°•\Jinsi\•°

Luomen (Loumen) from The Pharmacist's Monologue is Maomao's adoptive father and teacher, a former high-ranking court physician whose outstanding talent and tragic fate have had a tremendous impact on the entire story.
Luomen's appearance
is that of an elderly, thin man with a calm, wise, and deeply peaceful exterior. He has long gray hair, a neat beard and kind, slightly squinted eyes, in which you can always read understanding and sadness. Luomen's main physical feature is his lameness, caused by having his kneecap removed as punishment in the past. Despite the suffering he endured and the stigma of a eunuch, he carries himself with amazing dignity. His movements are unhurried, and an aura of sincere holiness and warmth emanates from his entire figure, which is why people subconsciously reach out to him for help and comfort.
Character and inner world
By nature, Luomen is an absolute altruist, a saint of medicine and an incredibly kind person. His knowledge is amazing: he studied in the West, therefore, unlike most doctors of the empire, he understands the basics of surgery, hygiene and the true causes of diseases. Luomen is sincerely devoted to the oath of a doctor - for him there are no estates, he equally selflessly treats both the Emperor and the poorest courtesans from the red light district, where he was exiled after being expelled from the palace.
His inner world is the abode of patience, forgiveness and quiet sadness. Luomen suffered a terrible injustice: he was made a scapegoat and castrated because of the death of the infant prince (son of Ado), although the real reason was the negligence of other servants. Despite this, he did not hold a grudge, did not become bitter and accepted his fate with absolute humility.
For Maomao, Luomen is the most important person in life, its main reference point and indisputable authority. It was he who instilled in her a love of medicine, taught her to read, write and analyze facts, laying the foundation for her detective thinking. However, Luomen always gently restrained her dangerous passion for poisons and experiments on herself, sincerely

The quack doctor (Dr. Liu) from "The Pharmacist's Monologue" is a court physician of the inner court, who, despite his position, does not understand medicine at all, but has an incredibly soft and kind heart.
Appearance
Dr. Liu is a short, plump older man with a hilarious appearance. He has a round, good-natured face, a small, neat beard and moustache, and always wears the traditional official hat on his head. More often than not, his face shows either complete bewilderment or panic when it comes to real medical problems. He looks like a typical harmless grandfather who accidentally found himself in such an important and dangerous position.
By
nature, Dr. Liu is a cowardly, lazy, but insanely sweet, gentle and good-natured person. He knows perfectly well that his medical skills tend to zero (his "treatment" is usually limited to simple poultices, prayers or soothing teas), so he is terrified of serious illnesses of concubines, because for a mistake in the palace you can lose your head.
His inner world is a comfort zone. More than anything else in the world, he loves to drink tea, eat sweets and relax. When Maomao appears in his life, he is at first frightened by her creepy fanaticism towards poisons, but quickly realizes that the girl is a genius. Dr. Liu effectively "hires" Maomao to do all the hard work for him: she makes diagnoses, prepares medications, and conducts investigations while he calmly drinks tea on the sidelines.
Despite the title of "charlatan", he is absolutely not angry or envious. He is sincerely grateful to Maomao, treats her with great warmth, feeds her rare sweets and gives her access to the palace pharmacy, allowing her to collect any herbs. In the cruel and cold inner palace, Dr. Liu is one of the few characters who exudes pure comedy, coziness, and genuine kindness.

Maids of honor of the Pomegranate Pavilion (Lady-in-waiting concubines of Ado, piznishe — Loulan)
Appearance: Calm, mature and disciplined women in strict garments (under Ado) or confused maids forced to adapt to eccentric makeup (under Loulan).
Character:Ideal performers of palace duty. Under Ado, they were quiet, loyal, and reserved, imitating their mistress in every way. After the change of power in the pavilion, they found themselves at a loss, obediently following any, even the strangest and most capricious orders of the new eccentric mistress Loulan.

