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Feb 21, 6:49 AM
#1

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May 2020
11858
Yeah see, they’ll try to throw in some sequences which can confuse us about Jinshi's *actual* identity, but yeah, it isn't too difficult to understand, in the context of everything which has happened thus far. Btw, I loved this shrine of choosing part when I read this, and yeah tbh, this may seem something which came out of nowhere, I mean emperor suddenly deciding to visit the place and clear it did seem something which actually came out of nowhere lol, but yeah, this is needed for the stuff which would come in future.

At this point though, it feels like Maomao has become a favourite of the emperor as well. I mean he suggesting to take her as a consort just so she could have the eligibility to enter the shrine was hilarious lmaooo. See Jinshi jumping over that xD Though I’m really impressed how Maomao connected the dots and came to the conclusion that this shrine could only be cleared by people who cannot distinguish between colours. No wonder that old man was hesitant to let Maomao in… I mean he knew Maomao was spot-on lol. Some really big gain when it comes to aura points tho.. really lol, it seems like Maomao would see herself getting a better position in the palace soon enough.
Softhenic03Feb 21, 7:00 AM
Feb 21, 7:28 AM
#2

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Apr 2010
9839
The riddle of the tower.
It was fun seeing Moamoa trying to solve it and it worked out nicely.
We also learned a few things about the imperial family.
Feb 21, 8:02 AM
#3

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Jul 2024
232
I kinda suspected that the key to solving the puzzle is colorblindness, primarily between red and green. Maomao choosing the green door when the order is to pass through the red door confirms it.
Feb 21, 8:07 AM
#4
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Sep 2015
7197
Gotta love how this episode is empowering colorblind people (yes, it can be seen as nepotism or discrimination against normal eyesight people but I'd like to see things in a positive view).

Once again, Maomao stop thinking about Jinshi's background.
Feb 21, 8:09 AM
#5

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Jul 2016
2803
Maomao visiting Xiaolan at school turned out to be as cute as I thought it'd be.

For a building with so much political significance, that shrine feels so much like a challenge you'd see on a game show right down to how the final door reveals the winner to the "audience".
Feb 21, 8:37 AM
#6

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Feb 2019
10131
Holy shit what a way to open the episode with some of the biggest lore of the series! Always nice to learn more about Jinshi and get info about his family tree. Such a slow burn with the reveals about him I really wanna know the full deal! Given all the stuff he saw as a kid, it’s really amazing he’s not way more messed up. That pretty face and smile hide a lot of pain.

Can’t believe I just watched a full episode of “what’s behind this door” 😂 credit to the author and staff though, this was fun. Who would’ve thought the solution was color blindness. Maomao is the only one in the palace who would’ve even known about that thanks to her dad studying western medicine. She also basically eternally linked herself with Jinshi since they completed it together. Now they have to get married lol

Nice to get an episode with the emperor featuring so prominently, I thought he was upset about the abortion drug last week, but turns out his mind was just on the shrine.

They lost me with some of the mother royal talk ngl, but my takeaway is she was a girlboss who slowly took over the kingdom lol. Maomao vibes.

“Some things are best left unknown” she says for now.. but sooner or later I’m sure Maomao will wanna know more about Jinshi.
Marinate1016Feb 21, 10:35 AM
Feb 21, 8:54 AM
#7

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Mar 2021
2195
Really satisfying seeing Maomao figuring out the mystery of the Shrine and it was nice to learn more about the imperial family.
Feb 21, 9:23 AM
#8
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Apr 2019
1
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!
Feb 21, 9:30 AM
#9
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Apr 2024
58
From this ep, this season of Apothecary Diaries is somehow gonna take dark turn ....

Well another ep, another mystery solved by Maomao .....
She's just too damn smart ... And Yeah,we saw Jinshi's Horrific past too ....

Just saying, but whenever Jinshi behave abnormally, just think its the side effect of his Traumatic Childhood ...

Nice colorblind theory of Queen Wang So ... And since we got to see the glimpse of Jinshi Past ... we will be getting more amazing and more mysteries related eps related to Emperor and Royal Family..

Feb 21, 9:55 AM

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May 2023
151
This story keeps getting more interesting each episode.

I never thought I would enjoy a historical drama series as much as this!
"Deceive yourself in every last detail... Deceive the world. Do this, and victory is assured. Best of luck to you, old friend. El... Psy... Congroo." -- Hououin Kyouma



Feb 21, 9:57 AM
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Sep 2011
3
Reply to AJ_JOD
From this ep, this season of Apothecary Diaries is somehow gonna take dark turn ....

Well another ep, another mystery solved by Maomao .....
She's just too damn smart ... And Yeah,we saw Jinshi's Horrific past too ....

