Natsu Hyuuga

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?

The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1

薬屋のひとりごと 1

just started the light novel cause i cant get enough of jinshi and maomao interaction ˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶ 

大絶賛を博したあの痛快ミステリーが待望の文庫化。中世の東洋を舞台に「毒味役」の少女が宮中で起こる難事件を次々に解決する。 大陸の中央に位置する、とある大国。その皇帝のおひざ元に一人の娘がいた。 名前は、猫猫(マオマオ)。 花街で薬師をやっていたが現在とある事情にて後宮で下働き中である。 そばかすだらけで、けして美人とはいえぬその娘は、分相応に何事もなく年季があけるのを待っていた。 まかり間違っても帝が自分を“御手付き”にしない自信があったからだ。 そんな中、帝の御子たちが皆短命であることを知る。今現在いる二人の御子もともに病で次第に弱っている話を聞いた猫猫は、興味本位でその原因を調べ始める。呪いなどあるわけないと言わんばかりに。 美形の宦官・壬氏（ジンシ）は、猫猫を帝の寵妃の毒見役にする。 人間には興味がないが、毒と薬の執着は異常、そんな花街育ちの薬師が巻き込まれる噂や事件。 きれいな薔薇にはとげがある、女の園は毒だらけ、噂と陰謀事欠かず。 壬氏からどんどん面倒事を押し付けられながらも、仕事をこなしていく猫猫。 稀代の毒好き娘が今日も後宮内を駆け回る。 日向 夏（ひゅうが なつ）: 福岡県在住。著書に「トネリコの王」（ヒーロー文庫）。

薬屋のひとりごと

sani

Jinshi and Maomao 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼‼️oh the chokehold they've on me

I've been raving about this series ever since I first read it to anyone that would listen to me. It is an irresistible charming mystery series with a lovable and eccentric heroine, perfect for fans of lighthearted mystery, political intrigue, and slowburn romance (very slow).

This series follow Maomao, an intelligent apothecary who was kidnapped and sold to the Imperial palace to work in the rear palace where the consorts live in. Maomao only wants to live a quiet life in the rear palace, however, curiosity killed the cat, and Maomao is no exception. Her curiosity is piped when the Emperor's children are dying of a mysterious illness, rumored to be a curse. 

From there, she gets tangled in various mysteries courtesy of the handsome eunuch overseeing the rear palace, Jinshi, who has his own secrets.

The first volume, as expected, is primarily focused on setting up the characters and the setting and hints to an overarching plot, but the characters' relationships are charming and drive the story, the mysteries are cleverly written, and the writing is fantastic. It's a great start to a great series, and I highly recommend this.

oberon vortigern

Sunny Under Blue Skies

This was a very fun and interesting read, full of so much comedy and mystery. I love the use of wits in these plotlines and how the characters interact with each other. Overall I had a great time and I loved it <3

Izzy

I didnt even know that the manga series was originally based on a light novel series so I had to check it out.

The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 1

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