15:26 You are mistaken here. That's not Maomao's hand they showed with the scar, it was another woman. Just check the sleeves on that woman's hand, they have frilly design in it. And Maomao regular clothes doesn't have frilly sleeves (plus that woman's cloth was reddish in color, and Maomao wear green).
8:53 Yup. Freckles are a skin condition. They're what pale people get instead of a tan, due to the melanin that causes the skin to darker clumping together instead of being spread apart. This quirk of how your skin works is genetic. This is also why farmboys and girls are shown to have freckles-they spend upwards of 75% of their days out in the sun developing little flecks of protective skin. For that same reason, having freckles as a noble would be looked down upon, because obviously you'd only be spending enough time to develop them out in the sun if you're too poor to have others do it for you.
15:30 I'm sorry to say that your theory is kinda destroyed by the first two episodes. We know what's up with her arm; she used it for various experiments with different poisons and venoms in her research to concoct cures. Her father even called her a mad scientist for letting a venomous snake bite her in a flashback
The colors had to do with signals. As you might know, ships can send communication via signal flags with different colors and composition. I think Jinshi is suspecting something a long this line. So, when the male servant threw those sticks into the fire, it created a series of colored lights that could be seen from far away. If someone was watching, they could see it.
I like that they went a bit more into Maomao get kidnapped that happened in the beginning. It was brushed over in episode 1 to get things going for the story, but nice to have the weight of that emphasized more and Jinshi to be responsive towards that.
Not entirely brushed off. The head lady-in-waiting also comes up with a trick to make sure the kidnappers don't get money, while Maomao does get paid properly.
I think u misunderstood the hairpin, it's not a property simbol, it's a connection symbol, it means she has jinshi's help, it does nothing to keep others away, it's like saying she can call on him whenever she needs something he can do, like a job, a legal request or a favor, and in the case of men, yes, it also shows interest, but again, it does nothing to keep others from doing the same.
Specifically, they were looking for someone with burns on their arms. The sticks were in a bag with women's clothes, and the clothes had burns on the sleeves.
I'm afraid you missed the truth behind Maomao's scars/rash on her left arm. It was mentioned at least twice so far, even by herself thinking about it aloud to the viewer and in flashbacks. She caused those wounds herself on purpose by happily doing poison and similar experiments, thus trying to find means to cure such ailments. And in order to not harm anybody else, she just uses her own arm/body for this without betting an eye. That's also why her 'father' literally calls her a mad scientist. So there is no big unrevealed secret behind this, those marks simply have their origins in voluntary experiments and there isn't anything spreading or out of her control. The reason why she is "hiding" her marks is simply to keep a low profile and not to disturb other people. She isn't ashamed of those, she definitely wouldn't mind showing them alongside explaining why she has those if anybody would seriously want to know. But it would be quite a bother, if not a hassle, to state it all the time, especially since most people would be even more disturbed by her weird tendencies. So she just keeps it covered and simply ignores people who make false assumptions - as her fellow ladies-in-waiting are doing it - as long as it doesn't cause any serious repurcussions and she can keep living in peace and quiet with others remaining comfortably oblivious of truths they wouldn't comprehend without disturbing her again or urging her to stop. She has far too much fun consuming poisons and doing experiments. ;-)
The reason they keep feeding her is actually because poisons are less devestating on a plump or even fat person than they are on someone skinny like Maomao.
chinese concubine selection process had beauty standards. freckles would be a thing that commoners would have but may be seen as impure as whiter smoother skin is more appealing and preferred. adding fake impurities to her face is incredibly smart. though a thing to consider too is that living in the palace was a dream as living conditions were great. her standard of living is luxurious compared to where she started. eunuchs were made voluntarily to get those same living conditions at times.
@@Ash_Wen-li Shounen seinen etc don't really apply to Light novel, it's a manga thing. That being said, Hero Bunko, the label that publishes Apothecary Diaries, essentially specialises in stories that cater more to women / young women.
It'll be explained after the garden party is over, but outside of not liking the attention, at this point Maomao is just so used to having freckles, she feels uneasy without them, so she keeps on painting them out of habit.
The hairpin might not just be to show status. Maomao had to remove her freckles. She just got freckles put on for a bunch of different people. It doesn't protect for all, but neither did the freckles.
Maomao should put Jinshi's hairpin up for bidding. She would've return home as a wealthy woman. And I feel like concubine L(ol)ishu could offer the best price for it.
Really, really wonderful review, and spot-on comments. But I am confused about some plot points in this Episode. I have always thought that freckles on kids were cute, only to find out now that people think they are a disfigurement and ugly? Is this a thing? Also in Chinese culture, is a male hairpin in a girl's hair like an engagement ring telling other males that this one belongs to me? Gyokuyō confirms that at least in this story that is what it means, that Maomao is no longer mine. Last shot shows a plate of food so the suggestion of poison next episode. I think I am in love with Maomao who is a very modern 21st century girl.
