal dialogue where she's like "i don't wanna go please don't fire me" but all she said to Jinshi was "i'll do what you tell me to do" which to me he clearly interprets as "I cant do anything about it I'm miserable here so do what you want". Maomao has said before she has trouble letting people in, and doesn't want to, and this is a perfect example of a miscommunication because of that

Leo Carbajal

Buying her for the palace or for himself? Both? Both! Both is good!

Seal Oppa

i love all of this show's openings but there's seriously something so special about this first one im gonna miss it so much 🥺 ALSO THIS EPISODE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THE INDIRECT KISS SCENE AND THE WAY MAOMAO'S SISTERS WERE TALKING TO HER ABOUT IT AFTER😭😭

Bambi

Maomao's contract got nulled once it was found out the people who kidnapped and sold her off to the palace had connection to Fengming's family. Jinshi was left with either keeping her in the dark or letting her decide to stay or not is what I'm interpreting from it.

wahninomae

while jinshi was sulking, gaoshun mentions that its time to talk to that military officer which is lihaku, who had been in the verdigris house before

makima

I think it's pretty clear Maomao likes Jinshi as a person. He grates on her and she doesn't like the way he uses his looks to try to seduce, but i think she appreciates his support and his earnestness when he shows it. Maomao, understandably, has some real issues with the idea of romantic love and that will likely be a pretty big impediment to the relationship moving beyond platonic.

Cronshaw

Sometime I wonder if the narrator is Maomao 🤣

Kina

Oh boyyyy as someone who is 16 light novels into the story, if there is one thing this show won’t do is just tell you😅

Ale Sansoriux

Oh see I interpreted it as it creating a situation trying to find Jinshi a distraction, but I didn’t start the novels until book 3

victoria t

Love watching flexie react like one of us LOL

victoria t

I don't think Maomao has any feelings for Jinshi at all. Maybe because she thinks he is a eunuch, but it is obvious Jinshi is in love....At least that's the videos I am getting so far. I still ship them as we all most likely do. It's the family she was kidnappers by for the reason she got fired. Jinshi has no idea who Maomao's father is. We as anime fans were so spoiled when we got to watch Dangers in My Heart season 2, Frieren, and Apothecary Diaries all air at the same time. They are 3 of my top 5 anime ever.

JAMES D'ALESSANDRO

This show has a very roundabout way of telling the story, so I understand you feel a bit confused or want more direct answers (although that is one of its charms imo). The things that you are wondering now - who really is Jinshi, what is the deal with Maomao’s father, etc. - are such important and complex details that cannot be fully explained right now and will resurface as plot points in the future. A few clarifications: 1) Maomao is fired because those who kidnapped and sold her off to the rear palace had ties with Fengming. Jinshi is in a position to conceal this fact and keep her from being let go with a simple order. However, Jinshi is aware that Maomao did not become a servant girl by her own volition. He is afraid that, if Maomao finds out that Jinshi used his higher status to keep her in the rear palace and prevent her from going back to her home earlier than expected, she would be displeased and put more distance between them. 2) Gaoshun mentions Maomao being “a useful pawn,” which were Jinshi’s own words when he first found Maomao and put her in the Jade Pavillion. Gaoshun is urging Jinshi to keep considering Maomao as a pawn and not to be too attached to her. Seeing the dejected state Jinshi was in after Maomao’s departure, Gaoshun realizes that she is no longer just a pawn and therefore irreplaceable. The short scene of him consoling young Jinshi crying is a brief glimpse of their past, which will be revealed more in time. So, to help his master, Gaoshun thinks he should consult the military officer (Lihaku) to find out about Verdigris House and he organized the lavish party where Jinshi and Maomao are reunited. That’s why he appears right after their intimate moment. It was thanks to him that the two could meet again. This show is one of the biggest reason I joined your Patreon. I hope you continue to follow the show, even though things will not be so clear right from the get go.

Pacaj

The way I like to describe this show, up to this point, is that it's a Medical Mystery for Maomao and a RomCom for Jinshi, and the only people that know this are the viewers and Gyokuyou.

Tabo51

the one who set up the whole party was gaoshun (jinshi assistant) in order for jinshi and maomao to meet and talk. so yeah a party with the 3 princesses of the verdigris house is actually worth at least 3years of salary, just for jinshi and maomao to meet again 😅

makima

Oh my god I absolutely LOOOOVE this episode. I love that you caught that this also happens when she isn’t in his employ meaning that she isn’t beholden to him, which makes her agreeing to let him touch her lips not feel coerced at all. I just love their dynamic it’s so subtle/complex and yet adorable !

Laura Bea

I really like that you go back and re-watch stuff if you're confused by something, instead of just plowing along. Its fun that you're so engaged with what you're watching, and its interesting seeing your thought process!

MeYouIt

I mean i put it under the cut in case anyone cares... but The last episode all but spells this out. It's honestly not ever made any clearer than that I believe up to current episodes.. last episode WAS the reveal. This is not info from future episodes I'm doling out.

Paden Snell

Definitely a BIG spoiler

AGenomeSoldier

The party with the concubines had me floating on air too. You nailed your assessment of Jinshi. I think the only bit I'd add is he can be a little naive/oblivious, due to flirtation coming so easily when he interacts with most other people. As a guy, I'd say he's in love, or fast moving that direction. Some of your questions will be answered soon...

AGenomeSoldier

Should really let people figure out that kinda thing at their own pace

MeYouIt

Paden Snell

I was waiting for this one! I'll reply to this message after I watched it! Luomen and Jinshi's statuses will take a bit of time.

AGenomeSoldier