That was all very peaceful and relaxing. Right up until the end of the episode, that is, where things took a decidedly serious turn. And one can use that term in multiple senses, because not only did the tenor of conversation between Maomao and “Jinka” get rather heavy, the implications seem to impact the core of the premise itself. I can think of two possible ways this relates to the main protagonists – one for each of them. And while I’m not sure which is relevant, I’m extremely confident that one or the other of them is a reality.
In the first place, there’s the matter of Jinshi asking Xiaomao to apply makeup. Her puzzlement at this – why does a guy already so pretty need a makeup specialist – is soon dispelled when she discovers he wants him to make him less pretty. This is a puzzle in its own way, but at least it explains the reason why she’s needed. It’s not as easy gig, mind you – for someone like Jinshi, not only a high noble but a stylish ikemen – looking common isn’t just about a few dabs of makeup. Everything needs to change, not least his smell (which Maomao explains is a crucial metric by which the Verdigris assesses its potential clients).
A smelly outfit, moles, blotches for the skin, a tan, towels for padding and cotton for the cheeks, even chemical irritants to change the voice – when Xiaomao takes on a job, she doesn’t remotely half-ass it. Suiren is horrified by all this of course (except the lipstick and eye makeup interlude) but Jinshi is a surprisingly good sport about the whole thing. Gaushun and Suiren more or less insist that Maomao accompany Jinshi into town (where he intended to put her work to the test for a mysterious appointment) but that means a makeover for her as well – taking her in the opposite direction.
With Basen (who suddenly seems to be in every episode) watching from the shadows, Ojou-sama Maomao and Jinka head off to town. He has a bit of a struggle drawing her into conversation, but when he does it gets interesting very quickly. She reveals a couple of details about Luomen that were previously unconfirmed. He’s her adoptive father (I figured), and he’s a eunuch (I hadn’t assumed that). He also studied abroad, which surprises Jinshi given how rarely such permissions were given out. He appears to be putting the pieces together and connecting Luomen to his time at the palace.
When the pair arrive at the address of Jinshi’s meeting, Maomao makes an incorrect assumption about the reason for it. And that’s when the conversation gets really serious indeed. He starts grilling her about the customer list at Verdigris, which she refuses to divulge given how crucial privacy is in that business. And then asks the question Lakan refused to answer by (effectively) instructing him to ask Maomao – “how do you decrease a courtesan’s value?”. This is not a topic she’s pleased to discuss, clearly, but she reluctantly does so. And the methods are, more or less, what one would have assumed.
The main importance of this conversation loops back to the question of what it implies. Why is Jinshi so interested, and who is he meeting? There are two obvious explanations for the matter of relevance. First, the courtesan Lakan was talking about was Jinshi’s own mother (and it’s easy to imagine why such a dalliance would have been covered up). The second – and possibly more likely given that Jinshi’s mother has already been hinted to be Ah-Duo – is that the courtesan in question is Maomao’s mother, which would probably though not necessarily make Lakan her father. It’s pretty obvious Lakan was baiting Jinshi, and even if he is a troll the reasons surely go beyond his own amusement in doing so. One way or another I think the dynamic of things has changed, and Lakan is surely at the heart of it.
Dove
February 4, 2024 at 3:21 pmThis is probably my favourite part of the second LN.
The shot of Basen chowing down on chicken in the shadows made me LOL.
SeijiSensei
February 4, 2024 at 11:08 pmI think Gaoshun has been quietly pushing Maomao and Jinshi together for a while. I think he realizes Maomao will never be any man’s “toy,” and probably thinks that would be good for Jinshi. Plus his master obviously enjoys spending time with her so Gaoshun is fulfilling his role here as well.
I’ve thought this this since the party episode (12) when both men appear to Maomao’s surprise.
Guardian Enzo
February 5, 2024 at 12:31 amThat sounds about right to me.
Nicc
February 5, 2024 at 9:52 amRight, it was a rather chill episode until right at the very end. Jinshi wants Maomao to put make up on him for some reason. Even she acknowledges that he’s already a 10 in the looks department and the knob that goes higher than that has not been invented yet. He tells her that he wants to dial down his beauty instead and to resemble a commoner. It’s more than just his looks, he also has to change his clothes, his scent, his hands and even his voice. He also has to change his posture. It’s enough to dial him down to… 8.8. He’s a good-looking commoner now, close enough. Then, it’s time for Maomao for a makeover as her own and so they’re headed to town as a young lady and her attendant. The purpose is that Jinshi is visiting somebody in town.
The pair head into town with Basen keeping an eye on them, though “Jinka” spotted him easily. Basen should have put more points into “Hide”. As the title of the episode implies, they have a fun jaunt around the town and even get some snacks. Maomao does get a bit distracted about dinner plans with dad. Speaking of oyaji, it’s confirmed that he’s not her biological father and is a eunuch. For all his brilliance in medicine, he’s got no head for making money and so he lives in poverty. The two are about to reach the destination and that it when things get serious. How does one decrease the value of a courtesan? Yep, it’s pretty much what I was expecting too. Lakan did as such to a certain courtesan. There could be lots of implications here and indeed Lakan seems to be the heart of it. Considering that the next episode is named for him, we’re going to get some answers very soon.
Stop Ageism in Japan
February 13, 2024 at 5:04 amI dropped the show when Maomao said “At his age I wish he’d stop working in the fields.” I get so tired of Japan’s views on age. Maomao’s father is only in his 50s or 60s. Japan has many farmers in their 80s and even some in their 90s. Farming is great for older people; it’s moderate physical activity, not back-breaking intense labor. Older adults should take minor precautions not to get overheated, but otherwise it’s fantastic exercise that keeps them functional and healthy into their 80s and 90s. But what do you expect from a medium where 20 year olds pretend to be 17 because 20 is obviously past one’s prime.
Guardian Enzo
February 13, 2024 at 9:31 amThis is China many hundreds of years ago, not Japan in 2024, and the average lifespan would likely have been less than 50. Maomao is a loving daughter who worships Loumen (who we know has mobility issues, btw) and considers him (rightly, to an extent) a genius doctor – for me, her feelings make perfect sense.
Stop Ageism in Japan
February 13, 2024 at 10:13 amIf it’s meant to be a period piece then yes that works fine, but there’s nothing in-story to indicate that and anime is so ageist in general that it’s hard to give benefit of the doubt. Almost everyone in their 60s in anime is hunched over, uses a cane, walks like a snail, and has a voice so hoarse you can barely hear them. 65 to 70 year olds in anime are portrayed more like people in their 90s.
Leefli
February 14, 2024 at 7:36 pmNothing to indicate this show is a period piece? Are you serious? Everything in this show indicates it’s period piece.
I actually agree with you about the way age is represented in anime but this anime is one of the few cases were it makes sense! In the world where most people die young; people will age prematurely.
Guardian Enzo
February 14, 2024 at 8:07 pmI thought about saying something but… Honestly, what’s the point in even trying to persuade when it’s so patently obvious to begin with?
Wonderful.
February 18, 2024 at 9:31 pmMaomao also wants her dad to stop farming because it aggravates his knee injury…and this is obviously a period piece. Understandable what you’re fighting for, but this is probably not where you should fight for it.