What do you think?
Rate this book
薬屋のひとりごと [Kusuriya no Hitorigoto] (Light Novel) #8
Il monologo della Speziale, Vol. 8
Un gran numero di libri viene consegnato a Maomao. Il mittente? Un certo eccentrico col monocolo, Lakan. A quanto pare, li aveva inviati alla figlia sostenendo di averne troppi. Alla speziale non interessano, vorrebbe solo venderli, ma contrariamente alla sua mancanza di interesse, sempre più copie si diffondono nel Palazzo Imperiale scatenando una vera moda. Tutti vanno matti per il Go! Nel frattempo, fra il tentato avvelenamento della Sacerdotessa e la piaga delle locuste, Jinshi scopre che la volpe sta organizzando un torneo di Go all’interno del Palazzo, si reca da lei per negoziare. Gli offrirà una sede migliore in cambio di…
Cofanetto in edizione limitata della light novelIl monologo della Speziale, Vol. 8Il set contiene: 1. La light novel Il monologo della Speziale 2. Set di 5 segnalibri 3. Sovracopertina con effetto perlato cangiante
Cofanetto in edizione limitata della light novelIl monologo della Speziale, Vol. 8Il set contiene: 1. La light novel Il monologo della Speziale 2. Set di 5 segnalibri 3. Sovracopertina con effetto perlato cangiante
344 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2019
442 people are currently reading
2566 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
January 17, 2024
4.25
Currently living on a diet solely consisting of Jinshi/Maomao crumbs. I’m severely malnourished but I’m happy 😌
Currently living on a diet solely consisting of Jinshi/Maomao crumbs. I’m severely malnourished but I’m happy 😌
Read
January 18, 2024JINSHI WHAT THE HELL YOU ABSOLUTE MADMAN
March 7, 2024
Jinshi: can I rizz you up
Maomao: sure
Jinshi: pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls
Maomao: sure
Jinshi: pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls
June 13, 2025
Sorry maomao, I’m losing the ‘hate lakan’ propaganda 😪😔
March 7, 2024
SPEECHLESS. SWOONING. IN AWE. The determined scheming Jinshi did just for a chance to beat Lakan at Go so he could likely ask for Maomao’s hand in marriage? The LENGTHS that Jinshi went to to ensure he’ll be able to marry Maomao and ONLY Maomao?! The way he literally BRANDED HIMSELF and relinquished his title as the next heir so he can be with only her?? 😭💓 Maomao’s immediate protectiveness over him injuring himself? She literally can’t help but dote on him. (Though I don’t think she realizes it herself.) 🥺 Too soft. My hearttttt. Also, can we talk about how Jinshi made sure the room was decorated with poisons and herbs when he broke the news? For Maomao, that’s basically a marriage proposal in and of itself 🤣 He knows her too well.
THE moment right after Jinshi branded himself:
“You damned masochist!” Maomao grumbled as she prepared the oil and beeswax concoction.
Maomao heard a distinct thump, and discovered that it was the Emperor sitting down on the couch. “Did you really hate it that much? The idea of becoming emperor?” he mumbled.
“I always said I did, didn’t I?” Jinshi replied, grimacing. “If you still insist on my remaining in the line of succession, I’ll just have to make a nice, big wound in my left cheek too.”
Maomao immediately clapped her hands onto the sides of Jinshi’s face, but he smiled: “That was a joke.”
She let go of his cheeks, but she couldn’t let down her guard. There was no telling what he might do.
“Empress, I know you were hoping Maomao could be your serving woman forever, but perhaps I could ask you to relinquish that dream. Now that I have this mark, I can’t let just anyone see my body.”
Well, whose fault is that? The salve was ready; Maomao rubbed some on Jinshi’s skin.
“I can’t even ask my lady-in-waiting to help me change my clothes now, let alone allow a doctor to see me. And above all...” He got to his feet, wrapping one arm around Maomao’s torso and pulling her with him. The cloth that had been cooling his midriff slid off. Jinshi looked at her.
“My wife will have to be a woman I can trust implicitly.”
Maomao looked to the Emperor. He stared vacantly back at her and Jinshi. “Zui…” he said. “Is this the path you’ve chosen?”
“It is.”
“And you won’t regret it?”
“I won’t.”
————————————————————
HELLO?!! Jinshi is sooo sweet. “My wife?” “Someone I can trust implictly?” His confidence that he’ll have no regrets with Maomao??? Jinshi def is lovestruck and it went straight to his head. 🥰
On a separate note, this is precisely why we love Maomao 💀🤣:
She began to laugh: “Hee hee hee hee hee!”
“Uh... Are you okay?” Yao asked.
“Haaah hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!” was her only answer.
“En’en, I think there’s something wrong with Maomao...”
“You’re just now noticing, m’lady?”
For the first time in a long while Maomao danced her happy dance, in a room full of dead bugs, while Yao (increasingly concerned) and En’en (unworried) looked on.
THE moment right after Jinshi branded himself:
“You damned masochist!” Maomao grumbled as she prepared the oil and beeswax concoction.
