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薬屋のひとりごと [Kusuriya no Hitorigoto] #15
The Apothecary Diaries 15
隠れ里での祭りの晩に──…。
子翠の故郷の隠れ里で、猫猫はまたしても好奇心から、祭りの背後で進行していた謀略に巻き込まれていく…。一方、消えた宦官の情報を求める壬氏は、消えたのが宦官だけではなく、猫猫の失踪にも関連していることに気付いて…。隠れ里と後宮、それぞれで起きていた事件が繋がる第１５巻!!
子翠の故郷の隠れ里で、猫猫はまたしても好奇心から、祭りの背後で進行していた謀略に巻き込まれていく…。一方、消えた宦官の情報を求める壬氏は、消えたのが宦官だけではなく、猫猫の失踪にも関連していることに気付いて…。隠れ里と後宮、それぞれで起きていた事件が繋がる第１５巻!!
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2025
107 people are currently reading
1397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 14, 2026
It's a shame that I'm already all caught up with the anime and basically got spoiled through it, because the reveal in this volume is insane and the possibility of it never even crossed my mind. I always read this as an episodic series, but it's mind-blowing how many little things are actually connected in a grand scheme. Very pretty cover too.
September 17, 2025
C’est toujours un plaisir de lire les aventures de Maomao Jinshi va t il réussir à sauver MaoMao en révélant sa vraie identité ?
July 9, 2025
Enamorada de este manga! :)
December 2, 2025
jinshi's even hotter when he's feral 😩
May 15, 2025
Love my Babies!
March 24, 2026
Now held captive in the Farther East, Maomao and Jinshi are separated, but not far from one another’s thoughts. At least until Maomao is distracted by something, naturally, but this is as far from traditional Apothecary Diaries as we’ve seen.
Keeping track of all the pieces in play can be a lot, but the broad strokes are easy enough to keep a handle on. Betrayals, rooted in grudges against the former Emperor, have blossomed into full blown treachery.
Maomao spends all this volume in (different) captivity, but that does nothing to sate her insatiable desire for medicinal knowledge. It’s been a while since she’s been quite this unhinged, volunteering for human experimentation of something she knows leaves permanent side effects.
While Maomao might be her old self, Jinshi is not and this situation quickly leads to his facade as a eunuch beginning to slip. He’s downright harsh in a way he shouldn’t be unless he was, say, the emperor’s son, and this new problem quickly begins to force his hand.
You can see the way that Maomao’s presence (before her current absence, I mean) has affected Jinshi clearly, as he turns up leads to find her and is forced to reckon with the lack of options his disguise gives him.
It will be interesting to see if that pushes him further away from the Inner Court, but that’s a ways off just yet. The politicking going on amidst all this brings back some old characters and introduces some newer ones in a welcome blend.
Of course, there are hints that Maomao might be thinking more about Jinshi than usual too, but it’s more subtle, minus that frog joke. The way she keeps her hairpin close, however, is a different story.
As befits her, however, Maomao cannot quite put those pieces together or chooses not to, even as she comes perilously close. It’s a 50-50 on whether Maomao’s incredible shrewdness vanishes around things she doesn’t care about, or if it’s a willful decision to not think about it.
While lacking the usual mysteries, this goes to the more suspenseful side of things and does it well. This conspiracy has been well implemented from the start and so it continues here.
There are implications that things keep getting worse for Maomao; she really feels imperilled by the end of things. And there are some dramatic reveals that are, in fact, actually dramatic and surprising.
Maybe not the best volume, but I am enjoying this storyline a lot. There haven’t been many chances for Maomao to do her thing beyond being a poison gremlin, but it still works. Seeing Jinshi with more to do is a nice change anyway.
4.5 stars - not the best, but still head and shoulders above many other series. I’m excited for the inevitable reunion, but this hasn’t been a bad diversion by any stretch of the imagination.
Keeping track of all the pieces in play can be a lot, but the broad strokes are easy enough to keep a handle on. Betrayals, rooted in grudges against the former Emperor, have blossomed into full blown treachery.
