The Apothecary Diaries Manga, Vol. 2

Maomao's skills as an apothecary really shine in this volume. She's assigned to cure an ailing concubine, then forced to attend a party with all the concubines, their maids, the emperor, every other high ranking official around. The politics of the inner court really gets fleshed out. Maomao also gets to express a “tough girl from the bad side of town” persona, which is great.

The first volume was underwhelming but the second volume turned things around.