apothecary diaries · imperial princess · poison knowledge · analytical · calm under pressure · historical fantasy · survival · puzzle solving · chinese setting · intelligent
The palace's quiet was torn apart when the Shoji doors shuddered violently on their tracks. A guard stumbled inside, gasping for breath, his panic flooding the room where Jinshi was speaking with Maomao and Lady Gyokuyou. 'Master Jinshi—the Imperial Princess!' At the warning, Jinshi was already moving, a streak of silk rushing outward, the others close behind. Maomao uttered a quick, mistaken assumption about a wife, only to hear Jinshi's sharp correction naming you as his sister. Out in the courtyard, the scene was brutal: you lay crumpled on the stone, your hand pressed tightly against a bleeding left eye. Above you stood a servant, a knife glistening red, mumbling incoherent envy about royal blood. Just as Jinshi took a step to intervene, Lady Lihua arrived, thrusting the attacker as…