Maomao spends all this volume in (different) captivity, but that does nothing to sate her insatiable desire for medicinal knowledge. It’s been a while since she’s been quite this unhinged, volunteering for human experimentation of something she knows leaves permanent side effects.
While Maomao might be her old self, Jinshi is not and this situation quickly leads to his facade as a eunuch beginning to slip. He’s downright harsh in a way he shouldn’t be unless he was, say, the emperor’s son, and this new problem quickly begins to force his hand.
You can see the way that Maomao’s presence (before her current absence, I mean) has affected Jinshi clearly, as he turns up leads to find her and is forced to reckon with the lack of options his disguise gives him.
It will be interesting to see if that pushes him further away from the Inner Court, but that’s a ways off just yet. The politicking going on amidst all this brings back some old characters and introduces some newer ones in a welcome blend.
Of course, there are hints that Maomao might be thinking more about Jinshi than usual too, but it’s more subtle, minus that frog joke. The way she keeps her hairpin close, however, is a different story.
As befits her, however, Maomao cannot quite put those pieces together or chooses not to, even as she comes perilously close. It’s a 50-50 on whether Maomao’s incredible shrewdness vanishes around things she doesn’t care about, or if it’s a willful decision to not think about it.
While lacking the usual mysteries, this goes to the more suspenseful side of things and does it well. This conspiracy has been well implemented from the start and so it continues here.
There are implications that things keep getting worse for Maomao; she really feels imperilled by the end of things. And there are some dramatic reveals that are, in fact, actually dramatic and surprising.
Maybe not the best volume, but I am enjoying this storyline a lot. There haven’t been many chances for Maomao to do her thing beyond being a poison gremlin, but it still works. Seeing Jinshi with more to do is a nice change anyway.
4.5 stars - not the best, but still head and shoulders above many other series. I’m excited for the inevitable reunion, but this hasn’t been a bad diversion by any stretch of the imagination.
April 26, 2025
i can't believe i binged this manga in a day? [need to add the light novel to the tbr asap]
most people know this about me but i love reading court politics and the inner workings of an imperial kingdom so this definitely hits the spots. the rivalling consorts and the scheming maids, hidden identities (ahem Jinshi) and the assassination attempts are all so intriguing to read!! i love how the mysteries unfold quickly yet in such an entertaining way. favourite arc is still the summer hunt for obvious reasons.
at the same time i love how the supporting characters all have their unique personalities and stories. i particularly liked La Kan and Fengxian's tragic story that finally has a happy ending!!
Maomao is such a lovable main character. we all love an unbothered queen. she's smart and yet values herself so lowly at the beginning but it's nice to see her growth as she believes more in herself and her abilities. i can't wait to see how the rest of this arc plays out.
Jinshi though... JINSHI THOUGH........ he's such a pretty yet pathetic simp for Maomao and i just love that girl's girl energy he has especially when he's around her. kudos to Gao Shun for dealing with that for years. but at the same time there's depth to his character in his strength as a person fully capable of holding his ground in the inner court. his hidden identity as the emperor's brother though urghhhhh he needs to tell Maomao.
can you tell this slowburn is killing me. i mean. THE HAIRPIN.
anxiously waiting for the next update.......
most people know this about me but i love reading court politics and the inner workings of an imperial kingdom so this definitely hits the spots. the rivalling consorts and the scheming maids, hidden identities (ahem Jinshi) and the assassination attempts are all so intriguing to read!! i love how the mysteries unfold quickly yet in such an entertaining way. favourite arc is still the summer hunt for obvious reasons.
at the same time i love how the supporting characters all have their unique personalities and stories. i particularly liked La Kan and Fengxian's tragic story that finally has a happy ending!!
Maomao is such a lovable main character. we all love an unbothered queen. she's smart and yet values herself so lowly at the beginning but it's nice to see her growth as she believes more in herself and her abilities. i can't wait to see how the rest of this arc plays out.
