While The Apothecary Diaries is celebrated and loved for its historical intrigue and clever medical mysteries, the slow-burning tension between Maomao and Jinshi remains a fan favorite subplot that keeps many viewers hooked each week, waiting for more. Fans have long speculated about Maomao’s feelings, since she is typically too rational to acknowledge something as illogical as romance. She’s practical, grounded, and often dismissive of Jinshi’s attempts at connection. But despite her aloofness, subtle moments betray a deeper emotional current, especially in season 2, episode 16.

In this episode, one quiet scene involving a hairpin speaks volumes. Jinshi’s gifted hairpin is not just a forgotten trinket, because Maomao secretly keeps it tucked away in a drawer where she stores her herbal tools, a sacred space in her world. Later, she hides it inside her clothing, placing it close to her heart. This small gesture, paired with the context of their relationship, reveals more about Maomao’s emotions than words ever could.

The Drawer is a Place of Reverence

Maomao Keeps Important Items in That Drawer, Meaning Jinshi's Hairpin is Precious to Her

Maomao’s decision to store the hairpin in the same drawer as her herbs might seem like a minor detail, but for her, it’s deeply meaningful. This is not just a storage area, it is where she keeps her most valued tools, representing her skills, ion, and independence. For her to place Jinshi’s gift there means it holds significance beyond politeness or obligation. She treats the hairpin with the same care she gives her life’s work, indicating it symbolizes someone who has become equally important.

This is not the behavior of someone indifferent. If Maomao truly felt nothing for Jinshi, the hairpin would have likely been forgotten or returned. Instead, she chooses to keep it close, in a space that reflects her identity. Even if she refuses to acknowledge it consciously, this act suggests that Jinshi has found a quiet, secure place in her heart, just like the drawer that houses her most trusted belongings.

The Heart Is Where She Hides Her Truth

Maomao Has Feelings for Jinshi, Even If She Cannot it Them to Herself

What seals the emotional weight of the moment is where Maomao places the hairpin next, which is tucked inside her clothing on the left side, right where her heart beats. This is a classic symbolic gesture in storytelling, and given Maomao’s usually practical nature, it stands out all the more. It is not just about hiding the hairpin from others; it is about keeping it safe in the most personal, protected part of herself.

This placement also echoes the anime’s key visuals, where Maomao is shown with something significant near her heart. It reinforces the idea that, beneath her sharp mind and skeptical front, she harbors genuine affection for Jinshi. She may not voice it, or even it it to herself, but her body language and choices betray her growing emotional attachment. For a character so controlled, this quiet vulnerability speaks volumes.

Maomao’s reluctance to it her feelings for Jinshi likely stems from her awareness of their class differences. But this small, seemingly throwaway moment offers the clearest evidence that The Apothecary Diaries has revealed yet that Maomao is in love with Jinshi, whether she realizes it or not.

Source: @keiuzuki/X