Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - Ch. 78.1 - The Stronghold (Part 1)

[ryuumajin]

So from the beginning to the end, it's not just the matter of scattered detective cases. It's all about struggle over thrones that would lead to CIVIL WAR?!?!

 

[StormSen]

Recap: Here's my character/age list from chapter 75. (I haven't read LN, and am skipping all spoilers, so this is what we've read, plus what can be deduced from it.)

A couple of notes about Shen Mei (recapping from that):

• Age in the 40-60 range based on previous info. From her looks here, probably more like 40-50 range.
• She served as a consort to previous (pedo) emperor, then left that and became Shi Shou's wife. At the very least, this means "no child" (by the emperor) was had.
• It also means that she missed her first chance to become empress.
• Her husband (Shi Shou) was a favorite of the former Empress Regent (mother of the previous emperor and the real holder of power during that time).
• She is the daughter of the ruler of Shihoku (region in northern part of the country).
• Based on "Shi" name, I'm guessing that he married into her family, and got the "Shi" name from doing so.
• Shi Shou is the current ruler of the northern land. (This was mentioned during the hunting trip to that land where Jinshi revealed his frog and was almost killed.)
• If that's correct, then Shi Shou's power is not primary, but rather derives from his wife. In that case, it's not surprising that she still retains much (most?) of her power in the family, and that she treats his child by another woman (Sui Rei) poorly.
• She also has no concern for the boy, so likely he's not her child either.

 

[cryum]

honestly i've completely lost the plot even when things are explained to me LOL at this point it'd be best to just go back and reread from the start

Don't worry.

The next arc after this is even MORE complex, with double the characters.

 

[cryum]

I know the standard procedure when the Shi clan is inevitably stopped is that the whole clan gets executed, but I hope the innocent villagers and those who were forced to participate are spared death at least

If they hadn't banned castration, one of the possible means is castrating all the men and forceful "dilution of blood", as a "merciful" measure to stamp out any rebellious consequences.

 

[Shori948]

I'm starting to think why Loulan and Suirei abducted Maomao is to force Lakan and Jinshi to move to find her, so that they will discover the Shi Clan's plot

Huh, that's an interesting theory. Jinshi is one thing, but did they even know that she's Lakan's daughter?

 

[StormSen]

I'm starting to think why Loulan and Suirei abducted Maomao is to force Lakan and Jinshi to move to find her, so that they will discover the Shi Clan's plot

That would just put their own heads on the chopping block. Both of them have already actively participated in an effort to destroy the current ruling house.

 

[IronMace1990]

Huh, that's an interesting theory. Jinshi is one thing, but did they even know that she's Lakan's daughter?

Good thing Shenmei didn't know Maomao is Lakan's daughter, or else she'll be killed

 

[ebgeek]

Did I miss how "Rou Ran" got the name "Rou Ran" or has that not been explained yet?

Ever since Shi Shou was introduced I've been curious why her name is so different from her father's. I sat on it assuming it came from her mother somehow. However, now that it's revealed she's really Shi Sui and her mother's name is revealed, I'm more confused. If it gets explained later, I can wait but just curious if I missed an explanation somewhere.

 

[hsb]

So... The foreign envoy is turkish or maybe russian i guess?

 

[ebgeek]

So... The foreign envoy is turkish or maybe russian i guess?

Hard to say what their modern day nationality would be. The fandom says they're from the "Country of Shaoh". The Country of Li (the main country this all takes place and where the Emperor is) is bordered by Shaoh on the west and Hokuaren on the north. Based on that, it's unlikely they're Russian but I don't know enough about ancient China/Asia to say what they could be.

 

[Samspot]

The beginning of this series showed how frustrated maomao was with people making mistakes out of ignorance and then willfully ignoring information.

Now her own ignorance of things she didn’t want to learn is catching up with her

 

[Samspot]

So from the beginning to the end, it's not just the matter of scattered detective cases. It's all about struggle over thrones that would lead to CIVIL WAR?!?!

This is why I have so much fun with this series! It’s always leaving information and hints of a larger sceme or event to come.

 

[WereMuppet]

For legal reasons: Mao Mao is NOT 30 years old​

Rou Ran was simply tricking her mother, just so you know

---

Correct, but I don't understand what the "For legal reasons" part is about, she was 17 when she got kidnapped and "sold" into servitude and that was what? 3+ years ago? So she's past 20 or at the very least she's past 18 so no need for any "legal reasons".

 

[athyathyathy]

This is only my interpretation but far from being only a quirky and comedic carelessness or disinterest about something others would find important and exciting, I think Mao Mao avoids thinking about it because of what happened between her mother and father.

For the lowborn, nothing good comes from being around nobles and their affairs. If shit hits the fan, as it tends to do with them, they're the ones that are in a vulnerable position and will get hurt. Whether the noble that likes them very much and would never hurt them intentionally, likes it or not. Their lives are riddled with concerns that supercede individual ones.

Lakan couldn't refuse a prestigious posting, and it ruined his love's life.

And given how much danger she was exposed already around Jin shi, or even the nice Gyokuyou, it's a very reasonable fear to wonder what would happen if they ever get together. She'd just upgrade from collateral damage to active target.

It sucks for everyone involved, but this is something one should consider when thinking about cozying up with royals. Only naive girls dream about becoming a princess or queen; the women that are know once it's too late it's more a burden than a blessing.

Case in point, any woman making the mistake to join the Windsors or the Saud family irl, or these two chapters, with what happens when the worst kind of noble lays eyes on a new lowborn they can hurt.

But ~ let's ignore that. I'm sure love will prevail! Not to mention Jinshi's frog- 😤

couldn't have said it any better, i still wonder why some people can't wrap their heads around why maomao refuses to delve deeper into secrets.

her safety lies in her perceived ignorance. The less she knows and the more she appears to be just another ordinary, harmless person, the less attention she draws. Ignorance, in her case, shields her from danger and ensures she stays under the radar, especially now when her survival hinges on Shi Sui’s protection

 

[IronMace1990]

That would just put their own heads on the chopping block. Both of them have already actively participated in an effort to destroy the current ruling house.

Well, Shenmei didn't know Maomao is Lakan's child, so she'll thinks Loulan and Suiren abducted and brought an 'ordinary' apothecary, so...

 

[Valle_reading_manga]

Spoiler

Successfully thwarting your malevolent mother's coup attempt and managing to fake your death so you can leave the country and go be a weird bug girl elsewhere is a pretty decent outcome, all things considered. I feel bad for Shishou though...

I mean, sure she manages to get a decent outcome out of a shitty situation. But it still sucks for her. She's either losing or leaving behind anyone and anything close to her. And all she did for this to happen to her was being born in the wrong family...

 

[ErikTheRed]

Knowing my immortality tinctures I guess its time to whip out the good ol mercury

 

[Draziti]

There's been so long I forgot, why did they kidnap Mao Mao and bring her to this place?

 

[AlmondMagnum]

Damn her dad really just let his wife take away her name like it was nothing

He let her get away with a lot more than that.

Spoiler: LN spoilers

Partly because he's not a Shi by birth, so his influence in the clan isn't great. Mostly because of love and guilt. It's a mess.

 

[Cecee]

I admire her ability to not get more interested into Jinshi’s past