Jinshi though... JINSHI THOUGH........ he's such a pretty yet pathetic simp for Maomao and i just love that girl's girl energy he has especially when he's around her. kudos to Gao Shun for dealing with that for years. but at the same time there's depth to his character in his strength as a person fully capable of holding his ground in the inner court. his hidden identity as the emperor's brother though urghhhhh he needs to tell Maomao.
can you tell this slowburn is killing me. i mean. THE HAIRPIN.
anxiously waiting for the next update.......
June 2, 2025
5 ✨ stars
I don't want to be dramatic but I need more of this. I still have a lot of questions but I need Maomao and Jinshin now.
I don't want to be dramatic but I need more of this. I still have a lot of questions but I need Maomao and Jinshin now.
March 28, 2026
5/6 I read the light novel cause I am impatient but the manga and anime paint a full picture of this story that makes it alive and makes me care about the characters. Jinshi is so hot, watching him be crazy over the MaoMao incident, chef's kiss. MaoMao thinking about frogs, so into it. And we are introduced to the cutie pie kiddo. I love this manga.
February 17, 2026
Learning more and more about foxes. But beyond that, I'm smelling a lot of tragedy on its way.
Worse, I love some of the characters that might get it.
Not so worried about Mao Mao, of course, but damn. This hits hard.
Worse, I love some of the characters that might get it.
Not so worried about Mao Mao, of course, but damn. This hits hard.
October 14, 2025
Un tome que j'ai pris plaisir à lire avec ces différentes intrigues et Mao Mao reste fidèle à elle-même. C'est un personnage attachant que je continue à suivre avec beaucoup d'intérêt. Dans ce 15e tome nous rencontrons de nouveaux personnages, et le côté politique continue de son complexifier. Mon seul petit regret est la séparation entre notre héroïne et Jinshi. Leur joutes verbales me manque.
October 4, 2025
Je veux la suiiiiite
October 1, 2025
I was pretty disappointed with this book I expected more. Nothing really happened and it was boring.
I know that it is a slow burn and all and I like it but like 15 books and they didn’t do anything like please.
And I know that romance is nor the main plot in this book but still.
I know that it is a slow burn and all and I like it but like 15 books and they didn’t do anything like please.
And I know that romance is nor the main plot in this book but still.
September 11, 2025
Un tome que j’attendais avec impatience car le dernier ne m’avait pas trop convaincu, et je voulais savoir si c’était une tendance qui allait durer ou bien juste un petit coup de mou pour ensuite repartir de plus belle. Fort heureusement, ce fut la deuxième option.
On sent dès les premières pages que quelque chose de beaucoup plus grave que ce que l’on pensait s’est produit. Et clairement cela pique la curiosité. Je me suis mise à scruter les moindres détails, même lorsque l’on retrouve Mao Mao qui au début du tome semble toujours passer un bon moment malgré son enlèvement.
Cette façade, si elle ne m’avait pas convaincue dans le précédent tome, donne ici une tout autre dimension au manga. Ce que j’attendais depuis un moment déjà se profile de plus en plus, et en découvrant certaines choses, on se rend compte que beaucoup d’événements des précédentes histoires étaient loin d’être anodins. Et c’est assez grisant de se dire que tout est lié et que les mangakas avaient ébauché tout cela. Maintenant j’espère que la suite sera à la hauteur car vu tout ce qu’il se met en place, on va tous s’attendre à quelque chose d’assez imposant question intrigue.
Outre cela, j’ai beaucoup aimé retrouver notre Mao Mao. Elle mène l’enquête, prend les choses en main et nous montre de nouvelles facettes de sa personnalité si complexe. J’aime toujours autant sa façon de penser. Jinshi se retrouve dans une position délicate mais cela lui pendait au nez. Il a laissé les choses trainer et il doit maintenant faire un choix. Sa position n’est pas envieuse, c’est certain et même si la suite risque d’être difficile, j’ai hâte de voir ce qu’il va faire. Une mention aussi pour un nouveau personnage que j’ai tout de suite beaucoup apprécié : le fils adoptif de Laclan (et donc le frère de Mao Mao). C’est quelqu’un de très intelligent mais qui a aussi ce côté anguille comme son père. Autant vous dire que j’attends avec impatience la rencontre avec notre jeune héroïne et son frère.
