re-reading the chapters from start to now, one of most intriguing features of this work is the contradictory and realistic character of Maomao. When she's talking whin Jinshi she's bold, fearless, and humble at same time. She doesn't bear too much the childish sides of Jinshi, and sometimes she scolds him, but she's concious of her low level in the civil rank. Moreover, she seems to be without a real life will, being interested only to poison and medicinal herbs. It's an interesting way to depict her traumas from childhood (see chapter 29, for ex. page 1 of 29.1 and page 5 of 29.2).