This is my second piece of Maomao fan art, featuring the brilliant and unconventional protagonist of The Apothecary Diaries. Maomao is a sharp-witted and curious young woman with deep knowledge of herbal medicine and poisons.

Raised in the red-light district, she’s developed a pragmatic outlook and an unshakable determination, often using her intelligence to solve intricate mysteries.

One of the fascinating aspects of Maomao is how she subverts the concept of disguise. She deliberately makes herself appear plain and unassuming to blend into the background, yet when she removes her makeup, her natural beauty is so striking that others assume she’s enhancing her appearance rather than diminishing it.

In my first fan art, I depicted Maomao in her simple green tunic, reflecting her careful cultivation of an unremarkable appearance.

In this piece, however, I wanted to showcase her in finer clothes, capturing another side of her character while highlighting the tension between her true self and the persona she projects.