• Honnyan (Funeral Concubine of Gyokuyo / Jade Palace)
Appearance: The eldest among the maids of honor of the Jade Palace, a sophisticated girl with a neat hairstyle and a strict but kind expression on her face. He dresses neatly, without unnecessary pretentiousness.
Personality: Incredibly responsible, strict and caring "big sister". She organizes all the work of the Jade Palace and is sincerely devoted to Gyokuyo. Hongniang constantly suffers from a shortage of workers and dreams of marrying off junior ladies-in-waiting, and her main internal nightmare is Maomao's impulsive antics and Jinxi's visits, which add to her gray hair.
• Yinhua (Lihua Concubine / Crystal Palace)
Appearance: A young, stately girl with a classic court lady's hairstyle and an attentive look.
Character: A loyal, but strict and at times harsh lady-in-waiting. She is fanatically loyal to Lihua and is ready to protect her by any means. Due to her excessive suspicion and fear for the life of the hostess, she initially treated Maomao with hostility and distrust, but after she saved Lihua from death, she was imbued with deep respect and gratitude for the pharmacist.
• Abusive maids of honor (Maids of Honor Concubines Lishu / Diamond Pavilion)
Appearance: A group of young, arrogant girls from noble families who dress elegantly, but often hide contemptuous smirks behind makeup.
Personality: Stupid, cruel and arrogant manipulators. Taking advantage of the orphanhood, young age and timidity of the concubine Lishu, they openly mocked her: they hid important information, substituted food (knowing about her deadly allergy to fish) and exposed the mistress as a capricious child in front of the palace. Maomao taught them a harsh lesson, exposing their intrigues.

The emperor from "The Pharmacist's Monologue" is the supreme ruler of the country, a man in the prime of life (he is over thirty), who combines the qualities of a stern monarch and a deeply lonely man who bears the burden of great responsibility.
Appearance
The Emperor has a courageous, stately and majestic appearance, fully reflecting his status as an absolute ruler. He is tall, broad-shouldered, with a strong warrior build. He has strong-willed features, a penetrating look in dark eyes, and a thick, well-groomed beard, which is a source of special pride for him (and which, by the way, is greatly appreciated by his concubine Gyokuyo). He dresses in luxurious imperial robes of yellow and gold tones, embroidered with dragons. He emanates a powerful, overwhelming aura of power that can make any courtier tremble with fear, but in an informal setting, he can look surprisingly simple and down-to-earth.
Character and inner world
By nature, the Emperor is a shrewd, wise and pragmatic ruler who puts the interests of the state above all else. Unlike his late father (the previous emperor, who was weak and had a perverse inclination towards little girls), the current monarch is an adult, adequate man with a strong will. He perfectly sees the intrigues of officials and concubines, knows how to maneuver in political games and appreciates smart people. He treats Maomao with great respect and trusts her detective and medical abilities.
Despite his outward severity, the Emperor is a loving and deeply vulnerable man at heart. His main weakness (and strength at the same time) is his harem. He is genuinely attached to his high concubines, especially Gyokuyo and Lihua, and takes the loss of his children hard, which regularly happens due to palace plots. He has a healthy male appetite for both good food and women (Maomao ironically calls him "lustful hairy" or "preoccupied" in his thoughts).
He is connected by complex, almost familial ties with Jinxi, to whom

