Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

The Apothecary Diaries
薬屋のひとりごと
The Pharmacist's Monologue

Light Novel8.95869 votesPublishing

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About this title

Synopsis

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison! At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace—not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers? (Source: J-Novel Club)

Publication notes

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto has been published digitally in English as The Apothecary Diaries by J-Novel Club since February 14, 2021, and in print by Square Enix since May 14, 2024.

Published

Aug 29, 2014 to ?

Authors

External links

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Adaptation

Spin-Off

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Gaiden: Xiaolan Kaisouroku

Main characters

Maomao23192 fan favorites
External profile
Age: 17 Birth place: Rokushoukan Hair color: Black (WN), Dark Green (LN) Eye color: (Black (WN), Purple (LN) Height: 153 cm (5'0") Maomao became a maidservant to the Emperor's harem after being kidnapped and sold. She used to live with her father as a pharmacist in the red light district and is very knowledgeable about medicine and poisons but isn't very interested in other humans. She is skinny and short, and her plain face is covered with freckles. AbilitiesMaomao's name is derived from 猫 (māo), the Chinese word for cat. This reinforces the fact that she is often described as a cat or cat-like. (Source: The Apothecary Diaries Wiki, edited)
Jinshi2973 fan favorites
External profile
Age: 18 (LN V1) (real), 23 (as eunuch Jinshi) 19 (LN V2) (real), 24 (as eunuch Jinshi) 18 (WN V2) (real), 24 (as eunuch Jinshi) Height: 181 cm (5'11") Hair color: Black (WN), Dark Purple (LN) Eye color: Black (WN), Pink (LN) Jinshi is the deuteragonist of Kusuriya no Hitorigoto. He appears to be beautiful eunuch who was placed in charge of the inner palace and often requests for Maomao to solve mysteries in the palace in exchange for rare medicines. He finds Maomao's apathy toward him refreshing and amusing. Later, his childish curiosity evolves into a one-sided romantic affection. Jinshi is a beautiful eunuch who works in the palace. With a celestial-like face, not only are women fascinated by him, but men are as well. (Source: The Apothecary Diaries Wiki, edited)