The Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
Invited by the Snow Plum Empress, Fei Ling visits the Plum Orchard.
When she was a concubine, there had been a palace within the Plum Orchard, but in the spring, one had to cross several bridges to reach the palace.
While crossing the water garden, where the narcissus flowers bloomed, Snow Plum Empress muttered quietly.
“Spring circulates as ever, but everything else continues to change.”
“Has the court changed?”
Snow Plum Empress often participates in court banquets as a dancer, making her the most knowledgeable about the affairs of the harem.
“Inside the court, it’s like a patch of nettles growing rampant,” Snow Plum Empress sighed, exasperated.
“Although Her Majesty the Empress is in control, she does not care for grasping power. Now, the struggle for power continues, with those vying for control still glaring at one another. Those seeking to gain the favor of the crown prince… ah, I misspoke, there will be no end to those trying to court him.”
Zhen, perhaps. She hadn’t met him since the Lantern Festival night.
He wasn’t a foolish man to be consumed by the poisonous desires of the court. Therefore, even hearing of the court’s turmoil, she wasn’t concerned.
Fei Ling trusted Zhen. To be more precise, she trusted his poison.
(After all, there is no one with poison as potent as his.)
Fei Ling faintly smiled.
“Is something wrong? You seem happy.”
“No, it’s nothing. Still, even as the poison epidemic continues to spread, the court, which should be united in creating medicine for the people, continues to fight amongst itself, digging into each other’s bellies. How lamentable.”
“It’s not just the court that’s in turmoil. Negotiations have begun outside too.”
“Outside? Do you mean the regional lords?”
There are local powers in the empire. The territory of Koku is vast, and it’s difficult for the emperor, who resides in the capital, to govern the edges of the continent. Therefore, those entrusted with power by the emperor govern the local regions. Military governors and officials, for example, represent this. It’s entirely possible that after the emperor’s death, control has been lost.
However, Snow Plum Empress raised an eyebrow.
“Oh no, I mean foreign affairs. Seven days ago, the King of the Shōshin Islands in the South Seas arrived at the court. Didn’t you know?”
According to Snow Plum Empress, the Empire of Koku is seeking to conclude a maritime treaty with Shōshin. In order to hold discussions for the treaty, the Empress invited the king of Shōshin as an official guest. Although, she didn’t believe the Empress herself would engage in foreign diplomacy, so it must be Zhen’s policy.
“I also performed the welcoming dance,” she added.
Frowning, Snow Plum Empress lowered her voice.
“He was a rough king. Shōshin is a great maritime power now, but it was originally founded by pirates and has long been rumored to be a barbaric country. With such behavior in public, it’s impossible to deny the rumors.”
Considering that Snow Plum Empress, who regularly deals with drunken men, was making such a comment, it must have been quite bad. It wasn’t just that Shōshin was barbaric; the lack of the emperor also likely led to them being scorned by other countries.
A fragrance of plum blossoms floated gently on the wind.
Looking up from her lowered gaze, the Plum Orchard spread out before her.
Surrounded by red plums, the white plums bloomed in a cascade, their blossoms in full glory.
These were the plums beloved by Yin Chun, a man of the past. Though it was early spring and they were only beginning to bloom, they were so elegant that one couldn’t help but hold their breath. It seemed as though only the area around those plums was moving in a peaceful, unhurried manner.
“This spring, the flowers are unusually abundant. It’s as though Yin Chun is by my side, encouraging me.”
The quiver in Snow Plum’s voice revealed her unease.
Ah, I see now. Snow Plum Empress must have felt lonely.
Fei Ling understood, albeit late.
Considering that she gave birth to the emperor’s child only for him to die soon after, it was only natural she would feel uncertain.
She was strong. Therefore, she never showed weakness to those she trusted, but perhaps she could only be her true, vulnerable self with Yin Chun.
Snow Plum Empress approached the plum blossoms, her sleeve floating gently in the breeze.
As the wind blew, the petals swirled around her as though embracing her. For a brief moment, the figure of a eunuch dressed in official robes passed through the petals, and Fei Ling lowered her eyelashes.
“Yin Chun will always remain by your side, Snow Plum Empress.”
Even though everything else may change,
Love is surely the one thing that will never fade.
