05x01 - Covert Operations
Dub Transcript
This exists because I was way too tired of watching the same episode over and over just to find a specific quote for fanfics.
Some descriptions of what is happening on screen may be wrong along with some incorrect grammar as this took me several days and I have no sense of consistency. And if I wasn't sure if a character was speaking out loud or thinking due to the camera angle I wrote it as them speaking.
The scene starts at night. A door creaks open and a man is sitting on the floor, looking down at his hands. His breathing is uneven and when we see his hands they appear to be covered in a rash.
The scene changes to be early morning. Basen and Jinshi both spar together while Gaoshun watches. They spar until Jinshi has the wooden sword near Basen's neck.
BASEN: Enough. I yeild.
JINSHI: You've improved Basen, well done.
BASEN: No, my brute force is no match for your skill. You're just a lot better than I am, and that's the truth.
JINSHI: Your brute force is impressive. You carry the Ma clan's blood.
Later, Jinshi is inside, getting cleaned up after sparing.
JINSHI: Gaoshun, how's the apothecary?
GAOSHUN: Can you be more specific?
JINSHI: Has she gained any weight back?
GAOSHUN: I believe she's regained some, yes.
JINSHI: I see. Well that's good.
We see a flashback of Maomao scolding Lihua's ladies in waiting.
MAOMAO (Memory): Like I said, it's poison. Or are you to dumb to see that!
JINSHI: I did not expect to see that side of her.
GAOSHUN: Are you alright sir?
JINSHI: Hm. What was that?
GAODUN: You seem concerned for her.
JINSHI: hm?
GAOSHUN: Nothing. I'll leave you be then.
Gaoshun dismisses himself and the scene changes to show Maomao gathering something.
MAOMAO: I knew I'd find it! At last!
The thing Maomao was searching for appears to be mushroom. We watch her go around gathering more of these mushrooms.
MAOMAO: Oh over here too!
MAOMAO: And over here!
MAOMAO: Oh where should I eat it, the kitchen? No, not there, I don't want everyone asking where I found it. Oh! but before I figure that out.
We see Maomao giving a some snacks to Xiaolan.
XIAOLAN: Wow! it looks amazing!
XIAOLAN: Thanks for coming through as usual Maomao! It's such a treat when your higher ups share their snacks with you. And it's even more special when it feels like a real tea party!
It cuts to a cute cartoon of Maomao getting handed treats and food by the ladies in waiting.
YINGHUA: You should be eating lots more!
GUIYUAN: Yes! You need to gain some weight.
AILAN: Don't be shy now.
MAOMAO: Gah!
It cuts back to real Maomao sitting and Xiaolan happily eating next to her.
XIAOLAN: Oh hey, did you hear?
MAOMAO: Uh...
XIAOLAN: So, supposedly, this palace servant was able to seduce a military officer who was infamous for hating women!
MAOMAO: Wow.
XIAOLAN: Do you know how she did it?
MAOMAO: Nope.
XIAOLAN: She used an aphrodisiac.
MAOMAO: Aphrodisiac?
Maomao appears to be shocked, and we get a flashback of when Maomao gave Jinshi the aphrodisiacs that he requested.
MAOMAO: That one...
XIAOLAN: Something wrong Maomao?
MAOMAO: Uh! nothing at all! It's uhm, not related.
MAOMAO: Probably.
We see that half of the snacks Maomao brought over have been eaten before the camera cuts to the ddoctor'sarea in the rear palace.
MAOMAO: Good morning.
GUEN: Ah, good morning. How are you, little one?
MAOMAO: There's a sort of secret I'd like to discuss with you.
GUEN: What is it?
Maomao shows the palace doctor the mushrooms.
MAOMAO: This.
GUEN: Oh! Delicious Matsutake Mushrooms, wow!
MAOMAO: You seem quite delighted by their presence.
GUEN: Let's do this right. We need charcoal, soy paste, and salt.
MAOMAO (Thinking): Life is strange. Somehow I have managed to become close friends with the quack doctor.
GUEN: Oh, it's irresistible!
MAOMAO: I think it's just about ready.
MAOMAO: Lets see. Pour in some soy paste, some salt. Here.
