I genuinely thought I'd finished this sooner than I expected. For the first few chapters, I felt the story kinda drag as we're introduced to another set of completely new and different characters. Also, of course, there was this subtle appearances from some of the minor characters from the previous novels. Though truth be told, a bit disappointed there's not much Maomao and Jinshi moments but the ones that are here are so worth it. Also, loved that we get to see Maomao and Luomen's relationship as daughter and parent.
All in all, I still loved this novel and thus I present to you some spoilers and my opinions of them: 

Maomao's train of thoughts in Chapter 2, particularly her instance on giving birth. It's like you don't know how to feel because it sounds gross to eat your own placenta (I still feel it's cannibalism especially it's a meat of your own or a part of you as a woman) but at the same time, I could understand it as this is how her curiosity works. I think, in the name of medicinal experiment, that includes testing of poisons, Maomao doesn't know the line between when to actually experiment in the name of science and where it is consider insane. But, if you think about it, most medicinal advancement are also thanks to former medical practitioners who experimented on their own (though some used people and that's clearly a no).
 
Also, this part on chapter 2:

But she thought, This brings back memories. She was in a workplace full of women again, and the inevitable consequences of that nearly brought a warm glow to her heart.
 
I can't help but think about this. In this part, Maomao was partly ridiculed as she fell down face hard. But being surrounded by women her age and perhaps women who are involved in medicine does brings back memories and does warm Maomao's heart. Is it because she misses Shisui/Loulan and Xiaolan? I sometimes think this was it. I mean it felt like it had been ages since they last seen each other. And though Maomao only thought about it, I think she still hopes that somehow Shisui made it out alive. As for Xiaolan, I kinda hope they'll see each other again, although I know that during those times it might be more difficult for them to meet as Xiaolan is a serving lady or a lady-in-waiting to a sister of one of the middle or low consort (not sure) and Maomao is still near the capital. Oh female friendship.

Something to be said regarding chapter 3. I kept thinking how the other court ladies treat Maomao. Is it because Maomao doesn't have any high officer relation (although this is not true as she is biologically Lakan's daughter and Luomen's adoptive daughter, both from the La clan) or is it envy that Maomao's better than then in terms of medical practice?

Also on chapter 4, I also feel angry on how other people seem to treat eunuchs. For instance though, it wasn't really that bad when Jinshi was introduced as a eunuch everyone seemed to adore and love him despite knowing he is a eunuch (but on technicality, he isn't a eunuch). But now, I finally see how some people treat eunuchs like that Yao and En'en (though it's just strange for people to be so prejudice against eunuchs). Though, on the other hand, I understand it as eunuch technically falls under people who are trans or intersex and yet even now there are a lot of transphobia that's been happening although people who are trans or intersex already existed, even without the so called advancement we are now experiencing whether be in term of technology or medicine.
 
Also, I can't help but think how Maomao is such a girl's girl. Like Yao and En'en were initially cold to her but she couldn't care less. However, on chapter 5 and 6, we get a glimpse of Yao and En'en, particularly the latter as she and Maomao talk about Maomao's credibility as a medical practitioner. Maomo admitted she is an apothecary by vocation and during her talk with En'en that that different color of hairband she used during their first day was not because Maomao had some special favors from Jinshi but rather because she scored the highest on the court lady exam. Also, I kinda find Yao a bit obnoxiously childish then finding out she's just 15. I can't help if it was immaturity of age or being from a noble family, she also holds herself to a higher standard. I mean nothing wrong that but if you kinda act up just because someone scored better than you, shouldn't you to to do better? But yeah maybe it's too soon to talk about Yao like that as she's still a child and Maomao is four years older than her.
 
Also that subtle mention of what happened to the almost eradication of the Imperial bloodline from years ago. Although, truth be told, I kinda want to know what happened during that time (maybe in the next chapters or next light novel) as I think it would have been nicer to have the story be focused on the country of Li and its politics before introducing us to a new country and new set of politics. Chapter 8 had been a headache as it felt like a lot of things are happening at once and I can't seem to pick up.
 
In chapter 11 and 12, it was kinda funny that frog has been heavily mentioned. Like I was actually thinking on how way back on the 3rd Light Novel, when Maomao discovered Jinshi is not an eunuch, she kept saying his was a decent sized frog. Now back to chapter 11 and 12, frog was heavily mentioned and it was expected in a way that Maomao woild remember that scene that was dubbed by this fandom as the frog scene. I kept thinking now if the word frog or the frog itself will be related or will be significant on the story later. Though that end part on chapter 11, I felt apologetic and horrified for Yao.

In chapter 14, there's something suspicious about the Shrine Maiden. I think, like Maomao, there's something amiss but I just can't connect it yet. It's there and I also had a feeling that Luomen already knew what is the matter as he seemed unusually disturbed. I think Luomen knows but is hiding the truth, as it may be politically controversial plus I know he is smart but I think his lifelong experience handling stuffs like these had also made him smarter. It's just that, as Maomao tend to indulge her suspicions and assumptions based on her observations whether it'd be true later on, Luomen wouldn't jump into such conclusions as he believes assumptions are still in fact false suspicions.

