The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel) Quotes

“He took a breath. He was looking at Maomao, but somehow he seemed almost embarrassed. Finally he managed, “Now listen to me, y—I mean, Maomao! Listen close! I am going to make you my wife!” He’d said it. He’d actually said it. To her, it sounded like a death sentence. All his vagueness, all his ambiguity had actually been a show of kindness to Maomao. For with her social status, the words once spoken were as good as a command. She couldn’t fight them, couldn’t contravene what he wished.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“For you, I will remove every obstacle that keeps us apart. One day. Just know that.” With that, Jinshi buried himself under the covers. “I won’t let what you fear come to pass. I swear it.” Soon she heard him breathing evenly in sleep. What I fear... Maomao pictured Empress Gyokuyou. I don’t think Master Jinshi knows, she thought. She didn’t think he was aware of the secret of his own birth. What about Empress Gyokuyou? Does she know? And what did His Majesty want for Jinshi? What about Ah-Duo? It’s never good to know too much.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Now listen to me, y—I mean, Maomao! Listen close! I am going to make you my wife!”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“It’s amazing how easily such unsavory things roll off your tongue.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Maomao wasn’t specifically a smarter person or better student than anyone else. She simply cared less about some things most people cared about, and instead shunted that extra attention into fields in which she was interested.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who was tired. Maomao hadn’t slept well either. And she finally snapped.

“You always tell me I should use my words, Master Jinshi, but are you really in a position to criticize? Everything you tell me, everything you do, it’s as if it’s calculated to avoid having to say what you really mean! Just say it! So I can understand you, okay? You know, you remind me of someone. You act exactly like a man who used to come to our brothel all the time. He was in love with one of the girls, but never said it. He thought it should be obvious from the way he acted. He was so sure that something good would happen with that woman that he didn’t even send her a letter. I remember how devastated he looked when someone else swooped in and took her away. He kept coming back to the brothel afterward—to get drunk and lament to the other girls. So then, why didn’t he just avoid disappointment by telling the woman how he felt? In a clear and unequivocal way, so she’d know even if she didn’t understand subtle clues. It was the least he could have done.”

It all came out in a torrent. She felt like she had spat everything out in one breath. It was strange, though—those words had just slipped from her mouth.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Shit. Now I’ve done it. She’d given him a piece of her mind, and he was about to give her one back.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Gaoshun was holding three letters: from Jinshi, Empress Gyokuyou, and the Emperor. They might not be official communiqués, but nonetheless she felt she was being stared down by three of the least say-no-to-able people in the nation.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Maomao believed ignorance was a sin. Yet she knew that knowledge wasn’t given equally to all.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Once in a while, pictures of Maomao the cat were mixed in with the letters; these came from Chou-u. In lieu of a personal seal, Maomao’s toe beans would be pressed on the pictures in scarlet ink. The scratches on the pictures suggested she signed them under duress.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Maomao didn’t blame her, as poisonous mushrooms could be surprisingly delicious, and she had been about to say so when her father had gently stopped her. He seemed to think it might not be as reassuring as she imagined.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Somehow, food is never actually the first order of business at a formal dinner. Other things always have to happen before you can eat.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Even after he had left the rear palace, women would sometimes sneak bits of their hair or nails into his snacks as a love charm, or simply charge in when he was alone and tear off their clothes. Nothing but trouble.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Even after he had left the rear palace, women would sometimes sneak bits of their hair or nails into his snacks as a love charm, or simply charge in when he was alone and tear off their clothes. Nothing but trouble. The”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Once in a while, pictures of Maomao the cat were mixed in with the letters; these came from Chou-u. In lieu of a personal seal, Maomao’s toe beans would be pressed on the pictures in scarlet ink. The scratches on the”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“Maomao’s “older sister,” Pairin, couldn’t write very well; when she tried, the characters often came out backwards, as if in a mirror. The old lady had made several attempts to improve Pairin’s handwriting, but the quirk remained, and she always had to have someone check her writing or simply write for her.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7

“This time Maomao wasn’t so quick to answer. A station equivalent to a medical official’s: in other words, one that would allow her some access to the drugs in the medical office. She tried to keep her lips in a neutral, straight line, but she couldn’t prevent a slight tremble. A glint entered Gaoshun’s eyes. “You could try out new drugs too. We have people who do that, you know.” Still Maomao was silent, but she felt her cheek begin to twitch and the corners of her lips start to edge upward. No! Don’t give in! There’s a catch. There has to be.”
― Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7