Gyokuyou Apothecary Diaries Novels & Stories

With trembling hands, I approached it, my fingers brushing against the rough wood. With a creak, I lifted the lid, revealing a treasure trove of forgotten memories. Among the yellowed pages and faded photographs, my gaze landed on a leather-bound diary. It was weathered with time, its once vibrant cover now worn and aged. I knew instinctively that this diary held the answers we had been searching for.

"The master ledger should be in the drawer." While he went to the desk, I approached the locked wooden cabinet on the wall. The door was made of dark, heavy plum wood, carved with the seal of the imperial apothecary. I used the brass keys to open it. Inside, the shelves were lined with small, blue-and-white porcelain jars. I began reading the labels. Red nightshade. Black locust. Death-cap extract. Then, my hand stopped on a small, unpainted grey clay jar. The label on it read: Gray Wolfsbane.

This was sufficient to prove that the Apothecary Stomach Pill was indeed way more efficacious than the Kobayashi Stomach Pill. What made Jiro feel even more terrified was the fact that he had only taken the Apothecary Stomach Pill once. However, when he felt some discomfort in his stomach just now, he subconsciously reached out and took a sachet of the Apothecary Stomach Pill instead of his own Kobayashi Stomach Pill.

- Final Solution* Beatrice Caldwell? Quickly, I pull out the folder. The folder is thin and contains only a few documents. I open it. And the first words I see on the first document instantly drags me down memory lane. *Nightshade acquisition, 50 packets. Supplier: Morgan’s Apothecary* Apothecary? Nightshade? Nightshade was Beatrice’s favourite tea brand, but to have it gotten from an Apothecary? What the hell is going on? Hurriedly, I bring out my phone and begin taking pictures. Now is not the time to ask questions. I take photos of all the documents before closing the folder and putting it back into place with the others inside the cabinet.

"We’ll keep him secured." I was already running. The apothecary was tucked between a pawn shop and a tattoo parlor. It was a cramped, dimly lit space that smelled heavily of dried sage, sulfur, and old parchment. Floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves were packed with amber glass jars, hand-labeled tins, and ceramic crocks containing rare roots and preserved organs. Bundles of herbs hung from the rafters, and a thick coating of dust covered everything except for a heavy brass scale on the marble counter.

RUBY'S POV A small bell chimed softly above my head as I stepped into the shop. The air was thick with layered scents, scented oils, perfumed candles, herbal mixtures, all curling together and settling into my lungs. Tall, narrow shelves of dark wood stretched from floor to ceiling, packed tightly with jars, soaps, incense sticks, oils, and bell jars containing everything from pumice stones to dried seaweed. This was where Jock had promised me that I would get information concerning Harrison's case with the Bobby guy.