Warning: This article contains spoilers from the light novel and the manga.
Summary
- Fenxigan, a former courtesan, has her life changed by a fateful meeting with strategist Lakan.
- Despite a brief reunion with Lakan, Fenxigan falls tragically ill and meets her demise.
- The Apothecary Diaries emphasizes the impact of life choices through Fenxigan’s story.
Along with many lessons, the Apothecary Diaries highlights the importance of life-changing decisions through the story of Fenxigan. As the biological mother of Maomao, this tragic tale is the building point that led to the events fans can observe today. It serves as a measure of what falling from an esteemed position can be like.
And yet, many still don’t understand what led to Fenxigan’s demise. This likely stems from a lack of understanding of the lore of the infamous courtesan. After all, to understand a conclusion one must understand the events that led to such a closing.
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Fenxigan’s Meeting With The Undefeated Strategist
The Visit That Changed Everything
Twenty years before the original timeline, Fenxigan was a high-ranking courtesan in the Verdigris Household. However, unlike other courtesans, the courtesan offered not a sexual encounter but rather Go and Shogi skills to customers. Among these partons was Lakan, the biological father of Maomao, who came after hearing about the undefeated courtesan.
According to the narrative, Lakan suffered a humiliating defeat which made the strategist want to be back for more. After all, Fenxigan was the first person Lakan had ever seen without a chess lens. Over the years, the two played over and over again until Fenxigan decided to put a wager on the game.
If you win I shall grant you whatever you desire and If I win you shall grant me whatever I desire
Knowing that Fenxigan’s price was rising by the day, Lakan reluctantly agreed and the two ended up sharing a night together. By this point, the two had already developed feelings for each other, and yet fate had other plans in store.
The Fall Of The Pure Courtesan
A Pregnancy Of Disaster
After Lakan’s night of intimacy, Luomen (Lakan’s Uncle) was banished from the Inner Court for failing the Empress. This banishment brought no disdain on their family name but Lakan’s father sent the strategist off on an expedition until things cooled off.
Lakan being low in rank could do nothing but obey, desperate to see Fenxigan again. Now, due to the matter’s abruptness, Lakan couldn’t compose a detailed letter of his situation. The strategist merely informed Fenxigan of his visit after half a year’s worth of time.
Even though, news of the two sleeping together would’ve lowered Fenxigan’s price to Lakan’s standards. This sudden departure also meant that Lakan could not buy out the courtesan’s contract. However, little did the poor man know that Fenxigan was already pregnant by then…
During Lakan’s journey, all talk of purchasing the courtesan ceased after the contract was changed to paid by Fenxigan. The courtesan kept the child hoping to surprise Lakan in person. However, the surprise didn’t come to pass until 3 years later…
After giving birth to Maomao, Fenixgan was discredited and lost the rank she once held in the Verdigris household. This forced the maiden to roam as a streetwalker which made her catch syphilis. A deadly disease that stripped the once-renowned courtesan of her beauty.
Throughout the years, Fenxigan kept on sending letters to her love hoping for a response. The poor girl went as far as to chop and send her own finger as a testament to her love. Yet, these letters were only met with silence. An instance that drove Fenxigan to madness…
The Return Of The One Responsible
Horrors Of An Irredeemable Mistake
Unbeknownst to Lakan, everything had changed. A plethora of letters were found lying in Lakan’s house. With intrigue, the strategist inspected the letters only to find a whole human finger and the tip of child’s pinky in the mass.
A sense of guilt and horror immediately flooded Lakan’s mind as the man began to speculate what might have happened while the strategist was away. Hitting a realization, Lakan ran towards the Verdigris Household crying and grieving, only to be kicked out with nothing but insults and defamation by the owner. After all, not even the owner knew the reason for Lakan’s disappearance for three whole years.
Therefore, the strategist was banned from meeting with Fenxigan, and was told that the courtesan no longer worked here. Not giving up, Lakan continued to visit the house but to no avail. The man was met with the same response every time. And so the years passed…
The Reunion Of Those Outdone By Fate
A Short-Lived Dream
Back to the original timeline, Lakan is offered a match of elephant chess by his daughter in chapter 36. Happy to comply the strategist agrees, but not before Maomao establishes the same principle Fenxigan did all those years ago. The game proceeds as expected and eventually, like any game, the match ends, but with Lakan’s defeat. Thus, the doting father finally agrees to buy out one of the courtesan’s contracts as per Maomao’s ask.
As the strategist approaches the Verdigris Household, the owner introduces Lakan to the other courtesans. After considering for a while, Lakan moves to choose Mei Mei to thank her for her kindness. However, the courtesan in question (being a former apprentice of Fenxigan) opens a door while stating:
If you are to pick one of us, please choose the woman you truly want
A lullaby comes echoing through the door, causing Lakan’s eyes to widen more than they ever have. Lakan runs desperately chasing the echo as the man recognizes this voice from somewhere. The moment Lakan arrives at the source of the echo, everything goes quiet except the singing girl, Fenxigan. It seems the owner had kept the girl hidden from Lakan, to protect the already suffering Fenxigan from further harm.
Though a former shell of what the maiden was, it was still the woman Lakan fell in love with. The strategist rushes to Fenxigan’s bed and gently holds the frail woman’s hand, crying out of joy and happiness. Fans witness a heart-melting scene as life re-enters Fenxigan’s gloomy face, and for the first time in a while, the courtesan gives off a radiant smile.
Lakan trying to get a hold of his emotions, immediately buys Fenxigan’s contract and marries the love of his life. The two continue to spend their days playing Go and Elephant Chess, reminiscing on the good old times. Until the revelation of the light novel causes Fenxigan to die from Syphilis, concluding the courtesan’s tragic yet beautiful story.
