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The Apothecary Diariesis a brilliant mix of many genres, having a sumptuous feast for all the viewers, no matter if they like the mysteries, the skill growth, the romedy, or even the political intrigue in the background.
But what has drawn the fans deeply into the narrative is the slow-burning romance between Jinshi and Maomao. Their love story seems like the classic romantic tale of courtship and slowly increasing affinity, but it is much more as it feels free, true, and dependable.
While this is going on, the series quietly tells the viewers a very heartbreaking story, this is the story of longing, hope, and disappointment. This is the tale that is told through Consort Gyokuyou. Let us delve in and see the tragic tale of unrequited love that hides in the back scenes ofThe Apothecary Diaries.
The grand story of a love that never was
Throughout the series, Consort Gyokuyou has a fixed attitude. Although she initially comes off as a graceful woman who acts with propriety while also considering the politics within the palace. But as the episodes pass, her character subtly expresses a quiet sorrow.
This is especially evident when she observes others being happy in a romantic sense, free and uncaring of the thoughts of the world. She regretted not experiencing the kind of love that Jinshi and Maomao had.
The same happens when she watches a commoner couple in Episode 3. She has everything a woman could want, allexcept for a love that is genuine and unconditional.
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Unlike Jinshi and Maomao, who have their fate in their own hands and are equal parties in their relationship, Gyokuyou never had a choice. Her marriage to the Emperor was for political reasons, and she never had her fate in her grasp. What makes it worse is that the Emperor respected her but never loved her the way he did Ah-Duo.
Having everything except the one thing that matters
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of Gyokuyou’s story is her quiet realization that she will never have what others do. She seesMaomao and Jinshi developing a connection, and understands that it is an experience she will never have.
Gyokuyou may one day become the empress, but that will not change the harsh reality that she is not the emperor’s first choice, and it would’ve been Ah-Duo if she was willing. This burden is what makes her one of the most tragic characters in the series.
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Gyokuyou’s pain is not that of a woman suffering from misfortune but rather a woman who quietly endures an unfulfilled life, bound by duty and her fate of being a political tool. She waits patiently for a love that will never be hers.
The Apothecary Diariesis available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
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The Apothecary Diaries