Maomao heard a distinct thump, and discovered that it was the Emperor sitting down on the couch. “Did you really hate it that much? The idea of becoming emperor?” he mumbled.
“I always said I did, didn’t I?” Jinshi replied, grimacing. “If you still insist on my remaining in the line of succession, I’ll just have to make a nice, big wound in my left cheek too.”
Maomao immediately clapped her hands onto the sides of Jinshi’s face, but he smiled: “That was a joke.”
She let go of his cheeks, but she couldn’t let down her guard. There was no telling what he might do.
“Empress, I know you were hoping Maomao could be your serving woman forever, but perhaps I could ask you to relinquish that dream. Now that I have this mark, I can’t let just anyone see my body.”
Well, whose fault is that? The salve was ready; Maomao rubbed some on Jinshi’s skin.
“I can’t even ask my lady-in-waiting to help me change my clothes now, let alone allow a doctor to see me. And above all...” He got to his feet, wrapping one arm around Maomao’s torso and pulling her with him. The cloth that had been cooling his midriff slid off. Jinshi looked at her.
“My wife will have to be a woman I can trust implicitly.”
Maomao looked to the Emperor. He stared vacantly back at her and Jinshi. “Zui…” he said. “Is this the path you’ve chosen?”
“It is.”
“And you won’t regret it?”
“I won’t.”
————————————————————
HELLO?!! Jinshi is sooo sweet. “My wife?” “Someone I can trust implictly?” His confidence that he’ll have no regrets with Maomao??? Jinshi def is lovestruck and it went straight to his head. 🥰
On a separate note, this is precisely why we love Maomao 💀🤣:
She began to laugh: “Hee hee hee hee hee!”
“Uh... Are you okay?” Yao asked.
“Haaah hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!” was her only answer.
“En’en, I think there’s something wrong with Maomao...”
“You’re just now noticing, m’lady?”
For the first time in a long while Maomao danced her happy dance, in a room full of dead bugs, while Yao (increasingly concerned) and En’en (unworried) looked on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
Push Jinshi far enough, and he'll take some pretty drastic steps to get who and what he wants. At least, unlike some other romantic interests I can think of, the only person he's physically hurting is himself. (Jury's still out on the emotional side, and I'm definitely not talking about the impervious Maomao.)
February 4, 2024
This volume was so fun and relaxing until it wasn't. Jinshi is a mad man. Whatever Gyoukuyou is planning, I'll support her either way
Read
May 5, 2025It's a little ridiculous how fast I'm reading these light novels
May 22, 2025
I was far more entertained throughout this one in comparison to the last few!!
Spoiler:
JINSHI IS SO MESSY I LOVE HIM
Spoiler:
JINSHI IS SO MESSY I LOVE HIM
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
It's no fun teasing Maomao. But Jinshi is turning the tables; and it's adding spice.
January 7, 2025
Jinshi really said wife is life 🤭 (idk how Maomao is gonna keep being oblivious)
December 30, 2023
I honestly don't know how I feel about this volume.Everyone is treating Maomao as a pawn just bc they have high authority and I don't enjoy reading about it.
March 16, 2025
I don't even have anything I could possibly say about this novel.... I'm absolutely speechless.
July 3, 2025
Jinshi outright branding himself to avoid becoming the next Emperor and so that he can marry Maomao was kind of crazy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2024
5 ⭐️
Jinshi out here being DRAMATIC
And the end of the Shrine Maiden arc! Can I just say, I love this series for how it views gender? It’s mutable, it’s a spectrum, it’s a personal choice. Maomao also cares not one jot for anyone’s sexuality — Pairin is bisexual/any warm body will do, En’en is 100% a lesbian with a streak of mischief, Maomao wants only bezoars, etc etc.
Jinshi out here being DRAMATIC
And the end of the Shrine Maiden arc! Can I just say, I love this series for how it views gender? It’s mutable, it’s a spectrum, it’s a personal choice. Maomao also cares not one jot for anyone’s sexuality — Pairin is bisexual/any warm body will do, En’en is 100% a lesbian with a streak of mischief, Maomao wants only bezoars, etc etc.
January 4, 2024
More Jinshi/Maomao interaction than the last book. He's really trying to set them up. Def a slow burn he fell first scenario.
April 9, 2024
THIS ONE WAS MY FAVORITE. I AM FERAL.
October 19, 2024
Jinshi really, really doesn't want to be an emperor and really, really wants Maomao; that about sums up this volume for me.
This volume feels like a break from the ones that came before, which focused on the politics of Li and its neighbours, the strained relationships between the various courtiers and prominent families, and all their scheming.
Instead, here everyone is crazy about Go because the eccentric strategist published a book on the subject and Lahan organized a tournament; for the fox man, it was almost a tribute to the one person who bested him at the game, his wife and Maomao's birth mother; for Lahan, it's a way to earn money and recoup the family's losses after buying the courtesan out from Verdigris House.
Maomao figures out how the poisonous face powder from volume 1 has been repurposed to make imported, spoiled wine palatable to the masses. I think this was a nice way to weave the thread between the volumes and a reminder that just because something has been banned, doesn't mean it isn't in circulation.
A triplet of brothers get their comeuppance in a way that's satisfying to the reader.
