In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
The Apothecary Diaries It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, The Pharmacist's Monologue
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Historical , China , Romance , Maid , Detective , Seinen , Slice of Life
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Top 5 Light Novel Like The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) [2026 List]
5. Shentan Shuang Jiao
During a thrilling escape from her wedding, the energetic female detective Su Mu bumps in to the Ministry of Investigation's boss, Zhang Zhao. The two bicker and harass each other while maintaining a complete, yet silent, mutual understanding. As they journey, hand in hand, cracking cases together, feelings begin to grow. But at the same time, details about their heavily linked past start to come to the surface...
Detective Duo has finished publishing and it has 135 Chapters. It is also Known as: Shentan Shuang Jiao
4. Koukyuu no Musubibito
Her favorite novel was set in the imperial harem. Now she gets to solve its mysteries! When Xiao Ling took a job at a bookstore, she had no idea she'd be working with her favorite author. Arriving at the palace she'd only read about in stories, Xiao Ling finds not the seasoned authoress she expected, but...the Crown Prince, Ryuhou?!
Wrapping up the Imperial Harem has finished publishing and it has 11 Chapters. It is also Known as: 後宮の結び人, Koukyuu no Musubibito
3. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou
In the imperial court, a young woman is put into servitude, Maomao. The tale is just beginning for the woman doctor/pharmacist from the red-light district, as rumors circulate about the emperor's children's lives being short-lived. Her curious nature and thirst for knowledge pushes her to action. To satisfy her curiosity, this young doctor/pharmacist will investigate the origin! What is shifting in the imperial court..!?
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと 猫猫の後宮謎解き手帳, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Maomao no Koukyuu Nazotoki Techou
2. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
The Apothecary Diaries is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, The Pharmacist's Monologue
1. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
In the imperial court, a young woman is put into servitude, Maomao. The tale is just beginning for the woman doctor/pharmacist from the red-light district, as rumors circulate about the emperor's children's lives being short-lived. Her curious nature and thirst for knowledge pushes her to action. To satisfy her curiosity, this young doctor/pharmacist will investigate the origin! What is shifting in the imperial court..!?
The Apothecary Diaries is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, The Pharmacist's Monologue, The Pharmacist's Soliloquies, Drugstore Soliloquy
