The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 3 unfolds against the backdrop of new arrivals at the rear palace, bringing an air of tension beneath the excitement of their stay.
While preparations for a grand banquet are underway, troubling signs hint at a hidden scheme that could threaten the concubines’ safety.
Whispers of danger ripple through the palace, raising questions about who might be behind such a plot and what their motives could be.
As the stakes grow higher, the delicate balance of power teeters on the edge, leaving the truth uncertain.
The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 2 recap
The episode opened with Gaoshun informing Jinshi that a special envoy from a foreign nation would be arriving at the rear palace and the guests would stay longer than expected.
A high-ranking officer was preparing a banquet, and Jinshi explained that the guests were important diplomatic partners. Meanwhile, at the Jade Pavilion, Maomao and the other ladies-in-waiting were assigned to work on new outfits.
With the arrival of the foreign guests, Jinshi wanted all the Pavilions to make a strong impression by ensuring everything appeared lively and vibrant. As part of this preparation, wardrobe changes were arranged for all the Pavilions.
Maomao became concerned that Lady Gyokuyou’s new dress might not suit her situation. Since Lady Gyokuyou’s pregnancy had not yet been announced, Maomao worried the dress could draw unwanted attention later.
While visiting merchants with Xiaolan, Maomao encountered Shisui, a court lady who had previously helped her catch a kitten. Maomao deduced that it was Shisui’s first experience with a caravan, indicating she was new to the rear palace and had likely arrived around the same time as Concubine Loulan.
After the caravan merchants departed, Maomao observed that many of the ladies used strong scents, with a prevalent rose fragrance that could pose risks to a healthy pregnancy.
Concerned, Maomao inspected the scents used in other Pavilions, which led to her being reported for her actions.
Jinshi confronted Maomao about her behavior. She explained that the scents and items sold by the merchants could be part of something dangerous. While no single item sold was inherently harmful, certain combinations could cause severe harm, especially to the concubines.
Maomao referenced a previous situation where a similar combination of substances had caused Princess Lingli to fall ill and had led to the death of Concubine Lihua’s child.
The episode concluded with Gaoshun informing Jinshi that Concubine Jin had passed away due to poisoning.
The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 3 release date
The third episode airs on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 6 a.m. PT (Pacific Time).
The release times and schedule for international viewers vary based on their time zone.
| THE APOTHECARY DIARIES SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 RELEASE DATE TIME ZONES | FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025/TIME |
| GMT+8 | 10:00 p.m. |
| JST (Japanese Standard Time) | 11:00 p.m. |
| CT (Central Time) | 8:00 a.m. |
| ET (Eastern Time) | 9:00 a.m. |
| GMT (Western European Time) | 2:00 p.m. |
| CET (Central European Time) | 3:00 p.m. |
| IST (Indian Standard Time) | 7:30 p.m. |
Where to watch The Apothecary Diaries
The Apothecary Diaries is available on the following platforms:
| THE APOTHECARY DIARIES STREAMING PLATFORMS: |
| Crunchyroll |
| Netflix |
Availability may differ depending on your region.
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