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Season 1Episode 5
Covert Operations
sparred with a man named . The next day, he reflected upon the situation involving 's lady-in-waiting and . Meanwhile, Maomao located a special ingredient for which she had been searching. Before using it, she visited and shared a meal. They discussed a rumor, after which Maomao went to the palace physician. She informed him of a mushroom she had found during her break, and he assisted her in preparing it.
A palace attendant entered and reported a curse that had spread to his hands. Maomao examined the wound and identified it as a peculiar rash. The physician asked if she could produce an ointment for the man. As Maomao prepared it, the attendant explained how his condition began. Maomao suggested a connection to fireworks and assured him the ointment would help.
Jinshi arrived and requested Maomao accompany him to further discuss the rash. After their conversation, he tasked her with preparing some of the mushroom stew she had made with the physician. Alone, Maomao contemplated the colored wood tablets associated with the palace rash cases, wondering if they constituted a code.
Maomao returned to 's residence, where her fellow ladies-in-waiting presented a dress required for an upcoming garden party. They noted that two other concubines, named and , would attend alongside Lihua and Gyokyou. Gyokyou stated that while all must comply with the 's demands, they could act freely at the event.
Maomao proceeded to her office to prepare for the festivities. Hongniang entered, and Maomao demonstrated an underrobe warmed by heated stones she had devised. Hongniang asked if she could produce more for the others, and Maomao agreed.
Elsewhere, Jinshi was informed that efforts to locate other rash victims had been unsuccessful. He met with the concubines, speaking first with Gyokyou. He observed that Maomao's freckles had disappeared and noted her altered appearance. Maomao revealed she had always worn makeup, intentionally applying it to appear plainer and avoid unwanted attention. Jinshi apologized for not aiding her during her kidnapping, but she dismissed his concern. He then gave her his hairpin, and she inquired of the others what such a gift might signify.
The garden party commenced. The episode concluded with a view of a woman obscured in darkness.