With freckles it's probably a cultural beauty thing, depending on the culture you can have very different beauty standards. Someone above mentioned that freckles are a result of exposure to sun which would associate you with being a poor manual labourer instead of someone rich so there is that too. As for the hairpin, it's a bit similar to an engagement ring but much less binding. It's more of a courtship offer that a girl can accept or ignore depending on her desire. It will be explained a bit later in the series where Maomao will use it as an opportunity to temporarily leave the Palace.
She will get them back d'ont worry. She really doesn't lke attention, wether it is from Jinshi, the emperor or other concubine who could be jealous of her. She already have some difficulties because Jinshi keeps behaving like a puppy when she is around and some concubines of lower levels don't like it at all ^^'
I get that it's probably going to happen whether I want it to or not, but I really, _really_ hope that Maomao just never warms up to Jinshi at all and she successfully maintains their current relationship until her contract expires and she's able to go home. Her disinterested shutdowns are as hilarious as they are refreshing, and I personally dislike the idea of Jinshi getting anything out of Maomao when he shows such consistent disregard for her wishes to keep her head down and not draw attention.
I was so ready to talk about this episode that I commented about it in your "Spy x Family" review an hour ago. After THIS episode, I was ready to say "This show is getting close to Frieren-level".
I have read the Manga Vol. 1-3 (4-6 on the way) and there is no rash story, I am new to verifing this sort of thing, but I think it's anime filler. After Maomao informs Consort Lihua of the melon technique to use on the Emperor, Maomao returns to Consort Gyokuyo, a few days pass and she (Gyokuyo) is no longer dealing with Emperor-based back problems, and shift into Chapter 6 with lady-in-waiting Yinghua telling Maomao to put on the dress to prepare for the Garden Banque Story Arc.
You must have read wrong, then. The color-changing fire and skin rash were both in the manga. Whether they happened before or after the upcoming garden party, I don't recall.
@@SuperiorPosteriori think they mean the part when maomao was sewing and suddenly change to someone checking a rash on their arm. That was not in the manga or LN. But I think that is a foreshadowing for the anime. As the first part of the chapter with the mushroom, rash and the code is a foreshadowing for 2 episode or 2 story.
I did a quick flip-through of the Manga's Vol. 1 - 3 / Chapters 1 - 14 and there is no rash story with the color-changing fire. That does not mean it's not foreshadowing, it very much could be. I simply stated that it is not in the Manga's Vol 1 - 3, or more specifically, between Chapters 5 & 6 which are Episodes 4 & 5, and that I think it's anime filler based on the facts I know.
@@Plasmagon99 I assumed anime adaptation is mixing both the manga and LN. There are 2 manga adaptations, 1 fully faithful to the light novel and 1 that shifts things a bit and changes some stuff slightly. This anime seems to be a adaptation of the less faithful manga, but there are some short scenes added (like solders that were poisoned), which weren't in that manga, but were in the faithful manga, so I assumed those are parts of LN that the less faithful manga cut and anime added back in to become a fuller adaptation of the LN. That's how I understand it without reading LN and that more faithful manga anyway, so if those scenes weren't in LN, then I guess they're just using it as opportunity for foreshadowing.
@@Nevri. you are right, check the volume 1 manga and LN, the soldier was not in the manga but was in LN. And they are more faithful to LN than in manga.
15:26 You are mistaken here.
That's not Maomao's hand they showed with the scar, it was another woman.
Just check the sleeves on that woman's hand, they have frilly design in it.
And Maomao regular clothes doesn't have frilly sleeves (plus that woman's cloth was reddish in color, and Maomao wear green).
I thought it was maomao too but it was a good foreshadowing for the next one as the 1st part is foreshadowing of a 2 episode or a 2 story.
8:53 Yup. Freckles are a skin condition. They're what pale people get instead of a tan, due to the melanin that causes the skin to darker clumping together instead of being spread apart. This quirk of how your skin works is genetic.
This is also why farmboys and girls are shown to have freckles-they spend upwards of 75% of their days out in the sun developing little flecks of protective skin. For that same reason, having freckles as a noble would be looked down upon, because obviously you'd only be spending enough time to develop them out in the sun if you're too poor to have others do it for you.
15:30 I'm sorry to say that your theory is kinda destroyed by the first two episodes. We know what's up with her arm; she used it for various experiments with different poisons and venoms in her research to concoct cures. Her father even called her a mad scientist for letting a venomous snake bite her in a flashback
Similar with being heavily tanned in (cold regions of) Europe, might be especially during industrial era (because all day spend in factory).