Also, that unnervingly disturbing tale from Luomen about rituals and traditions that were practiced over time for great harvest. I know it happened, as people before easily believed in gods and deities showering them with blessings and fortunes if they sacrifice something. Reminds me so much of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. And just like that story, the village from Luomen's story also had lost their rationality and minds as to why they were doing those rituals in the first place.
 
As much as I ship Maomao and Jinshi, I still sometimes get conflicted if Maomao really loved Jinshi, romantically. There were a few indications that she is like from the previous light novels. For example, (I think it was a foreshadowing,) I think Maomao said something about her biological parents before (particularly her mother) that in a way, her mother, Fengxian, wanted what happened with her and Lakan, because if Fengxian never wanted it to happened, she wouldn't initiate it and even if it did happened but she doesn't loke it, she could have Maomao aborted. But in the end, Fengxian did wanted it and even kept Maomao (though that resulted to Fengxian selling her body and acquiring STDs along the way).
 Another example I think is how Jinshi forcefully kissed Maomao. I think before that, it was pretty insinuated that if a woman wanted it, she would have consented it. But does Maomao consented to Jinshi or was it to get back to him for choking him? Also, that's also not the problem. Jinshi felt and thinks that he shows his romantic affection to Maomao but I think he never really declared it before. He does these things, and gave vague insinuations but no actual declaration or confirmation. Or is it because, on technicality, both of them are still young (I mean, afterall, their age is still consider as young adults).
 
See, now it's kinda funny that after all my thoughts about Jinshi and Maomao seemed futile as I've read Chapter 18 of this light novel. I could finally agree that both Jinshi and Maomao do like each other but with all the politics involved, it feels that even if Jinshi finally declared that he'd make Maomaoas his wife, he also knew how much of a pain it would be to both of them, especially to Maomao and he didn't want that. I could finally agree that Jinshi does love Maomao as he doesn't want to take any consort because I think he only want Maomao as his only wife. Also, as much power he has as the brother of the emperor, he knew that even though he wants Maomao to be his wife, he wouldn't want Maomao in a difficult position (as there's a possibility Maomao would be an enemy of Empress Gyokoyou as marrying Jinshi would mean Maomao could have a take on the throne). Also, I think, Jinshi is kind of a romantic as he also wants Maomao's affection to him as genuine or real as his. Because like I've said, he could order that he'd married Maomao but still he wanted to earn Maomao's affection genuinely. Now, on Maomao's side, I think Maomao is on denial. I am now convinced that she also love Jinshi, and not just because he's a very important person (as Jinshi is the Emperor's brother and also does Maomao really knew Jinshi is Ah Duo's and the Emperor's son or is it just an assumption again? Have I missed it?). It was now heavily implied in this chapter how Maomao's concern for Jinshi surpasses their professionality with each other. Maomao is concerned about Jinshi's sleeping habit even though she no longer serves him. Also, whenever Jinshi tries to get close to Maomao, she may verbally recoiled or refused but she still lets him do as he wishes (though maybe it's because Jinshi is of high status). However, on this chapter, we can see that Maomao is in denial as when Jinshi opened up his and Suiren's topic of him getting a consort of his own. There was this part that said:

“Suiren feels quite urgently that I should take a consort of my own,” he said. “She claims it would mean less work for me.” “I’m sure she’s right.” Maomao was intent on acting as if the matter didn’t concern her. That, however, could only aggravate Jinshi.

Also, because I've noticed that as Jinshi and Maomao seemed to have less interactions, there were minute moments that Maomao would be reminded of Jinshi like the frog and other things. Just that alone could indicate that Maomao is slowly having feelings towards Jinshi. She may deny it all she wants, but I think she really does have formed a fascination on Jinshi, and not just because of Jinshi's pretty face but because of how he is as a person, not as the Emperor's brother too, just the person Maomao know as Jinshi.
 
Can I just also give a shoutout on Chapter 19. I loved how the story goes on that chapter. It was such an interesting read, even if if was just connecting the dots to form a concrete story based on numerous speculations from. Really brings out the Sherlock Holmes mystery of the novel. 
 
Also that subtle remembrance of Maomao about Shisui from Chapter 21, pushing Maomao to remember how the politics had brought disaster to their lives. Also, I can't help but think that maybe this subtle remembrance will bear fruit, maybe Maomao would really have her hair stick back or even see Shisui again. I kinda hope she does, and Xiaolan too. 

And like finally that revelation on how Shaoh politics works. Sure, there's two pillars but it'a still a patriarch, but having the shrine maiden as a woman also helped their people, especially the women. Plus that revelation that the shrine maiden is actually a man that was made as a woman, that was kinda upsetting as the shrine maiden recall her/his story. Also, I think Shaoh will be heavily mentioned or focused on the next novels. 

 
Now, see, I usually type the spoiler everytime I get to finish a chapter and so don't be confused if it felt that the review are fragments of ideas from the light novel.