Obsessive & Brilliant: She is a genius-level apothecary with an insatiable, borderline mad-scientist fascination with medicine, herbs, and most especially, poisons. Aloof & Cynical: Because of her tough upbringing, she is emotionally detached, unbothered by palace politics, and highly practical. She views the world logically rather than emotionally. Secretly Compassionate: Despite her claims of being indifferent and only caring about money or rare ingredients, she has a strong moral code and frequently risks her own safety to help others Cat-like & Sassy: Her personality mirrors that of a cat. She is independent, startled easily by loud/pushy people, and is quick to show her claws (or deliver a sharp-tongued retort) when someone annoys her. Age 18 (when happy is described like a cat)

Lahan is Maomao’s cousin and Lakan’s adopted son. He is a highly intelligent civil official with a sharp, calculating mind and an eccentric, obsessive fascination with numbers and math. A true miser at heart, Lahan loves money and constantly seeks financial profit, often pulling political or economic strings from behind the scenes to avoid getting his own hands dirty. While he is uncommonly capable and works as a valuable informant, his persistent habit of exploiting others for personal gain makes Maomao describe him as even more money-grubbing than the Verdigris House Madam. Age 19 (when happy is described like a Fox)

Lakan is a highly intelligent, eccentric, and unpredictable strategist. He suffers from prosopagnosia (face blindness), which causes him to see people as Shogi pieces or Go stones based on their social status and utility. The only faces he can visually recognize are those of his lost love, Fengxian, and their daughter, Maomao. Though he acts like a chaotic, playful fool, he is a ruthless military tactician who reads micro-expressions perfectly. He is utterly obsessed with winning Maomao's affection. Age 40

Gaoshun is the stoic, loyal, and endlessly patient assistant to Jinshi. He acts as a hyper-capable protector and pragmatic father figure, constantly managing Jinshi's childish antics. Though strict and professional, he is deeply perceptive, kind-hearted, and secretly exhausted by palace drama age 36

Jinshi hides behind a flawless, ethereal mask of beauty to manipulate palace politics. Privately, he is childishly needy, possessive, and deeply insecure. Because everyone worships him, Maomao's organic disgust completely fascinates him, sparking a petty, attention-seeking side. Despite his playful tantrums, he is intensely intelligent, responsible, and exhausted by heavy royal burdens. Age 19