The colors had to do with signals. As you might know, ships can send communication via signal flags with different colors and composition. I think Jinshi is suspecting something a long this line. So, when the male servant threw those sticks into the fire, it created a series of colored lights that could be seen from far away. If someone was watching, they could see it.
I like that they went a bit more into Maomao get kidnapped that happened in the beginning. It was brushed over in episode 1 to get things going for the story, but nice to have the weight of that emphasized more and Jinshi to be responsive towards that.
Not entirely brushed off. The head lady-in-waiting also comes up with a trick to make sure the kidnappers don't get money, while Maomao does get paid properly.
@@pietersleijpen3662 I mean for the beginning specifically as introduction to story
I think u misunderstood the hairpin, it's not a property simbol, it's a connection symbol, it means she has jinshi's help, it does nothing to keep others away, it's like saying she can call on him whenever she needs something he can do, like a job, a legal request or a favor, and in the case of men, yes, it also shows interest, but again, it does nothing to keep others from doing the same.
These might just be some of the most important freckles in anime history.
Specifically, they were looking for someone with burns on their arms. The sticks were in a bag with women's clothes, and the clothes had burns on the sleeves.
I'm afraid you missed the truth behind Maomao's scars/rash on her left arm. It was mentioned at least twice so far, even by herself thinking about it aloud to the viewer and in flashbacks. She caused those wounds herself on purpose by happily doing poison and similar experiments, thus trying to find means to cure such ailments. And in order to not harm anybody else, she just uses her own arm/body for this without betting an eye. That's also why her 'father' literally calls her a mad scientist.
So there is no big unrevealed secret behind this, those marks simply have their origins in voluntary experiments and there isn't anything spreading or out of her control. The reason why she is "hiding" her marks is simply to keep a low profile and not to disturb other people. She isn't ashamed of those, she definitely wouldn't mind showing them alongside explaining why she has those if anybody would seriously want to know. But it would be quite a bother, if not a hassle, to state it all the time, especially since most people would be even more disturbed by her weird tendencies. So she just keeps it covered and simply ignores people who make false assumptions - as her fellow ladies-in-waiting are doing it - as long as it doesn't cause any serious repurcussions and she can keep living in peace and quiet with others remaining comfortably oblivious of truths they wouldn't comprehend without disturbing her again or urging her to stop. She has far too much fun consuming poisons and doing experiments. ;-)
The reason they keep feeding her is actually because poisons are less devestating on a plump or even fat person than they are on someone skinny like Maomao.
I love how you think that ah Du is more masculine, it proves that the anime is doing well ❤
Another great episode can't wait for garden party
chinese concubine selection process had beauty standards. freckles would be a thing that commoners would have but may be seen as impure as whiter smoother skin is more appealing and preferred. adding fake impurities to her face is incredibly smart. though a thing to consider too is that living in the palace was a dream as living conditions were great. her standard of living is luxurious compared to where she started. eunuchs were made voluntarily to get those same living conditions at times.
Man, what a great show. It has a lot of funny moments, but truly the story is quite mature.
It's actually a Seinen I believe
@@Ash_Wen-li Shounen seinen etc don't really apply to Light novel, it's a manga thing. That being said, Hero Bunko, the label that publishes Apothecary Diaries, essentially specialises in stories that cater more to women / young women.
@@zefyrisd69That makes sense. It reminds me of the Rose of Versailles where it's technically more like a shoujo but with a darker undercurrent
Oh very dark indeed. When you know maomao and jinshi background, it is bats*it
It'll be explained after the garden party is over, but outside of not liking the attention, at this point Maomao is just so used to having freckles, she feels uneasy without them, so she keeps on painting them out of habit.
I know right? When you've been doing something for so long, it just slowly becomes a part of you. As they say, old habits die hard.
@@bananabunch4590 Especially when you do it for safety
The hairpin might not just be to show status. Maomao had to remove her freckles. She just got freckles put on for a bunch of different people. It doesn't protect for all, but neither did the freckles.
Our boy put the money shot right in thumbnail.
Maomao should put Jinshi's hairpin up for bidding. She would've return home as a wealthy woman. And I feel like concubine L(ol)ishu could offer the best price for it.
I like to think that a lot of older female characters has a mother mode with Mao Mao.
She will eventually start to warm up to Jinshin "Decent Frog" Eunuch.
🤣🤣🤣 bahaha!!!
Really, really wonderful review, and spot-on comments. But I am confused about some plot points in this Episode. I have always thought that freckles on kids were cute, only to find out now that people think they are a disfigurement and ugly? Is this a thing? Also in Chinese culture, is a male hairpin in a girl's hair like an engagement ring telling other males that this one belongs to me? Gyokuyō confirms that at least in this story that is what it means, that Maomao is no longer mine. Last shot shows a plate of food so the suggestion of poison next episode. I think I am in love with Maomao who is a very modern 21st century girl.
