eunuchs

Herbalist Maomao is all anyone in the palace can talk about after her show of food tasting at the garden banquet. After receiving a mysterious hairpin at the banquet, she returns to the pleasure district for the first time in almost a year. While visiting her home, a courtesan and her client are found poisoned, and Maomao finds herself investigating another mystery.

Still searching for the garden banquet poisoner, Maomao stays at the Garnet Palace. However, the palace holds shocking secrets that could cause Maomao to lose her job and her life!.

"Sly tactician Lakan's attempts at provocation lead to his own downfall when Maomao challenges him to elephant chess, only to outplay him in a game of wits! In a stupor from drinking 'poison' as punishment for his loss, Lakan dreams of a long-lost past, his affair with a beautiful courtesan, and meeting her daughter for the very first time. Upon waking, he finds himself at Verdigris, where he is pressed to buy the freedom of a girl of his choosing and take her home as his wife! But will any of the flowers there catch his eye when his heart is in love with a memory?"--Provided by publisher.

"Forced to the leave the Inner Court, Maomao finds herself in the employ of none other than Jinshi, the seemingly ever-present thorn in her side. Immune to her new master's charms, Maomao instead sets her mind to her work and to learning the ways of the Outer Court, where government ministers and military officers go about the daily business of running the country. Far from being fearful of her new surroundings, however, Maomao has her insatiable curiosity piqued by the forbidden, soldier-occupied East Wing. And when yet another mystery beckons, Maomao is unable to resist"--Provided by publisher.

"Summoned to attend the Emperor on an evening jaunt to an ancient shrine that functions as a rite of passage for the rulers of the land, Maomao makes quick work of the puzzle inside, acquitting herself with aplomb. Having learned more about the Imperial bloodline than a commoner has any right to know, Maomao returns to her post at the Jade Palace. But her aim to stay out of the business of her betters is foiled once again when the Empress Dowager comes calling! The mother of His Imperial Majesty seeks Maomao's aid in investigating yet another curse, one she fears she herself may have cast upon the infamous late Emperor"--Back cover.

"When word of her accomplishments falls on the ears of His Imperial Majesty, Maomao finds herself tasked with a direct request from the throne. Turning down the emperor is out of the question for the former apothecary if she wants to keep her head! But while acquiescing to the emperor is expected of all subjects, Maomao is about to discover that ladies-in-waiting have still more taxing duties to which to attend, as preparations for the garden banquet get underway! Concoting an aphrodisiac might be second nature to Maomao, but smiling prettily for the officials of the court could prove far more difficult..."--Provided by publisher.

"Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery! Using her wits to break a 'curse' afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and... solving mysteries?!"--Provided by publisher.

A fictional account of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi as she tries to restore order after the sudden death of her father Shah, which incites resentment and dissent, but being in possession of a tapestry of secrets and information may be the biggest power struggle for her and her adviser, Javaher.

In 1836, eunuch sleuth Yashim investigates a series of killings in the sultan's court, honing in on the Janissaries, the marginalized former imperial guards who have become ruthless mercenaries and may have committed the murders in an attempt to regain power.