This episode of "The Apothecary Diaries" begins with a tense moment between Maomao and Jinshi as they find themselves at a crossroads during their exploration of the city. Nevertheless, Maomao explains her departure as a necessity to protect Jinshi's identity, leading to an abrupt end to their outing.

After this encounter, Maomao has a disturbing nightmare about her childhood, hinting at deep-seated fears and unresolved issues from her past. The nightmare, clearly influenced by her recent conversation with Jinshi, raises the possibility of a traumatic relationship with her mother.

The narrative then shifts to Maomao's task of delivering medicine to the Verdigris House, where she encounters a woman suffering from syphilis who bears a striking resemblance to her mother. This meeting brings up unspoken questions about family ties and Maomao's past, especially given the condition and isolation of the mysterious woman.

The episode delves into the dynamics of Maomao's relationships with other characters, including Jinshi, Suiren, and Suirei. Suiren's advice to Maomao about the dangers of judging others solely based on birth and status highlights the themes of prejudice and opportunity.

Meanwhile, another encounter takes place between Jinshi and Lakan, who claims to be Maomao's real father, ending with Jinshi refusing to "sell" Maomao to him, underscoring his complicated feelings toward her. On the other hand, Lakan seems aware of Jinshi's status (it has been hinted multiple times in the series that he is the emperor's younger half-brother) and thus has no choice but to accept the rejection.

Another development arises when Maomao discovers Suirei's secret hobby as an apothecary, tied to a dark joke about a resurrection medicine.