The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと)

The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries

This story is a work of fiction. The names of all of the characters, organizations, and so on are imaginary. It also bears no connection to any specific real-life events.

By the time we started to smell spring in the air,

it became certain that Lady Gyokuyou was indeed pregnant.

That's curious. Can she tell there's a baby inside?

So cute!

Maybe I also should start to...

Even if she did get a proposal,

they'd probably never let her leave.

Being too good at one's job can be a curse at times.

Time flies when every day is so fulfilling.

In comparison, the two months spent at Master Jinshi's offices felt like forever.

Would you like to draw pictures again?

Yes!

This is the woolly milkcap, a poisonous mushroom—

Ow!

Draw normal flowers, please.

Normal flowers, huh?

A blue rose?

Episode 22: Blue Roses

Yes. Perhaps you've never seen one before?

The striking blue petals are so beautiful.

I used to see them in the palace often.

Perhaps you were dreaming?

Blue roses do not exist.

But in fact, they do.

Oh, how I'd love to appreciate them with everyone again.

What do you think? Could it be done?

With your power, there must be nothing outside your reach.

Understood. If such a rose does indeed exist, I'd like to see it as well.

Then it's settled.

Goodness, I can't wait!

Excuse me.

I hope to see it at next month's garden party.

You're already so busy. You didn't have to take on more work.

Don't rub it in. Please just go ask every florist in the nation about this.

The florists say that roses are not in season.

Sorry to call you up so suddenly.

We were talking about getting together to admire blue roses.

Blue roses...?

I'm just an apothecary, you know.

Yes, I'm aware...

I wonder what prompted this? He seems awfully tired.

Roses, huh? I do know a thing or two about them.

I've sold them before to make some quick cash with the courtesans. But...

They really said they saw a blue rose?

Yes.

Is there some new popular hallucinogen, or...?

That'd ruin our whole nation!

Master Jinshi.

Is it impossible?

What exactly is it that you desire?

Can you find some by next month's garden party?

Next month? Roses bloom two months later at the earliest.

I know...

I'll find a way to turn him down.

Master Jinshi's reaction, and this style of forcing people to attempt the impossible...

Was this brought up by a certain strategist?

Yes.

Understood. I will take this on.

Are you sure?

I don't know if I can pull it off, but I'll try my best.

I don't want to just run from him.

I might as well take a swing at smashing his creepy monocle.

Master Jinshi, may I make a few requests?

Thank you for allowing me to use it, Lady Lihua.

I don't mind. You were the one that had it constructed in the first place.

It's been a while.

I remember back then, I got them to make a steam room for Lady Lihua,

who was suffering from poison back then.

I'm borrowing it now, but I feel bad using it for free.

This is the emperor's favorite book.

I appreciate this.

I'm glad I got it through the brothel.

Take that side.

Yes, sir!

Master Jinshi.

Ah, you're here.

I had them build this as you asked, but...

What is this for?

We're going to make the roses go mad.

Make the roses go mad?

What does that mean, apothecary?

We're going to let the sunlight in, and blow steam inside through there.

The roses will grow in this warmed room.

This way, the flowers might mistake it as the time to bloom.

I see, so they'll "go mad."

I can't guarantee it, though.

Oh.

Maomao!

Xiaolan?

I'll help, too!

Is your leg okay?

Did he summon her to chaperone me?

They did repeatedly tell me not to push myself too hard.

I'm fine. Sorry to make you help.

It's okay. It's been a while since we've worked together, huh?

Yeah, it has.

We brought in over one hundred roses.

This is the last one.

Wow, this is a lot!

We diversified the species, selecting early-blooming ones where possible.

Will they all bloom?

I hope so.

Temperature control requires utmost care.

I got them to send some help, but this is a tough task to delegate to others.

If we make a mistake and kill them all, that would be the end of it.

On sunny days, we bring them outside to expose them to sunlight.

That must feel good!

Yeah.

How are you doing?

Here, a gift.

Thank you very much.

I get to skip work and eat snacks? This is great!

This is work too, though.

What's with them?

I don't know. Maybe they're just curious.

Or they want to be scared.

What should I do next?

If a seedling has a lot of sprouts on it, can you pick a few?

It concentrates the nutrients into the remaining sprouts and helps prevent sickness.

Ah.

Whoa!

It's fine.

Thank you.

Don't mention it!

Hurry!

It's taking them a long time to bloom.

On days where it gets cold,

I stay up all night to maintain the heat.

Weather can't be controlled.

Did you pull another all-nighter?

I did sleep, around dawn.

Dawn was just moments ago!