aph

Show: Apothecary Diaries

Song: The Subway by Chappell Roan

Theme: doomed yuri

Hairpins in TAD represent belonging to/with someone, and the ones she bore as Loulan tied her to a life she never asked for; a belonging to her mother and clan, and the emperor.

When Maomao gives Shisui her hairpin as a parting gift, as an offering for her prayer, the dialogue goes like this:

🪲:Why in my collar and not in my hair?

🍀:You already have so much up there.

She acknowledges the burden and duty Shisui bears, and in tucking it into her collar instead of her hair, she gives her a choice.

Maomao doesn’t claim her, but gives her the option. A stark contrast to all the roles and expectations imposed on her her entire life.

In her last moments as Shisui, the only tie she has to the palace and prior life now is the hairpin Maomao gave her, and after selling that she becomes free.

She finally belongs to herself only.

Shimao my babies

She's got a way...