Crucial Character Revealed in Apothecary Diaries S2: More Than Meets the Eye

With the final episodes of “The Apothecary Diaries” Season 2 rapidly approaching, it’s been thrilling to witness the intricate puzzle pieces falling into place. This season, I’ve found myself delving deep into the Li Empire’s hidden past, uncovering secrets that have left quite an impact. As you can imagine, such exploration often brings about its share of challenges.

Luckily, I haven’t been alone in my quest. Season 2 has introduced a host of new faces, and among them, none have proven more valuable than the spirited servant girl, Shisui. Her assistance has been invaluable as I navigate through this tangled web of secrets and uncover the truth.

In the first episode of Season 2, titled “Maomao and Maomao”, a character named Shisui unexpectedly emerged, seizing a stray kitten that Maomao, Hongniang, and Princess Lingli encountered during their outdoor walk. This intriguing entrance has sparked curiosity among anime-only viewers, particularly as it seems she conveniently appears whenever Maomao requires aid. In the latest episode of The Apothecary Diaries, “Fox Village”, Shisui’s involvement in future events became more pronounced, leading fans to speculate that there is a deeper side to this servant girl, as suggested by the phrase: Shisui’s true nature may be more complex than initially perceived.

Originally published on May 4, 2025 by Jenny Melzer: In the latest episode (Episode 41) of The Apothecary Diaries, broadcasted on May 2, 2025, some intriguing revelations were made about the character Shisui. It appears that she is disguising her true identity and the palace records hint that she might not even be real. With the knowledge we already have about the hidden exit from the rear palace, it won’t be long before we learn more about Shisui and her role in The Apothecary Diaries. This article has been revised to incorporate fresh information on Shisui and recent episodes of The Apothecary Diaries.

Shisui Becomes One of Maomao’s Friends Outside the Jade Pavilion

She Burst Onto the Scene Uexpectedly, but Proved Impossible Not to Befriend

In the opening sequence of the second season of “The Apothecary Diaries”, Shisui makes her initial appearance, but it’s not long before she is formally introduced within the episodes themselves. Her first appearance on-screen happens in the premiere episode titled “Maomao and Maomao”. Shisui is one of the servant girls seen bowing as Master Jinshi and Gaoshun exit the pavilion of High Consort Lishu. Interestingly, when she bows, her sleeves conceal her face, a habit that seems to be common around Jinshi, who has a knack for memorizing the facial features of every significant figure within the rear palace’s walls. The servant girls dash off to attend to their tasks, with Jinshi seemingly unaware or uncaring about them as he continues on his way.

Later in the episode, Shisui is formally presented during Princess Lingli’s first outing from the Jade Pavilion with Maomao and Hongniang. On their way, they come across a wandering kitten that captivates Princess Lingli. As Maomao attempts to capture it, she fails. Just then, Shisui appears, skillfully catching the kitten while demonstrating remarkable agility. With a warm demeanor, she hands over the kitten to Maomao and takes her leave. Noticing this, Maomao’s eyes remain on Shisui until Princess Lingli and Hongniang divert her attention.

In the story titled “Caravan,” Shisui accidentally bumps into Maomao and Xiaolan as they browse through the carnival marketplace, both ladies eyeing the same Jasmine tea. Their comfortable interaction hints to Maomao that Shisui and Xiaolan might have a past relationship, perhaps from their shared laundry work, which piques her interest regarding Shisui. As the tale unfolds, all three girls visit Guen’s clinic, where they share the tea that Maomao bought, marking the inception of a friendship between the trio that will expand throughout Season 2.

I can’t help but notice that around the same period when Pure Consort Loulan graced the royal court, Shisui was part of the scene. It’s intriguing how she often roamed the palace grounds on her own, suggesting her future importance in the narrative. Moreover, it’s Shisui who draws Maomao’s attention to the peculiar scent emanating from the north side of the rear palace, a detail that proves crucial in the thrilling tale of “Corpse Fungus.

Shisui Makes Herself Indespensible to Maomao

Is Shisui Just Being Friendly, Or Does She Have Ulterior Motives?

In another instance, Shisui is seen when she’s rummaging through bushes under the cover of darkness. A radiant moth, having hidden in the foliage, flies out, catching her eye, and she pauses to appreciate its splendor before it vanishes into the glow of the moon. Shisui’s extensive knowledge about insects turns out to be crucial when Maomao tries to reenact the Moon Fairy occurrence, which the visiting envoys had sought during their trip to the Li Empire, a tradition they heard from their great-grandfather’s tales.

Shisui, a young girl, towers over Maomao and sports dark-purple hair twisted into two knots reminiscent of bows. Her eyes shine bright yellow. Generally outgoing and friendly, she’s adept at making friends, including the usually cautious Maomao. Their shared interest in insects, particularly spiders, quickly brings them together when Shisui points out their abundance on the north side. Though Xiaolan and Guen find their discussion peculiar, for the first time, Maomao can discuss her unique hobby with someone equally enthusiastic.

Shisui’s enthusiasm is as fervent as Maomao’s, leading to some perplexity among the other attendants regarding the two young ladies. On occasion, the other women serving at the Jade Pavilion have even confided in Maomao that they’ve heard whispers about her acting strangely and pursuing bugs, suggesting that people sometimes mix up the two girls due to their shared quirks.

