The 14th episode of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 or The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 (薬屋のひとりごと 第2期) was decent and satisfactory. Let us see how this episode turned out.
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The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 14 Director
Jun Ōwada & Kaho Asai
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The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 14 Release Date
11 April 2025
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AKA
薬屋のひとりごと 第2期
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 13 Recap
Maomao, having endured a series of intense situations, decides to take a much-needed trip to the bathhouse in this episode. She’s joined by her friends Shisui and Xiaolan, offering a rare moment of camaraderie and relaxation. Xiaolan wants another job, and she is looking for other opportunities. Thankfully, Shisui has an idea that can help her make connections and get a job.
While on the surface the episode feels like a slice-of-life one, Maomao’s ever-curious mind does not rest. Even in the soothing environment of the bathhouse, she remains observant, analyzing the behavior of the attendants and other women present. She picks up on subtle cues, such as how status influences behavior, and how women maneuver socially within the closed-off world of the Rear Palace. She also notices rumors about Gyokuyou’s pregnancy and considers the bathhouse a great place to gather info.
Shisui, in particular, starts to stand out more in this episode. Her calm demeanor and perceptive nature hint at a deeper intelligence that may play a larger role as the story continues. She can not just be an attendant introduced just as a side character to Maomao.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 14 Review
Today’s episode explores the ghost rumor that was addressed in the previous episode. Lady Lishu has been frequenting the bathhouse of the lower consorts because of the fear of ghosts. Here, we see Jinshi again borrowing Maomao because he too, wants to get to the bottom of this issue. They go to Lady Lishu and find other issues at hand.
Her maids do not respect or like her and even openly showcase hostility towards a high-ranking consort like Lady Lishu. The former head maid even tries to slander her in front of Jinshi while shamelessly flirting with him. He, however, masterfully sends her away to get the entire picture from Lady Lishu herself.
The whole mystery finally comes to light after Maomao skillfully deduces what the ghost is in reality. Lady Lishu saw the face of a mysterious lady and thought it to be a vengeful spirit, but actually, it was the face of her mother. Even though Maomao tells her about the secret, Lady Lishu still believes that her mother’s ghost is mad at her and wants to take revenge.
Lady Lishu’s mother died shortly after childbirth, so it is no wonder she blames herself for her passing. Plus, Lishu is technically a child who does not know better and is in a hostile place. Jinshi finally comes to the rescue of Lishu and shows the previous head maid her place. He was so ruthless in his conduct that even Maomao got kind of scared by him.
However, there are new problems growing within the palace, as we see many new eunuchs have entered and are creating quite a stir. There are also many complaints against the consort Luolan, and no one knows what to do with her.
Verdict
Today’s episode was again not very intense and only showcased the brilliant mind of Maomao. Here, we see just how ruthless the palace atmosphere can be, and if you do not handle yourself, you can get bullied just like Lady Lishu. Hopefully, in the next episode, we will see more moments between Maomao and Jinshi.
Must Read: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 12 Review: Jinshi’s Troubles