The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 6 Recap: Paper Village

In the sixth episode of The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, titled “The Paper Village,” Maomao takes on a new apprentice after testing Sazen’s knowledge of medicinal herbs. She selects him over Chou-u to serve as a substitute while she travels with Jinshi, though the purpose of the journey remains unclear. Meanwhile, Guen receives time off from his duties at the palace clinic and asks Maomao to accompany him to his hometown under the guise of caring for his cat.

During the trip, Jinshi and Basen travel in disguise, with Jinshi maintaining his cover effectively while Basen struggles. Upon arriving at Guen’s village, the group meets his family, including a nephew who is hostile toward his uncle’s return. The village elder reveals that the landlord’s son is demanding back taxes and threatens to seize control of their papermaking business if they cannot pay. The villagers plan to petition the emperor for grain tax relief, prompting Basen to join their upcoming discussion.