The Apothecary Diaries
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Season 1 Episodes
E1
After being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws t…
E2
Maomao tries to settle into her promotion to lady-in-waiting and food taster, but struggles to fend off both boredom and…
E3
Tasked with investigating a ghostly woman dancing nightly on the palace walls, Maomao finds a sleepwalking Concubine Fuy…
E4
Under direct orders from the emperor himself, Maomao tries to care for an ailing Concubine Lihua, but finds her work imp…
E5
A eunuch stricken by a curse comes begging for aid. Meanwhile, the rear palace buzzes with excitement as everyone prepar…
E6
Maomao does her best to navigate the complex social situations at the garden party, including meeting the other Upper Fi…
E7
Gaoshun goes to Maomao to get her help in resolving the events of the garden party. Later, Xiaolan explains the purpose …
E8
Maomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one o…
E9
An older acquaintance of Jinshi's dies while drinking at a party. A servant's body turns up in a moat. Both deaths are w…
E10
A tea party hosted by Lady Gyokuyou puts the politics of the rear palace at the forefront, and Maomao learns something n…
E11
Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.
E12
Discovering that Maomao's kidnappers were connected to Fengming's family, Jinshi is faced with a choice between keeping …
E13
To Maomao's surprise, Jinshi brings her directly to his house instead of taking her back to the rear palace, and tells h…
E14
Ah-Duo's replacement has arrived in the rear palace, and Maomao is assigned to give a certain lecture to all four high c…
E15
Gaoshun requests Maomao's help in solving an apparent poisoning case. Meanwhile, Jinshi deals with an unwelcome visitor …
E16
A shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl are all that a talented metalworker leaves to his three sons upon his death.…
E17
Covering up Jinshi's otherworldly beauty is no easy task, but after Maomao takes the challenge head-on, she's surprised …
E18
Back at home, Maomao visits an annex building at the Verdigris House that hides one of the brothel's secrets. Lakan cont…
E19
A discussion with Lihaku about recent events leads Maomao to realize that the mysteries she's helped to solve are connec…
E20
Maomao was able to stop the assassination attempt, but was heavily injured in the process. However, the injuries aren't …
E21
Back to work at the rear palace, Maomao listens to Guen talk about his family's business. Meanwhile, Lihaku hears a rumo…
E22
Lakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again…
E23
No longer willing to keep running away from Lakan, Maomao decides to face off against him. She challenges him on his own…
E24
Lakan must now choose a courtesan to buy out. As a high-ranking military official, he can afford to freely choose, even …
E25
The spring garden party concludes without incident. Maomao returns to her regular life as Concubine Gyokuyou’s taster. M…
E26
The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Ma…
E27
A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushroo…
E28
The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they b…
E29
In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.
E30
The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.
E31
Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.
E32
Maomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery …
E33
Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.
E34
Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.
E35
Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.
E36
Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.
E37
Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.
E38
Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.
E39
Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.
E40
Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.
E41
Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.
E42
Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.
E43
The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.
E44
Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.
E45
Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.
E46
The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.
E47
Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.
E48
After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.
Cast