The Emperor's Caretaker 01

皇帝陛下のお世話係 [Koutei Heika no Osewagakari] (Comic) #1

by Haruki Yoshimura, Ichiha Hiiragi, Aya Shouoto

A statesman's daughter finds herself swept into the world of palace intrigue when she's chosen to be a court lady in this richly illustrated period fantasy!

Linhua, daughter of the Chancellor of the Right, is as gifted with caring for children as she is at playing the erhu. Her talents shine during the ceremony to select a consort for the five-year-old emperor. There she catches the eye of Souren, the highest-ranking regent. Suddenly, Linhua is swept into the vibrant world of the inner palace as a new court lady—and the young emperor's personal caretaker!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2022

About the author

吉村悠希

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one AND the next volume was available, so score! Also, work decided to drop internet for two hours, so I had some time to kill. (It was during my lunch break, so I didn’t steal any time from my job. I was good and sorted email even though I couldn’t send or receive any.)

The artwork was beautiful, the MC h was strong willed and I LOVED how her brother and the MC H did their part to help the MC h achieve her goal of getting out from under the thumb of her manipulative father. Oooh he was such a jerk!

The little kids were adorable and I’m sorry that we didn’t get to see more of them and the MC h’s interactions with them before they left. At least we get to see her with the child emperor. It’s very sweet.

5, I am DOWN for this series thus far, stars.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I hope he likes me. But I can't pretend to be something I'm not, so it's up to his majesty to decide."

It took me a little bit to really get hooked on this (which was true even when I read it digitally first), but once I got near the end, I loved it! The kids are SOOOOO cute and absolutely love how Linhua really has a heart for children and comforting/helping them! That shined in the second chapter and I felt really excited there, but then it went into political stuff and was like, gah I don't want this! So my interest waned a little bit, but I knew once she met the Emperor it was a done deal, and rereading physically confirmed that!

I will say though that Linhua as a heroine is amazing! I deeply admired her and that regardless of another person's status, she refused to change herself for the sake of those around her. I found it refreshing and engaging to read when it came to her actions and thoughts. She's definitely one I look forward to following in future volumes and see what she'll do next!

Overall, the ending was the selling point for me and I want to keep reading because I need to see her in her caretaker role!

[Ink & Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up hoping for something similar to “The Apothecary Diaries” or “Raven of the Inner Palace”, and it definitely scratches that itch. The story follows Linhua, the daughter of one of the five major families, as she becomes the caretaker to the five-year-old emperor.

So far, I’m really enjoying the series! It has a great balance of political intrigue, layered worldbuilding, and compelling characters. I especially love that Linhua isn’t caught up in her father’s political ambitions. She’s using her position to figure out her own path and purpose instead.

I already have the second volume so I’m excited to read it next!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

it did took me while to get into but once we get near the end it started getting interesting so cart wait to see where the story.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be adjusted once series is complete

Seventeen year old Liu Linhua gets drawn into court politics when her father decides that she should participate in a ceremony which is to determine the next empress. The main issue being that the emperor is only five years old and the other contestants are also mere children. Having no interest in becoming empress, Linhua instead focuses on looking after the little children as they navigate the adults in court.

The art is gorgeous and I found Linhua to be a fantastic character; she is a little feisty but she also knows how to play the politics games - she'll wear her mask when she needs to but she'll definitely also show her less ladylike sides when she's in a more comfortable space. Her way with children was beautiful and it gave the story a very sweet touch. That being said, there are already hints that there's more scheming in the background - I am very curious to see where this goes.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great first volume, introducing us to the world and its characters with gorgeous art, an interesting premise, and the potential for a wonderful romance.

[Shae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. There are series out there doing the same story better for me.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. I’ll continue the series (for now at least).

Clean

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. For me, it's got vibes of titles I'm currently reading like The Apothecary Diaries, My Happy Marriage, and The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride, minus the supernatural elements where applicable. It's so cute and sweet, and Linhua is no nonsense and speaks her mind. It's just a wholesome, good read and it does scratch the itch left in between The Apothecary Diaries releases (light novels and manga). I've got volumes 1-4, so I get to binge them!

[MargReadsManga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this first volume! The art is beautiful and I can’t wait to see where this story goes! Lots of fun banter, political intrigue, and family drama! I love that our FL knows what she wants and is not afraid to speak up for herself. And the ML is handsome and cunning.

[Raïssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

je mets 4 parce qu’il est beau

[Mitticus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manga shoujo basada en un ligh novel.
Linhua es la hija de 17 años del ministro del ala derecha , esta muy consciente de que para su padre no es más que una herramienta para hacer alianzas politicas por poder, pero hasta a ella le da vergüenza cuando su padre la introduce en la selección de una esposa para el Emperador niño Zhiyou, de cinco años. Cuando termina consolando a las niñas pequeñas asustadas , termina siendo ella la seleccionada pero como una de las cuidadoras/niñeras del Emperador. La que la ha elegido en realidad es el regente , el tío del Emperador: Souren.

