Books
Natsu Hyuuga

The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!
At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?
251 printed pages
Original publication
2021
Publication year
2021
Publisher
J-Novel Club
Translator
Kevin Steinbach
Have you already read it? How did you like it?
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Impressions

  • catshared an impression2 years ago
    👍Worth reading
    💡Learnt A Lot
    💞Loved Up

    read this one in one day, what a good decision i made, the anime does it justice though! Can't wait to see certain scenes animated hehe

  • ayanshared an impression2 months ago
    👍Worth reading

    such a lovely story, ive read the manga but the novels just hit different.

  • meganborthwick132shared an impression2 years ago
    👍Worth reading
    🎯Worthwhile
    💞Loved Up
    😄LOLZ

    Love it

Quotes

  • alopsiahas quoted2 years ago
    She must have been much admired for her beauty in those halcyon days before she had arrived at the palace, but when she got here, she discovered she had known as much about the outside world as a frog who had spent its life in a well.
  • kierstendeavy6has quotedlast year
    “My sincere apologies,” Maomao said. “I couldn’t think of compensation that would be worthy of you, Master Jinshi.”
    Would’ve been rude to give a eunuch an invitation to a brothel, right?
  • Lizzie Wandomhas quoted9 days ago
    The fact that the Emperor had asked this of a young girl like Maomao meant either that he knew perfectly well that the doctor of the rear palace could not be relied upon, or that he didn’t care if either or both of them died.

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