With freckles it's probably a cultural beauty thing, depending on the culture you can have very different beauty standards. Someone above mentioned that freckles are a result of exposure to sun which would associate you with being a poor manual labourer instead of someone rich so there is that too.
As for the hairpin, it's a bit similar to an engagement ring but much less binding. It's more of a courtship offer that a girl can accept or ignore depending on her desire. It will be explained a bit later in the series where Maomao will use it as an opportunity to temporarily leave the Palace.
@@HubiKoshi Thanks!
I feel like mao Mao's arm might come back to bite her somehow with the metals or something like that.
Moamoa is a rare MC she's a pragmatist.
give me the freckles back!
She will get them back d'ont worry. She really doesn't lke attention, wether it is from Jinshi, the emperor or other concubine who could be jealous of her. She already have some difficulties because Jinshi keeps behaving like a puppy when she is around and some concubines of lower levels don't like it at all ^^'
Don't worry, those freckles are almost permanent at this point far in the future.
-time traveler -reader-
I get that it's probably going to happen whether I want it to or not, but I really, _really_ hope that Maomao just never warms up to Jinshi at all and she successfully maintains their current relationship until her contract expires and she's able to go home. Her disinterested shutdowns are as hilarious as they are refreshing, and I personally dislike the idea of Jinshi getting anything out of Maomao when he shows such consistent disregard for her wishes to keep her head down and not draw attention.
Something was accidentally said in this Review which is actually a Big Spoiler/Plot of the Series.
Manga & Light Novel reader would catch it.
Yeah, I was laughing interiorly. He fond out something he didn't realize will be a key point of the story way later, maybe not event in season 1 XD.
@@orelliaorellia142 No it gets mentioned quite early in the story, but doesn't really get much focus and some points are still missing at that point.
The anime had a lot of foreshadowing and I am liking it especially for someone who read and reread the LN and manga so many times 😂
@@Sup_D Well, they let us assemble the pieces for ourselves, but at this point we know enough we can reconstruct the story already.
Yeah, that was an interesting association he made; but shhhh don't say anything :).
isnt her scar just from her testing poison on her self
I was so ready to talk about this episode that I commented about it in your "Spy x Family" review an hour ago.
After THIS episode, I was ready to say "This show is getting close to Frieren-level".
That one concubine looks hella like jinshi tbh
Nice
Isn't he a eunuch? I don't think the hair pin means much
well you will see…
The emperor seems to trust him a lot. My theory is that he's a younger brother or something just pretending to be a eunuch.
well either way lucky for her the emperor is a big badonkers man.
not to spoil anything, but to put it vaguely - "not this season"
I have read the Manga Vol. 1-3 (4-6 on the way) and there is no rash story, I am new to verifing this sort of thing, but I think it's anime filler.
After Maomao informs Consort Lihua of the melon technique to use on the Emperor, Maomao returns to Consort Gyokuyo, a few days pass and she (Gyokuyo) is no longer dealing with Emperor-based back problems, and shift into Chapter 6 with lady-in-waiting Yinghua telling Maomao to put on the dress to prepare for the Garden Banque Story Arc.
You must have read wrong, then. The color-changing fire and skin rash were both in the manga. Whether they happened before or after the upcoming garden party, I don't recall.
@@SuperiorPosteriori think they mean the part when maomao was sewing and suddenly change to someone checking a rash on their arm. That was not in the manga or LN. But I think that is a foreshadowing for the anime. As the first part of the chapter with the mushroom, rash and the code is a foreshadowing for 2 episode or 2 story.
I did a quick flip-through of the Manga's Vol. 1 - 3 / Chapters 1 - 14 and there is no rash story with the color-changing fire. That does not mean it's not foreshadowing, it very much could be. I simply stated that it is not in the Manga's Vol 1 - 3, or more specifically, between Chapters 5 & 6 which are Episodes 4 & 5, and that I think it's anime filler based on the facts I know.
@@Plasmagon99 I assumed anime adaptation is mixing both the manga and LN. There are 2 manga adaptations, 1 fully faithful to the light novel and 1 that shifts things a bit and changes some stuff slightly. This anime seems to be a adaptation of the less faithful manga, but there are some short scenes added (like solders that were poisoned), which weren't in that manga, but were in the faithful manga, so I assumed those are parts of LN that the less faithful manga cut and anime added back in to become a fuller adaptation of the LN. That's how I understand it without reading LN and that more faithful manga anyway, so if those scenes weren't in LN, then I guess they're just using it as opportunity for foreshadowing.
@@Nevri. you are right, check the volume 1 manga and LN, the soldier was not in the manga but was in LN. And they are more faithful to LN than in manga.