SHIMAO SUPREMACY!!! WE HATE JINSHI IN THIS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Completely spoils apothecary diaries season 2 finale, as well as a portion of LN content up to Volume 14.
Maomao cursed her luck as she stood face to face with the wooden door to the Grand Commandant’s office. It was just her luck that Miss Chue had delivered that dreadful letter to her, that cheerful smile plastered on her face. It was just her luck that she had sniffed the scent of lemon on the paper, and decided to reveal the hidden message. It was just her luck that as she heated the paper, the forbidden character of the Shi clan revealed itself. And it was just her luck… that she couldn’t find it in herself to resist the call of the Once-in-a-Generation-Evil who wrote that letter.
“—aaooo.. Maomaaaooo! What’s wrong with your luck? Come on… Your papa is here to listen to you!”
Maomao made a disgusted face as she watched the fox-eyed strategist swoon over her. Her mouth dried up as she muttered the words that barely seemed to escape her mouth, “I need your help… Dad.”
It was as if a pane of glass had shattered behind Lakan. A shock ran through him, as he resolved himself to move heaven and earth itself, need be. But before that…
“Oh, Maomaooo!! I can’t believe you finally…” The grand strategist pulled Maomao into his embrace, with Maomao making a face as if a particularly large cockroach had suddenly taken hold of her. Onsou and Lakan’s other aides could only sigh in exasperation, seemingly preparing themselves for the busiest days of their lives.
It was amazing how fast things could get done, if the Grand Commandant actually put his back into his work. The sun hadn’t even set, and a boat had been procured, supplies prepared, and a course charted for Maomao. She thought about how convenient this all was—a proper commoner probably would’ve never had this degree of comfort in their whole lives, and here she was… Sitting on a velvet cushion as waves rocked the ship gently. A small contingent including Lihaku and Miss Chue had accompanied her. Those who knew to keep their mouths shut. The man that claimed to be her father would never allow Maomao to endanger herself alone, after all.
A total of four weeks on sea had passed before Maomao had finally reached her destination: a small island country to the South. On landfall, Miss Chue acted as Maomao’s translator as they asked the locals about the location of the one she was seeking. Finally, they made it to a small shack near the edge of forest. Maomao turned to Miss Chue, gently informing her that she was free to look for snacks. Miss Chue took the hint, quickly making herself scarce.
Maomao steeled her heart with resolve as she gently opened the door. The first thing she noticed was a pungent smell assaulting her. It was a distinctive smell, like disinfectant mixed with caramel and rot. She saw rows and rows of taxidermied and preserved insects pinned to a wooden board. She heard the weak voice of the plum-haired girl hunched over the table.