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Aunque es una lectura ligera, que se hace conocida a los aficionados a los dramas asiáticos (kdramas y cdramas), los detalles que se van introduciendo en cuanto a política e intrigas , mezclados a detalles de conductas a seguir en la corte son entretenidos en mi caso. Sin ponerse demasiado dramáticos, por lo menos hasta el volumen 3.

El hermano de Linhua es un apoyo cómico, y gusta que la protagonista al principio no tiene mayor interés en el prota masculino, y es una chica directa que habla lo que piensa en su mayor parte . Incluso el ser dama de la corte (no hay casi nobles que lo sean, porque no pueden casarse ) es una vida que le apela más que casarse y seguirle el juego a su padre.

De a poco van apareciendo detalles de que paso con la emperatriz, y porque Souren no quiere ser Emperador y esta protegiendo como puede a su sobrino.

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[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i sense INTRIGUE!!!! I really like this opening volume- lots of setup, but we get a really good hint at the overall tone and meet the important characters without being bogged down with exposition. The art is GORRRGEOUS- it also feels like maybe it will be like Apothecary Diaries without the poison (or maybe there will be poison??? time will tell)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is so pretty

[ℳanon ꫂ❀⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il se passe pas grand chose dans ce premier tome, mais ça m’a pas particulièrement dérangé. Les dessins sont magnifiques. J’ai hâte de découvrir la suite.

[pampampampampam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the Apothecary Diaries, but it scratches the itch.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!!

[Unabridged Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a series. Yes, this volume was essentially all buildup and information to move forward, but I'm really happy that they take their time instead of being rushed like a lot of mangas. The attention to detail in the artwork is fantastic as well. I definitely have high hopes for this one since it's from the same imprint as My Happy Marriage and The Apothecary Diaries.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, a really strong opening volume! It has a FMC who doesn’t want to marry, a hot regent, cuteness, and some scheming.

Recap: Linhua is daughter of a top five family, she joins the empress running but the current emperor is five and all the other candidates are the same age. She ends up being like a babysitter and plays the erhu. One of the girls breaks her instrument so she gets to borrow on from the palace after interacting with this controlling hot guy. She plays for the imperial family, figures out her dad was just showcasing her to other families, but the regent ends up offering her a job to take care of the emperor. She accepts and becomes a court lady! Emperor is subdued after seeing regent, and Li is sus.

[Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A powerstruggle over a child is always heart-breaking, I'm glad he has some people in his corner!

[Enairolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très curieuse de découvrir ce nouveau titre, je me suis empressée de dévorer ce premier tome. Et bien c’est un gros coup de coeur de mon côté! J’ai adoré l’histoire, les personnages, le cadre etc. Je suis fan des mangas qui se déroulent dans les palais impériaux comme ça, je ne sais pas pourquoi mais ça me fascine de découvrir comment ces palais fonctionnent etc. Je me suis régalée et je sens que la suite sera encore plus excellente par la suite!
Dans ce premier tome, pour la première fois, l’empire de Koen se retrouve dirigé par un enfant de 5 ans. La future épouse du souverain est appelée à régner sur le pays, ce qui favorise les manigances de la noblesse. Linfa, 17 ans, fille aînée du clan Ryu, se voit propulsée malgré elle parmi les candidates. Au palais, Soren, le régent du roi à la réputation sulfureuse, lui propose d’être la gouvernante du monarque.

Comme je le dis plus haut, je suis fan des mangas qui prennent vie dans un palais impérial. Je trouve ça tellement intéressant et fascinant. Voir la façon dont le palais fonctionne, la hiérarchie selon les personnes, les coutumes etc. C’est hyper intéressant. J’ai aussi adoré les personnages. Linfa se retrouve à être candidate pour la future impératrice. Un peu gênant étant donné qu’elle a 17 ans et l’empereur… 5ans. Le père de Linfa est un personnage assez horrible quand on y pense, il est prêt à tout pour se hisser le plus haut possible. C’est d’ailleurs lui qui envoi Linfa au palais.. J’ai aussi adoré Soren, ke régent du roi. C’est un personnage assez froid en apparence, très mystérieux également mais on sent qu’il va se montrer très intéressant par la suite. Et puis, on sent déjà que la relation entre ces deux là va nous régaler! J’ai déjà si hâte de voir comment tout ça évoluer entre ces deux là, je sens que je vais beaucoup rire à leurs côtés! Le jeune empereur est beaucoup trop mignon en tout cas, j’aime trop sa petite bouille. Linfa va se retrouver non pas prétendante à devenir la future impératrice mais gouvernante de l’empereur. J’ai hâte aussi de voir cette relation évoluer, Linfa va le prendre sous son aile en quelque sorte et ça promet d’être adorable!