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Top Tools for Learning Japanese: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond
Learning Japanese opens doors to a rich culture, unique career opportunities, and a rewarding personal challenge. Whether you’re captivated by anime, planning a trip to Tokyo, or looking to expand your linguistic skills, the right tools can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. With so many apps, websites, and resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This guide highlights the top tools for learning Japanese, catering to different learning styles, budgets, and proficiency levels. From gamified apps to immersive software and conversation practice platforms, these tools will help you master vocabulary, grammar, Kanji, and more. Let’s dive in!
Why Learn Japanese?
Before exploring the tools, it’s worth noting why Japanese is a valuable language to learn:
- Cultural Immersion: Understand anime, manga, and Japanese literature in their original form.
- Career Opportunities: Japan’s global influence in technology, business, and entertainment makes Japanese a sought-after skill.
- Cognitive Benefits: Learning a non-Latin script language like Japanese can enhance memory and problem-solving skills.
Now, let’s look at the best tools to help you achieve your goals.
1. Duolingo
- Best For: Beginners seeking a fun, gamified approach.
- Key Features:
- Free with optional premium upgrades.
- Bite-sized lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
- Listening and speaking exercises to practice pronunciation.
- Gamification elements like points, streaks, and leaderboards.
- Why It Stands Out: Duolingo’s user-friendly interface and reward system make it ideal for building a daily learning habit. It’s perfect for beginners but may need to be supplemented with other tools for advanced learners.
2. Rosetta Stone
- Best For: Learners who prefer immersive, structured lessons.
- Key Features:
- Paid subscription with a focus on immersion.
- Interactive lessons covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Speech recognition technology for pronunciation feedback.
- Lessons build on each other for gradual progression.
- Why It Stands Out: Rosetta Stone’s immersion method helps you think in Japanese rather than translating from your native language. It’s ideal for serious learners looking for a comprehensive curriculum.
3. Memrise
- Best For: Vocabulary building with spaced repetition.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- User-generated courses and official Memrise content.
- Spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques for memory retention.
- Audio and video clips from native speakers.
- Why It Stands Out: Memrise excels at making vocabulary stick. Its use of real-life videos and community-driven content adds variety and cultural context to your learning.
4. Anki
- Best For: Customizable flashcard learning, especially for Kanji.
- Key Features:
- Free on most platforms (paid iOS app).
- Create custom flashcard decks or download pre-made ones.
- Supports images, audio, and example sentences.
- Spaced repetition system (SRS) for optimal review timing.
- Why It Stands Out: Anki’s flexibility allows you to tailor your learning to specific needs, like mastering Kanji or advanced vocabulary. It’s a favorite among serious learners for its effectiveness.
5. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
- Best For: Grammar-focused learners.
- Key Features:
- Completely free online resource.
- Comprehensive grammar lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
- Clear explanations with practical examples.
- Available as a mobile app for offline access.
- Why It Stands Out: Tae Kim’s guide is a go-to for understanding Japanese grammar. Its straightforward approach demystifies complex concepts, making it a must-have for self-learners.
6. HelloTalk
- Best For: Conversation practice with native speakers.
- Key Features:
- Free with premium options.
- Connects you with native Japanese speakers for language exchange.
- Text, voice, and video chat options.
- Built-in correction tools and translation features.
- Why It Stands Out: HelloTalk bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversation. It’s perfect for practicing speaking and listening in a supportive environment.
7. Kanji Recognizer
- Best For: Learning and recognizing Kanji characters.
- Key Features:
- Free app available on Android and iOS.
- Draw Kanji on your screen to search for meanings and readings.
- Provides stroke order, example words, and readings.
- Offline functionality for on-the-go learning.
- Why It Stands Out: Kanji Recognizer is a handy tool for quickly identifying and learning Kanji. It’s especially useful for beginners struggling with character recognition.
Tips for Maximizing Your Learning
To get the most out of these tools, consider these strategies:
- Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s mastering 100 Kanji or holding a 5-minute conversation, specific goals keep you motivated.
- Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.
- Mix and Match Tools: Use a combination of apps for well-rounded learning. For example:
- Vocabulary: Duolingo or Memrise.
- Grammar: Tae Kim’s Guide.
- Speaking: HelloTalk.
- Kanji: Anki or Kanji Recognizer.
- Embrace Mistakes: Language learning is a process. Don’t be afraid to make errors—they’re stepping stones to fluency.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese is a journey that requires dedication, but with the right tools, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. From gamified apps like Duolingo to immersive platforms like Rosetta Stone and conversation tools like HelloTalk, there’s something for every learner. Start with the tools that best fit your style and goals, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations.
Ready to begin? Choose your first tool and take the first step toward mastering Japanese today!