The Bond Maomao Develops With Shisui Dulls Her Sharp Senses A Little

Suirei Uses Shisui To Draw Maomao Out of The Rear Palace

In the Li Empire, Maomao is known for her exceptional intelligence, but she possesses a distinctive weakness that occasionally clouds her judgment: her friends. It’s unusual for Maomao to acknowledge having friends at all, yet there are individuals in her life who she has grown quite attached to. Throughout the series, a deep friendship has blossomed between Maomao and Xiaolan, and more recently, Shisui has also become part of this bond in Season 2. As friendships deepen, it becomes simpler to tolerate each other’s quirks, sometimes even ignoring significant warning signs that might otherwise be noticed.

Shisui often finds herself in significant situations. She assisted Maomao during the Moon Fairy event and coincidentally sat next to her during Season 2’s tenth episode, “Ghost Stories”. This situation almost led to the suffocation of everyone in the room. As the season advanced, Shisui became increasingly involved, mirroring Maomao’s experience. Over time, viewers grew less cautious about her role, much like they did with Maomao.

In Season 1, Suirei, disguising herself as someone who had died, returned with an intention to lure Shisui’s rival away from the palace, using Shisui as a means of negotiation. MaoMao, who did not wish to see her friend harmed, followed suit. However, as they journeyed together, MaoMao began to understand the situation better. During their travel up the river by boat and toward the Fox Village on foot, Suirei became slightly anxious when a snake crossed their path. Shisui, in an act that suggested protection, moved herself to stand beside Suirei, who appeared to be the one being abducted.

In a heart-pounding moment of discovery, I swiftly nabbed the slithering serpent and tossed it before Suirei, sending her into an alarming state of terror that only Shisui’s calming words managed to ease. This was the exact instance when I grasped the truth: Suirei is not just a mere bystander in this mystery, but a key player in whatever scheme she’s orchestrating. To add fuel to the flames of curiosity, Shisui herself confessed that Suirei is her very own sibling!

Wondering about Shisui and Suirei, their connection with Maomao? The truth is unfolding as we approach the last seven episodes of Season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries. For those eager to know the answers sooner, the manga and light novel have already disclosed Shisui’s real identity. We’ll delve into it later for those who prefer not to uncover the truth just yet.

The Light Novel and Manga Have Already Unveiled Shisui’s True Identity

Shisui is None Other Than the Pure Consort Loulan

Lady Loulan belongs to the Shi Clan and is the daughter of Shishou, who holds the title of Prime Minister in Li. She shares half her bloodline with Suirei, a somewhat enigmatic figure who played a minor yet crucial role as an antagonist during the first season of “The Apothecary Diaries.” In an attempt to assert influence within the royal court, Shishou arranged for Loulan to replace Consort Ah-Duo, taking over her position as Pure Consort. This action was carried out without Loulan’s consent, but she expressed her dissent only subtly.

Loulan stands out with an unusual and lavish style. She frequently uses heavy makeup that conceals her natural beauty, sports elaborate hairstyles, and wears expensive clothing and accessories that are deemed extravagant, even for a consort of her rank. When she adopts the plain attire of the servant girl Shisui, it becomes difficult to recognize Loulan due to her grand appearance as the Pure Consort.

Loulan appears to keep silent, adding another layer to her mystery since it’s known that Shisui has a high-pitched voice. Moreover, Loulan is supported by a large entourage of ladies-in-waiting, some of whom occasionally impersonate her when she goes out as Shisui, even compared to the other high consorts.

In her role as the Pure Consort, Loulan shows a subtle aloofness towards others, particularly her fellow consorts. She openly expresses her boredom and disinterest, participating minimally in events she perceives as obligatory. However, when disguised as Shisui, Loulan becomes more animated and vocal, exhibiting a warmth and camaraderie that is absent when adorned in the opulent regalia of a high consort’s constricting attire.

Loulan has a Fair Reason for Masquerading as a Servant

In essence, Loulan isn’t particularly interested in politics or court affairs, a fact that stems from both her personal choice and the compulsion imposed by her father, who made her Pure Consort. This indifference is evident in her demeanor towards others when they see her as Loulan. Beneath this facade of disinterest lies a certain resentment towards being manipulated politically, yet she faithfully carries out her duties due to her deep love for her family and clan. There’s been talk that the Emperor avoids visiting Loulan because she’s unpredictable, frequently altering her appearance and mood, leaving him unsure of who he’ll encounter during their interactions.

In order to break free from the confining societal expectations and traditions imposed upon her as the Pure Consort, Loulan assumed the identity of Shisui. This allowed her to engage in activities considered taboo, such as hunting insects and socializing without the formalities tied to her high status. This action aligns with the main theme of “The Apothecary Diaries,” which explores the stifling roles and customs in its world.

Shisui Could Become a Tool Used by Her Family

Despite Their Bond, Shisui May Be Maomao’s Undoing

Despite having a strong bond with her father, it’s clear that Loulan serves as a strategic pawn in the power plays of the imperial court. As one of the emperor’s principal consorts, she wields significant influence that can potentially benefit her father and their clan in future machinations. Given that Suirei, her half-sister, raises suspicions among the audience, it becomes evident that Loulan’s family may not be as innocent as they seem.

In the anime, it’s unclear if Loulan is genuinely forming a friendship with Maomao based on shared interests, or if this bond is being cultivated with ulterior motives for future use. However, Loulan doesn’t seem to be plotting anything malicious at present, but she might act in the interest of her father or clan when necessary.

It’s common knowledge that Maomao plays a crucial role in Jinshi’s team, and as Season 2 unfolds, it’s become increasingly evident how indispensable she is to both Jinshi and Gaoshun. Her worth to a significant court figure like her is obvious even to the most casual observer. Loulan, who has previously attempted to lure Maomao away from the palace, remains a question mark – friend or foe? Only time will reveal the truth.

2025-05-04 21:03