Once the Emperor learns of the famous apothecary, he asks her to look after Lady Lihua.
That is to say, he commands her to cure her of her affliction.
If Maomao cant, it means shes disobeying the emperor and will surely be beheaded.
That said, Maomao approaches this latest mysterywith her usual wit and levelheadedness.
That said, Lihuas stuck-up ladies-in-waiting dont make it easy.
At first, they make it outright impossible.
Maomao knows that in Lihuas weakened state she needs easy-to-digest food to slowly build up her strength.
Instead, they turn Maomao away and insist on serving their lady the richest, most luxurious foods.
Shes too weak to eat them, so she wastes away.
This is about more than Maomao simply demanding respect for having the knowledge and experience to treat Lihua.
Its also about more than saving her own skin by obeying the emperor.
Maomao simply cannot abide such wanton ignorance and stupidity in her presence.
And when she delivered that slap, she cemented heself as one of my favorite heroines of the year.
Yuuki Aoi can reallybring itwhen she needs to, and does so here.
She carefully crafts a diet Lihua can handle, and adjusts it as Lihuas strength ever-so-slowly returns.
Again, its subtle, but very apparent.
One day, while sitting by Lihuas bedside trying to stay awake, Lihua gathers the strength to speak.
She asks Maomao why she didnt simply let her die.
Maomao replies, quite simply, that Lihua ate food when it was placed in her mouth.
Because she ate food, and continues to eat it, means she doesnt want to die.
Maomao took note of this the first time she fed her.
Lihua suffered incalculable grief and loss, but also guilt for not heeding the warning about the makeup.
But she agrees with Maomaos assessment that she wants to live.
Shedoeswant to live, to honor the memory of her lost son.
One day, the head lady she slapped returns, now contrite.
When she sees that Lihua is strong enough to greet her, her eyes fill with tears of relief.
Its a scene of regal, dignified, yet tender and heartfelt gratitude exemplified.
Maomao did good, and even Jinshi is impressed she was able to fulfill the emperors command.
Maomao honestly answers that she doesnt know, but theres no harm in trying.
Everybody wins this week, thanks to Maomao, the extraordinary apothecary.
