Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

Maomao grew up as an apothecary's daughter surrounded by herbs, medicines, and poisons, but kidnapping and sale into the imperial palace reduce her to a servant who wants nothing more than to avoid attention. Her plan is to finish her term quietly and return home, until the emperor's infant children develop mysterious symptoms everyone whispers about as a curse.

Curiosity and medical knowledge lead Maomao to the real cause, and she tries to deliver the answer anonymously. The observant palace official Jinshi identifies her talent anyway and moves her into service under Consort Gyokuyou. From then on, Maomao becomes entangled in poisonings, illnesses, and court intrigues she cannot resist solving. The harder she tries to remain an insignificant maid, the more obvious it becomes that her mind is far too useful for the palace to ignore.