The Winter 2025 anime season is in full swing, with one of the most highly anticipated releases being The Apothecary Diaries Season 2.
Premiering on Saturday, January 11, on Crunchyroll, the series continues the story of Maomao as she unravels the mysteries within the Imperial Palace of Li.
The successful first season left several lingering questions that fans are eager to see addressed in the show's return. As anticipation builds, viewers are eager to see how these mysteries will unfold.
To that effect, here are the 10 biggest mysteries that The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 needs to solve.
1. The Future of Maomao’s Parents
One of the biggest mysteries in The Apothecary Diaries revolves around Maomao’s parents, Lakan and Fengxian. The first-season finale, “Jinshi and Maomao,” highlighted their tearful reunion after enduring years of separation and hardship.
Their emotional reunion took place at the Verdigris House, where Lakan bought Fengxian as his wife and married her on her deathbed.
Fengxian, suffering from syphilis due to her past work as a courtesan, faces a terminal illness, leaving uncertainty about how her relationship with Lakan will evolve and whether they can find happiness together.
While the first season delved into their backstory, Season 2 is expected to explore what the future holds for them.
2. The Resurrection Medicine
The first season introduced the resurrection medicine, a powerful concoction created by Suirei, a former court lady and the antagonist behind the palace's mysteries and incidents.
Suirei secretly grew the ingredients for this drug within the palace, successfully hiding it even from Maomao. She ultimately used the concoction to fake her death and escape accountability for her actions.
In The Apothecary Diaries Season 2, fans expect to know more about how this medicine works and its profound implications for life and death within the story's world.
3. Surei’s True Identity and Motives
Talking about Surei, no one knows her true identity and motives in the series, leaving everyone puzzled about her intentions.
Surei is involved in the chain of events happening in the palace and possibly has the answer to all of Maomao’s answers for the mysteries she’s trying to solve.
Trained by a former court physician and a highly skilled apothecary, she has shown a talent for manipulation and intrigue within the court.
Surei’s ultimate goal remains unclear, leaving the question: Is she seeking revenge against the imperial family or pursuing personal ambitions?
So, in the second season, her backstory is expected to be explored, revealing her real connection to the palace that may unravel a larger conspiracy.
4. Jinshi’s Secret Identity
Fans know Jinshi as a strikingly handsome eunuch who captivates every woman in the palace—except for Maomao.
As the overseer of the Inner Court, Jinshi often enlists Maomao’s help in solving palace mysteries, offering rare medicines as compensation.
However, beyond his apparent interest in Maomao, Jinshi seems to be hiding numerous secrets about his past and royal lineage.
Who is Jinshi, really, and what is his true status? These questions, along with the development of his relationship with Maomao, are expected to take center stage in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2.
5. The Poisoning Conspiracies
In the first season, Maomao solved several poisoning cases, uncovering hints of a larger conspiracy within the palace.
With Season 2 on the horizon, viewers anticipate even more intricate cases for Maomao to tackle, intertwined with the palace's political machinations.
What new threats will arise, and how will Maomao’s skills be tested as she delves deeper into these schemes? The upcoming 24 episodes promise to unveil the answers.
6. The Political Landscape in the Palace
Much like in real life, the political intrigue in The Apothecary Diaries is filled with tension and danger.
With foreign envoys arriving and internal power struggles intensifying, it will be fascinating to see how Maomao navigates these challenges.
Can she protect those she cares about while uncovering hidden agendas?
As new players enter the fray and palace threats escalate, the stakes are higher than ever. Maomao must rely on her sharp wit to safeguard her loved ones—and herself.
7. Maomao’s Role in Court Politics
As Maomao becomes more deeply involved in palace affairs, her role as a lady-in-waiting continues to evolve.
In Season 2, fans can expect to see her grow her knowledge of medicines and poisons. However, it remains to be seen whether her decisions will influence court affairs and help protect her allies.
This raises the question: Will Maomao emerge as a key player in shaping palace politics, or will she remain an observer, entangled in the web of intrigue?
8. Maomao and Jinshi’s Relationship
Of course, this list would never be complete without addressing the evolving relationship between Jinshi and Maomao. As their romance slowly unfolds, many fans are eager to know if they will ultimately end up together.
The two main characters are expected to continue working together on various palace cases, which will provide a backdrop for the development of their relationship amidst the chaos of court life.
Will they find common ground despite their differences? What challenges lie ahead, and will they strengthen or strain their bond?
These questions will finally be answered when The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 comes out.
9. Grams and Fengxian’s Connection
The first season hinted at a deeper familial connection between Grams, the manager of Verdigris House, and Fengxian, Maomao’s mother.
Maomao’s relationship with Grams is somewhat unclear, as she is often threatened with demands to bring in wealthy customers and settle debts.
As a businesswoman focused on expanding Verdigris House, it remains a mystery why she keeps Fengxian, especially given her illness and pregnancy, which nearly brought the brothel to ruin.
There are theories suggesting that Grams and Fengxian might be blood relatives, which would make Maomao a part of that family as well. If this is true, it adds a greater mystery that Season 2 must unravel.
10. New Mysteries
As the new season begins, fresh mysteries are set to unfold. With each episode bringing new challenges for Maomao, fans eagerly anticipate the new problems she will encounter upon returning to her role at the palace.
The first few episodes are likely to present unusual events that could lead to unforeseen complications, which Maomao will need to resolve throughout the season.
It remains to be seen how these new developments will intersect with ongoing plotlines and what unexpected twists may arise.
As The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 premieres on January 11, get ready to dive into these mysteries and experience another season filled with drama, intrigue, and character growth. After captivating viewers worldwide, the second season promises to be even better.