Just saying, but whenever Jinshi behave abnormally, just think its the side effect of his Traumatic Childhood ...

Nice colorblind theory of Queen Wang So ... And since we got to see the glimpse of Jinshi Past ... we will be getting more amazing and more mysteries related eps related to Emperor and Royal Family..

@AJ_JOD its episode 7 discussion, if you really want to spoil something use
Feb 21, 10:42 AM

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Jan 2024
174
Wow, for the first time I guessed the riddles solution correctly. As soon as I saw the red and green door I was sure it must have something to do with red-green-weakness. Im as clever as Maomao, hehe! At least in one of 100 cases.

Very good episode, loved it.
Feb 21, 11:03 AM

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Dec 2007
270
omg, Xiaolan wearing the hair ties Maomao got her is so damn cuuuute 🥰 🥰 🥰

I really enjoyed this episode. some food for though there.

Jinshi is kinda getting tired of hiding his identity from Maomao there. I wonder how long it'll take for her to accept what she already knows deep down.


Old guy totally was sending a word to Jinshi there about having MaoMao as a concubine/wife, while technically Jinshi just completed the temple of choosing successfully. is this indication of our next emperor and empress I wonder...
Feb 21, 11:32 AM

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Jul 2022
1066
An episode full of history!

It's always great to learn more about Shinji, although his claim to be the emperor's brother left me even more confused, considering what we already knew, especially with what happened with Ah Duo.

I love seeing Xiolan so happy, proudly showing Maomao her progress in school. Every time she appears and speaks, I can't help but smile, maybe because her seiyuu also voices Faputa and Irumyuui.

How scary must Lakan be for even the emperor to reject the idea of ​​making Maomao his concubine? Well, that and his… lack of attributes. But for Jinshi, that's not a problem. The relief he must have felt when he realized the emperor was just joking. 😂

With the flashback and the way the old eunuch addressed Jinshi, it's now pretty clear: he's not actually a eunuch and is part of the royal family. Just in case someone is more lost than me.
Feb 21, 11:35 AM

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Jun 2015
2548
This episode had some really hilarious bits.

So now is Jinshi the secret crown prince, or just the emperor's brother? They are confusing me.
If you are going to disagree with me, don't bother talking to me. I will seriously hurt you!
Feb 21, 11:56 AM
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Jul 2014
534
Surprised Maomao didn't pick up on the emperor suggesting to Jinshi that he take her, after saying that he wouldn't take her as a concubine himself. And that only emperors, heirs, and concubines are allowed to enter...

I guess that means that Dad approves of the ship? And also that they're either lying to Jinshi himself about who his actual father is, or lying to us.
Feb 21, 12:14 PM

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Jun 2023
631


Love the emperor, he’s hilarious
Feb 21, 12:17 PM

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Apr 2010
4522
Reply to Dark_beater
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!
@Dark_beater As seen at the beginning of this episode Jinshi is the child of the Empress dowager - meaning he's the current emperor's younger brother.

If Maomao's theory of baby swapping was correct that would actually make Jinshi the emperor's son - there's been no confirmation or debunking of this theory in the anime yet.
Feb 21, 12:19 PM

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Aug 2020
4613
once again it was a great ep

the binning is different from the manga

apart from that,maomao is really a smart girl

and what we learned, i can't wait to know all the truth...
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Feb 21, 12:21 PM

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Apr 2010
4522
Reply to Niveen_Sleem
This episode had some really hilarious bits.

So now is Jinshi the secret crown prince, or just the emperor's brother? They are confusing me.
@Niveen_Sleem He's both the emperor's brother and the crown prince, because there's currently no other male heirs.
Feb 21, 12:23 PM
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Jul 2024
2381
Reply to Dark_beater
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!
@Dark_beater It pretty much straight out said it, he is the Emperor's Younger brother. I guess the one we thought had died in Season 1? He is in fact, a Prince.
Feb 21, 12:24 PM

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Sep 2009
3056
Reply to Dark_beater
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!
@Dark_beater it is very simple.

1. Officially he is the younger brother of the Emperror, but very few people saw his face (the story is he has burns due to an accident, so he wears a mask on rare occasions he shows on public).

2. In reality he is emperrors first son, but only Ah-Duo and Anshi (emperrors mother) know the truth. MaoMao suspects it. Emperror and Suiren probably suspect it but it is not clear yet.

3. He plays Jinshi the head eunuch for everyone else due to a bet with emperror.
.
Nachtwandler_21Feb 21, 12:27 PM
Feb 21, 12:25 PM

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Jul 2024
511
The world building this ep was excellent
Feb 21, 12:30 PM

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Jul 2024
794
Reveal bombs.

Creepy dream, Jinshi. Even creepier genealogy, Jinshi. Go pet your cat girl and take deep breaths to feel better.