GUEN: Oh!
Maomao gives Guen a his portion of the mushrooms that she harvested and he took a bite.
GUEN: Delicious!
MAOMAO (Thinking): Now he's an accomplice.
MAOMAO & GUEN: It's so good!
Suddenly, a man bursts into the doctors space.
EUNUCH: Help Doctor! I- I think it- What I mean to say is... can you remove curses?
MAOMAO: Curses?
GUEN: Uhm. What's troubling you?
The man approaches Guen and shows him his hands, which are covered in a bad rash. The man's breathing is also very shaky from his fear.
EUNUCH: Look at this.
MAOMAO: Hm. That looks like a rather nasty rash, maybe try and ointment to begin with.
GUEN: Do you think you could make some?
MAOMAO: Right away yes.
GUEN: So tell me about this curse?.
EUNUCH: Well, it all started two night ago.
The camera fades into black and white flashback. The man currently in the doctor's and a few other eunuchs are removing things from a cart, and throwing them into a large fire.
EUNUCH: I was near one of the trash pits on the west side of the rear palace. I was tending to my usually work and then...
Something wrapped and tied in a fabric falls from the cart.
EUNUCH (Memory): What's that?
The man bends down and picks of the bundle. Now that it's been picked up the bundle unravels a bit to show small wooden slats.
EUNUCH (Memory): A dress? The bottom of the sleeves are burned, and what are these wooden writing tablets?
EUNUCH: I was a little curious, but i threw it in the fire anyway. And then...
The black and white flashback shows the man throwing the bundle and tablets into the fire, which causes the fire to roar to life, flashing different colors. The fire flashing colors is the only color in the flashback.
The man watches the fire and looks down at his hands, which appear to be already started to develop the rash. The scene cuts back to him in the doctors.
EUNUCH: It's a curse! That's what's wrong with my hands!
Maomao takes a small wooden slat and holds it over smoldering charcoals to light it on fire.
MAOMAO: Did the fire look like this?
Maomao sprinkles something onto the flames and it causes the fire to change into a purple color.
EUNUCH: Huh?
GUEN: Oh!
MAOMAO: Or did it look like this?
Maomao grabs another powder to sprinkle on the flames and this time the flames turn a green color. She does it again with another powder.
MAOMAO: This would do the same.
EUNUCH: It- but?
GUEN: What in the world are you showing us?
MAOMAO: It's like how fire works are created. Certain things change the color of a flame when their burned.
EUNUCH: So what about my hands then?
MAOMAO: There was probably some caustic chemical on the wooden tablets. I think it caused the rashes when you touched them.
MAOMAO: Try this medicine, and let us know if it works.
EUNUCH: Thank you!
GUEN: The little lady's medicines are perfection. You'll be better in no time.
The scene shifts quickly to show Jinshi's hands as he claps.
JINSHI: A wonderful job as always apothecary.
GUEN: Why it's master Jinshi!
GUEN: I'll go and fetch you a cup of tea.
MAOMAO: Well hello there, Master Jinshi. What brings you here today?
JINSHI: Isn't it alright if i just want to stop by and not talk business?
MAOMAO: Honestly, absolutely not.
JINSHI: Hm.
JINSHI: Walk with me for a moment will you?
Guen turns a corner holding the tea tray, only to find that they've all left.
GUEN: Thank you for waiting master Jinshi- oh...
The scene changes again to be a room, there is a table in the center that has plates with piles of powders laid out on it in a row. Jinshi is holding a wooden writing tablet and sets it on the table in front of the bowls.
JINSHI: So, how many colors are there?
MAOMAO: I can't say with certainty.
JINSHI: Well then, how are the colors correctly applied?
MAOMAO: You see, the salts can be dissolved in water. But sometimes though, they'll dissolve in other things too, like certain oils. But that's all I know. I'm sorry.
JINSHI: Interesting.
MAOMAO: If that's all you need, I hope you'll excuse me.
JINSHI: No, wait.
MAOMAO: What is it?
JINSHI: Teapot steam mine please?
MAOMAO: guh- ehhh...
JINSHI: I'm counting on you apothecary.
MAOMAO (Thinking): He knew the whole time...
