The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 is finally here, and this episode is going to make fans extremely delighted. Turns out that the story did not waste any time in showing us that Maomao started to once again get tangled up in yet another dangerous mystery. After all the events that took place in the second season, Maomao had to return to the pleasure district.
Initially, it looked like she had settled down to a normal routine, while Jinshi is shown to be extremely occupied with work as things are getting complicated within the Imperial Palace. However, this episode does establish that the moments of peace might not last long. During the first scene of the episode, we see a mysterious woman, and it is an extremely unsettling moment.
She offers a random man some unidentified medicine and makes bold claims that it will end all physical suffering. The boy is definitely tempted and reaches out to take it, and that is when we see that the woman has very ominous behaviour. Her face in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 is not revealed, but her presence and the smile she has make this sequence very suspicious.

It looks like the premiere ensures that the narrative gives us as little information about her identity or intentions to maintain suspense. This might be a major hint that her role could become more important as the season progresses. Soon, the story also gives focus on the events taking place at the Imperial Palace.
Jinshi is given troubling information about a potential locust plague. Initially, this looked like a normal problem regarding agriculture. But it is revealed that there might be something more serious. If these locusts end up destroying the crops, it could lead to famine. Moreover, they are facing the aftermath of the Shi Clan's destruction.
So, if there is a major harvest failure, it could therefore create both an economic and political crisis, placing even more pressure on the Imperial government. Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 is able to understand the consequences of what all happens and is shown to be extremely worried about what might happen next. He might take some action, but that has not been revealed.
Maomao discovers the locust problem in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1

While Jinshi deals with matters at the palace, Maomao has been living in the pleasure district for about a month. Her attention is soon drawn to an unusual abundance of locusts around the local markets. Rather than dismissing the insects as an ordinary pest problem, Maomao begins examining them more closely.
Her investigation gradually reveals that the situation could be much more serious than expected. If the insects spread and damage crops, entire communities could face food shortages. Additionally, even Chou-u gets an important moment in the premiere.
Maomao encounters a dangerous connection to the Shi Clan

Turns out in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1, Chou-u manages to accurately remember and reproduce what he has seen about locusts, allowing Maomao to compare the insects in the area with what a healthy locust should look like.
The moment also shows that Chou-u is gradually developing skills that can help Maomao with her investigations. The investigation takes a more dangerous turn when Maomao encounters a guard she previously helped escape. The man knows her as the "Snake Lady" and could potentially recognize Chou-u.
This is particularly concerning because Chou-u is connected to the surviving children of the Shi Clan, which was officially destroyed. Realizing how dangerous the situation could become, Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 decides that Jinshi needs to know what is happening.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 does not solve the mystery immediately; the premiere ended up focusing only on setting the board for Maomao's next investigation. There is a possibility that an upcoming food crisis could take over the empire; the stakes are already so much higher than they first appear.