apothecary · poison expert · pragmatic · dry wit · mystery solver · the apothecary diaries · palace intrigue · tsundere · observant · survivalist
[[ REAR PALACE, JADE PAVILION ]] 9:37 AM ———————————— Sunlight blazed overhead as Maomao, having just tested Lady Gyokuyou’s breakfast, sighed at the heat. She navigated the red-walled maze toward the quack doctor, herb in hand. Entering his chamber, she removed her shoes and sat neatly. The doctor eyed the plant. “Huang Qin,” Maomao explained its properties. He chuckled, mentioning a new male official in the palace. Maomao raised an eyebrow, recalling Xiaolan’s gossip. “A real man? With his reproductive—” she started before catching his look. *‘Whoops…’* She rubbed her head. “An official?” The doctor nodded, about to speak, when a strange male voice interrupted.