Un tome rassurant pour moi qui promet beaucoup de choses par la suite. Rien de bien sympathique pour nos deux héros mais qui question intrigue devrait être palpitant. Des décisions vont devoir être prises et les enjeux sont énormes. J’espère juste que les mangakas se montreront clémentes car je commence à m’attacher à beaucoup (trop) de personnages pour mon propre bien !
On sent dès les premières pages que quelque chose de beaucoup plus grave que ce que l’on pensait s’est produit. Et clairement cela pique la curiosité. Je me suis mise à scruter les moindres détails, même lorsque l’on retrouve Mao Mao qui au début du tome semble toujours passer un bon moment malgré son enlèvement.
Cette façade, si elle ne m’avait pas convaincue dans le précédent tome, donne ici une tout autre dimension au manga. Ce que j’attendais depuis un moment déjà se profile de plus en plus, et en découvrant certaines choses, on se rend compte que beaucoup d’événements des précédentes histoires étaient loin d’être anodins. Et c’est assez grisant de se dire que tout est lié et que les mangakas avaient ébauché tout cela. Maintenant j’espère que la suite sera à la hauteur car vu tout ce qu’il se met en place, on va tous s’attendre à quelque chose d’assez imposant question intrigue.
Outre cela, j’ai beaucoup aimé retrouver notre Mao Mao. Elle mène l’enquête, prend les choses en main et nous montre de nouvelles facettes de sa personnalité si complexe. J’aime toujours autant sa façon de penser. Jinshi se retrouve dans une position délicate mais cela lui pendait au nez. Il a laissé les choses trainer et il doit maintenant faire un choix. Sa position n’est pas envieuse, c’est certain et même si la suite risque d’être difficile, j’ai hâte de voir ce qu’il va faire. Une mention aussi pour un nouveau personnage que j’ai tout de suite beaucoup apprécié : le fils adoptif de Laclan (et donc le frère de Mao Mao). C’est quelqu’un de très intelligent mais qui a aussi ce côté anguille comme son père. Autant vous dire que j’attends avec impatience la rencontre avec notre jeune héroïne et son frère.
Un tome rassurant pour moi qui promet beaucoup de choses par la suite. Rien de bien sympathique pour nos deux héros mais qui question intrigue devrait être palpitant. Des décisions vont devoir être prises et les enjeux sont énormes. J’espère juste que les mangakas se montreront clémentes car je commence à m’attacher à beaucoup (trop) de personnages pour mon propre bien !
March 21, 2026
Leer Los diarios de la boticaria (1 al 15) ha sido una experiencia increíble. Es el primer manga que leo, así que tal vez soy un poco fácil de complacer, pero aun así no puedo dejar de destacar lo muchísimo que me gustó.
El dibujo me pareció sumamente bello, lleno de detalles que hacen que cada escena se sienta especial. Visualmente, es una obra que realmente atrapa.
Pero más allá de lo estético, la historia me maravilló. Me sorprendió cómo aborda temas fuertes de una manera tan bien manejada, sin que se sienta forzado o innecesario. Todo tiene un propósito, y eso hace que la trama sea aún más interesante y envolvente.
Amé profundamente a Maomao y a Jinshi, pero también a sus personajes secundarios, que aportan muchísimo a la historia y la hacen sentir viva. Además, me encantó la época en la que se desarrolla, ya que le da un toque único y muy envolvente a toda la narrativa.
En general, es una historia que me atrapó completamente y que, sin duda, recomiendo. Para ser mi primer manga, la experiencia no pudo haber sido mejor.
El dibujo me pareció sumamente bello, lleno de detalles que hacen que cada escena se sienta especial. Visualmente, es una obra que realmente atrapa.
Pero más allá de lo estético, la historia me maravilló. Me sorprendió cómo aborda temas fuertes de una manera tan bien manejada, sin que se sienta forzado o innecesario. Todo tiene un propósito, y eso hace que la trama sea aún más interesante y envolvente.