MAOMAO: Fine, I'll see if i can find more tomorrow.
We watch as Maomao leaves the room. Jinshi reached out to one of the plates sitting on the table.
JINSHI: You know what to do now, find everyone who's suffered recent arm burns.
GAOSHUN: Yes sir.
We go back to Maomao, watching her walk down the pathway as she thinks.
MAOMAO (Thinking): The colored wood tablets are probably some kind of code. People would only use something like that for something secretive.
MAOMAO (Thinking): But what could that be?
MAOMAO: None of my business I guess. Nothing a food taster should be concerned with.
We cut to be inside the jade pavilion. There are Eunuchs bustling about helping carry things while Hongniang seems to be guiding them in what to do. There is a constant undecipherable chatter of the workers in the background.
HONGNIANG: Thank you, oh please, take that over there would you?
MAOMAO: Hey, I'm back.
HONGIANG: Nice to see you.
YINGHUA: Ah! Hello Maomao! great timing as usual.
Yinghua Pulls a pink outer dress from one of the boxes and holds it up as she turns to Maomao.
YINGHUA: Would you please try this on for me?
MAOMAO: Eh, this can't be good.
MAOMAO: Alright, so what is this?
YINGHUA: Well, isn't it obvious? It's your special dress for the garden party.
MAOMAO: Garden party?
YINGHUA: Twice a year the Emperor and his high officials gather in the courtyard to enjoy food an entertainment. It is quite the elaborate celebration.
HONGNIANG: The Emperor isn't married yet and has no consort, no Empress by his side. For these garden parties it's customary to bring all the upper first rank concubines.
MAOMAO: Upper first rank concubines?
HONGNIANG: Yes, the four highest ranking concubines, the most likely to be empress. The four most worthy contenders.
We get a cute little graphic explaining this before it widens into a shot of all four of the high rank concubines. They are all dimmed and as each of their names are said their color brightens and a flower fills the empty space behind them.
HONGNIANG: Gyokuyou, Precious Consort. Lihua, Wise Consort. Lishu, virtuous consort. Ah-duo, pure consort.
HONGNIANG: Last time, Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua couldn't attend because they had just given birth. So this time, they decided to invite all four.
MAOMAO: Alright then, so what do we do there?
HONGNIANG: Well, nothing actually, it's just fun.
GYOKUYOU: hehehe... We're invited as guests, and we're simple expected to follow the Emperor, nothing more, nothing less.
HONGNIANG: There are often high ranking officials there. It would be in your best interest to smile a bit.
Maomao cringes and we get a brief graphic of Jinshi sparkling and laughing dramatically.
MAOMAO: If everyone required to attend this thing?
YINGHUA: of course they are!
YINGHUA: This is princess Lingli's first public appearance! A rare event with all four high ranking concubines! This is an out and out war! We have to brace oursselfs!
YINGHUA: Lets do this!!!
MAOMAO (Thinking): Lady Gyokuyou has so few ladies in waiting to start with. The newbie can't sit this out.
MAOMAO (Thinking): Besides if there's a meal, the taster is indispensable.
YINGHUA: I guess you do need to stuff the chest area a little, I wanna bulk up your waist too, is that alright?
MAOMAO: I'm in your hands.
YINGHUA: And of course, we'll be doing your makeup too!
MAOMAO: hmm.
YINGHUA: You should hide your freckles every now and then.
The scene changes and we watch as Maomao walks down a path, with her basket.
MAOMAO (Thinking): Staying outside in the strong winds, watching the entertainment, eating the food, smiling at the officials who come by...
MAOMAO: I'll definitely need an iron bladder for this occasion. Alright.
We cut to Maomao in the kitchen making something when Hongniang walks in.
MAOMAO: That's looking pretty good.
HONGNIANG: That smells nice.
HONGNIANG: What is it you're making?
MAOMAO: Candy made with ginger and oranges.
HONGNIANG: Candy?
MAOMAO: Orange peels improve blood flow and ginger is an all natural warming anti-inflammatory.
HONGNIANG: Oh wait is that for the garden party?
MAOMAO: Yes, I also made this just incase.