Gaoshun (Gao Shun) from "The Pharmacist's Monologue" is Jinxi's faithful assistant, bodyguard and "shadow". He is a high-ranking official and a former military man who has voluntarily taken on the duties of a servant in the courtyard to protect his master.
Gaoshun's appearance
has a masculine, sturdy and inconspicuous appearance, typical of an experienced warrior. He is about 40 years old, he is tall, broad-shouldered, with a calm and stern expression on his face. He has short, dark hair and deep, attentive eyes that constantly scan his surroundings for danger. He dresses in strict, discreet clothes of an official or a practical uniform that does not restrict movement. Gaoshun consciously tries not to draw attention to himself, masterfully blending in with the crowd or hiding in the shadow of Jinxi so as not to overshadow the dazzling beauty of his master and effectively perform the duties of a bodyguard. Because of his work in the courtyard, many mistakenly believe him to be a eunuch, when in fact he is a full-fledged man who has a wife and children.
Character and inner world
By nature, Gaoshun is an absolutely reliable, reasonable, cold-blooded and deeply loyal person. He has tremendous patience and iron endurance, acting as the voice of reason for the impulsive Jinxi. Gaoshun does all the dirty and routine work, from paperwork to undercover investigations and security.
His inner world is a portrait of an eternally tired but loving "father" who has to babysit a capricious young master. Gaoshun is one of the few who knows Jinxi's true origins and sees his true emotions. In the relationship between Jinxi and Maomao, Gaoshun takes the position of a silent but very understanding observer. He often exchanges sympathetic glances with Maomao when Jinxi begins to act like a child, and genuinely respects the girl for her intelligence and practicality.
Despite his outward dryness and laconicism, Gaoshun has a subtle sense of humor, a sharp

Loulan (Concubine Loulan) from The Pharmacist's Monologue is one of the most mysterious, unpredictable, and dangerous figures in the inner palace. She took the place of the departed concubine Ado, receiving the title of "Pure Concubine" (Shufei) and settling in the Pomegranate Pavilion. She is the daughter of an influential and arrogant high-ranking official, Shi Shuo.
The appearance
of Loulan has an extravagant, changeable and mesmerizing beauty. She often changes her image, which is why her true self remains a mystery for a long time. She has long, dark hair that she styles in elaborate, bizarre hairstyles, and shrewd, fox-like eyes. Loulan adores eccentric, provocative makeup and luxurious, flashy outfits, sewn according to the latest and most unusual fashion. She uses a thick layer of white and bright blush, turning her face into a theatrical mask. Her appearance screams the wealth and high status of her clan, but behind this pompous and capricious mask lies a strong, agile body and the cold, natural grace of a predator.
Character and inner world
By nature, Loulan is a brilliant actress, a cold strategist and a deeply tragic character. In the palace, she masterfully plays the role of a capricious, arrogant, stupid and spoiled aristocrat who is only interested in outfits and general attention. She deliberately annoys the Emperor and acts aloof with the other concubines so that no one takes her seriously.
In fact, Loulan has outstanding intelligence, observation and an iron will, in no way inferior in insight to Maomao herself. She is the "ghost" of the courtyard, who secretly gathers information, manipulates people, and sees through everyone. Maomao is one of the few who almost immediately sensed the falsity in her behavior and realized that Loulan was only wearing a mask.
Loulan's inner world is full of hopelessness. She is only a pawn in the hands of her ambitious father, who is preparing a coup d'état. Loulan is well aware that her family is doomed, and she herself

Ado (Aduo/Concubine Ado) from The Pharmacist's Monologue is one of the most respected and tragic figures in the inner palace. She held the rank of "Pure Concubine" (Shufei) and resided in the Pomegranate Pavilion, being the oldest among the four main concubines of the Emperor, as well as his closest childhood friend.
Ado's appearance
has a unique, androgynous, and majestic appearance that sets her apart from the feminine inhabitants of the harem. She is about 35 years old, she has a tall stature, a slender, toned build, short dark hair and deep, wise eyes. In her appearance, there is a noble masculine charisma, which is why in men's clothes she can easily be mistaken for an incredibly handsome and stately young man. Ado prefers strict, not pretentious outfits of dark or deep garnet shades without unnecessary jewelry. Unlike other concubines, she does not use bright makeup, and her posture and manners are full of restrained