Maze for color blind.

"15 centimeters more ..."
"whatever."
Lord Cruelty V
"But my Dreams they're not as empty, as my conscience seems to be"
Feb 21, 1:05 PM

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Jun 2015
2548
Reply to antonn
@Niveen_Sleem He's both the emperor's brother and the crown prince, because there's currently no other male heirs.
@antonn No, when I said the crown prince, I meant the emperor's son. The emperor is still fairly young and there's a chance one of the consorts is with a boy. Personally, I don't put Jinshi in the equation at all if he is truly the emperor's brother, and not his son. He is only the crown prince either way if the emperor doesn't sire an heir with one of the current consorts.
If you are going to disagree with me, don't bother talking to me. I will seriously hurt you!
Feb 21, 1:13 PM

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Jan 2024
1815
What an intreaging lore about the royal family.
The Royal mother family are the real masterminds controlling blood line for generations through a shrine puzzle game. The infiltration was so deep and natural the rooted out the origin and by default manipulating & changing the history in their version. I am not sure if I still fully comprehend what I watched.
I wonder if this old man was also with this family..

Anyway Maomao can't catch break with old folks. She solved such a mystry of colour blindness and centuries of family politics so quickly but she can't figure out who Jinshi is, cmon.

I am loving this focus on Jinshi, his past and royal family drama. This was one the favourite episodes of series. Nothing dramatic just way too intresting.
And Emperor is really based, giving Maomao recognition and helping out with shipping those two passively great guy🫡
Feb 21, 1:21 PM

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Mar 2015
34
The Emperor casually shipping Maomao with Jinshi and her proving why shes worthy to be empress by tradition - even if her way of solving the riddle was different.
Also the soundtrack when they entered the balcony... just amazing.

What a great ep.
Feb 21, 1:33 PM
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Jul 2024
266
This was the first episode in which I agreed with my cousin: "It feels like such a short episode. So unfair!"

Feb 21, 1:34 PM
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Jul 2024
266
Reply to LordCrueltyV
Reveal bombs.

Creepy dream, Jinshi. Even creepier genealogy, Jinshi. Go pet your cat girl and take deep breaths to feel better.

Maze for color blind.

"15 centimeters more ..."
"whatever."
@LordCrueltyV 15cm more... Lady Lihua is so safe in that dynasty.
Feb 21, 2:03 PM

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Jul 2024
794
Reply to LaczPro19
@LordCrueltyV 15cm more... Lady Lihua is so safe in that dynasty.
@LaczPro19 More so now that Lady Shin has had the boot.
Lord Cruelty V
"But my Dreams they're not as empty, as my conscience seems to be"
Feb 21, 2:47 PM
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Jul 2024
266
Reply to LordCrueltyV
@LaczPro19 More so now that Lady Shin has had the boot.
@LordCrueltyV exactly.
Feb 21, 3:07 PM
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Dec 2023
491
This episode was more standard problem-solving. Still clever, however. It was originally the reason why I started watching this show. Looking forward for the next plot.
Feb 21, 3:17 PM
Online
Oct 2022
895
Such a cool episode, I really enjoyed it!
Maomao, being only a simple servant girl and nothing more, but very intelligent, was able to decipher the mystery of Queen Wang Mu. That’s awesome!

That old man didn’t know Maomao’s true skills and she based on daltonism condition to choose the right doors in the shrine.
Feb 21, 4:31 PM
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Jun 2021
2
Dark_beater said:
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!

Legally he’s the emperors brother, but there is the theory (just that) that he’s ah duo and the emperors son. Maomao explains how that could have happened in the chapter where she leaves the palace.
Feb 21, 4:32 PM
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Jun 2021
2
What I don’t understand is why maomao is regarded as a lower class when shes the daughter of lakan, and even the emperor knows that.
Feb 21, 5:06 PM
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Oct 2016
2626
Maomao critical thinking and reading comprehension coming in clutch in this shrine. She is definitely a lot more useful than just tasting poisons. The emperor is noticing her contributions more and more. I liked seeing so much of him this episode too. The emperor was a lot more playful this episode like Maomao said. His joking around with her and Jinshi made me laugh. Them three plus the old man made an interesting group traversing this shrine maze. I liked seeing the flashback to Jinshi as a kid when he saw his father and grandmother. How different things were in the palace back then compared to now. Seeing a vulnerable Jinshi who's acknowledging his past and status. The beginning of the episode was very nice to see the women's school in the rear palace is growing with more members. Hearing the story of the founding the China setting up the later events in the shrine of choosing. Great foreshadowing about the mother royal eyesight being so special. A tale told as a metaphor for keeping the Royal bloodline pure. Something the emperor will have to keep in mind but I doubt he care since he's a very headstrong guy. Maomao really did great helping him out. With some prodding by the old man teacher she managed to figure out what the trick with the different color doors and the warning signs with the connection to the mother Royal story. More complicated than one would think but our apothecary nailed it!
Feb 21, 5:13 PM
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Oct 2020
3974
Ignorance is bliss indeed.