MAOMAO: I went ahead and sewed pockets in my underrobe, putting these pocket warmers in there will help me withstand the cold.
HONGNIANG: Maomao! Oh please, make some for all of us!
MAOMAO: Uh- Sure thing.
We again cut to Maomao in her room this time as she starts to sew pockets into underrobes.
MAOMAO (Thinking): I guess being too steeped in tradition can stifle the simplest of ideas.
MAOMAO: But a little bit of work can make things a lot better.
There is a knock on her door.
MAOMAO: Come in!
JINSHI: I would like one myself if I may.
GAOSHUN: Myself as well, if you please.
MAOMAO: Yes.
The people, previous Gaoshun and Jinshi, change to be two different people with a comedic sound effect. It is a man and a woman. the man is holding a tray with a bowl and some oranges. The woman is holden some fabric, presumably underrobes.
SEAMSTRESS: Please teach me how to make one of those.
COOK: If you would, miss.
MAOMAO (Thinking): Wow, the Emperor's own seamstress and cook too?
Maomao is now alone in her room, late at night, she still appears to be making the pocketed underrobes. We briefly cut to Lady Gyokuyou sleeping with her daughter.
We switch back to watch Maomao, now during the day, running along the path with her basket-bag. Then again we cut to Maomao in her room at night making more pocketed underrobes.
YINGHUA: ooh- So cold.
The cycle continues for a bit. We get to watch Maomao go about things in her daily life before switching back to seeing her make the pocketed underrobes.
MAOMAO: Ughh, I'm done.
MAOMAO (Thinking): So it's tommorow.
MAOMAO: Hm. Just in case, I should probably make more.
We cut to Gaoshun and Jinshi in his office.
GAOSHUN: In regards to the search for others with burns on their arms.
JINSHI: Let me guess, no luck yet?
GAOSHUN: I'm so sorry.
JINSHI: So it is. I hope the garden party goes well.
We cut to the next day and get to watch people start to prepare the Imperial garden for the garden party. We quickly switch to see Gyokuyou in her garden party attire. Her clothes contain more read and she's wearing more hair ordainments.
Ailan, Guiyuan, and Yinghua all coo at how pretty Lady Gyokuyou is.
YINGHUA: You're beautiful Lady Gyokuyou!
GUIYUAN: Oh crimson is so your color!
AILAN: Such an ethereal beauty.
MAOMAO: No wonder they say crimson suits her better than anyone in all the land.
HONGNIANG: Yes, you outshine all the others.
GYOKUYOU: Thank you so much. And these are for all of you.
Lady Gyokuyou leans forward to open a small box. We see her putting on accessories that match her onto each of her ladies in waiting. Hongniang gets a hair piece, that replaces the usual one that she wears.
Yinghua gets wider earrings in an almost bow shape with a flower in the middle that replace her usual flower earrings. Ailan also gets new earring, but hers are a simple bead with two small beaded strings hanging off.
Guiyuan gets flower clips that go on the front pieces of her bangs, they replace the pom-pom like clips that were already there.
GYOKUYOU: I have to make sure each of you are marked.
GYOKUYOU: So that you don't attract any bad bugs.
GYOKUYOU: Maomao, I want you to remember.
Lady Gyokuyou approaches Maomao to clasp a necklace on her.
GYOKUYOU: You are my special lady in waiting.
MAOMAO: Uhm, thank you so much.
Yinghua appears behind Maomao and grabs her from behind, holding her arms so she cant get free.
YINGHUA: Got her!
AILAN & GUIYUAN: It's makeup time Maomao!
GYOKUYOU: It's time to be cuter than ever!
YINGHUA: Were going to wipe your face, apply some scents, and deal with those freckles.
GUIYUAN: There!
AILAN: huh?
GUIYUAN: Uh? Maomao?
YINGHUA: No way.
HONGNIANG: But, why?
GYOKUYOU: Maomao, I didn't realize.
MAOMAO (Thinking): They caught me.
We switch to see the sky and can hear Lady Gyokuyou speak before we get to watch each of the four high ranking concubines, and their ladies and waiting walk out.
GYOKUYOU: Alright, Lets go.
JINSHI: Concubine Lishu, I will see you at the party.
