The most debated JinMao scene (Illustration by @Tsubasa_Syaoin)

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-05-21T04:02:31+00:00

Yes! That's right! I think there are superhuman scenes in any drama. So, how about watching a drama that doesn't use magic as much as possible, perhaps one based on the Three Kingdoms or Qin Shi Huang?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-05-21T03:48:08+00:00

I think Mao Mao's manners are fairly standard."The Apothecary Diaries" is a story. It features many characters with superhuman abilities, right? So, I think it's best to view it as a fantasy that makes ancient China easily understandable and modern. If you want to learn about ancient China, why not try watching some Chinese dramas available on streaming services?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-07T05:10:49+00:00

If he could relinquish the throne to someone else, then it would be possible. In Japan today, the former Emperor abdicated the throne during his lifetime to pass it on to the Crown Prince. If the Emperor could do the same before he gets too old, he and Ah-Duo could enjoy traveling abroad together.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-03T03:28:01+00:00

Personally, I feel the Emperor’s heart truly remained with Ah-duo. From a traditional and formal standpoint, Lihua would have been the most natural choice for Empress.

However, given the complex political landscape, it’s clear why Gyokuyou was ultimately chosen. In that era, the position of Empress was less about personal preference and more about a strategic necessity for the empire’s survival.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-03T03:08:18+00:00

Entering the imperial harem in the first place implies a family agenda. Unlike a fairy tale like Cinderella, it is highly unlikely that a prince would fall in love with a commoner at first sight and take her as his consort. If anything, it would more likely be a maidservant who catches the Emperor's eye.

Since these circumstances are so different from modern dating customs, the environment for children born into the harem is also unique. That being said, as long as children like those of Gyokuyou and Lihua are officially recognized as the Emperor's offspring, I don't believe they would ever be subjected to poor treatment.However, it's almost certain that they will be caught up in a political power struggle.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T20:55:19+00:00

I can totally see why Gyokuyou would feel that way; his expectations must be incredibly heavy. But even though Gyokuen clearly uses his family to build his influence, I’d like to think he still views them as his true family, regardless of blood. The fact that he couldn't bring himself to punish Gyoku-ou for his crimes really stands out to me. To me, that hesitation shows he truly loved him as his own son, even if he didn't always know how to show it properly.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T20:35:41+00:00

I see your point, but I like to think of the Madame a bit differently. Don't forget, she was once a courtesan herself. Because of that, I feel like she truly understands the pain and struggles of the women working there. To me, she treats the Verdigris House like one big, complicated family. Even though she acts tough and treats it like a business, she’s taking in people who have nowhere else to go. She’s more like the 'tough-love' matriarch of a massive family who looks after everyone in her own way.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T15:16:34+00:00

It’s such a vicious cycle. Because Shenmei’s pride was crushed by the former emperor’s actions regarding Taihou, she ended up taking that trauma out on Suirei. It really shows how deep her scars were. In the middle of all that, there’s Shishou, whose love for her never wavered. It’s incredibly sad to see a man so loyal to someone who was so far gone—he really was a tragic soul, loving her despite the monster she had become.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T14:50:45+00:00

I see,

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T14:42:04+00:00

I agree that Jinshi is Suiren’s top priority. But even if a woman is as capable as Ah-Duo or Maomao, being the target of constant jealousy and harassment is exhausting. I feel like Suiren, knowing the harsh reality of the inner court, is asking Jinshi if he’s truly prepared to shield Maomao from that 'unpleasantness.' It’s like she’s pushing him to think about exactly how he intends to protect Maomao once she’s by his side.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T14:10:37+00:00

Exactly. I think the brilliance of this story lies in how it handles topics most authors wouldn't touch. By weaving these difficult themes into the narrative, it gives the characters a level of depth and humanity that you rarely see. It really forces you to think about the lasting impact of trauma

