Natsu Hyuuga

The Apothecary Diaries 03

Itsuki Nanao

After breaking a "curse" on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster...and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated period mystery series! After explaining to Jinshi the circumstances behind the poisoned cup at the garden party, Maomao returns home to the pleasure district for the first time in ten months, thanks to the ornate hairpin she received at the party. But there, she gets swept up in yet another mystery?!

The Apothecary Diaries

oberon vortigern

i cried and im gonna have to reread this a couple more times to fully appreciate this but how does this series just keep getting better and better and MAOMAO AND JINSHI

After the ending of the third volume, Maomao is shaken by Jinshi's secret and is burdened by the meaning of it. She's in denial of it as she continues her daily life in the rear palace, taking care of Consort Gyokuyou, when she realizes the pregnancy may be more difficult than she anticipated, and the palace calls on her adoptive father to help with the pregnancy. As always, there are mysteries for Maomao to solve, but her curiosity leads her into danger, unraveling the conspiracy at last.

The conspiracy that was hinted at in previous volumes has now finally appeared, threatening to turn into an open rebellion against the emperor. Maomao and Jinshi, separated, must find a way to prevent a bloody rebellion from happening.

The series excel in mystery, political intrigue, and character writing, and this volume was of the highest caliber in all three. The conspiracy which has long slithered around the palace, stems from the grudges held by women wronged by the previous emperor, a family torn between loyalty to the country and love, tragic misunderstandings and terrible secrets, and at its heart, a scorned woman willing to burn down everything for her hatred.

This is my favorite volume so far, I honestly don't think I have any criticism for this volume, the writing is great, there aren't that much mysteries, but considering the scale of the conspiracy it's fine, the conspiracy and its tragedy were brilliant, so many delicious political intrigue in this, and the character writing in this is excellent.

The Apothecary Diaries 03

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