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Season 1Episode 4
The Threat
’s attendants are scolding for bringing food they consider beneath their mistress. Maomao reflects on how she came to be in their presence. Having previously performed poison inspections for the , she was directly ordered to care for Consort Lihua. She is surprised that the staff treats her with disdain despite her imperial assignment. Later, in discussion with , Maomao surmises that Lihua continues to suffer from the earlier poisoning.
Maomao visits the kitchen to prepare a simple, medicinal meal intended to cleanse Lihua’s system, but the servants repeatedly reject her efforts as inadequate. Maomao understands their preferred meals are richer, but believes such food is too heavy for Lihua’s weakened digestion. , observing her difficulties, intervenes to persuade the servants to allow Maomao to treat their mistress.
While attending to Lihua, Maomao notices an abnormality in her makeup. She abruptly approaches the responsible servant, strikes her for her negligence, and drags her aside. Maomao then pours the cosmetic powder onto the servant herself, stating clearly that it contains poison and must not be used on Lihua. She orders the woman to wash her face and directs the others to clean the scattered powder.
As Maomao continues treating Lihua and instructing her ladies-in-waiting, she learns the servant who concealed the powder has been confined. The eunuch who retrieved it was punished by flagellation. Lihua asks Maomao why she will not let her die; Maomao replies that Lihua could simply refuse to eat. She observes, however, that Lihua continues to take her meals, indicating a desire to live. The confined lady-in-waiting is later permitted to return, promising Maomao she will not repeat her mistake and urging Maomao to rest.
After two months, Lihua recovers sufficiently to walk again. Before Maomao’s departure, Lihua asks if she might ever bear children again. Maomao states that while it is possible, she cannot guarantee it. Lihua confesses she believes the Emperor does not favor her as he does , though Maomao suggests there may still be hope. Maomao quietly advises Lihua to use her physical charms to attract the Emperor’s attention. The episode concludes with reports of a curse affecting someone in the royal palace.