Introduction
In The Apothecary Diaries, the relationship between Jinshi and Maomao unfolds as a slow burn, rich with complexities stemming from their distinct personalities, societal positions, and personal backgrounds. This dynamic between the two characters serves as a compelling exploration of love, indifference, and gradual acceptance within a narrative primarily focused on mystery and politics.
Their relationship is particularly intriguing because it has become crucial to the story's attraction, despite the series not being primarily centered on romance. Originally created as a comedic character with a seemingly disposable role, Jinshi's popularity grew, transforming him into a major deuteragonist alongside Maomao.
Maomao's Indifference to Love
Maomao while tasting the food for poison.
Maomao, the apothecary with a pragmatic outlook on life, initially exudes an air of indifference towards romantic entanglements. Her cool demeanor and analytical approach to situations make her an enigmatic figure, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Maomao's initial interactions with Jinshi are marked by skepticism and a desire to keep emotional attachments at bay. She views Jinshi through a critical lens, challenging his motives and intentions. She even thought Jinshi was the Emperor’s lover at one point, despite knowing that he was a male.
Maomao cannot help but cringe whenever Jinshi uses his fake persona and flirts with her.
Having been raised in the red-light district, Maomao possesses a nuanced understanding of sexual intimacy, despite not having firsthand experience. Surrounded by courtesans and a culture where physical connection often lacked emotional depth, she was keenly aware of the challenges faced by those of lower social status, particularly women.
Maomao's emotional development was affected by this environment, marked by emotional neglect during her formative years. Often left to her own devices, even when she cried, no one was available to comfort her. This early experience led her to suppress her emotions, learning to cope independently as she matured.
Despite her facade of indifference, Maomao's actions subtly betray her growing interest in Jinshi. Her concern for his well-being, evident through her discreet attentiveness to his health and safety, hints at underlying emotions that she struggles to acknowledge. Maomao's journey is one of gradual emotional thawing, as she navigates the complexities of her feelings amidst the political intrigue and challenges surrounding her.
The Depth of Jinshi’s Feelings Towards Maomao
Jinshi's behavior toward Maomao is a complicated mix of deep-seated emotions and childhood experiences, resulting in a relationship that goes beyond mere attachment. While many people attribute Jinshi's acts entirely to love, there is a deeper depth to his behavior that derives from his complex past.
Jinshi's character is introduced as a calm and composed eunuch, adept at concealing his emotions behind an enigmatic smile. His poised demeanor and lack of overt emotional displays make him an enigmatic figure among the concubines and court attendants. However, when it comes to Maomao, a different facet of Jinshi's personality emerges—a side characterized by impatience, jealousy, and clinginess.
To understand Jinshi's complex emotions, one must first look back to his childhood. Jinshi's emotional attachments were deliberately suppressed by his "mother," who told his servants, Gaoshun and Suiren, to remove any favorite items once he got fond of them. Unlike most youngsters who quickly adapt to new toys, Jinshi developed strong attachments to his favorites, considering them as his entire world. Maomao once described these discarded toys as "worn out," implying Jinshi's strong bond with them.
This childhood trauma had a major impact on Jinshi's emotional landscape. His tendency to form intense attachments quickly but struggle to let them go mirrors his adult behavior towards Maomao. Initially, Jinshi may have seen Maomao as a mere distraction or "toy," similar to his childhood attachments. However, over time, his perception shifted, recognizing Maomao as a unique and irreplaceable individual—someone he was willing to sacrifice for and protect at all costs.
However, Jinshi's overwhelming love initially manifested as over-protectiveness, bordering on possessiveness. This behavior, rooted in his fear of losing Maomao, sometimes led to misunderstandings and conflicts, especially considering Maomao's independent and strong-willed nature.
Jinshi being possessive protective of Maomao.
Despite Jinshi's composed demeanor, his actions reflect the depth of his feelings for Maomao. In critical situations, such as when Maomao was kidnapped in Volume 4 of the light novel, Jinshi prioritized her well-being above all else, foregoing official duties and societal expectations, to the point where he is willing to abandon his eunuch persona to save Maomao at the expense of revealing his true identity as the Moon Prince. His unwavering devotion and protective instincts highlight the evolution of his feelings—from a possessive attachment to a profound, selfless love for Maomao.
The Evolution of Their Relationship
In contrast to the story's emphasis on political intrigue and mystery, Maomao and Jinshi's relationship develops slowly. Maomao's interest in Jinshi grows gradually as he continuously defies her initial assessments of his character. Her thoughts and emotions often come out subtly through actions rather than verbal or physical displays of affection.
It happened quickly for Jinshi. He initially saw her as a toy, but it didn't take long before he fell hard for her. He didn't mind if she was strange; in fact, it was one of the reasons he was drawn to her. She was unlike anyone he'd seen before, and she didn't react to his beauty in the same way that others do. He found her intriguing and interesting, and he was so attached to her that he became depressed when she was fired from the rear palace.
