One of the most perfect examples of the butterfly effect is in The Apothecary Diaries episode 19, wherein everything that had been happening over the previous episodes somehow seemed tied together with a single string.
Titled “Chance or Something More,” the episode opens with Jinshi’s court, where he sits with a frown. The concern stems from Maomao’s indignant look from the previous episode when Jinshi informs Maomao of Lakan’s intention to talk to her. Despite his constant worry, Gaoshun reminds him that attending to work is of utmost importance.
The episode then shifts to Lihaku approaching Maomao to discuss the events unfolding in the warehouse set on fire a few episodes ago. Likhaku informs Maomao that someone had stolen important ceremonial tools from the warehouse the same day.
Moreover, the current warehouse manager got sick with food poisoning recently, and the last manager died due to a salt overdose. All these events, which once seemed to be unfolding in isolation, as Maomao speculates, might not be exactly coincidental. They may very well have been pre-planned to employ a much bigger plan.
The Apothecary Diaries episode 19 recap: Maomao attempts to stop the royal ceremony
Lihaku mentions a court lady who, Maomao predicts, could be at the center of all these events. Suirei seemed to fit Lihaku’s description of the court lady, but Maomao avoids throwing her under the bus based on conjecture.
Soon, Jinshi summons Maomao, and she explains her findings to him. When Maomao seems reluctant to investigate further, Master Jinshi cleverly lures her to investigate using an Ox bezoar as bait. This naturally excites Maomao, and she agrees to work on the case.
Later, with the demoted official’s help, she looks through the archives only to realize that these events might not be entirely coincidental. With this realization, she runs towards the ceremony after she adds everything up. She understands that the noble who is performing the ceremony is in danger.
As she reaches the ceremonial venue, a guard stops her questioning her authority. Though Maomao realizes that she has no right to interject the ceremony, she continues fighting with the guard until he loses his calm and lands a fatal blow on her face.
The Apothecary Diaries episode 19 ending: Is Master Jinshi a prince?
As Maomao avoids losing consciousness and continues to argue with the guard, she agrees to put her life at risk just to be able to stop the ceremony. In the middle of the argument, Lakan appears behind Maomao, seemingly concerned that Maomao is hurt. Being an official of a higher rank, he persuades the guard to trust her words and let her in the ceremony.
This interruption catches Maomao off-guard, but she reminds herself that she can’t worry about who the voice belongs to. As such, she uses the opportunity to sneak past the guard and run toward the ceremonial hall.
Right as she barges in, the ceiling comes crashing down towards the noble performing the ceremony. Without a second’s delay, Maomao manages to sneak past the guard, thereby saving the noble’s life. Though she gets injured, she looks up to find herself in Jinshi’s lap. With that, she crashes down on him.
A worried Jinshi then carries the unconscious Maomao as blood drops down from her injured leg. Moreover, Lakan’s surprised face indicates that he might care for Maomao. However, only the upcoming episodes can reveal his true intentions. With Jinshi, whose identity as a person of noble importance has now been revealed, walking slowly as he carries Maomao, the episode comes to an end.
