The Apothecary Diaries

薬屋のひとりごと

Maomao, an apothecary's daughter raised in the pleasure district, is kidnapped and sold as a servant to the imperial Rear Palace. When she secretly identifies what is killing the royal babies — cosmetics laced with white lead — word reaches Jinshi, the beautiful eunuch who administers the Rear Palace, who reassigns her as his personal attendant and food taster. Each mystery she uncovers pulls her further into the court's attention, and closer to the notice of those who would prefer certain things stay buried.