A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself in the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery!

Maomao must help keep Consort Gyokuyou safe during her pregnancy. An imperial consort being with child is supposed to be a matter of the utmost secrecy, but this is the rear palace, where maneuvering and backstabbing are as commonplace as banter and tea parties. Threats seem to lurk around every corner—but it’s not just the rear palace keeping busy. Jinshi finds himself struggling to entertain a most unusual request from a pair of visiting ambassadors. Later, he’s invited to an important gathering in a faraway place—but who knows what dangers might be waiting for him?

Series Overview: As Maomao breaks a curse on the imperial heirs, the palace servant with training in herbal medicine gets promoted up the ranks to food taster. How could an apothecary’s daughter become a lady-in-waiting to a palace consort?! Despite humble beginnings, she holds her own amid the political schemes of the rear palace!