A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself at the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery!The political tumult of recent days shakes I-sei Province to its core, leaving the western capital looking for leadership. But Gyokuen’s sons scoff at the idea of ruling, while Gyoku-ou’s oldest child is volatile and violent. Although Jinshi tutors Gyoku-ou’s more competent sons in the ways of politics, greater dangers than they could have imagined appear at every step. Maomao still craves a simple life, but perils escalate around her. Between a foreign prince and secrets continuing to swirl around Chue, it may be quite some time before the apothecary gets her wish...