薬屋のひとりごと [Kusuriya no Hitorigoto] Series by Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga, Itsuki Nanao, 日向 夏, Touco Shino

After breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster...and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated historical mystery series!Having solved the curse of the late emperor, things are back to usual for Maomao at the Jade Palace. Yinghua brings her along to an evening social gathering being held in the inner court, then Jinshi requests her to accompany him on a hunting trip... moreAfter breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster...and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated historical mystery series!Having solved the curse of the late emperor, things are back to usual for Maomao at the Jade Palace. Yinghua brings her along to an evening social gathering being held in the inner court, then Jinshi requests her to accompany him on a hunting trip. There, Maomao finds herself getting involved in yet another new case...! less

Maomao, Jinshi, and the others finally return to the royal capital to discover that life went on while they were Lahan is still working his abacus, Maamei is still pondering the future of both the Ma clan and her little brother Basen, and Yao and En’en are still pursuing their dreams (to become a doctor and to geek out over Yao, respectively)... moreMaomao, Jinshi, and the others finally return to the royal capital to discover that life went on while they were Lahan is still working his abacus, Maamei is still pondering the future of both the Ma clan and her little brother Basen, and Yao and En’en are still pursuing their dreams (to become a doctor and to geek out over Yao, respectively). Maomao might have hoped that things would quiet down now that she no longer has to deal with locust swarms and succession crises, but it turns out things are livelier than ever as she reconnects with people and places she hasn’t seen in almost a year. Meanwhile, the seeds of a new mystery are being planted... less

After breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster.. moreAfter breaking a “curse” on the imperial heirs, a palace servant with training in herbal medicine is promoted up the ranks to food taster...and right into the thick of palace intrigue in this lushly illustrated historical mystery series!After tangling with a ghost at the Diamond Palace and temporarily trading in her poisons for sweet treats, Maomao returns to the Jade Palace only to find a grave problem staring her in the face! Mere weeks before the heavily pregnant Consort Gyokuyo is due to bear her child, Maomao deduces that all is not well with the coming birth of the new Imperial addition. But even with her skills, Maomao knows she isn’t up to the momentous task of seeing her lady through this trial. Who to turn to, then? The quack, sweet though he may be, is out of the question. That only leaves…Maomao’s Pa! But while his plucky daughter would gladly vouch for Luomen, will the Inner Court really be willing to put the future of the empire into the hands of a criminal once more? less