Lihua (Concubine Lihua) from the Pharmacist's Monologue is one of the four high-ranking concubines of the Emperor of the highest rank, holding the title of "Wise Concubine" (Xianfei) and residing in the Crystal Palace.
Lihua's appearance
has a classical, noble and majestic beauty, fully corresponding to its high status. She has a tall stature, a stately figure, long straight blue-black hair and strict, refined facial features. Unlike the exotic Gyokuiyo, Lihua's appearance embodies the traditional canons of beauty of the empire's highest aristocracy. She prefers luxurious hanfu in deep blues, purples, and golds that emphasize her status. Her proud posture and cold gaze initially create an aura of inaccessibility and severity around her. However, after a serious illness and the loss of a child, she looked emaciated, pale and fragile for a long time, until thanks to Maomao's treatment, she returned to her former greatness.
By
nature, Lihua is a proud, disciplined and deeply devoted woman to the Emperor. Because of her high birth and upbringing, she strictly follows palace etiquette and demands the same from her entourage. At first glance, she may seem arrogant, harsh, and even harsh (especially when her maids foolishly harmed Maomao), but behind this mask lies a gentle, vulnerable, and deeply loving soul.
Lihua survived a terrible tragedy - the loss of her newborn son, the prince, due to poisoned powder, which almost broke her will to live. She is capable of sincere gratitude: when Maomao literally saved her from death, Lihua threw away all class pride, personally bowed to a servant of a lower rank and gave her a precious hairpin as a sign of gratitude. She is devoid of vile malice, and despite the inevitable rivalry with Concubine Gyokuyo for the Emperor's attention, she behaves honestly and dignified. In the Crystal Palace, she maintains strict order, but genuinely cares about her subjects and is madly in love with the Imper.

Lishu (Concubine Lishu) from the Pharmacist's Monologue is the youngest of the four highest-ranking concubines of the Emperor of the highest rank. She holds the title of "Virtuous Concubine" (Dewei) and resides in the Diamond Pavilion. Due to her tender age and difficult past, she is radically different from the rest of the rulers of the inner court.
Lishu's appearance
is a charming, fragile, and petite teenage girl of 14 years old, who looks even younger than her age due to her constitution. She has soft, curly brown hair and large, innocent purple eyes. The courtyard requires maturity from her, but against the background of the stately and majestic Lihua or Gyokuyo, she seems like a child. Lishu often dresses in light hanfu in pastel colors, emphasizing her fragility and purity, although her official palace color is white. Due to her childlike naivety and insecurity, she often appears inhibited, frightened, or easily embarrassed when confronted with the pressures of her surroundings or Jinxi's dazzling charm.
Character and inner world
By nature, Lishu is a genuinely kind, shy, timid and painfully naïve soul. Her main tragedy is that she is completely unsuited to the cruel world of palace intrigues, conspiracies and manipulations. She grew up without maternal love, isolated by her own family, and at the age of nine was given as a concubine to the previous emperor. After his death, she was exiled to a monastery, and later returned to the palace to a new ruler, which is why her status as a pure maiden is constantly ridiculed by traditionalists.
Because of what she has experienced, Lishu is deeply unsure of herself, constantly doubts her actions and prefers to hush up her problems. Lish's main trouble in the palace is her own maids. Taking advantage of the hostess's softness and inexperience, the ladies-in-waiting openly mock her and manipulate her decisions, which Lishu herself does not even realize for a long time. For example, knowing about her deadly allergy to fish, the maids replaced her trays with food and

Gyokuyo (Concubine Gyokuyo) from the Pharmacist's Monologue is one of the main high-ranking concubines of the Emperor, occupying the rank of "Precious Concubine" (Guifei) and residing in the Jade Palace. She is a key patron of Maomao, who hired her as a personal maid and poison taster.
Gyokuyo's appearance
has a bright, exotic, and incredibly attractive appearance that makes her stand out from the other inhabitants of the inner palace. She has luxurious, long hair of a rare fiery red (or reddish-brown) hue and penetrating emerald green eyes. Her unusual facial features are due to her coming from the western borderlands, which adds to her foreign charm. She is graceful, graceful and always dresses in expensive silk hanfu in mainly green, jade and pink tones, which perfectly emphasize her rare hair color. A soft, friendly smile almost always plays on her face, which attracts people.
Character and inner world
Behind the image of a kind and gentle woman, there is an incredibly intelligent, insightful and strategically thinking person. Gyokuyo is the perfect player in court intrigue: she is well aware of how dangerous life in the inner palace is, especially for her young daughter (Princess Linli), so she is extremely vigilant. Unlike many other concubines, she is devoid of arrogance, cruelty, or blind envy. She is genuinely kind to her maids, creating a warm, almost family-like atmosphere in the Jade Palace.
Gyokuiyo has a lively, playful, and curious personality. She loves watching people and instantly notices the chemistry between Maomao and Jinxi, often making fun of them with a sly and cheerful "shipper" grin. She values intelligence, loyalty, and straightforwardness, which is why Maomao has become her most trusted person. Gyokuyo knows how to be incredibly patient, but if someone threatens her loved ones or her child, her gentleness is instantly replaced by the icy, regal determination of a ruler, ready to harshly humiliate her

