What Could the Mysterious Tablets Be in The Apothecary Diaries?

The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) spoilers ahead!

Summary

• Fans were expecting the mystery of the wood tablets to take a central stage in Ep. 5.
• Instead, only one eunuch handled them, and Maomao treated his burns easily.
• Jinshi’s interest in them suggests that the tablets will be important in a future episode.
• While fans would love to know the specific chemical used in the tablets, it is not that important next to the excitement of Ep. 6.

Wooden Tablets

As teased at the end of Episode 4, in the latest episode, a frightened eunuch came to the doctor of the inner palace, certain that he had been cursed after throwing into the fire what he assumed was just another piece of trash. Fans had expected this story to be the main mystery Maomao would be solving in Episode 5. However, she just gave the eunuch something for the rash caused by the tablets and showed him that different powders might color the flame to soothe him and convince him that he wasn’t cursed.

The Apothecary Diaries doesn't explain much about the tablets in the end, which disappointed fans a little. However, Jinshi is clearly concerned about these tablets or, rather, the color that they made the fire burn.

As a result, fans are sure that the tablets were made to convey a message, most likely, about some sort of attack. It is especially believable since the Garden Party is now in full swing, and some fans are certain that the teaser at the end of the episode hints at an assassination attempt.

Not Very Specific

Just like earlier with the whitening powder, the anime doesn’t name the exact chemicals used. Fans have noted that the whitening powder likely contained lead in some form, as it used to be a very common method of whitening skin, while also being very poisonous. However, with the tablets, fans do not really share suggestions as to what the chemicals were.

There is some hope that we will learn more about the tablets in the future, which would satisfy fans’ curiosity. But if the anime avoids naming specific chemicals, it will be fine too, especially with how much excitement the future episode promises. The Apothecary Diaries does not have to be true to life; just like any anime, it simply needs to be entertaining.