Amé profundamente a Maomao y a Jinshi, pero también a sus personajes secundarios, que aportan muchísimo a la historia y la hacen sentir viva. Además, me encantó la época en la que se desarrolla, ya que le da un toque único y muy envolvente a toda la narrativa.
En general, es una historia que me atrapó completamente y que, sin duda, recomiendo. Para ser mi primer manga, la experiencia no pudo haber sido mejor.
June 13, 2025
Es uno de los volúmenes más tensos con todo el proceso de preparación y estudio sobre la operación.
Después esa reunión de 4, el emperador, A-Duo, Jinshi y Maomao, donde A-Duo se queda más tranquila y orgullosa de Jinshi que no le haría lo mismo a Maomao que el emperador le hizo a ella y también el Emperador se dio cuenta de que se la lió bieen a la pobre A-Duo. Tengo un gran respeto por A-Duo ya que inclusión al final siguió luchando por la libertad de su hijo y a demás que por lo que pudiera pasar los médicos no tuvieran ningún castigo (Maomao tenía alguna influencia en eso según mi parecer además de un poco de sentido comun)
Ya durante la operación no pensé que fuese a haber tanto revuelo y menos que el Tianyu no quisiera hacer la operación y me encantó la retaila de insultos que le soltó Maomao. Al final salió todo bien pero menos mal.
Me ha fascinado que al final el Emperador estuvo toda la operación consciente y se enteró de casi todo, cosa que a Maomao la ponían en un pequeño aprieto pero consiguió un castigo pa el Tianyu y me alegro.
Cuando al final se juntan Maomao y Jinshi a comer, son como una pareja muy mona y ella admite que está muy tranquila y con una especie de Paz. ME ENCANTAAA🤭
Ya una aclaración última, se que es por la personalidad de Maomao pero... cuando se da cuenta que ya está arrejuntada con Jinshi... sabiendo quiénes son sus padres y su abuela... osea sus suegros como no se pone nerviosa con eso, ya se sabe quién es Jinshi a ojos de todo el mundo pero ella no tiene trato real con los supuestos padres, pero ella tiene trato cercano con la madre el padre y la abuela osea, mis respetos a ella la verdad.
Después esa reunión de 4, el emperador, A-Duo, Jinshi y Maomao, donde A-Duo se queda más tranquila y orgullosa de Jinshi que no le haría lo mismo a Maomao que el emperador le hizo a ella y también el Emperador se dio cuenta de que se la lió bieen a la pobre A-Duo. Tengo un gran respeto por A-Duo ya que inclusión al final siguió luchando por la libertad de su hijo y a demás que por lo que pudiera pasar los médicos no tuvieran ningún castigo (Maomao tenía alguna influencia en eso según mi parecer además de un poco de sentido comun)
Ya durante la operación no pensé que fuese a haber tanto revuelo y menos que el Tianyu no quisiera hacer la operación y me encantó la retaila de insultos que le soltó Maomao. Al final salió todo bien pero menos mal.
Me ha fascinado que al final el Emperador estuvo toda la operación consciente y se enteró de casi todo, cosa que a Maomao la ponían en un pequeño aprieto pero consiguió un castigo pa el Tianyu y me alegro.
Cuando al final se juntan Maomao y Jinshi a comer, son como una pareja muy mona y ella admite que está muy tranquila y con una especie de Paz. ME ENCANTAAA🤭
Ya una aclaración última, se que es por la personalidad de Maomao pero... cuando se da cuenta que ya está arrejuntada con Jinshi... sabiendo quiénes son sus padres y su abuela... osea sus suegros como no se pone nerviosa con eso, ya se sabe quién es Jinshi a ojos de todo el mundo pero ella no tiene trato real con los supuestos padres, pero ella tiene trato cercano con la madre el padre y la abuela osea, mis respetos a ella la verdad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2026
Jinshi is finally on Maomao's trail, and he gets unexpected help going after her from her family. But it'll cost him his disguise.
