Episode 1
Maomao
Oct 22, 2023
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's causing the emperor's infant heirs to fall mysteriously ill.
Episode 2
Chilly Apothecary
Oct 22, 2023
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 assignment of her dreams: to concoct an aphrodisiac.
Episode 3
The Unsettling Matter of the Spirit
Oct 22, 2023
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 forced to dig deeper to find the real reason behind Fuyou's affliction.
Episode 4
The Threat
Oct 29, 2023
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.
Episode 5
Covert Operations
Nov 5, 2023
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-waiting aren't about to let Maomao get away without dressing her up.
Episode 6
The Garden Party
Nov 12, 2023
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 work as a food-taster, she discovers a surprise in a bowl of soup.
Episode 7
Homecoming
Nov 19, 2023
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 with Lihaku in order to finally visit home.
Episode 8
Wheat Stalks
Nov 26, 2023
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.
Episode 9
Suicide or Murder?
Dec 3, 2023
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 tell her that there's more to both stories.
Episode 10
Honey
Dec 10, 2023
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 sends Maomao to work for Lady Ah-Duo.
Episode 11
Reducing Two to One
Dec 17, 2023
Maomao confronts Fengming about the dark secret she's been hiding from her noble Lady Ah-Duo.
Episode 12
The Eunuch and the Courtesan
Dec 24, 2023
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 releasing her from her service.
Episode 13
Serving in the Outer Court
Jan 7, 2024
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 to learn, it seems there's many eyes on her as the new hire.
Episode 14
The New Pure Consort
Jan 14, 2024
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 warehouse explosion.
Episode 15
Raw Fish
Jan 21, 2024
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.
Episode 16
Lead
Jan 28, 2024
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 inheritances all fit together.
Episode 17
A Jaunt Around Town
Feb 4, 2024
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 and escort "Jinka" outside the palace.
Episode 18
Lakan
Feb 11, 2024
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 becomes clear.
Episode 19
Chance or Something More
Feb 18, 2024
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 rushes to stop impending disaster.
Episode 20
Thornapple
Feb 25, 2024
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 culprit behind the incident.
Episode 21
How to Buy Out a Contract
Mar 3, 2024
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.
Episode 22
Blue Roses
Mar 10, 2024
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.
Episode 23
Balsam and Woodsorrel
Mar 17, 2024
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.
Episode 24
Jinshi and Maomao
Mar 24, 2024
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 does Maomao really want him to choose?
Episode 25
Maomao and Maomao
Jan 10, 2025
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 wonders how this came to be, as novels were typically considered low-class. But behind the scenes lies Jinshi and his goals as manager of the rear palace.
Episode 26
Caravan
Jan 17, 2025
The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.
Episode 27
Corpse Fungus
Jan 24, 2025
A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.
Episode 28
Mirror
Jan 31, 2025
The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.
Episode 29
The Moon Fairy
Feb 7, 2025
In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the “Moon Fairy” herself.
Episode 30
The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third Time
Feb 14, 2025
The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.
Episode 31
The Shrine of Choosing
Feb 21, 2025
Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.
Episode 32
The Empress Dowager
Feb 28, 2025
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.
Episode 33
The Late Emperor
Mar 7, 2025
Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.
Episode 34
A Ghost Story
Mar 14, 2025
Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.
Episode 35
The Hunt
Mar 21, 2025
Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.
Episode 36
Ka Zuigetsu
Mar 28, 2025
Maomao discovers Jinshi's secret. She wants nothing to do with whatever the politics behind it is.
Episode 37
The Baths
Apr 4, 2025
Xiaolan's term of service is almost up, so she must find a new job. Maomao and Shisui decide to help.
Episode 38
The Dancing Ghost
Apr 11, 2025
Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.
Episode 39
Ice
Apr 18, 2025
Xiaolan accidentally ruins an expensive block of ice. Maomao comes up with a delicious backup plan.
Episode 40
Festering Resentment
Apr 25, 2025
Luomen returns to the rear palace. His observations trigger Maomao's curiosity.
Episode 41
The Fox Village
May 2, 2025
Suirei smuggles Maomao and Shisui out of the rear palace. Jinshi begins to search for Maomao.
Episode 42
Lantern Plant
May 9, 2025
Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.
Episode 43
Festival
May 23, 2025
The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.
Episode 44
The Stronghold
May 30, 2025
Maomao is taken to a mountain stronghold, where many of the secrets of the Shi clan are revealed to her.
Episode 45
Taibon
Jun 6, 2025
Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.
Episode 46
Royal Guard
Jun 13, 2025
The royal guard, led by Jinshi, arrives, sealing the Shi clan's fate. Maomao wants to save her friend, Shisui.
Episode 47
The Shi Clan
Jun 27, 2025
Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.
Episode 48
The Beginning
Jul 4, 2025
After the war, Jinshi's work piles up and Maomao returns to the pleasure district.
Episode 49
Locusts
Oct 2, 2026
A locust plague is looming, and mysteriously, a book on insects belonging to the Shi clan appears.
Episode 50
The Fire-Rat Cloak
Oct 9, 2026
An interesting cloak points Maomao's imagination towards international politics.
Episode 51
Let Them Eat Cake
Oct 16, 2026
Maomao treats a sick girl, but food poisoning and malnutrition are not the true problems that need solving.
Episode 52
The Last Volume
Oct 23, 2026
Trying to track down the missing final book, Maomao visits Suirei, who is now living with Ah-Duo.
Episode 53
The White-Snake Immortal
Oct 30, 2026
Maomao's stepbrother Lahan takes her to a popular show that may be more than just entertainment.
Episode 54
The Paper Village
Nov 6, 2026
Maomao needs to find someone to cover for her while she goes on a trip with Jinshi. A good candidate turns up.
Episode 55
The Bet
Nov 13, 2026
Episode 56
Episode 56
Nov 20, 2026
Episode 57
Episode 57
Nov 27, 2026
Episode 58
Episode 58
Dec 4, 2026
Episode 59
Episode 59
Dec 11, 2026
Episode 60
Episode 60
Dec 18, 2026
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