The world of The Apothecary Diaries is filled with mysteries and hidden dangers lurking in every corner of the Imperial Palace. Amidst all this, Maomao’s unending curiosity and sharp mind make her stand out as a quiet but fierce heroine. Even though she starts as a lowly servant in the story, Maomao’s talent for observation and her refusal to let puzzles go unsolved end up saving countless lives.

Maomao is a force to be reckoned with, armed with her keen observation and a deep understanding of medicine and poisons. Even in the dangerous and mysterious world of the rear palace, Maomao’s curiosity never fails her. Whether she’s treating poisoned concubines or exposing hidden plots, Maomao’s instincts have consistently come in handy. Her journey proves that knowledge isn’t just power, it’s also a lifeline in a world where secrets can kill.

10

Gyokuyou’s Daughter Survives Because of Maomao’s Quick Thinking

The First Instance Where Maomao’s Power of Observation Saves Lives

Maomao’s first act of curiosity in the rear palace sets the stage for all her later successes. When both Consorts Gyokuyou and Lihua’s children fall ill under strange circumstances, rumors of a curse swirl around the palace. However, Maomao, ever the observer, notices something strange: both of the Emperor’s concubines, Gyokuyou and Lihua, use a white face powder that contains lead. She knows the signs and decides to act, even though it’s dangerous.

Maomao decides to warn the mothers by leaving an anonymous message on their windowsills, urging them to stop using the makeup. While Lihua’s lady-in-waiting ignores her message, Gyokuyou takes it seriously and stops using the powder. As a result, Gyokuyou’s daughter survives. This is the first time Maomao’s curiosity and knowledge of medicine turns the tide against the hidden dangers of the palace. Even though Maomao is just a servant, her keen sense of observation and deep knowledge help her spot the real danger and act in time.

9

Lady Lihua’s Life Saved With Steam Baths and Herbal Remedies

From Death’s Door to Recovery

After the tragedy of her son’s death, Maomao is given a second chance to help when Lihua herself falls dangerously ill. The Emperor orders Maomao to take care of Lihua, but her efforts are blocked by the ladies-in-waiting, who don’t trust her. Maomao’s curiosity, though, pushes her to find out the real cause of Lihua’s sickness. Maomao’s sharp eyes and careful questioning reveal that Lihua’s illness is also caused by the same poisoned face powder. The powder is still being used in secret by the ladies-in-waiting.

Maomao treats Lihua with steam baths to flush out the toxins and prepares special herbal remedies to strengthen her body. Maomao’s thorough treatment plan and fearless determination expose the wrongdoing of Lihua’s lady-in-waiting, who has been sabotaging her all along. In just two months, Lihua gets healthy again. Maomao’s curiosity and refusal to take no for an answer saved Lihua from sharing her son’s tragic fate.

8

Poison in Gyokuyou’s Soup Solved With Detective Work

Fingerprints Tell the Truth

A garden party turns deadly when a minister collapses after sampling Gyokuyou’s soup, and Maomao’s instincts tell her there’s more to the story. She uses an old technique to check for fingerprints on the bowl and discovers that someone who shouldn’t have been near the bowl touched it. Digging deeper, she learns that Lishu’s allergies might have been used to cover up an attempt to poison her, swapping the dishes to harm Gyokuyou instead.

Her method uncovers a sneaky plot that involves Lishu’s food taster and a conspiracy from outside the palace. Thanks to Maomao’s curiosity, Gyokuyou is cleared of suspicion, and Lishu is saved from an assassination attempt that could have gone unnoticed. Maomao’s clever investigation and knowledge of poisons turned a deadly mystery into a closed case. Her careful work shows how important it is to pay attention to the little things.

7

Exposing Bullying at the Tea Party

The Sweet Taste of Revenge

When a servant is found drowned and rumors of poisoning swirl, Maomao’s curiosity once again lights the path to the truth. At a seemingly peaceful tea party, Maomao sees how Lishu is tormented by her ladies-in-waiting. She notices Lishu’s fear when honey is served, a clue that connects back to a deadly incident years before. Maomao remembers that Lishu’s son, Ah-Duo, had died from a honey allergy because of an accident caused by Fengming, a lady-in-waiting with a history of cruelty.

Maomao figures out that honey was used in the poisoning attempt. By piecing together these memories and carefully observing everyone at the tea party, Maomao forces the truth into the open. Her investigation doesn’t just stop the bullying, it also saves Lishu and any other babies from being poisoned by honey in the future.