As for the relationship between Jinshi and Maomao, he's clearly ready to take this further the moment she consents, but Maomao isn't there yet.
But that doesn't mean she doesn't care. The way she reacts when he's injured says plenty about how she feels; she goes to him immediately ("In spite of herself, Maomao went over to Jinshi and forced his mouth open."), she rushes to treat him while disregarding whether she's breaking anything expensive in the palace while she's at it ("She didn't care if the bowl broke or the spoon shattered. She didn't have time to care.").
If you know Maomao, you know she is someone who's very aware of her place in the world, especially in relation to the people around her. She's constantly considering that when she's deciding what to do or say. The fact that she's doing all of this while being in the room with the emperor and empress...says a lot, doesn't it?
This volume feels like a break from the ones that came before, which focused on the politics of Li and its neighbours, the strained relationships between the various courtiers and prominent families, and all their scheming.
Instead, here everyone is crazy about Go because the eccentric strategist published a book on the subject and Lahan organized a tournament; for the fox man, it was almost a tribute to the one person who bested him at the game, his wife and Maomao's birth mother; for Lahan, it's a way to earn money and recoup the family's losses after buying the courtesan out from Verdigris House.
Maomao figures out how the poisonous face powder from volume 1 has been repurposed to make imported, spoiled wine palatable to the masses. I think this was a nice way to weave the thread between the volumes and a reminder that just because something has been banned, doesn't mean it isn't in circulation.
A triplet of brothers get their comeuppance in a way that's satisfying to the reader.
As for the relationship between Jinshi and Maomao, he's clearly ready to take this further the moment she consents, but Maomao isn't there yet.
But that doesn't mean she doesn't care. The way she reacts when he's injured says plenty about how she feels; she goes to him immediately ("In spite of herself, Maomao went over to Jinshi and forced his mouth open."), she rushes to treat him while disregarding whether she's breaking anything expensive in the palace while she's at it ("She didn't care if the bowl broke or the spoon shattered. She didn't have time to care.").
If you know Maomao, you know she is someone who's very aware of her place in the world, especially in relation to the people around her. She's constantly considering that when she's deciding what to do or say. The fact that she's doing all of this while being in the room with the emperor and empress...says a lot, doesn't it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
Such an amazing volume! I couldn’t stop reading! There was a bit more humor than in the last volume, and then the events that happen just blew my mind! Jinshi’s actions were so incredibly clever. I also love the new characters of Basen’s siblings! The political conflict is becoming heated and mysterious and very intriguing. I can’t wait for the next volume!
January 16, 2025
“MY WIFE “
FINALLY IT HAS BEEN SAID
FINALLY IT HAS BEEN SAID
September 28, 2025
i'm speechless
December 29, 2023
lahan and lakan are some of my favorite characters so maybe that’s why i enjoyed this so much. but there is also more humor and cute moments. ate it up!
June 9, 2025
the character development and politics in this one were chef's kiss
July 4, 2025
PERFEKTION
July 8, 2025
Not Lakan caught lacking…
January 4, 2025
Jinshi just raised the bar for all fictional men out there
5/5 for the series
4.5/5 for this book alone.
The first line was a ‘review’ (more a comment) I wrote the first time I read through.
Now I love this book, the mystery in this one was engaging and seeing old things relating back is a cool throwback to the series.
Jinshi does some big things this book, big things and as much as I want to be happy about the development this man is gaining a few more red flags that are getting a bit hard to ignore, don’t get me wrong I love the guy but my man… chill. Maomao cares for him yes a little tiny bit more then servant and master gig but I don’t think it’s as much as everyone hopes it to be which makes his actions quite selfish.
Otherwise this book I loved, the friendships developing. The mysteries popping up and potential threats in future books, I’m hooked, line and sinker and I’m instantly going onto the next book. Even though I’ve read the series through once I can’t help but sit at the edge of my seat through out it needing more of this addictive series!
5/5 for the series
4.5/5 for this book alone.
The first line was a ‘review’ (more a comment) I wrote the first time I read through.
Now I love this book, the mystery in this one was engaging and seeing old things relating back is a cool throwback to the series.
Jinshi does some big things this book, big things and as much as I want to be happy about the development this man is gaining a few more red flags that are getting a bit hard to ignore, don’t get me wrong I love the guy but my man… chill. Maomao cares for him yes a little tiny bit more then servant and master gig but I don’t think it’s as much as everyone hopes it to be which makes his actions quite selfish.
Otherwise this book I loved, the friendships developing. The mysteries popping up and potential threats in future books, I’m hooked, line and sinker and I’m instantly going onto the next book. Even though I’ve read the series through once I can’t help but sit at the edge of my seat through out it needing more of this addictive series!
July 22, 2024
Speechless. What a twist. They had us at the first half, huh - distracted by the go. Jinshi taking the burn in slowburn. But I love how this volume gave a sneak peek to something that is cooking in the back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
omg the ending AHHHH
June 8, 2024
Just let my girl obsess over her medicine and solve her mysteries… jinshi can F off
July 3, 2024
Getting crumbs….. still eating it up tho
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews