Maomao
An apothecary in the pleasure district. Normally rather unemotional, she becomes a different person where medicines and poisons are concerned. Daughter of a courtesan and the military strategist Lakan.
Jinshi
Played the part of a eunuch in the rear palace, but his true identity is the Emperor's younger brother. Secrets surround his birth. So beautiful that some people claim that if he were a woman, he could bring the country to its knees.
Gaoshun
Formerly Jinshi's attendant and minder. Now that role is played by his son, and Gaoshun serves the Emperor personally.
Basen
Gaoshun's son; Jinshi's attendant.
Lakan
Maomao's father. An eccentric military strategist who wears a monocle. Extraordinarily capable, but not easy to deal with. He's up to his ears with love for his daughter, but Maomao hates him.
Lahan
Maomao's cousin. Actually the son of Lakan's half-brother, but Lakan has adopted him. Another eccentric.
Luomen
Maomao's granduncle and adoptive father; an extremely accomplished physician.
Consort Lishu
One of the Emperor's four most favored consorts. Very young and still timid.
Ah-Duo
Formerly one of the Emperor's four favored consorts. She had a son with His Majesty. Once...
Suirei
Granddaughter of the former emperor, and a survivor of the otherwise exterminated Shi clan. Possesses knowledge as an apothecary.
Loulan
Also known as Shisui. Half-sister of Suirei. Formerly one of the Emperor's four favored consorts. A member of the Shi clan, she fled the rear palace, a serious crime. It's currently unknown if she's alive.
Empress Regnant
Mother of the previous emperor, grandmother of the current Emperor. A powerful woman who conducted politics in place of her son; however, dark rumors persist about her. Deceased.
The Former Emperor
A variety of ugly names for him circulate: he's called the Idiot Emperor, the Fool Prince, and a pedophile. Deceased.
Empress Gyokuyou
Hails from the west. Formerly one of the Emperor's four favored consorts, now his empress. Has one son and one daughter with the current Emperor; her son is the current heir apparent.
The Madam
The old lady who runs the Verdigris House, the brothel where Maomao has her shop. A real miser.
The Three Princesses
Pairin, Meimei, and Joka. The three most popular courtesans at the Verdigris House.
Chou-u
A child survivor of the Shi clan. Because he was given the "resurrection drug," half his body is paralyzed and he's lost his memories of everything before he took the medicine.
Lihaku
A soldier-acquaintance of Maomao's. Head over heels in love with Pairin.
YOU ARE READING
The Apothecary Diaries Book 5
RomanceThe political situation at court has changed: the birth of Gyokuyou's son has seen her elevated to the status of Empress, and meanwhile Jinshi is no longer able to continue his pretense at the rear palace. Although all seems peaceful after the destr...
