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Season guide

The Apothecary Diaries: Season 1

49 episodes Premiered Oct 22, 2023 Updated Jul 18, 2026
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Episodes

S1·E1

Maomao

Oct 22, 2023 · 23 min

After being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws the attention of the higher ranks when she investigates what'

S1·E2

Chilly Apothecary

Oct 22, 2023 · 23 min

Maomao tries to settle into her promotion to lady-in-waiting and food taster, but struggles to fend off both boredom and the overly-familiar Jinshi. That is, until she gets an assi

S1·E3

The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit

Oct 22, 2023 · 23 min

Tasked with investigating a ghostly woman dancing nightly on the palace walls, Maomao finds a sleepwalking Concubine Fuyou. But with no medicinal cure for sleepwalking, she's force

S1·E4

The Threat

Oct 29, 2023 · 23 min

Under direct orders from the emperor himself, Maomao tries to care for an ailing Concubine Lihua, but finds her work impeded by Lihua's own ladies-in-waiting.

S1·E5

Covert Operations

Nov 5, 2023 · 23 min

A eunuch stricken by a curse comes begging for aid. Meanwhile, the rear palace buzzes with excitement as everyone prepares for the upcoming garden party, and Gyokuyou's ladies-in-w

S1·E6

The Garden Party

Nov 12, 2023 · 23 min

Maomao does her best to navigate the complex social situations at the garden party, including meeting the other Upper First rank concubines. But once she settles down to do her wor

S1·E7

Homecoming

Nov 19, 2023 · 23 min

Gaoshun goes to Maomao to get her help in resolving the events of the garden party. Later, Xiaolan explains the purpose of the hairpins Maomao was gifted, and Maomao makes a deal w

S1·E8

Wheat Stalks

Nov 26, 2023 · 23 min

Maomao's peaceful morning at home is interrupted when she's called in to investigate an apparent double suicide at one of the local brothels.

S1·E9

Suicide or Murder?

Dec 3, 2023 · 23 min

An older acquaintance of Jinshi's dies while drinking at a party. A servant's body turns up in a moat. Both deaths are written off as self-inflicted, but Maomao's keen observations

S1·E10

Honey

Dec 10, 2023 · 23 min

A tea party hosted by Lady Gyokuyou puts the politics of the rear palace at the forefront, and Maomao learns something new about Lady Lishu. His true intentions unclear, Jinshi sen

S1·E11

Reducing Two to One

Dec 17, 2023 · 23 min

Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.

S1·E12

The Eunuch and the Courtesan

Dec 24, 2023 · 23 min

Discovering that Maomao's kidnappers were connected to Fengming's family, Jinshi is faced with a choice between keeping Maomao in the rear palace where he can be near her or releas

S1·E13

Serving in the Outer Court

Jan 7, 2024 · 23 min

To Maomao's surprise, Jinshi brings her directly to his house instead of taking her back to the rear palace, and tells her she's to work in the outer court. Not only is there much

S1·E14

The New Pure Consort

Jan 14, 2024 · 23 min

Ah-Duo's replacement has arrived in the rear palace, and Maomao is assigned to give a certain lecture to all four high concubines. Later, Maomao helps Lihaku investigate a warehous

S1·E15

Raw Fish

Jan 21, 2024 · 23 min

Gaoshun requests Maomao's help in solving an apparent poisoning case. Meanwhile, Jinshi deals with an unwelcome visitor who's taken to lingering in his office.

S1·E16

Lead

Jan 28, 2024 · 23 min

A shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl are all that a talented metalworker leaves to his three sons upon his death. Maomao is assigned to investigate how these strange inherit

S1·E17

A Jaunt Around Town

Feb 4, 2024 · 23 min

Covering up Jinshi's otherworldly beauty is no easy task, but after Maomao takes the challenge head-on, she's surprised when she's also asked to don the disguise of a noblewoman an

S1·E18

Lakan

Feb 11, 2024 · 23 min

Back at home, Maomao visits an annex building at the Verdigris House that hides one of the brothel's secrets. Lakan continues to antagonize Jinshi as his connection to Maomao becom

S1·E19

Chance or Something More

Feb 18, 2024 · 23 min

A discussion with Lihaku about recent events leads Maomao to realize that the mysteries she's helped to solve are connected. As the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, she

S1·E20

Thornapple

Feb 25, 2024 · 23 min

Maomao was able to stop the assassination attempt, but was heavily injured in the process. However, the injuries aren't enough to stop her curiosity, driving her to confront the cu

S1·E21

How to Buy Out a Contract

Mar 3, 2024 · 23 min

Back to work at the rear palace, Maomao listens to Guen talk about his family's business. Meanwhile, Lihaku hears a rumor that whips him into action.

S1·E22

Blue Roses

Mar 10, 2024 · 23 min

Lakan challenges Jinshi to produce blue roses to present at the upcoming garden party, forcing Jinshi to turn once again to Maomao for her help.

S1·E23

Balsam and Woodsorrel

Mar 17, 2024 · 23 min

No longer willing to keep running away from Lakan, Maomao decides to face off against him. She challenges him on his own turf, in a chess match.

S1·E24

Jinshi and Maomao

Mar 24, 2024 · 23 min

Lakan must now choose a courtesan to buy out. As a high-ranking military official, he can afford to freely choose, even from one of the Three Princesses. Who will he choose? Who do

S1·E25

Maomao and Maomao

Jan 10, 2025 · 24 min

The spring garden party concludes without incident. Maomao returns to her regular life as Concubine Gyokuyou’s taster. Meanwhile, novels become popular in the rear palace. Maomao w

S1·E26

Caravan

Jan 17, 2025 · 24 min

The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.

S1·E27

Corpse Fungus

Jan 24, 2025 · 24 min

A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.

S1·E28

Mirror

Jan 31, 2025 · 24 min

The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.

S1·E29

The Moon Fairy

Feb 7, 2025 · 24 min

In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.

S1·E31

The Shrine of Choosing

Feb 21, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.

S1·E32

The Empress Dowager

Feb 28, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery that won't leave her mind.

S1·E33

The Late Emperor

Mar 7, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.

S1·E34

A Ghost Story

Mar 14, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.

S1·E35

The Hunt

Mar 21, 2025 · 24 min

Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.

S1·E36

Ka Zuigetsu

Mar 28, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.

S1·E37

The Baths

Apr 4, 2025 · 24 min

Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.

S1·E38

The Dancing Ghost

Apr 11, 2025 · 24 min

Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.

S1·E39

Ice

Apr 18, 2025 · 24 min

Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.

S1·E40

Festering Resentment

Apr 25, 2025 · 24 min

Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.

S1·E41

The Fox Village

May 2, 2025 · 24 min

Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.

S1·E42

Lantern Plant

May 9, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.

S1·E43

Festival

May 23, 2025 · 24 min

The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.

S1·E44

The Stronghold

May 30, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.

S1·E45

Taibon

Jun 6, 2025 · 24 min

Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.

S1·E46

Royal Guard

Jun 13, 2025 · 24 min

The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.

S1·E47

The Shi Clan

Jun 27, 2025 · 24 min

Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.

S1·E48

The Beginning

Jul 4, 2025 · 24 min

After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.