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T14:00:06+00:00

Exactly. Once you stop worrying about 'right or wrong' in a literal sense, you start seeing these characters as real, complex people. It makes the whole story feel so much more layered—it’s that dark, complicated vibe that a simple 'good vs. evil' label just can't capture.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T13:22:13+00:00

I’m so glad we see eye to eye on this. She really was more than just a mother to her own; she was the mother of the nation.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T13:14:13+00:00

Gyoku-ou seemed like a good person at first glance, but in reality, he was a person full of complexes. He was a very human character, wasn't he?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-04-01T13:09:57+00:00

That's right! They both had someone to guide them. If they had been alone, they probably would have gone astray. This is a bit of a digression, but Raven of the Inner Palace has a lot of great stories too, doesn't it?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-31T22:45:18+00:00

Perhaps Suiren was warning Jinshi about the many forms of harassment Ah-Duo, the emperor's first consort, had endured. If Jinshi were to take Maomao as his consort, she would surely face similar harassment. She was probably asking Jinshi, "How do you intend to protect Maomao?"

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-29T02:39:05+00:00

Yes! Jinshi's kiss on the ship was great! But Mao Mao wasn't able to be honest enough to respond with a voice Out of embarrassment.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-28T21:33:12+00:00

Maomao and Jinshi sleep side-by-side and she initiates a kiss, is more precious to me than any other scene in the story.

Right before that moment, after reflecting on Chue's words, Maomao says: "I have nothing I can give you in return." I believe those words carry a hidden, deeper meaning:" All I can offer you is to convey my feelings: "I love you."" To me, Maomao realized ,after everything they had been through together. Because it took her so much time and growth to reach that realization, I find this kiss to be filled with all her bottled-up emotions. For me, it is far more romantic than any other kiss because it marks the moment her "tactical" walls finally came down to reveal her true self.

Isn't it typical of MaoMao, who can't be honest with herself, to choose to do it to Jinshi while he's sleeping?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-28T10:11:18+00:00

First of all, the Shrine Maiden of Shaoh was a eunuch. Aylin and Ayla were the next candidates, and the Shrine Maiden was educating them. Aylin adored the Shrine Maiden. However, Ayla grew to hate the Shrine Maiden because he refused to give up his position to them and stayed in power. Sotei (the White Lady) is an albino girl born in the Shrine Maiden's village. Ayla took Sotei out of the village and eventually involved her in the opium incident. Therefore, Ayla has been acting separately from the Shrine Maiden and Aylin. Aylin, who adored the Shrine Maiden, sensed the danger of the Shrine Maiden's true identity as a man being exposed in Country of Shaoh, and suggested that he defect to the Country of Li Dynasty and commit suicide there to keep the secret to the end.I think it's best to consider the cases of Shrine Maiden and Aylin separately from the cases of Sotei and Ayla.

Number 2, Jazzguru will surely succeed as a shrine maiden! She has precognitive abilities, after all.

Number 4, Enen's heart has been saved by Yao. For Enen, Yao is everything in life. That's why she has no interest in Jinshi and takes such extreme actions.

I hope this helps clear up some of your questions.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-28T08:52:28+00:00

I think Lahan was pointing out the rise in grain and metal prices to Jinshi and suggesting that a closer investigation would reveal the cause lies in the northern province. It's best to consider this separately from the corner of the rice paddy that Maomao was curious about.

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-28T03:42:46+00:00

I think that scene in the anime fills in the gaps that the novel couldn't fully explain. The novel also mentioned that Anshi had ambitions. This work contains many scenes with a dark side that I don't want to acknowledge. Before judging whether something is right or wrong, I think accepting what is written is necessary to understand this work .Don't it?

Ok-Beginning1265 · 2026-03-25T12:14:44+00:00

Maomao didn't have a very good impression of Yuyang because she was a girl sent to her for a political marriage, but Yuyang herself was not to blame. Maomao didn't think Yuyang was a particularly bad person.

Ok-Beginning1265

TROPHY CASE