The Apothecary Diaries Ages Revealed: How Old Are Jinshi, Maomao, and Everyone Else?

One of the sneaky-great things about The Apothecary Diaries is how much the characters' ages quietly reframe everything. Power plays hit different when a 17-year-old is outthinking veteran court officials, or when a beloved consort is still a teenager juggling politics and childcare. If you've ever wondered who's older, who's faking what, and why that matters, here is the age rundown with all the palace context that makes it fun.

Maomao, 17: Curiosity weaponized

Seventeen and already operating like a human lie detector with a chemistry set. Maomao grew up around medicine and poisons, which turned her into a calm, calculating problem solver. Her curiosity gets her in trouble constantly, but every reckless choice drags her deeper into the palace's messiest secrets. She's the engine of the show because she cannot leave a mystery alone.

Jinshi, 18: Pretty, perfect, and not adding up

Eighteen and the most magnetic person in the inner palace. Servants swoon, officials defer, and half the court projects their fantasy onto him. He presents himself as a eunuch, but the performance has enough seams showing that anyone paying attention can tell something is off. The only time he looks genuinely engaged is around Maomao, which keeps the rumor mill spinning. He knows more than he lets on, and yes, that calculated mystique is part of the appeal.

Gaoshun, 36: Professional crisis sponge

At thirty-six, Gaoshun is one of the older, steadier hands in the palace, and he is endlessly loyal to Jinshi. Translation: when Jinshi's looks spark chaos, Gaoshun is the one quietly putting out fires, rerouting disasters, and making sure the building still stands by morning. Give the man a vacation.

Xiaolan, 15: Friend first, scoop second

Fifteen, bright, and Maomao's first real friend inside the walls. Xiaolan is a walking early edition of palace news; if something happens before breakfast, she heard it at dawn. Without her chatter, Maomao would miss half the breadcrumbs she follows to crack cases. Never underestimate gossip when the entire system runs on secrets.

Gyokuyou, 19: The Precious Consort with real clout

Nineteen and already the Emperor's most cherished consort, formally titled the Precious Consort. She has a royal daughter, which gives her serious weight in palace politics. Young, elegant, and composed under pressure, she manages to survive and thrive where most would get eaten alive.

Lihaku, mid-20s: Soldier brain, court migraine

Somewhere in his mid-twenties, Lihaku is the hit-things-until-they-stop-moving branch of the Emperor's military. Practical, tough, and useful when problems need a firm shove. Put him in a room full of subtext and he's adorably lost, which, honestly, makes him easy to like.

Lishu, 14: Fragile, sweet, and politically complicated

Fourteen and the youngest concubine in the inner palace. She's gentle, easily overwhelmed, and dealing with enough food allergies to require a support staff. Everyone wants to protect her, which, in a court this cutthroat, is both a shield and a strategic position.

Lihua, 23: Wise Consort, sharper than most

At twenty-three, Lihua holds the title of Wise Consort and is the mother of the second prince. She also works in the palace hospital, which is rare air for nobility. Calm, logical, and politically savvy, she prefers evidence to theatrics and quietly moves pieces from the sidelines.

Loulan, 17: Disguises now, rules later

Around seventeen, pushed into the Pure Consort role by her powerful father. Loulan does not care for protocol, which is why she sneaks around in disguise to learn exactly what she's not supposed to. Bold, nosy, and prone to poking the wrong beehive. Chaos follows.

Ah-Duo, about 35: The palace's emotional center

Roughly thirty-five and another Pure Consort, Ah-Duo has quietly become the den mother for the younger women. She's been through more than she shows. Palace whispers suggest Jinshi might actually be her son, a secret the Emperor is very motivated to keep buried. That rumor alone rewires several relationships if it's true.

The Emperor, 34: Kindness vs. the job

Call it thirty-four. He has absolute power and a calendar full of obligations, relationships, and heirs to manage. He tries to lead with kindness, which is noble, but also makes balancing multiple consorts, multiple children, and a palace full of secrets a daily exercise in triage.

The quick age roll call

• Maomao: 17
• Jinshi: 18
• Xiaolan: 15
• Gaoshun: 36
• Lihaku: Mid-20s
• Gyokuyou: 19
• Lihua: 23
• Lishu: 14
• Ah-Duo: 35 (around)
• Loulan: 17
• The Emperor: 34

When you line it all up like this, every romance, rivalry, and secret feels a little more volatile. The fun is watching these characters grow up while navigating a palace that rewards poise and punishes naivete, sometimes in the same afternoon.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.