The Apothecary Diaries

Maomao

After being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws the attention of the higher ranks when she investigates what's causing the emperor's infant heirs to fall mysteriously ill.

Chilly Apothecary

Maomao tries to settle into her promotion to lady-in-waiting and food taster, but struggles to fend off both boredom and the overly-familiar Jinshi. That is, until she gets an assignment of her dreams: to concoct an aphrodisiac.

The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit

Tasked with investigating a ghostly woman dancing nightly on the palace walls, Maomao finds a sleepwalking Concubine Fuyou. But with no medicinal cure for sleepwalking, she's forced to dig deeper to find the real reason behind Fuyou's affliction.

The Threat

Under direct orders from the emperor himself, Maomao tries to care for an ailing Concubine Lihua, but finds her work impeded by Lihua's own ladies-in-waiting.

Covert Operations

A eunuch stricken by a curse comes begging for aid. Meanwhile, the rear palace buzzes with excitement as everyone prepares for the upcoming garden party, and Gyokuyou's ladies-in-waiting aren't about to let Maomao get away without dressing her up.

The Garden Party

Maomao does her best to navigate the complex social situations at the garden party, including meeting the other Upper First rank concubines. But once she settles down to do her work as a food-taster, she discovers a surprise in a bowl of soup.

Homecoming

Gaoshun goes to Maomao to get her help in resolving the events of the garden party. Later, Xiaolan explains the purpose of the hairpins Maomao was gifted, and Maomao makes a deal with Lihaku in order to finally visit home.

Wheat Stalks

Maomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one of the local brothels.

Suicide or Murder?

An older acquaintance of Jinshi's dies while drinking at a party. A servant's body turns up in a moat. Both deaths are written off as self-inflicted, but Maomao's keen observations tell her that there's more to both stories.

Honey

A tea party hosted by Lady Gyokuyou puts the politics of the rear palace at the forefront, and Maomao learns something new about Lady Lishu. His true intentions unclear, Jinshi sends Maomao to work for Lady Ah-Duo.

Reducing Two to One

Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.

The Eunuch and the Courtesan

Discovering that Maomao's kidnappers were connected to Fengming's family, Jinshi is faced with a choice between keeping Maomao in the rear palace where he can be near her or releasing her from her service.

Serving in the Outer Court

To Maomao's surprise, Jinshi brings her directly to his house instead of taking her back to the rear palace, and tells her she's to work in the outer court. Not only is there much to learn, it seems there's many eyes on her as the new hire.

The New Pure Consort

Ah-Duo's replacement has arrived in the rear palace, and Maomao is assigned to give a certain lecture to all four high concubines. Later, Maomao helps Lihaku investigate a warehouse explosion.

Raw Fish

Gaoshun requests Maomao's help in solving an apparent poisoning case. Meanwhile, Jinshi deals with an unwelcome visitor who's taken to lingering in his office.

Lead

A shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl are all that a talented metalworker leaves to his three sons upon his death. Maomao is assigned to investigate how these strange inheritances all fit together.

A Jaunt Around Town

Covering up Jinshi's otherworldly beauty is no easy task, but after Maomao takes the challenge head-on, she's surprised when she's also asked to don the disguise of a noblewoman and escort "Jinka" outside the palace.

Lakan

Back at home, Maomao visits an annex building at the Verdigris House that hides one of the brothel's secrets. Lakan continues to antagonize Jinshi as his connection to Maomao becomes clear.

Chance or Something More

A discussion with Lihaku about recent events leads Maomao to realize that the mysteries she's helped to solve are connected. As the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, she rushes to stop impending disaster.

Thornapple

Maomao was able to stop the assassination attempt, but was heavily injured in the process. However, the injuries aren't enough to stop her curiosity, driving her to confront the culprit behind the incident.

How to Buy Out a Contract

Back to work at the rear palace, Maomao listens to Guen talk about his family's business. Meanwhile, Lihaku hears a rumor that whips him into action.

Blue Roses

Lakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again to Maomao for her help.

Balsam and Woodsorrel

No longer willing to keep running away from Lakan, Maomao decides to face off against him. She challenges him on his own turf, in a chess match.

Jinshi and Maomao

Lakan must now choose a courtesan to buy out. As a high-ranking military official, he can afford to freely choose, even from one of the Three Princesses. Who will he choose? Who does Maomao really want him to choose?

Maomao and Maomao

The spring garden party concludes without incident. Maomao returns to her regular life as Concubine Gyokuyou’s taster. Meanwhile, novels become popular in the rear palace. Maomao wonders how this came to be, as novels were typically considered low-class. But behind the scenes lies Jinshi and his goals as manager of the rear palace.

Caravan

The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.

Corpse Fungus

A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.

Mirror

The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.

The Moon Fairy

In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.

The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third Time

The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.

The Shrine of Choosing

Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.

The Empress Dowager

Maomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery that won't leave her mind.

The Late Emperor

Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.

A Ghost Story

Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.

The Hunt

Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.

Ka Zuigetsu

Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.

The Baths

Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.

The Dancing Ghost

Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.

Ice

Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.

Festering Resentment

Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.

The Fox Village

Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.

Lantern Plant

Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.

Festival

The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.

The Stronghold

Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.

Taibon

Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.

Royal Guard

The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.

The Shi Clan

Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.

The Beginning

After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.