the apothecary diaries takes place in this old imperial setting, kind of like ancient china. robes, courtyards, palace ranks n everything feels historical, but not too serious. like a mystery wrapped in silk.

it’s about this girl, maomao. she’s not fancy or noble, just smart. Raised in a brothel by an apothecary, not as a worker but as someone who learned medicine, poisons, herbs… all that gritty stuff. she’s a little weird.. LMAO like she actually likes the smell of strange powders and dead things.

one day she gets kidnapped and sold to the imperial palace. suddenly she’s a maid in the rear court where all the consorts and concubines live. it’s pretty, sure, but its also full of poison, whispers, people trying to outshine each other for the emperor’s favor.

Maomao keeps quiet at first. Buut then she notices things. Lke someone’s perfume is wrong. or a consort keeps getting sick for no reason. so she starts solving problems. not loudly, just naturally. and of course that doesn’t go unnoticed.

there’s this one guy, jinshi. too pretty to be real. wears nice clothes, walks around like a jewel. he’s supposed to be a eunuch but hmm… anyway he figures out maomao is not just some servant. she’s clever. abaolutely scary clever. N suddenly, she’s getting pulled deeper into all the palace drama.

but she’s not impressed. not by gold, not by the emperor, not even by jinshi (even though he’s kinda… something :skull:). she just wants to survive. and keep studying poisons like the little nerd she is.

the story’s kind of slow-burn. Itslike you’re sipping hot tea and realizing it’s laced with something. mystery, medicine, old customs, hidden love.. it’s soft but sharp. If you love chinese court life and smart girls who don’t need swords to cut deep… ya. this one’s got you.

AND YES THIS URL IS IN USE.

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Pub: 20 Dec 2022 06:53 UTC

Edit: 26 Jul 2025 02:01 UTC

Views: 204