You may wonder why The Apothecary Diaries is hyped up, and yet it serves as iconic in every single way. The colors, character designs, setting, everything is what a historical drama should be. It is, however, anything but a stereotypical portrayal of consort culture, and the latest episode proved why.

Maomao in her decked-up look at the garden party | Credit: Toho Animation

In particular, it showcased Lihua in her most unapologetic element and for the right reasons. Some shocking revelations had most fans on the edge of their seats. This is precisely why the anime needs to unfurl the hidden mysteries and unsolved questions embedded within the Crystal Pavillion.

Lady Lihua: The Queen, The Legend, The Moment

We were first introduced to Lihua in Season One, where she slapped Gyokuyou and blamed her for her son’s death. Both are esteemed consorts in their respective pavilion and are subject to dangers.