Unraveling the Palace Mystery: Did a Concubine’s Death Hide a Dark Secret?

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Summary

  • The Apothecary Diaries excels at crafting gripping mysteries, drawing fans in with intriguing cases.
  • Season 2 introduces a complex murder mystery, showcasing MaoMao’s deduction skills.
  • The series maintains a light tone even in serious cases, offering a unique storytelling style.

The Apothecary Diaries series stands out for many reasons, but its primary appeal lies in its skillful creation of intriguing mysteries. This is a significant factor behind the immense affection fans have for the initial season, and it’s also why they continue to watch each new episode week after week.

In the opening episode of season 2, it was expected that no enigma would unfold as the season was primarily establishing new storylines for future episodes. Although the atmosphere became slightly more intense compared to the laid-back premiere, there remained minimal mystery present. However, in episode 3, I found myself delighting in MaoMao’s return to solving a captivating case once more.

A Death in the Palace

In this installment, the enigma that captivates me is the demise of a concubine in the Rear Palace. This woman was rumored to have been afflicted by an unusual ailment that compelled her seclusion from public life for a considerable period of over a year. Now, it appears this illness has taken her life. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if that is truly the truth. Jinshi harbors doubts as well, prompting him to enlist MaoMao, his trusted investigator, to uncover the real story behind her death.

A Murder in Disguise

In the heart of the room, on a wooden casket in its center, rested the deceased body of a woman once admired as the most beautiful in her town, now marred by reddish stains and with half her hair missing from her scalp. The state of this unfortunate lady would lead any observer to assume that her ailment had claimed her life. However, MaoMao showed no such agreement.

Indeed, I’m well-acquainted with that distressing red mark – I’ve encountered similar inflammations before. In fact, I have a good idea of what might be causing it. Yet, as I delve deeper into this case, it becomes increasingly evident that there’s more to the death of this concubine than meets the surface.

MaoMao Flexing Her Deduction Skill

During the entire episode, MaoMao assumes the function of an unofficial detective within the Inner Court. She scours the woods surrounding the Rear Palace for various mushrooms, investigates by questioning maids and other officials who work near or with the late concubine, seeking information about her and the enigmatic illness she suffered from. MaoMao tirelessly carries out all necessary actions to uncover the truth.

From the red patches on the deceased maiden’s hands to the unique fungi found only in a certain woodland area, nothing eludes MaoMao’s sharp gaze. Her keen analytical abilities are on full display in this episode, leaving us eager for more insightful investigations from her.

Keeping the Tone Light

A Lighter Murder Mystery

A key feature that most murder mystery tales share is their somber atmosphere. After the crime occurs and the investigation commences, the overall mood becomes serious, tense, melancholic, and sometimes oppressive. This solemn tone serves a purpose – it heightens the suspense of the narrative, keeping us hooked on the unfolding events and leaving us in shock when the truth is finally unveiled.

In this particular episode, contrary to what one might expect in a typical murder mystery, there’s a death at the palace, suspicion of foul play, and even a mushroom used as a potential weapon, yet the overall atmosphere is far from gloomy or oppressive. Instead, it seems quite lighthearted.

In my observation, The Apothecary Diaries consistently maintains an air of levity, even when MaoMao finds himself entangled in grim situations. This has been a consistent trait since the beginning of the series and seems destined to remain so until the final episode. It’s evident that this is the author’s distinctive narrative approach.

Apart from its intriguing Inner Court mysteries, The Apothecary Diaries presents many more aspects, and this is one of them. Despite a death at the Palace, there are amusing exchanges between Maomao and other characters that bring joy to us readers. It seems as though the author is subtly reminding us not to take things too seriously, much like the Joker’s famous question: ‘Why be so serious?’

We Need a Higher Difficulty

This episode presents a delightful mini-puzzle that leaves us wanting more of Detective Maomao’s investigations. It’s an enjoyable starter, but the complexity of this case suggests it’s time for a more challenging mystery to engage our detective further. She’s ready for tougher cases now.

A Longer, Much More Complex Case

Instead of a quick, bite-sized puzzle, a lengthier, intricate, high-stakes mystery spread across multiple episodes is bound to be more captivating. For instance, remember the storyline about the judge and the courtesan last season? It blended mystery, drama, tragedy, romance, and even a hint of comedy into an exhilarating cocktail of suspense. At its best, The Apothecary Diaries offers such a blend, and we eagerly await another tale like that in the near future.

“When the apothecary is like that, she’s just looking for one final piece of evidence.”

–Jinshi

The Curious Case of the Foreign Envoy

By examining past events, it appears a significant plot point for Season 2 may have been foreshadowed: the arrival of emissaries from another realm. Since they were introduced in the initial and second episodes, it can be expected that their visit will play a crucial role in the upcoming storyline. Anticipation builds as we wonder how Detective Maomao will navigate foreign court politics at the Imperial Palace.

The Apothecary Diaries is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-01-27 17:04