The Apothecary Diaries has always been praised for its smart political subtext and intricate character relationships, but season 2 quietly pushed a major story development that many fans may have missed at first glance. In episode 7, a scene involving Jinshi, Maomao, and the Emperor at the mysterious Shrine of Choosing subtly reshaped the series’ endgame. What appeared on the surface to be a cleverly written puzzle scene was, in reality, a turning point in how the imperial succession and Maomao’s relationship with Jinshi are being framed.

The scene is significant not only for its implications about Jinshi’s future, but also for how artfully it embeds deeper meaning through dialogue, positioning, and imperial custom. In just a few lines and gestures, the Emperor reveals his trust in Jinshi, his approval of Maomao, and possibly even his unspoken decision about the empire’s future. For viewers paying close attention, it is clear this was not just another test of wit, it was a stage being set for a future alliance between power and intellect, politics and love.

The Shrine of Choosing and Imperial Manipulation in The Apothecary Diaries

Maomao as Consort? Why the Shrine Scene Was a Turning Point

The Shrine of Choosing trial, where the imperial heir must a symbolic test to prove their right to rule, is a tradition loaded with metaphor. When Maomao is initially denied the chance to assist in a second run of the trial, it is the Emperor’s intervention that changes everything. By “jokingly” appointing Jinshi to take the test in his place and allowing Maomao to guide him, the Emperor transforms a mere puzzle-solving exercise into a political declaration. His words may seem lighthearted, but in the palace, jokes from the Emperor often mask his true intent.

This was not just a moment of indulgence. In imperial law and custom, the will of the Emperor becomes truth. By publicly allowing Maomao to act as Jinshi’s advisor, and by suggesting she is Jinshi’s consort, the Emperor effectively legitimizes their bond. The test, then, becomes Jinshi’s rite of age, not as a servant or bureaucrat, but as a true royal successor. The subtle shift in who is being evaluated shows the Emperor’s deeper designs and that he sees Jinshi as more than a mere surrogate. He sees him as the future.

The Emperor's approval of Maomao as Jinshi’s consort is not incidental. She has proven herself repeatedly through curing illness, exposing palace plots, and saving of the royal family. More importantly, she demonstrates the intellect and intuition prized in a ruler’s confidant. Her lineage, as the biological daughter of Lakan, head of the powerful La clan, adds political value to her personal worth. The Emperor likely calculated that backing this union would stabilize imperial power through bloodline, intelligence, and strategic alliance.

Jinshi’s Reluctant Rise and the Emperor’s Legacy

Jinshi Has the Making of a Ruler, Even if He Does Not Want to Be One

What makes Jinshi such a compelling character is his unwillingness to embrace the very destiny everyone else seems to be preparing for him. His competence is undeniable, as he managed to protect the Western Capital during a critical crisis, showing leadership, composure, and foresight. While the Emperor had spies assisting from the shadows, Jinshi’s on-the-ground decisions were important. This episode felt like the Emperor testing whether Jinshi could govern not just a situation, but a region, perhaps even an empire.

Despite proving himself, Jinshi shows little desire to inherit the throne. His dreams lie with Maomao and a quiet life far removed from politics. This inner conflict adds a human dimension to his character and places him at odds with the Emperor’s vision. Yet even Maomao recognizes the burden this places on Jinshi. She begins to worry about what the Emperor might do if Jinshi continues to resist, especially given the potential for emotional betrayal from a father hoping to on his life’s work.

The Emperor’s gaze is not just on Jinshi’s performance, but on how he and Maomao function as a pair.

The Shrine scene becomes even more layered in this context. It is not just about Jinshi being tested, it is about the Emperor showcasing his son’s capability to the world. The Emperor’s gaze is not just on Jinshi’s performance, but on how he and Maomao function as a pair. Their dynamic mirrors a classic ruler-and-consort model: brains and resolve, comion and strategy. It is a symbolic coronation hidden in the ceremony. And Jinshi, despite his reluctance, walks the path laid before him with Maomao at his side.

From Symbolism to Canon: The Future of Jinshi and Maomao

How The Apothecary Diaries Quietly Made Jinshi and Maomao's Relationship Official

While anime-only viewers may not have caught the full weight of the Shrine of Choosing scene, light novel readers know it marks a pivotal moment in Maomao and Jinshi’s relationship. In the light novel, their romance has progressed slowly and tentatively. The chemistry is there, but the distance remains, both physical and emotional. However, by light novel volume 12, their connection becomes undeniably real. Not only do they acknowledge each other more openly, but their relationship crosses into new territory, implying a far more official status.

By orchestrating Maomao’s presence and treating her as Jinshi’s consort, the Emperor gives silent but formal blessing to a union that was once thought impossible due to class and political barriers.

The Emperor’s actions in season 2, episode 7, foreshadow this future. By orchestrating Maomao’s presence and treating her as Jinshi’s consort, the Emperor gives silent but formal blessing to a union that was once thought impossible due to class and political barriers. The puzzle at the shrine becomes a metaphor for the larger plot. Just as Maomao solves the secret of the trial, Jinshi must solve the riddle of power, responsibility, and love. Together, they are building a foundation for what could become the next imperial era.

Hints scattered throughout both the anime and novels suggest the story will increasingly focus on the imperial family’s history, Jinshi’s true parentage, and how his past has shaped his destiny. The Emperor’s operation in the light novel puts Jinshi in a direct position of power, temporarily acting as sovereign. This move, though necessary, is symbolic of transition. The palace no longer merely treats Jinshi as an ornament of royalty. He is royalty, and he is now expected to rule. Whether he wants to or not may soon become irrelevant.

The Quiet Coronation of Jinshi and Maomao

The Emperor Moves the Pieces, And Jinshi Takes the Board

The Shrine of Choosing scene is more than a clever story scene; it is a masterful confluence of romantic development, political chess, and character evolution. Season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries uses this moment to quietly shift the narrative’s trajectory. Jinshi is no longer just a high-ranking official with a mysterious past. He is being framed as the next Emperor, with Maomao positioned as his consort, not through dramatic declarations, but through subtleties only a few fans immediately recognized.

Through a few deft lines and a carefully staged trial, the Emperor not only reveals his intentions for succession but endorses the very union that could stabilize the imperial future. Jinshi’s abilities, Maomao’s brilliance, and the Emperor’s quiet guidance are all aligning to form a new center of gravity in the story. The political and emotional undercurrents of this development promise a richer, more complex arc ahead, one where Jinshi must choose between love and duty, and Maomao must decide if she is ready to step into the imperial spotlight.

With the novels already exploring deeper facets of their relationship and the throne’s looming vacancy, the anime adaptation’s future seasons are poised to bring these threads to the surface. For now, one thing is certain, and that is that the Emperor may not speak much, but his moves are loud. And season 2 of The Apothecary Diaries has made it clear that Jinshi and Maomao’s journey is only just beginning.