Good episode. We got a quick flashback dream at the start. Jinshi's true identity more and more exposed to Mao Mao but she rather ignore it because ignorance is bliss indeed especially in this time. I wonder though who exactly is it that doesn't want outsider blood? Still yeah too much inbreeding is no good so you know maybe keeping the blood pure isn't the way. Still so they slowly over time took over the royal family using this method. Impressive.

I really liked how this episode we got more of the characterization of the emperor. Also again he likes big breasts lol the one Area Mao Mao is lacking in.
Feb 21, 5:17 PM

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Dec 2014
95
Reply to cotengui
What I don’t understand is why maomao is regarded as a lower class when shes the daughter of lakan, and even the emperor knows that.
@cotengui although by biological means she is Lakan's, but by legal procedure she is Luomen's daughter, the one eunuch that get kicked out of palace and became lower class after, even if he's originally were Lakan's uncle and also had higher class.
Feb 21, 5:22 PM

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Mar 2020
1506
Some lore, and a full episode of "What's Behind The Door"?

This was a very fun episode of a rather straightforward mystery, but in the process, we got to learn some lore about the Mother Royal, and some tidbits about Jinshi as well. Surprisingly, the emperor seems like quite the laid-back guy, cracking those jokes (or are they?). Certainly, this solving of the door mystery will have Maomao on the emperor's radar, and with that, maybe she'll get a promotion within in the palace. Of course, the uncertainty behind Jinshi's identity remains a topic of great intrigue, but as Maomao said, maybe sometimes things are best left unknown... well at least for the time being.
Feb 21, 5:59 PM

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Jul 2013
320
Wow! Love this episode so much.
Feb 21, 6:45 PM
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Oct 2024
16
The temple trial was incredibly clever!
Feb 21, 6:59 PM
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Jun 2019
66
absolute cinema episode
Feb 21, 7:06 PM
elk sensei

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Oct 2013
8651
This was one of my favorite sub-arcs of the Light Novel, and the adaption did not disappoint. Love the Shrine of Choosing, and absolutely find the Emperor's acknowledgement that she's Lakan's daughter to be just so great.
Feb 21, 7:28 PM

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Jun 2020
27
I can't say exactly why, but this was one of my favorite episodes of the series so far. Maomao and the emperor have an interesting and entertaining dynamic, and watching the old man push Maomao's buttons, but draw her best out of her in the process was great.

As always, it was really fun watching Maomao go into "deduction mode" and solve the puzzle of the shrine, using the lore from the nation's founding.

Jinshi wishing Maomao had or would figure out his secret was kind of sweet, but also kind of sad. Especially since she absolutely could have figured it out by now, probably 3 times over, but stops herself from thinking about it each time. To her, it's a "dangerous line of thought." I totally get where she is coming from, but sooner or later it is going to click for her whether she likes it or not.

I can't wait to see how the story develops. This series is just so damn good.
Feb 21, 7:34 PM

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Oct 2015
16940
> lakan wouldnt like it

my guy
if you ever marry maomao lakan would start a coup and wipe out the entire country

understatement of the yr
reiwa weebs will unironically tell u they want a remake or sequel but when they get it ,its suddenly souless and a cashgrab cause they dont like the thing anymore and cant fathom they grew out of it and must mean the show somehow became bad
Feb 21, 7:40 PM
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Sep 2024
34
Definitely would like to see maomao get a strong position in the palace like queen or concubine , that would be icing on the cake
Feb 21, 7:40 PM

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Jun 2020
27
Reply to Dark_beater
got confused again about Jinshi's actual identity. can anyone please explain??!!
@Dark_beater long story somewhat short:

Feb 21, 7:40 PM

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Jun 2020
27
Reply to whereismyisekai
Definitely would like to see maomao get a strong position in the palace like queen or concubine , that would be icing on the cake
@whereismyisekai Emperor Jinshi and Queen Maomao, anyone?
Feb 21, 7:49 PM
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Mar 2015
13810
Our boi is the brother of the emperor Our gril has not figured this out yet even though she solved the riddle of the shrine
Feb 21, 7:54 PM

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Jun 2015
224
Lore drop lore drop!

The old man giving advice about introducing new blood to the imperial family is directed to "Jinshi". Maomao seeing that makes her one step closer to the truth, yet she will not take that step as she always does.

Do not let Lakan know what the Emperor just said even if it's just a joke– lol
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