Un premier tome que j’ai trouvé tout simplement excellent. Je me suis vraiment régalée avec cette lecture et je suis déjà impatiente de découvrir la suite! L’histoire est géniale et nous promet de bonnes parties de rigolade, les personnages sont géniaux et l’univers dans lequel ils évoluent est juste fascinant. Gros coup de coeur pour moi et j’ai déjà hâte de pouvoir lire la suite!

[Artemissia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un premier tome qui pose l'intrigue et met en place les personnages dont Linfa, notre héroïne. Celle-ci, loin d'être mièvre et passive est bien décidé à tirer son épingle du jeu ! Son père veut absolument la marier alors qu'elle ne rêve que de liberté.
L'histoire en elle-même n'est pas encore assez avancée pour que je pense quoi que ce soit, mais j'aime déjà beaucoup les différents personnages. Je pressent certaines choses, donc à voir avec la suite. Quant aux dessins, ils sont très sympas et vont bien avec le style générale.
Depuis les Carnets de l'Apothicaire, on nous sert beaucoup de mangas dans le même style avec des héroïne intrépide et pleine de surprises. A voir ce que Linfa nous réserve pour le futur.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooked. Very interesting. I like that the political intrigue is there but it doesn’t have the realistic feel apothecary diaries can have. I am intrigued and want to know more. The art is beautiful. I’m hoping we see more of her brother cause it seems like he helped set this up for her.

[Anaïs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Euh bah.. ya rien de ouf.. faut voir la suite peut-être 😅

[S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Call me old fashioned, but drawing some haphazard faces on top of endless 3D assets paints a pretty grim picture of the future of comics. Cannot get myself to like this...

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I like this a lot.

Despite having the aesthetics of another typical historical fiction romance, it doesn’t go in the direction readers might expect.

Linhua is far from a love-obsessed, shoujo protagonist. Rather, she’s quite uninterested in romance. She doesn’t like her father’s schemes to make an influential match for her—and tries to sabotage all attempts to pair her off. It’s quite amusing. So, while Linhua still leans into that unassuming beauty role that’s common to the genre, she’s also endearingly reticent to all tropes.

There’s no immediate, insta-love either between Linhua and Souren—which is also very refreshing. Souren also resists being cast as your typical, shoujo male lead. He’s handsome and standoffish for sure. But, he’s also a character with motivations and purpose beyond being an unattainable bauble for Linhua to win over.

I really appreciate a lot of what this story is doing so far. It’s subversive without trying too hard.

If you’re also a reader who appreciates a romance series with a bit more substance—but still has an impeccable aesthetic—I’d recommend picking up this series~

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Your sister doesn’t mince her words. I like that. Could I request she give me regular tongue lashings.”

This has so much potential, Linhua is a strong lead. She’s refreshing and strong willed. I felt for her because of her crappy manipulative father was an ass but at the first opportunity she took the chance to get out from under his thumb and create her own future.

Linhua’s interactions with the children was just so wholesome I can’t wait to see more of her and the young emperor’s interactions and hopefully see what kind of bond they might form.

Right off the bat you can feel the chemistry between Souren and Linhua, I can’t wait to see how their relationship with evolve. Also, I really liked her Linhua’s brother, they have that playful brother x younger sister dynamic going on but it was so nice to see how he purposely went behind his fathers back in order to protect his sister.

Volume 1 held its own, setting the stage for the rest of the series to unfold; with hints of political intrigue and a budding romance.

[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linhua, daughter of the Chancellor of the Right, is gifted at playing erhu. She and the daughters of five great families will show their talent during a ceremony to select an empress for the five-year-old emperor.

This is another period manga revolving around palace intrigue that I am obsessed with. Linhua is a strong daughter devoted to her family and I find utterly compelling her dynamics in the Imperial family. The Imperial family is another juicy element of the story- the naïve yet smart young emperor and the especially Linhua's relationship with the highest-ranking regent Souren is something I am eager to see being developed in the next volumes.

The inner palace can be tricky, in which alliances/rivalry sustain the whole drama. The drama and nuance are beautifully conveyed through the stunning art. In short, I am looking forward to reading more of the sweeping world and character arc.

[ Gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own ]

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit different from the usual types of stories in this genre. While family honor and traditions are emphasized a lot, Linhua is also perfectly content on her own. Her father is thrilled with his schemes to find her an influential match, but Linhua and her brother seem to have a different opinion of events, and have their own methods of turning the tide in their favor. At least Linhua has the marriage proposals under control for the time being. We get to know a lot of the characters in this volume and it sets the stage well, but it's otherwise a very mellow tale. We'll see if the next volume picks up the story line at the same pace and if anything else comes to light.

[n · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m surprised how much I liked this. I binge read it.

I don’t have any complaints and the art was absolutely beautiful. The detail of their decorative ornaments, jewelry, and flowers in the females’ hair; all of the pretty, diverse patterns, all mixed together in one outfit. And it makes them look regal afff. I have seen so many stories like this and none of them had this much research on fashion, especially the patterns. Well done.