#the Apothecary Diaries spoilers

[kage-my-justu]

maomao anytime someone asks her how she’s related to lakan

[amethystsoda]

Jinshi literally went *vine boom + shocked Pikachu face* over that comment

[avionvadion]

The fact that the studio went out of their way to give the viewers a warning VISUALLY and NARRATIVELY through the ominous shadow placement and eerie red lightning, and Maomao’s observations of the dowager empress and the recollections of her knowledge of the late emperor, in preparation of next week’s upcoming episode to let them know it’s going to be a BAD TIME…

OOOOOOF. It’s such clever art direction and a brilliant move on their part, but OOOOOF.

Next week is gonna be ROUGH. (If you know, you know.)

[harleyquilt]

I love, love, LOVE, how Jinshi and Maomao's relationship progresses throughout the series.

LN/WN spoilers down below!!

It's such a slow burn, but it also feels so real in terms of how relationships actually function. It's introduced with this acknowledgement that as good as their dynamic is, there's this lacking balance between them, whether that be in their feelings for one another, or the societal expectations that pressures them in different ways. Added on top of that is the inability for either of them to properly communicate their feelings, not without them feeling like there'll be consequences in doing so.

And what happens when Jinshi tries to force their relationship forward in spite of this imbalance? Maomao distances herself from him. The series does not skirt around this, and neither is it fully resolved by the end of the next arc. No, the series commits to this mistake, understanding that it takes time, understanding, and effort to reconcile after trespassing someone's boundaries. Their relationship has to take a step back before it can move forward again.

Of course, it's not quite that simple, and their traits and flaws are never fully abandoned for the sake of their romantic relationship. They are respected as individual characters first, a couple second, which is something I think is so important when it comes to effective storytelling.

In general, KnH makes it clear throughout the series that romance is more an ongoing subplot to the series, wanting instead to keep its focus on the mystery that drives the narrative forward. It's likely due to this that Jinshi and Maomao's relationship feels as candid as it does, developing at a natural pace and growing alongside the characters while they continue pursuing greater goals. It doesn't succumb to fanservice or pressure from the readers to force these characters together before they're ready, instead allowing their feelings to simmer while they learn to reconcile this imbalance between them.

And with each step forward they take, I look forward to seeing how their relationship changes next.

[mallleus]

fucking love the apothecary diaries!

especially in the latest episode, people were all likes ' Wahhh the emperor is going to do something to Maomao ><!!' Nah the Emperor is just a chill dude who likes boobs and brought his son/brother and the son/brother's crush on a color-blind test

[friedwizardwhispers]

i really love how the whole "Stop endangering your health" thing that Jinshi does with Maomao from the beginning becomes a mutual thing between them in the light novel ?

Except while Jinshi is trying to stop Maomao from eating poison, Maomao is screaming at him to go to sleep instead of overworking himself to death.

Couple goal actually.

[justshipsandstuff]

Started reading the light novels for the Jinmao, but stayed for the shenanigans (volume 10-11 were Great!)

I pray for the day we know your name, Lahan’s brother. Your ordinary swag and your expert farming knowledge have captured the heart of regular peasants

[cookiesandbiscuits]

We're finally seeing this scene animated!!!!

[squishlamb]

the apothecary diaries LN spoilers

don't look at the clothes or anything for accuracy; i just needed to doodle this out of my system

anywayssss did we all see that anime s2 teaser..... so excited

listen to my jinmao playlist ♥

[greeniegaes]

:3 i made a JiuYuan apothecary dairies au

Shen Yuan is Jinshi, basically high ranking offical who’s a eunuch and is really pretty and attractive

Shen Jiu is Maomao, a poison tester/apothocary and I can’t decide if she’s a trans woman or if he disguised as a woman so he can be a servant to his jiejie that was made into a concubine.

I had the idea of no eunuchs and disguised SJ and the both of them are in the cave scene and SY accidentally touched SJs crotch and it makes him scream at the idea of touching another man’s penis. Meanwhile SJ flips him over and holds a knife at his throat if he tells anyone about his identity.

And also SJ just bullying SY and SY always bugging him about poisons and cool beasts SJ studied outside of the castle (SY never really had the opportunity to leave)

[ladykyriaa]

Something something about doofenshmirthz and nickel collecting

[alexiethymia]

IF THIS ISN’T DRAMATIC IRONY

[lukadarkwater]

Spoilers for the Apothecary Diaries light novels.

It’s so funny to me how Maomao is so averse to conflict and getting herself into trouble that she could avoid because she’s “just a simple apothecary” but at the same time, the Emperor himself is asking her for advise and writing her letters of recommendation.

It ties in to how she views Jinshi’s marriage offer. She still views herself as a girl who grew up in a brothel but I’m pretty sure at this point pretty much everyone views her as a power unto herself. Not to mention, she’s the daughter of her father’s powerful clan. She keeps thinking that he could find someone more suited to him, but she is perfectly suited to him. She has the social status to be his wife and not draw questions and probably already has the approval of the Emperor if he was asked.

She’s clearly wavering on her opposition to it by the point I’m at in book 7 and I’m still laughing at her saying she can’t tell him she loves him yet. Yet is carrying sooo much weight lol.

[robinmage]

one thing i really appreciate about jinshi's character is how he has NEVER once actually had any intention of succeeding the throne. every time the idea is brought up he immediately detests it. so hes giving maomao as much as he possibly can, even though maomao has many qualms about it due to their difference in social status, but jinshi DOESNT CARE because hes NEVER cared about or wanted the status of crown prince! its been nothing but a burden to him! from his perspective the ONLY thing keeping the two of them apart are outside influences. he has no doubt within himself-- hes horribly down bad, in fact. but unfortunately his stupid JOB is getting in the way of him skipping off into the sunset with his favourite little cat

[lilmisshungrytiger]

Fengxian: If you win, I’ll give you anything you’d like. If I win, I’ll take anything I want. Which board would you like to play with?

Lakan: *chooses Go….knowing Fengxian always wins at Go*

——————————————

The terms were set. He could’ve chosen chess. He was better at chess. He would have won with chess and could get whatever he wanted. But he didn’t want to win, he just wanted to spend time with her.

[nursehoney]

Hmm

Hmmm