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Story: If you've seen the anime, volume 1 is basically identical. (If you haven't seen the anime, I highly recommend it!!). 猫猫（マオマオ）is one of the most refreshing MCs I've run into in a long while. She's simultaneously very shrewd, matter of fact about her circumstances, and self-confident, while also having a wide-eyed with wonder childish side when it comes to anything apothecary related (or as a friend put it, 夢中すぎて周りを全然気づいていない)... all while keeping herself out of trouble (as much as possible). The story in vol. 1 is good, but it will really pick up in the next volume or two.
Language: In terms of vocabulary, the main challenges are 後宮 Imperial Court, 薬 Medicine, 花街 Pleasure District, and sometimes 食事 Food/Ingredient vocab. The story is set in a fictional land resembling ancient China - so lots of formal titles and period-specific positions. I ran into an occasional unfamiliar grammar pattern or two, but in general the grammar is straightforward (for its level), and it's always very clear who's speaking. It also has full furigana.