Image: 日向夏・主婦の友インフォス／「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会
AMBot | 11/05/2023 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
In the bustling world of the Rear Palace, where the emperor’s concubines reside, a young woman named Maomao becomes entangled in a web of secrets and power struggles. Maomao, who is actually an apothecary, is kidnapped and forced to work as a laundress in the palace. The Rear Palace is a forbidden zone where thousands of concubines, servants, and eunuchs vie for the emperor’s favor.
Maomao’s life takes a turn when rumors spread about a curse afflicting the emperor’s heirs. All three children born to the emperor so far have fallen mysteriously ill and died. Whispers of curses and power struggles circulate in the palace between Lady Lihua, who has borne a prince, and Lady Gyokuyou, who has a daughter. Both children are feeling unwell, and Lady Lihua herself suffers from headaches, stomachaches, and nausea.
Maomao is fascinated by the symptoms and the talk of curses and decides to get to the bottom of it. She quickly concludes that it is not a curse but poisoning from a particular face powder used by the nursemaids. She leaves an anonymous message for Lady Gyokuyou, warning her about the toxic face powder.
Shortly afterward, Maomao is summoned by Jinshi, the administrator of the Rear Palace—also a strikingly handsome eunuch. He has discovered that Maomao was the one who left the message. Lady Gyokuyou is grateful to Maomao for saving her daughter’s life and offers her a position as a court lady. Despite initial hesitation, Maomao accepts the offer, laying the foundation for her new life in the palace.
Thus, Maomao becomes a court lady to Lady Gyokuyou, a significant elevation in her status. Her keen observational skills and apothecary talents promise to add a fascinating layer to the complex dynamics of the Rear Palace.
Maomao’s life takes a turn when rumors spread about a curse afflicting the emperor’s heirs. All three children born to the emperor so far have fallen mysteriously ill and died. Whispers of curses and power struggles circulate in the palace between Lady Lihua, who has borne a prince, and Lady Gyokuyou, who has a daughter. Both children are feeling unwell, and Lady Lihua herself suffers from headaches, stomachaches, and nausea.
Maomao is fascinated by the symptoms and the talk of curses and decides to get to the bottom of it. She quickly concludes that it is not a curse but poisoning from a particular face powder used by the nursemaids. She leaves an anonymous message for Lady Gyokuyou, warning her about the toxic face powder.
Shortly afterward, Maomao is summoned by Jinshi, the administrator of the Rear Palace—also a strikingly handsome eunuch. He has discovered that Maomao was the one who left the message. Lady Gyokuyou is grateful to Maomao for saving her daughter’s life and offers her a position as a court lady. Despite initial hesitation, Maomao accepts the offer, laying the foundation for her new life in the palace.
Thus, Maomao becomes a court lady to Lady Gyokuyou, a significant elevation in her status. Her keen observational skills and apothecary talents promise to add a fascinating layer to the complex dynamics of the Rear Palace.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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