With tears in her eyes, Shenlu says, "You resemble him... He, too, had a voice as sweet as honey and a face like a celestial maiden. Why would someone like you imitate an eunuch?" she exclaims. Shenlu then brushes off Jinshi and resolutely drinks poison without hesitation.

Online reactions include comments such as "Taking poison oneself is quite something," "It's heartbreaking," and "Shenlu is also a victim."

The anime "The Apothecary Diaries" is based on a light novel by Hyuganatsu. It has also been adapted into a manga, with the series surpassing 40 million copies in total. It is a mystery-solving entertainment set in the palace, where the pharmacist's daughter Maomao, with an abnormal obsession for poisons and medicines, and the enigmatic handsome eunuch Jinshi tackle challenging incidents.

■Episode 42 "Red Spider Lily"
【Synopsis】
Ten days have passed with no trace of Maomao. Consort Gyokuyo has gone into labor, and Luomen dedicates himself to her care. Meanwhile, Jinshi hears that the eunuch who disappeared with Maomao was praying at the northern cemetery. This place is the resting ground for those who were favored by the former emperor and met their end in the harem. Seeking clues about Maomao, Jinshi goes there and finds a court lady at a grave. Sensing the same alcohol scent that Maomao had, Jinshi attempts to extract more insights but...

(C)Hyuganatsu, Imagica Infos/"The Apothecary Diaries"Project

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