6

The Locked Shed Mystery Showcases Maomao’s Determination

Saving a Sick Servant and Lihua

When a servant falls gravely ill after disappearing for days, Maomao’s instincts tell her to dig deeper, knowing that no sickness should be ignored in the rear palace. She discovers that the servant was locked in a shed to hide her sickness and was being starved nearly to death. But Maomao realizes that this was more than an accident, tracing the servant’s illness back to Shin, Lihua’s head lady-in-waiting and cousin.

Shin is secretly hoarding goods to create a dangerous herbal drug that could hurt both the baby and the mother. Maomao exposes Shin’s jealousy and greed, saving not only the servant but also protecting Lihua from more harm. Maomao’s relentless curiosity doesn’t just save lives this time, it uncovers lies that threaten the entire palace.

5

Caravan Perfumes and Pregnancy Risks

Protecting Pregnant Concubines From Harmful Scents

The scents of roses and spices might seem harmless, but Maomao’s knowledge of medicine tells her otherwise. During a new trend for luxurious perfumes among the court ladies, Maomao’s nose notices something dangerous: some of the scents contain rose and frankincense, known to cause miscarriages. With pregnant concubines like Gyokuyou and Lihua at risk, Maomao can’t stand by. She investigates the ingredients and carefully explains to Jinshi why these scents are a threat.

Her knowledge and curiosity convinces Jinshi to act, and he orders inspections of every perfume bottle in the palace. Maomao’s curiosity and her habit of noticing every small detail saves lives by preventing serious harm before it even happens. Thanks to her, the unborn children of the rear palace are kept safe from the harm they never even saw coming.

4

Saving Jinshi During the Purification Ceremony

A Falling Threat to Jinshi’s Life

When ceremonial tools vanish during a warehouse fire, Maomao’s mind races to find out why. She soon realizes that someone planned to sabotage Jinshi’s purification ceremony and acts fast. Racing against time, she uses everything she knows and doesn’t let anything stop her, even when she is beaten down by a guard. Maomao bursts into the hall and accuses a suspicious guard of diverting attention to him.

This gives her the chance to run to Jinshi’s side, just in time to shove him out of the way of a falling altar decoration meant to crush him. She is injured in the process, but her courage and refusal to ignore the clues save Jinshi’s life. By putting the clues together and risking her own safety, Maomao protects the man she would come to care for deeply.

3

Tracking Down the Assassins in the Northern Hunt

A Deadly Plot in the Woods

A hunting trip turns into a fight for survival when assassins target Jinshi. During a hunting trip in the north, Maomao’s attention is caught by Jinshi’s sudden illness after a feast. She takes him to a waterfall to cool down, but just as he begins to reveal a secret, assassins attack. Maomao and Jinshi jump off the waterfall to escape, but the danger isn’t over.

After the attack, Maomao pieces together the clues. She uses her knowledge of scents to track down the smell of gunpowder in the forest and leads them straight to the would-be killer. Her careful thinking helps Lihaku capture the shooter before anyone else can get hurt. Maomao’s ability to read even the faintest signs turned what could have been a deadly ambush into a chance to save Jinshi’s life.

2

Saving Xiaolan from Disaster

Ice, Hairpins and Sweet Treats

A chunk of ice might not be the end of the world outside, but in the palace, it’s a symbol of status and luxury. When Xiaolan accidentally shatters an expensive block of ice meant for Loulan’s diplomatic visit, she is set for harsh punishment. However, Maomao refuses to let panic set in. She gets help from Jinshi and suggests repurposing the ice instead of letting the ice waste. She sees an opportunity to turn the icy mishap into a delicious dessert.

Maomao’s clever idea not only saves Xiaolan from punishment but also impresses the supervising eunuch, who agrees to her plan. With Jinshi’s help, Maomao’s quick thinking turned a disaster into a diplomatic success. Her quick thinking and resourcefulness showed that saving lives sometimes means knowing how to keep cool under pressure.

1

The Deadly Paint Incident

A Hidden Threat That Preserved a Lifeless Emperor

Maomao’s sharp instincts and keen observations once again save the day when Empress Dowager Lady Anshi seeks answers about the death of the previous Emperor. His corpse had remained suspiciously well-preserved, untouched by decay even after a year. Maomao, ever the detective, is granted permission to investigate the late Emperor’s room. She senses something isn’t right as people seem unnerved when asked about the former Emperor.

Maomao’s curiosity pays off as she discovers a peculiar, metallic smell and peels away the wallpaper to reveal a painting made with orpiment, a toxic, arsenic-based paint. This orpiment had acted as a preservative, ensuring the Emperor’s body would never rot. By solving this deadly mystery, Maomao dispels dangerous superstitions about the Empress Dowager and keeps everyone else safe from accidental poisoning.