MHA watching The Apothecary Diaries

The Heavenly Maiden of the Court

"Hey, everyone the timer is done we're going to start the next viewing now," said Toga.

"I wonder what we will watch in this one," said Denki.

"It will be interesting either way but you just never know," said Spinner.

[-The Heavenly Maiden of the Court-
"Oh, if it isn't sir Jinshi! Where are you off to at this hour?" asked a concubine.
'Now it's one of the mid-ranking concubines?' thought Jinshi.
"I was just on my way back to court. Did you need something?" asked Jinshi.
"No...but, um, may I interest you in taking tea in my chambers?" asked the concubine.
"I still have work to do, so perhaps another time," said Jinshi.
'In the course of one day here, I've been propositioned by a civil servant...given aphrodisiac tainted food by a soldier, and to top it all off...been invited into the private chambers of three concubines of varying ranks. Attempting to seduce other men because the emperor won't visit them...how very insolent. A concubine's rank is determined by her lineage, beauty, and intelligence. Of the three, intelligence is the most strictly graded. In addition to an education appropriate to an empress, it requires a sense of virtue. I'm sure a number of the little birds trapped in this cage...have realized that my presence here is itself a test of their character. Posting me to the inner court for the sake of his selections...my master does have a rather mean streak. Thus far, I've championed two women to the emperor. The thoughtful and quick-witted Consort Gyokuyo...and Consort Lihua, whose disposition is second to none...despite the rare emotional turn. Far from harboring ill will toward him...Consort Lihua is beyond devoted to the emperor. However...Consort Gyokuyo will most likely continue as the favorite. The last time the emperor visited Consort Lihua, who has all but wasted away...was after the crown prince's passing. He hoards all these women suitable for himself and the nation...makes them bear his offspring...and if they are no longer capable, discards them without a second thought. My master or no, I have to admit he's rather cruel. Those who are deemed unwanted are either sent back to their homes...or passed off to officials. Ah, that reminds me...of the mid-ranking concubines is to be bestowed upon a military officer. Anyway, there should be no trouble as long as I keep to the plan. But to do so, I may need to put that herbalist to more work yet...she just might turn out to be more useful than I could ever imagined. I'm sure she means to hide it...but the way she keeps glancing at me as one might a caterpillar...I've certainly met many before who've taken no carnal interest in me...but she's the first to ever look at me like that. I'm no masochist, but I find her strangely intriguing. I feel like I've discovered a new toy to play with. Better safe than sorry...,' thought Jinshi.]

"So, it was the emperor himself who assigned Jinshi to the inner court," said Nezu.

"Are the concubines not supposed to have other men in their rooms," asked Shoto.

"No, if a concubine is one of royalty, then they are expected to only serve the emperor," said Midnight.

["Well, I'll be off!" said Maomao.
"All right. Good luck!" said a maid.
'Though the term "panacea" exists...an actual cure for all ills does not. So my father told me. Taken aback by this, I began experimenting...in the hopes of developing a true panacea. But achieving that goal is still a long way off. Doing his bidding doesn't sit well with me at all...but this talk of making an aphrodisiac has piqued my interest,' thought Maomao.
"We've been awaiting your arrival."
'Urk! It's that quack doctor!...and he's with...,' thought Maomao.
"Hello, miss Maomao. My name is Gaoshun. On a typical day, I am Sir Jinshi's aide," said Gaoshun.
'Is he a military man...?' thought Maomao.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," said Gaoshun.
'Unlikely...seeing as he's here in the inner court, he must be a eunuch,' thought Maomao.
"As am I," said Maomao.
"This was, if you please," said Gaoshun.
"Thank you," said Maomao.
'Guess he doesn't like having a woman intruding on his territory. How immature...please don't stare so intensely at homely women,' thought Maomao.
"I've been told that you...are free to use whatever you would like from here," said Gaoshun.]