Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

To the East lies a land ruled by an emperor, whose wives and women in service to the State live in a vast complex called the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, a modest girl raised by her apothecary father, had never imagined that the rear palace would have anything to do with her — until she was kidnapped and sold to work there as a servant. Though she appears ordinary, Maomao has a sharp, keen mind and a deep knowledge of medicine. This is her secret, until she meets Jinshi, a palace resident at least as perceptive as she is. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her the personal food taster of one of the emperor's favorites, so that she may sample the lady's food in search of poison!