Maomao (Mao Mao) from the anime and light novel The Apothecary Diaries is an exceptionally practical, insightful, and independent seventeen-year-old girl with a unique personality and memorable looks.
Maomao's appearance
is petite and fragile in appearance. She has short dark green (almost emerald in the anime) hair, which she usually gathers into a neat ponytail or bun with hairpins, and large, expressive purple eyes. She deliberately does not strive to look attractive: to protect herself while working in the red light district, Maomao has learned to paint fake freckles on her face with clay, masking her natural cuteness and clear skin. She dresses in traditional simple Chinese hanfu dresses, preferring discreet green and blue tones. However, the most remarkable and frightening detail of her appearance is her hands, which are completely covered in scars, burns and traces of snake and insect bites - the result of her endless medical experiments on her own body.
Character and inner world
By nature, Maomao is a pragmatic realist with an analytical mindset. Raised in a cheerful neighborhood and raised by a skilled pharmacist, she has a tremendous knowledge of herbs, poisons, and medicine. She is cold-blooded, secretive, does not like palace intrigues and tries her best to "keep a low profile" in order to quietly work out her term in the imperial palace. Maomao is indifferent to romance and luxury, and the incredibly handsome eunuch Jinxi at first causes her only irritation and skepticism (she looks at him as an "insect" or a slug).
The only real passion of Maomao, bordering on madness, is poisons and medicinal components. When it comes to testing a new toxin or a rare herb, her habitual indifference is instantly replaced by fanatical delight: her eyes light up, a frightening smile appears on her face, and saliva drips from her mouth. It has absolute immunity to many poisons due to the fact that it has been taking

Jingxi (Ren Shi) from The Pharmacist's Monologue is one of the most intriguing and vivid characters in the story, whose angelic appearance contrasts with a complex, multifaceted character and hidden burdens of power.
Jinxi's appearance
has a dazzling, almost ethereal beauty that is often referred to as "divine" by those around her. He has perfect facial features, silky long night sky-colored hair (navy blue or purple) that he ties high with ribbons, and deep, enchanting eyes. He is so beautiful that he can easily be mistaken for a celestial maiden, which makes both women and men in the palace instantly lose their heads at the mere glance or smile of him. Jinxi masterfully uses this "tool": he wears luxurious, silky eunuch robes, emits a delicate aroma of incense, and moves with absolute grace, creating an aura of impeccability around him. However, behind this mask is a strong, trained male body, which he carefully hides under a loose cut of outfits to maintain the status of a eunuch.
By
nature, Jinxi is a calculating, shrewd, and extremely intelligent manipulator. Holding the position of high-ranking manager of the inner palace, he is forced to be secretive, suspicious and politically flexible in order to survive in an atmosphere of eternal intrigue. He is used to the fact that everyone bows to him, ingratiates himself or adores him, so he sincerely suffers from loneliness and boredom, because no one sees his real personality.
Everything changes when he meets Maomao. Her unique reaction—absolute disgust, coldness, and a look like an "insect"—shocks Jinxi and instantly arouses deep interest in him. In his relationship with Maomao, his majestic mask falls off: he begins to behave like a capricious, touchy, and attention-hungry child, constantly looking for an excuse to talk to her or tease her. Over time, this curiosity grows into sincere affection, possessiveness and intense love. Jinxi are deeply lonely