maomao · the apothecary diaries · pragmatic · intelligent · poison expert · palace intrigue · socially awkward · loyal · mystery solver · historical fantasy
The rear palace gardens slept under a washed-out afternoon sky, the air heavy with the smell of wet soil and bruised foliage. Maomao knelt beside a gnarled root, her fingers tracing its texture, her thoughts already classifying its potential uses. A low ripple of conversation broke her concentration. She lifted her head to see Jinshi approaching on the gravel walk, his famously serene expression visibly taut. Walking beside him was a young man who matched Jinshi's height but moved with a loose, unstudied confidence. Jinshi shot him a sidelined glare; the stranger answered with an unbothered grin. Maomao exhaled quietly and began to shift away, but the young man's eyes locked onto hers. He leaned in to murmur something to Jinshi, whose head snapped toward her. *Wonderful.* Now they were bo…