Jinshi was depressed after Maomao left the rear palace.
For Maomao, it was gradual and subtle, due to her apathetic attitude when it comes to love. The first subtle indication that Maomao doesn't mind spending time with Jinshi is when she expresses a desire to return to the palace and acknowledges Jinshi's presence in the brothel rather than ignoring him, as seen in Episode 12. Before this, she was visibly annoyed by his presence and was disgusted whenever he flirted with her. After spending time with him thanks to his requests, Maomao admitted that she preferred Jinshi's true self, which marked the beginning of her developing affection for him.
Maomao does not bother to hide her disgust for Jinshi. (Poor guy!)
Light Novel Volume 4 showcased Maomao's deep value for Jinshi when she was visibly relieved upon seeing him after being kidnapped, highlighting her emotional attachment and reliance on him. It has been observed that when they are alone, they act comfortably with one another and enjoy each other's company, even to the point of acting in sync at times.
Maomao teases Jinshi.
Her practical and matter-of-fact nature characterizes Maomao's love for Jinshi, often expressed through her constant worry about his well-being and safety. She shows her affection by providing attentive care and expressing a strong sense of concern. Maomao's affections for Jinshi become clear in later volumes. In Volume 8, she ignored the emperor's presence to tend to Jinshi, who had branded himself a slave in order to be with her. She was even eager to study surgery and become a doctor to assist him after he branded himself, as she is the only person who can see his body now that he has tainted himself.
Jinshi burns himself with the crest of Empress Gyokuyou’s family to signify that he will be loyal to her and her son, the crown prince, as seen in Volume 8 of the light novel.
Moments of intimacy between Maomao and Jinshi are impactful despite their rarity. They share mutual feelings later in the story, triggered by Chue's encouragement for Maomao to be honest about her emotions. After returning from the Western Capital, she went straight to Jinshi's chambers and hugged him till they fell asleep on the floor. She even kissed his lips while he slept. Notably, Maomao's actions and observations reveal her growing attachment to Jinshi, even if she remains reserved and discreet in expressing her feelings.
The Challenges and The Future of Their Relationship
Jinshi and Maomao's relationship faces various challenges as a result of their different social statuses and the complexities of palace life. Despite these challenges, Maomao has already accepted Jinshi's feelings and is determined to stay by his side, regardless of future circumstances.
The possibility of Jinshi ascending to the throne as emperor with Maomao by his side as his empress is an enticing prospect hinted at by Maomao's success in clearing the Shrine of Choosing in earlier volumes. This moment subtly foreshadows a future where Maomao could occupy a position of great influence and significance alongside Jinshi.
However, the path to this desired end is filled with complications. The current emperor's lifespan is critical. Jinshi may only need to take on the role of Emperor Regent if the current Emperor stays alive, while they await the crown prince's maturity. This possibility raises concerns about the time and circumstances surrounding Jinshi's potential throne succession.
If Jinshi ascends to the throne, it could result in Maomao being trapped in the rear palace, a fate she wishes to avoid. In a moment with Ah Duo, who offers to help Maomao escape this potential future, Maomao declines, demonstrating her resolve to stay with Jinshi. She has already decided to commit to him, even if he becomes emperor and she is relegated to the confines of the palace.
Jinshi, unaware of the depth of Maomao's affections, confronts this issue in Volume 15. Faced with the possibility of becoming the regent emperor should the current emperor's surgery fail, Jinshi contemplates letting Maomao go rather than subjecting her to the restricted life of the rear palace. Little did he know that Maomao had already anticipated this situation when she acknowledged his feelings. She intends not to flee, but rather to negotiate a compromise with Jinshi: a greenhouse in the rear palace, a haven from the pressures of palace life.
As Jinshi deals with his worries about the future and his duties, Maomao's unshakable determination to stay by his side, despite the potential difficulties, demonstrates the depth of her devotion. Ultimately, their partnership demonstrates their mutual trust and willingness to manage the complexity of palace life together, regardless of any obstacles that may arise.
Ultimately, the future of Jinshi and Maomao's relationship is shaped by their resilience, love, and determination to forge a path forward, regardless of the uncertainties that lie ahead. Whether Jinshi ascends to the throne or continues to navigate the intricacies of imperial court life, one thing remains certain—their bond remains strong, offering hope for a fulfilling and promising future together.
You can witness Jinshi and Maomao’s relationship develop firsthand by buying the The Apothecary Diaries manga and the light novels only here at ZenPlus! You can also check out our guide to the light novels if you want to start reading the light novels while waiting for the anime next year.
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What do you think?
What do you think led to Maomao’s decision to accept Jinshi’s feelings?
Why did Maomao decline Ah Duo’s offer to go abroad in order to escape her possible fate of being trapped in the rear palace if she ends up marrying Jinshi?
Will Jinshi successfully be able to leave the Imperial Family?
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About The Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
