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In the enigmatic realm of the Imperial Palace, there are perils hidden around every nook and cranny. Yet, it is Maomao’s relentless curiosity and keen intellect that set her apart as a silent yet formidable heroine. Despite beginning as a humble servant in the narrative, Maomao’s knack for observation and unwillingness to leave puzzles unsolved ultimately prove crucial in saving countless lives.

In the enigmatic and perilous realm of the rear palace, Maomao stands as an unyielding figure. Equipped with her sharp eyesight and extensive medical and toxicology expertise, she navigates this treacherous terrain without faltering. Her insatiable curiosity never abates, whether it’s tending to poisoned concubines or unmasking concealed conspiracies. Time and again, Maomao’s intuition proves invaluable. Her story serves as a testament that wisdom isn’t merely power, but also a vital means of survival in a world where secrets can be lethal.

The First Instance Where Maomao’s Power of Observation Saves Lives

Maomao’s initial inquisitive move within the imperial palace paves the way for her future triumphs. It was under peculiar circumstances that Consorts Gyokuyou and Lihua’s offspring fell ill, sparking whispers of a curse throughout the palace. Yet, Maomao observes an anomaly: both of the Emperor’s concubines, Gyokuyou and Lihua, apply a white facial powder laced with lead. Recognizing the danger signals, she chooses to intervene, despite the risks involved.

In this scenario, Maomao chooses to alert the mothers by placing a secret note on their window ledges, imploring them to cease applying makeup. However, Lihua’s handmaiden disregards the warning, whereas Gyokuyou heeds it and halts her use of powder. Consequently, Gyokuyou’s child escapes harm. This marks the first instance where Maomao’s inquisitive nature and medical understanding successfully combat the concealed perils within the palace. Despite being a servant, her keen eyesight and extensive knowledge enable her to identify the genuine danger and take timely action.

From Death’s Door to Recovery

Following her son’s untimely demise, Maomao gets another opportunity to aid when Lihua herself becomes critically ill. The Emperor instructs Maomao to nurse Lihua back to health, but the court ladies, wary of her, hinder her attempts. However, Maomao’s inquisitive nature compels her to uncover the truth behind Lihua’s ailment. Through her keen observation and tactful interrogation, she discovers that the same poisoned facial powder, which had been responsible for her son’s death, is clandestinely used by the ladies-in-waiting.

Maomao administers steam baths and concocts herbal concoctions to help Lihua eliminate impurities and bolster her overall health. Through her diligent care plan, Maomao unmasks the treachery of Lihua’s attendant who had been undermining her all this while. In a mere span of two months, Lihua regains her wellbeing. The relentless inquisitiveness and determination of Maomao to not accept ‘no’ prevented Lihua from suffering the same unfortunate destiny as her son.

Fingerprints Tell the Truth

At a garden gathering, tragedy strikes when a minister suddenly falls ill after tasting Gyokuyou’s soup. Suspecting foul play, Maomao decides to investigate. She carefully examines the bowl and finds traces of someone else’s fingertips on it. Further investigation reveals that Lishu may have been targeted for an assassination attempt, disguised as an allergic reaction. To conceal their malicious intentions, the culprit switched the dishes, causing harm to Gyokuyou instead.

Through her meticulous approach, Maomao exposed a cunning scheme involving Lishu’s food taster and an intrigue originating beyond the palace walls. Thanks to Maomao’s inquisitive nature, Gyokuyou was exonerated of any wrongdoing, and Lishu narrowly avoided an assassination attempt that might have gone undetected otherwise. With her insightful investigation and understanding of poisons, Maomao transformed a potentially lethal enigma into a solved case. Her diligent work emphasizes the significance of not overlooking even the smallest details.

The Sweet Taste of Revenge

When a servant is discovered drowned and whispers of poisoning spread, Maomao uncovers the facts. At what appears to be a tranquil tea gathering, Maomao observes Lishu being harassed by her attendants. A hint that points back to a tragic event from years past arises when Lishu shows apprehension upon seeing honey, which reminds Maomao of Lishu’s son, Ah-Duo, who had a fatal allergy to honey due to an accident caused by Fengming, a former attendant known for her cruelty.

Through diligent recollection of events and keen observation during the tea party, Maomao uncovers the fact that honey was involved in the attempted poisoning. Her investigation not only puts a stop to the bullying but also protects Lishu and other infants from potential harm caused by honey-based poisoning in future.

Saving a Sick Servant and Lihua

When a servant in Maomao’s rear palace has been missing for several days only to return gravely ill, her intuition urges her to delve deeper into the matter. She believes that no illness should be disregarded within the palace walls. Upon investigation, she uncovers that the servant was kept confined in a shed as a secret, with little to no food, leading almost to starvation. However, Maomao comes to understand that this wasn’t merely an accident; instead, she links the servant’s illness to Shin, Lihua’s chief attendant and cousin.

In a clandestine manner, Shin accumulates items with the intention of concocting a harmful herbal mixture that poses risks to both the mother and the infant. Maomao reveals Shin’s hidden jealousy and avarice, thereby safeguarding not just the servant but also shielding Lihua from further harm. This time, it brings to light deceptions that jeopardize the entire palace.

Protecting Pregnant Concubines From Harmful Scents

In the grandeur of the court, I, an observer, found myself amidst a wave of lavish perfume trends among the noble ladies. Yet, my knowledge in medicinal herbs, especially roses and spices like frankincense, made me wary. My keen senses picked up on something sinister: some of these scents could potentially lead to miscarriages, posing a grave risk to pregnant concubines such as Gyokuyou and Lihua. Compelled by concern, I delved into the perfume’s ingredients and shared my findings with Jinshi, shedding light on the hidden danger these fragrances could pose.

Through her extensive knowledge and constant inquisitiveness, Jinshi is prompted into action, resulting in thorough examinations of each perfume bottle within the palace. Similarly, Maomao’s natural curiosity, combined with her keen eye for detail, proves life-saving by preventing potential dangers before they could cause harm. Thanks to her vigilance, the unborn children in the rear palace are safeguarded from perils they were never even aware of.

A Falling Threat to Jinshi’s Life

When sacred artifacts mysteriously disappear during a warehouse blaze, Maomao’s thoughts swiftly churn on uncovering the reason behind it. She quickly discerns that someone was orchestrating a scheme to disrupt Jinshi’s purification ritual and takes prompt action. Working tirelessly against the clock, she employs all her knowledge and persists despite facing obstacles, such as being subdued by a guard. Undeterred, Maomao boldly storms into the hall and publicly accuses a suspicious guard of deflecting attention from himself.

In a swift and selfless act, Maomao manages to move Jinshi out of the path of an impending falling altar decoration, taking the injury upon herself instead. This brave decision, fueled by her keen awareness of the situation, ultimately saves Jinshi’s life. By piecing together the clues and putting herself in harm’s way, Maomao demonstrates her deepening affection for the man she would come to cherish.

A Deadly Plot in the Woods

On a hunting expedition in the northern wilderness, Maomao notices that Jinshi falls ill following a meal. She guides him towards a waterfall for relief, only for them to be ambushed by assassins mid-conversation. Jinshi was about to disclose a secret when the attack occurred. In an attempt to flee, they both leap from the waterfall, but their troubles are far from over.

Following the assault, she skillfully employed her keen nose for scents to trace the scent of gunpowder through the woods, guiding them directly to the would-be assailant. Her astute reasoning allowed Lihaku to apprehend the shooter, preventing any further harm from occurring. Maomao’s talent for interpreting even the subtlest clues transformed what could have been a fatal trap into an opportunity to safeguard Jinshi’s life.

Ice, Hairpins and Sweet Treats

In the grand palace, a chunk of ice might not seem significant outside its walls, but it symbolizes status and luxury within. Unfortunately for Xiaolan, breaking an expensive block of ice intended for Loulan’s diplomatic visit could result in harsh penalties. However, Maomao remains calm amidst the potential chaos. She seeks aid from Jinshi and proposes a creative solution: instead of letting the precious ice go to waste, they should repurpose it into a delectable dessert.

In a clever twist, Maomao’s swift idea not only spared Xiaolan from disciplinary action but also won over the favor of the supervising eunuch, who approved her plan. With Jinshi by her side, Maomao’s quick wit transformed a potential catastrophe into a diplomatic triumph. Her quick thinking and resourcefulness demonstrated that in critical situations, knowing how to stay calm and think on your feet can mean the difference between life and death.

A Hidden Threat That Preserved a Lifeless Emperor

Once more, it falls upon Maomao to unravel the mystery surrounding the Empress Dowager Lady Anshi’s inquiry into the previous Emperor’s demise. The corpse, remarkably preserved without any signs of decay, had lain undisturbed for a full year. Granted permission to probe the late Emperor’s chambers, Maomao intuits that something is amiss as the mere mention of the deceased ruler causes discomfort among those around her.

Maomao’s inquisitive nature leads her to an unusual, metallic scent emanating from beneath the wallpaper, revealing a painting created using orpiment – a hazardous paint containing arsenic. This toxic substance had served as a preservative for the Emperor, preventing his body from decaying. By unraveling this potentially lethal enigma, Maomao debunks harmful myths about the Empress Dowager and safeguards others from inadvertent poisoning.

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2025-06-01 05:56