Characters

Gaoshun is a Jinshi's trusted attendant in The Apothecary Diaries. This entry summarizes the character's visible role, traits, and place in the story so the detail page is usable in English.

The Emperor's favorite consort residing in the Jade Palace, who selected Maomao as her lady-in-waiting. A foreign princess with red hair and jade eyes, possessing a calm, bright, and thoughtful personality.

Civil official who became Rakan's nephew and adopted son. Handles finances and is involved in the story as Maomao's cousin. Possesses extremely strong numerical skills and sharp insight, such as uncovering hidden fraud while concealing his true identity.

An eunuch of the inner palace with outstanding beauty who takes an interest in the abilities of the apprentice apothecary Maomao and solves incidents together as a key figure.

Youngest of Ryokushokan's Three Princesses and a prodigy with superior intelligence. She has a man-hating personality and receives high acclaim in the pleasure district. She is also skilled at maneuvering in the rear palace.

Lakan is an eccentric strategist in The Apothecary Diaries and Maomao's biological father. His genius, social awkwardness, and fixation on Maomao create tension around the inner palace plotlines.

A consort who entered the rear palace at a young age. Suffers much persecution, but Maomao sees through her unique physiology. Plays an important role in the story.

A consort famous in the inner palace for her disguises using makeup and clothing; she is the woman who kidnapped the protagonist Maomao from the inner palace. She is the daughter of the local magnate Shisho and has a political background.

Maomao is the protagonist of The Apothecary Diaries, an apothecary with sharp medical knowledge and intense curiosity about poisons. After being taken to the inner palace, she solves incidents with observation and practical science.

Maryo's wife and a spy from the Si Clan. She acts as Jinshi's maidservant, was bound to Maryo through political marriage, is the mother of one child but entrusts childcare to Mamei. Her origins are complex, and she is proficient in journeys searching for her mother and espionage activities as a member of the Si Clan.

The eldest of the Ryokushokan three princesses. A kind-hearted woman who upholds free love. A top-tier courtesan in the pleasure quarter with strong lust and maternal instincts. Skilled in dance, and once raised Maomao as a surrogate parent.

Rakan's biological older brother and an agricultural expert. He dedicated himself to mitigating locust plague damage, traveling across regions to contribute to minimizing the harm.

Wife of Shishou and mother of Loulan Consort. Formerly a consort of the previous emperor, but harbors deep resentment towards the imperial court. A woman whose heart has been twisted amid power struggles.

The disguised form of Loulan Consort herself, active in the inner palace as an insect-loving explorer. Has close interactions with Maomao.

A chancellor who is a local magnate and high-ranking bureaucrat. Father of the Loulan Consort, and a powerful politician who was favored by the Empress Dowager during the previous emperor's reign.

Gaoshun's wife, who served as Jinshi's wet nurse and handled his childcare, and also serves as a lady-in-waiting. As Jinshi's close aide, she holds influence within the rear palace.

Maomao's close junior court lady in the rear palace, a cheerful girl who secured employment at the consort's family home after her term ends.

A woman who works in the rear palace as an apothecary assistant alongside Maomao. She dislikes men but harbors strong affection for Yao.

Former daughter of a wealthy merchant family, an excellent girl working as a medical aide in the rear palace medical bureau. Second only to Maomao as a top student, she gradually warms up to her.

A young, well-trained military officer and hot-blooded aspiring climber who is Maomao's friend.

One of the three top courtesans at Ryokushokan's pleasure district, an old acquaintance courtesan of Maomao, with a slightly short-tempered disposition.

Maomao's foster father and apothecary; formerly a rear palace eunuch medical officer. Exceptionally skilled in medicine, he runs an apothecary in the pleasure quarters while continuing unique medicinal herb research.

The emperor's younger brother and an enigmatic figure who pretends to be frail and acts in secret. While hiding Jinshi's true form, he demonstrates loyalty to the emperor and plays an important role in contributing to the stability of the rear palace and the empire.

Former civil official and Rakan's adjutant. From a merchant family, cousin to Consort Gyokuyou's three half-sisters. A reliable figure with a gentle appearance and nerves of steel. Later assigned to the Western Capital, taking on important merchant family-related key positions.