The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 4 release date and where to watch

The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 4 explores the growing unrest within the rear palace, where jealousy and hidden motives lead to dangerous consequences.

The tension among the ladies-in-waiting escalates as subtle schemes and rivalries take their toll.

Maomao must uncover the truth behind these troubling events while Jinshi works to prevent the palace from descending into turmoil.

With secrets lurking in every corner, the balance of power hangs by a thread.

Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 3 recap

The episode began with the rear palace doctor, Guen, informing Maomao about Tao, a missing court lady. Tao was a diligent worker nearing the end of her tenure in the rear palace. She was set to get married, having received a hairpin during a garden party—a gesture symbolizing her engagement. However, the matron wanted Tao to remain in service.

After speaking with the doctor, Jinshi summoned Maomao and asked her to advise on establishing a penmanship school for the populace. Jinshi also tasked Maomao with removing all poisonous fruits and plants growing in the rear palace.

Maomao headed to the northern part of the rear palace to carry out her assignment and began collecting mushrooms. While foraging, she detected a strange odor emanating from the area she was inspecting.

When Maomao returned, she learned that an upper-middle-rank concubine, the daughter of a high-ranking official, had passed away. As a result, the Jade Pavilion was in mourning. It was revealed that Jin, a court lady, had fallen ill from food poisoning and had not recovered.

Later, Maomao spoke with Lady Hongniang, who shared information about Jin’s difficult temperament. Jin had been known to verbally and physically lash out at women she envied. Maomao began piecing together the internal politics within the rear palace. Jin had previously been suspected of poisoning Lady Gyokuyou, and her own poisoning suggested that poisonous plants might have been used as weapons by multiple parties.

At Jin’s funeral, another court lady interrupted, expressing her relief over Jin’s death. She claimed to have been poisoned by Jin as well. After examining the state of Jin’s body, Maomao concluded that a particular type of poisonous mushroom had caused her illness.

Maomao returned to the rear palace’s northern area to collect mushroom samples and reported her findings to Jinshi. Maomao explained that Jin’s autopsy had been incorrect—the poison had not been ingested but was likely applied externally.

With the assistance of Jinshi’s men, Maomao investigated the northern area of the rear palace. There, they discovered the body of the real Concubine Jin. It was revealed that Jin had died much earlier, and Tao, the missing lady-in-waiting, had been impersonating her.

Maomao explained that Tao and Jin had similar appearances and builds, and since Jin’s body had been wrapped in bandages, no one had noticed the substitution. Maomao suspected that the ladies serving Jin had coerced Tao into taking her place.

The episode concluded with Jinshi planning further investigations to uncover the full truth behind these events.

The Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 4 release date

The Apothecary Diaries episode 27 airs on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6 a.m. PT (Pacific Time).

The release times and schedule for international viewers vary based on their time zone.

Where to watch The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries is available on the following platforms:

Availability may differ depending on your region.

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