The Apothecary Diaries has gone from niche historical fiction to a major success across multiple formats. Originally a light novel series by Natsu Hyuuga, it has since grown into a full-blown franchise with a highly rated anime and a manga adaptation.
Set in a version of imperial China inspired by the Tang Dynasty, it mixes medical mysteries, court drama, and sharp character work. And at the center of that character work is Jinshi, a figure who almost turned out very differently.
During a Q&A session at Comic Fiesta, Hyuuga shared a key piece of background that changes how fans might view Jinshi:
“I had two options in mind. Make him a eunuch, or…”
That unfinished sentence says more than enough.
A Split-Second Choice With Long-Term Impact
Jinshi is one of the first high-ranking court members Maomao meets, and their interactions quickly become central to the series. With his polished appearance and polite demeanor, he fits the image of a perfect palace official. But early on, both Maomao and readers are left guessing about whether he’s a eunuch. That uncertainty is part of his appeal, adding tension to every conversation and hint of attraction.
Hyuuga admitted she wasn’t sure how to write him at first. That choice, whether to make him a eunuch or not, would’ve shaped everything from his influence at court to how close he could realistically get to Maomao.
Instead of committing to one answer right away, Hyuuga allowed the ambiguity to linger. That decision not only gave Jinshi a unique kind of charm, it gave readers something to speculate about. And once the fan interest kicked in, the author adjusted his character accordingly.
Reader Feedback Reshaped Jinshi’s Role
According to Hyuuga, Jinshi’s rise in popularity led to noticeable changes in how she developed his personality. Readers were intrigued by him, and their enthusiasm helped guide how much attention he got in the story. His behavior, tone, and even story relevance shifted slightly to match what people responded to.
At one point, Hyuuga even thought about removing him entirely. But with the strong reaction from fans, that plan was shelved.
A Challenging Character to Balance
Despite his polished exterior, Jinshi isn’t easy to write. Hyuuga explained that he was one of the toughest characters to handle. His status, speech patterns, and hidden emotions had to be carefully balanced so he wouldn’t feel stiff or one-dimensional.
Maomao’s straightforward way of speaking had to contrast naturally with Jinshi’s more refined tone. At the same time, the writing needed to suggest that Jinshi wasn’t just another perfect bureaucrat. There had to be moments where readers and Maomao alike could pick up on his internal pressure and personal conflict, without making him seem weak or uncertain.
This is part of the reason why Jinshi doesn’t appear in every chapter. Hyuuga said she needed to be thoughtful about when and how to bring him in without overexposing him or letting the mystique fade.
Jinshi and Maomao’s Relationship Still Hangs in the Air
While there’s obvious chemistry between the two, Hyuuga hasn’t confirmed whether anything romantic will come of it. She hinted at the possibility but didn’t go beyond that, leaving fans to continue speculating.
It fits with the overall tone of the series, which tends to leave space for readers to interpret character emotions and motives. Jinshi’s attraction to Maomao, for example, isn’t spelled out directly but comes through in his constant curiosity about her work and her way of thinking.
Extra Details From the Q&A
The session also included some lighter facts about the creation process:
- Maomao’s cat-like facial expressions were inspired by the author’s real-life cat.
- Although Maomao is known as an apothecary, her training is focused more on poisons than medicine.
- Hyuuga’s favorite character to write is the bumbling palace doctor, mostly because he’s the kind of character who always blames others when things go wrong.
- Research-wise, Hyuuga said she often starts with an idea and fills in details through basic web searches rather than heavy historical reading.
Looking back, that original “eunuch or…” question highlights how easily a story can shift. One choice about a single character changed not only how readers understood Jinshi but also how the author wrote him. If he had been introduced as a eunuch from the beginning, his place in the palace, his relationship with Maomao, and the story’s tone might have all moved in a different direction.
Instead, the author kept that uncertainty in play, and the character became more memorable for it.