Meanwhile, Maomao isn't quite a prisoner, but she's not exactly free to leave either. She uses the opportunity to unravel what exactly is going on in the village where she's been brought to. That gets her into a new trouble.
There's exciting development here, but nothing concludes yet.
Meanwhile, Maomao isn't quite a prisoner, but she's not exactly free to leave either. She uses the opportunity to unravel what exactly is going on in the village where she's been brought to. That gets her into a new trouble.
There's exciting development here, but nothing concludes yet.
March 29, 2026
The first time I’m reading a manga volume and already know what’s going to happen because the anime is actually ahead of the English translation!
Still a great story with fantastic artwork and I love reading the manga for the extra depth all this effort adds to my enjoyment. Plus owning the copy means I’ll always have access to this story whatever happens.
Still a great story with fantastic artwork and I love reading the manga for the extra depth all this effort adds to my enjoyment. Plus owning the copy means I’ll always have access to this story whatever happens.
October 17, 2025
Désormais enfin à jour sur la sortie manga ! La saison 2 de l’anime est apparemment plus avancée, mais je pense simplement poursuivre avec la lecture du manga. En tout cas, j’ai adoré le fait d’avoir enchaîné tous les tomes jusqu’ici ! Beaucoup de choses se mettent en place dans celui-ci, ça prépare de grandes choses pour la suite… Que d’impatience !! Rendez-vous en février 2026 ⚔️
Read
March 29, 2026I'll be feasting on that one tiny off-hand frog joke for daaaays. Ribbit ribbit. (It's such a dumb joke from a couple installments ago, but I am that dumb joke's biggest fan.)
I continue to get such a kick out of brilliant, prickly Maomao, our apothecarist who lives for self-experimentation. I think this series is so interesting for the various ways she navigates fitting into such feminized, gendered spaces (the brothel, the inner court) and how not bending usually leads to the creation of a Maomao-shaped space for her anyway, and how she notices how others do or don't fit in as well. (Or in Jinshi's case, she has very stubbornly worn the world's most enormous blinders, lol.)
This volume felt taking a bunch of shaky breaths before things really kick off horribly. I didn't see the big reveal coming (note to myself as a reminder before next time: ).
I continue to get such a kick out of brilliant, prickly Maomao, our apothecarist who lives for self-experimentation. I think this series is so interesting for the various ways she navigates fitting into such feminized, gendered spaces (the brothel, the inner court) and how not bending usually leads to the creation of a Maomao-shaped space for her anyway, and how she notices how others do or don't fit in as well. (Or in Jinshi's case, she has very stubbornly worn the world's most enormous blinders, lol.)
This volume felt taking a bunch of shaky breaths before things really kick off horribly. I didn't see the big reveal coming (note to myself as a reminder before next time: ).
September 18, 2025
Un excellent tome, qui avance énormément l'intrigue.
September 28, 2025
ok… so what am i supposed to do now ? wait? 😭😭😭
November 16, 2025
Mao Mao che come ostaggio in realtà si sta quasi divertendo 😂
February 21, 2026
I wasn’t surprised at the reveals because I watched the anime further than I’ve read the mangas (I blame this on the translators going too slow) but this is still peak.
March 18, 2026
March 2026
Kindle edition
I think I'm still getting this series just to share it with my sister. The family confronting future lover thing was interesting. Curious what will happen next.
Kindle edition
I think I'm still getting this series just to share it with my sister. The family confronting future lover thing was interesting. Curious what will happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2026
AHHHHH,
This volume has me WORRIED.
This volume has me WORRIED.
March 26, 2026
A new villain has entered the villa.
March 28, 2026
very funny watching Jinshi try to handle his in-laws
November 10, 2025
Jinshi todo desesperado buscando a su gatita🥺
Lahan buscando al padre adoptivo de Maomao para que mantenga a raya al Lakan😂
Lahan buscando al padre adoptivo de Maomao para que mantenga a raya al Lakan😂
January 21, 2026
Lore de jinshi, compro completamente
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews