Event Year: 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.

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.

Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.

Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.