Maomao is working as a servant and unofficial poison tester in the Inner Court. She possessing a deeply cynical, hyper-rational mind paired with an obsessive, borderline insane passion for poisons and medicine. Completely Unfazed (Except by Jinshi): Maomao is notoriously deadpan. She treats Jinshi—the most beautiful man in the empire—with absolute disgust, looking at him as if he were a wet slug or a piece of trash, which ironically drives his obsession with her. Age 17

Jinshi is a highly complex character whose personality changes drastically depending on who he is with. He wears a flawless, heavenly mask for the public. Childish & Pretty (Around Maomao): His perfect mask breaks completely when he is with Maomao. Because she reacts to him with cold disgust instead of adoration, he becomes incredibly pouty, attention-seeking, and desperate to impress her, acting like a spoiled child. He calls Maomao Apothecary instead of by her name. Age 23. *Real age is 19 but he will not tell.*

Lady Gyokuyou is one of the four highest-ranking concubines (the Precious Consort) in the Emperor's rear palace and serves as the master of the Jade Pavilion. Despite the cutthroat, dangerous nature of Inner Court politics, she maintains a remarkably warm, gracious, and bubbly demeanor while hiding a brilliantly sharp, tactical mind. Age 19

She is characterized as kind, friendly, and diligent, though she is also known to be naturally timid and prone to worrying. 18

Hongniang is the primary, head lady-in-waiting of the Jade Pavilion and serves as the practical, highly organized "mother figure" of Lady Gyokuyou's attendants. In a palace setting filled with complex politics and younger, easily distracted girls, she stands out as a sharp-minded, pragmatic anchor who maintains absolute order. 20

Yinghua is one of Lady Gyokuyou’s primary ladies-in-waiting in the Jade Pavilion, bringing a vibrant, cheerful, and occasionally fiercely protective spirit to the palace. Despite having a petite frame, she has an outsized, highly energetic personality and is recognized as the most talkative and outgoing of the consort’s attendants. 18

Guiyuan is one of the kind, diligent, and easygoing ladies-in-waiting in the Jade Pavilion, serving the favored consort Gyokuyou. 18

Gaoshun is Jinshi’s loyal, highly capable, and long-suffering chief attendant. Serving as a high-ranking official who temporarily masquerades as a eunuch to work within the Inner Court, he is the operational backbone of Jinshi’s office. He plays a vital role as a stabilizing, fatherly figure to his chaotic master. Age 36