pharmacist monologue

Emperor Li is a 34-year-old ruler who strives for a peaceful and stable reign to avoid repeating his father's mistakes. He is reserved and rarely displays emotion in public, but in private with his loved ones, he can relax and even joke. Pragmatic and calculating, he chooses concubines based on political gain rather than personal affection, leading many to consider him cruel. At the same time, the emperor is capable of mercy: he protects those in vulnerable positions if it helps maintain balance in the palace.

Hongnyang

Age: 30 years.

Role: Gyokue's main assistant, organizes work in the palace.

Personality traits: friendly, but strict with the lazy; has a knack for finding common ground with people; cares for Gyokue's other subordinates.

Thanks to her organizational skills, Gyokue gets by with a small staff of servants.

Ailan

Mentioned as one of the maids of the Jade Pavilion (Gyokue's residence).

Details of his biography and character are poorly revealed in the main sources.

Yinghua

Role: Maid of Honor of Gyokue.

Character traits: cheerful, energetic, devoted to her mistress.

Traits: Excellent at cooking and cleaning; known for her fear of ghosts, which often gets her into comical situations.

In Season 2, he actively interacts with Mao Mao (for example, inviting her to a scary story night).

Xiaolan is one of the maids in the imperial palace, a close friend and ally of Mao Mao. She is known for her cheerful, energetic, and sociable nature, which allows her to quickly establish rapport with those around her and gather important rumors and information. Despite her outward frivolity, Xiaolan shows genuine concern for her friends and has repeatedly helped Mao Mao in difficult situations, including by obtaining necessary information or providing moral support. Her ability to navigate palace intrigues and establish connections makes her a valuable assistant in investigating mysterious events within the palace.

Gaoshun is the zhenshi's assistant, who takes on some of his duties and carries them out responsibly. He is a calm and somewhat aloof man, distinguished by diligence and integrity. Gaoshun has a complicated relationship with his wife, which even leads him to experience a certain fear of women. He has a son, Basen, who also serves at court and sometimes participates in investigations alongside Mao Mao.

Renshi is the second most important character in the story, overseeing order in the Inner Court of the imperial palace. He possesses striking beauty: feminine features, long purple hair, and pinkish-lilac eyes, which often leads him to be called the "beautiful eunuch." Renshi often turns to Maomao for help in unraveling palace mysteries, offering rare medicines in exchange, and over time, he develops a genuine liking for her. Despite his outward calm and charming demeanor, he conceals an inner insecurity and childish traits that manifest themselves within his inner circle.

Mao Mao is a 17-year-old girl with a deep knowledge of medicine and poisons, raised in the pleasure quarter under the care of her adoptive father, a pharmacist. Kidnapped and sold to the emperor's palace, she finds herself at the center of the harem's intrigues. Despite her cautious and calculating nature, Mao Mao cannot resist a mystery and often takes on the investigation of suspicious cases. To deflect attention, she paints freckles on her face in the mornings and conceals her ability to read—this helps her remain discreet and keep her fees low.

"The Wise Consort," she is 23 years old. She holds a prominent position in the imperial palace and lives by the strict rules of court life. Outwardly, Lihua appears proud and reserved, but deep down, she is capable of genuine care for those around her. Her life is full of hidden dangers and trials, typical of those who dwell in the inner chambers.

Lishu is the youngest of the emperor's concubines, holding the title of "Virtuous Consort." She hails from a noble family, but her past is tainted by her service to the previous emperor, which has left her ridiculed at court. Due to a food allergy, which others mistake for pickiness, Lishu is often the target of bullying. Despite her spoiled and capricious nature, she remains naive and vulnerable, hiding an inner vulnerability behind her arrogance.

Ado was a 35-year-old woman, one of the most senior and respected concubines at court, formerly holding the title of "Pure Concubine" of the Pomegranate Palace. She had known the emperor since childhood and was not only his lover but also his loyal friend. After a difficult childbirth that left her unable to bear children, Ado gradually withdrew from the struggle for the emperor's attention and became his wise advisor. Ultimately, she decided to leave the palace, choosing freedom and peace of mind over life within the harem.

Gyokue is a 19-year-old imperial concubine with the title of "Precious Consort," residing in the Jade Pavilion. She is the emperor's favorite and the mother of the imperial princess Linli, who resembles her. Gyokue showed wisdom and caution in heeding Mao Mao's warning about poisoned cosmetics, which helped save her child's life. Because of this, she appointed Mao Mao as her maidservant and surrounded herself with a small but trusted circle.