The Apothecary Diaries

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

暑い夏の夜に、猫猫は女性たちと一緒に怖い話を交わし、ゾッとさせる。

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

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

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

小蘭の伝手作りに付き合い一緒に通っていた湯殿で、猫猫は里樹妃から「金剛宮の湯殿に幽霊が出る」という話を聞く。怯え切った里樹妃の様子に、壬氏に相談するように伝えると、後日、猫猫は壬氏から謎を解き明かすよう命を受ける。

小蘭の不注意により、楼蘭妃に献上されるはずの氷が地面に落ちて割れてしまった。猫猫は青ざめ立ち尽くす小蘭を助けるため、楼蘭妃が所望する氷菓子の代替品を、割れた氷から作ることを思いつくが、それには食材が必要となる。猫猫は嫌な予感はしながらも、背に腹は代えられないと壬氏に相談すると、“とあること”を条件に協力を得る。

逆子の疑惑もある玉葉妃の出産を援護するため、猫猫の薬の師であり、養父の羅門が後宮の医局へとやってきた。羅門はすぐに今の後宮の問題点をまとめ、手習所に通う女官たちの練習も兼ねて、書き移せるようにと手本を作る。それを手習所へ届けると、猫猫は羅門が後宮を追放される前にも同様のことをしていたと手習い所の老宦官から聞く。ふと猫猫の頭の中に浮き上がる違和感。その違和感の真相を知るために、猫猫はとある人物を訪ねにいき…。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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