《The Apothecary Diaries》 Parallel Universe: If Maomao Was Ransomed at a Young Age, Would She Become a Villainess Skilled in Power Struggles? The Author Personally Explains the Shocking Ending of the IF Route

In the widely popular work "The Apothecary Diaries," the heroine Maomao has captivated countless fans with her unique background of growing up in the pleasure district, her obsession with medicinal herbs and poisons, and her calm personality that sees through human nature. Her past, filled with misunderstandings and tragedy with her biological parents—the "Eccentric Strategist" Rakan and the famous courtesan Fengxian—is the core of her character's charm. However, an interesting question circulates among fans: if the tragedy had never occurred, if Rakan had successfully redeemed Fengxian, and Maomao had been raised in an affluent environment, what kind of person would she have become? The ending of this "IF scenario" might颠覆 your imagination.

The Shocking Setting of the IF Scenario: From Pharmacology Fanatic to Power Believer

Regarding this hypothesis, the original author, Natsume Hyūga, personally provided a startling answer. A reader asked what Maomao's personality would be like if she had grown up in an environment where Rakan peacefully succeeded in redeeming Fengxian. The author replied that in this parallel world, Maomao's interest would shift from "medicine" to "power." She would no longer be the pleasure district apothecary filled with curiosity about poisons and medical arts, but rather a "villainess" who would turn the rear palace upside down and ultimately be executed while laughing.

This answer reveals another hidden aspect of Maomao's character. Although in the main story she appears indifferent to fame and fortune, she inherited certain traits from Rakan's family bloodline: extremely high intelligence, keen observational skills, and an obsession with things beyond the ordinary. It was precisely because of her upbringing in the pleasure district, where she witnessed the joys and sorrows of the底层, and being raised by her pragmatic foster father Luomen, that this obsession was guided towards pharmacological research.

The Influence of the Birth Family: The Dual Genes of Rakan and Fengxian

If Maomao had been redeemed by Rakan from a young age, her upbringing environment would have been completely different.

• The Influence of Father Rakan: Rakan is not only a high-ranking strategist with significant power but also a tactician skilled at viewing everyone as pawns, excelling in calculation and布局. In such a family, what Maomao would have been immersed in would not be knowledge of medicinal herbs, but the art of power struggles and the strategies of interpersonal relationships. She might have applied the超高 intelligence and intuition inherited from her father entirely to political maneuvering.

• The Potential of Mother Fengxian: Maomao's mother Fengxian is also no ordinary woman. She was once the top courtesan of the Verdigris House, possessing not only beauty but also the intelligence and cunning to compete with Rakan on the chessboard. In a noble family, if Fengxian's cleverness had a stage to perform, her union with Rakan could have become a powerful political force. Under the guidance of such a mother, Maomao might have learned how to become the most eye-catching and dangerous flower in the larger "garden" of the palace.

Reflection on the Pleasure District Upbringing: The Key to Shaping Maomao

This IF scenario setting, in turn, highlights the decisive influence of Maomao's upbringing in the pleasure district on her personality formation.

It was precisely because she witnessed the tragedies of women living dependent on men in the pleasure district that she maintains a cold and detached attitude towards the nobility and superficial love. It was precisely because of her foster father Luomen's careful teaching and affection that she had a stable childhood and the medical knowledge that became her foundation. These experiences made her pragmatic, resilient, and gave her a certain empathy for the weak, allowing her to守住 her own bottom line even while mired in the rear palace.

If she had been redeemed by Rakan, she would have become a member of the noble class, transforming from an observer to an insider. She might not have gained a deep understanding of the底层's struggles, instead viewing the rear palace as a chessboard for self-actualization and using others as stepping stones for climbing higher. Ultimately, she might have self-destructed by playing with power, but as the author said, she would face the ending "laughing," which also aligns with the Rakan family's unusual values.

Conclusion: Fortune or Misfortune? A Fork in the Road of Fate

In summary, if Maomao had been redeemed at a young age, she might have had a materially comfortable childhood, without having to struggle for survival in the pleasure district. But she would also have lost that unique insight into life and her pure passion for pharmacology. She might have become an extremely intelligent, beautiful, but also extremely dangerous宫廷 villainess, blooming and withering in the vortex of power. This hypothetical ending makes us更加 appreciate the somewhat eccentric, herb-loving, kind-hearted Maomao of the main story. Her existence is truly a miraculous flower born from the intertwining of countless coincidences and misfortunes.

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