LISHU: Of course! Master Jinshi.
JINSHI: Last but not lease, Lady Gyokuyou.
GAOSHUN (Thinking): He seems to favor Concubine Gyokuyou, could it be because of his favorite toy?
GAOSHUN (Thinking): He can be so troublesome.
GYOKUYOU: Maomao you have been a great help.
MAOMAO: Glad to be of service.
JINSHI: Greeting Lady Gyokuyou.
GYOKUYOU: Oh, greetings.
JINSHI: My lady you certainly look most stunning in crimson. Your gorgeous yet mysterious style must stem from your jade eyes.
JINSHI: Yes, that must be your secret.
GYOKUYOU: You're too kind.
JINSHI: Now to check in on the princess!
Jinshi moves over to where Maomao was taking care of Lingli. She turns around as Jinshi approaches. He is shocked for a moment. Maomao doesn't have her freckles and is wearing light makeup.
MAOMAO: Master Jinshi, good day.
JINSHI: Oh its the apothecary! Are you wearing makeup?
MAOMAO: No, why do you ask?
JINSHI: It seems your freckles are all gone.
MAOMAO: Yes, I removed them all.
JINSHI: You mean you covered them with makeup?
MAOMAO: My makeups gone and so are my freckles.
JINSHI: It sounds like your contradicting yourself. I'm confused.
MAOMAO: Uh. This is annoying, I should have just played along.
MAOMAO: Every morning I start by putting dried clay on my face to add my freckles. Every time you had seen me before this, I had already put on makeup.
MAOMAO: Cosmetics aren't always for making a face more beautiful.
JINSHI: I don't think I understand.
MAOMAO: Then let me explain.
MAOMAO: It's to prevent being dragged into a back alley.
Jinshi makes an appalled noise and we fade into a scene which appears to maybe be an alley way. It is dark, and we are zoomed in to a cluster of flowers growing.
MAOMAO: I lived near the brothels but not every man left satisfied.
We see a food walking over the flowers, crushing them.
MAOMAO: Some had empty wallets, violent tendencies, and diseases.
The scene changes to show a Maomao before she was kidnapped applying the dried clay to her face to give her freckles.
MAOMAO: A short, skinny, ugly girl, rarely becomes a target.
We return to the present, with Maomao and Jinshi standing off to the side of the group.
JINSHI: Were you ever harmed?
MAOMAO: Attempts were made, but instead i was kidnapped. In this case my makeup had faded. And they seem to think I was borderline marketable.
JINSHI: I'm so sorry. If only we could have policed them better.
MAOMAO: I don't particularly mind now. A buyer can't tell if you are kidnapped or just sold off legally. They can't tell, and they really don't care.
JINSHI: Doesn't that make you angry?
MAOMAO: Of course it makes me angry. But it's not your fault, and what can I do at this moment.
JINSHI: I'm sorry.
MAOMAO (Thinking): Wait. He's being real for once.
Jinshi reached up into his hair, removing his hair stick before putting it into Maomao's.
MAOMAO: Hold it, that hurts.
JINSHI: But, it's yours.
JINSHI: So, I'll see you at the party.
Jinshi turns and leaves, with Gaoshun following behind him. Once Jinshi is gone Maoao reaches into her hair and pulls the hairstick from it.
MAOMAO: Uh.
MAOMAO (Thinking): A man's hairpin? That's odd.
YUIGHUA: It's gorgeous!
GUIYUAN: I'm so jealous!
AILAN: I want a man's hairpin too!
MAOMAO (Thinking): I could give it away, but how would I split this?
GYOKOYOU: Aw, you broke our promise already.
MAOMAO: Hm?
Lady Gyokoyou takes the hairpin from Maomao's hands and puts it back into her hair.
GYOKOYOU: It would appear you are no longer mine alone.
MAOMAO: Uh, alright then, so what does that mean?
The scene abruptly cuts to a man banging a mallet against a drum.
GYOKUYOU: So it begins.
We get to see dancers, wearing brightly colouring red and yellow robes dance while people play instruments beside them.
MAOMAO (Thinking): The garden party begins.
We are shown a silhouette of someone swapping food bowls before the episode ends.