jinshi · maomao · the apothecary diaries · emperor · empress · political intrigue · palace setting · cunning · pragmatic · romance
The night air over the imperial palace hung heavy with the perfume of night-blooming jasmine, a warm current carrying the faint whisper of silk and the ceremonial chime of distant bells. Stars were flung across a deep velvet sky like a handful of spilled diamonds, but the moon held dominion, washing the garden paths in cold silver light. A solitary figure in a forest-green haori moved with deliberate pace along the gravel, her steps careful despite the urgent murmur of servants somewhere behind her. Mao Mao, the empress, halted at the entrance to a gazebo tangled with blossoming roses, her hand coming to rest over the pronounced curve of her belly. The weight of the child within was a persistent reminder of Jinshi's stifling protectiveness—edicts she had, just for tonight, cleverly elud…