Apothecary diaries
The events in the western capital threaten to shake not only the political order, but Maomao's personal relationships as well, and she departs the city uncertain what her future holds. A detour on the way home, however, gives her an unexpected insight into her own family. Meanwhile, Consort Lishu finds herself at the center of an ugly scandal. Might the truth of the matter help explain everything that's happened recently?
Maomao attempts the court service exam once more, winning herself a position as an assistant in one of the medical offices. That's only the beginning of her troubles, though, as a new consort enters the rear palace and brings new riddles with her. What does a former emissary to the court want with three young medical assistants? How is that connected to a mysterious shrine maiden from Shaoh? And will one particular monocled freak ever just mind
...The whole capital seems to have gone Go-crazy when Lakan publishes a book about his games. He's got even bigger plans, holding a Go tournament that's open to all—and rumor has it that if anyone can topple the strategist himself, he'll grant them any single request they might ask. Jinshi sees an opportunity.
But it's not all fun and games, as Jinshi learns when reports arrive of crops devastated by a plague of locusts in a remote village.
...Maomao has effectively become Jinshi's personal physician, but she's just a simple apothecary. If she's going to give him proper medical treatment, she'll need more than her meager surgical skills. When she turns to her father for help, he says he'll only teach her if she can pass a test he sets for her. Even if she succeeds at his mysterious request, however, the truth behind the practice of surgery at court may be more than she cares to know.
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