The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) does not provide a single official family tree for the emperor, but the main imperial line is clear: the current emperor is wed to the Empress Dowager, and his consorts include the Lady Gyokuyou, the Lady Lishu, and the Lady Ah-Duo, with the emperor’s children being the Four Princes and several princesses. The story focuses on Maomao, a young apothecary who works in the rear palace, and through her eyes we see the imperial family’s dynamics, but the full extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins) is never fully mapped in the light novels or anime. Below, we break down what is known from the novels, the anime, and the manga, and explain how the imperial family fits into the fictional empire of Li.
The Emperor and His Consorts
The emperor of the Li Empire is the central male figure of the rear palace, though he is rarely named directly in the story (in the anime he is simply called “the Emperor”). He has several consorts, each with a rank and a role in the political landscape. The most prominent are:
- Empress Dowager – the emperor’s mother, who holds significant influence over court affairs and is often involved in schemes.
- Lady Gyokuyou – a high-ranking consort from the influential Gyokuyou family, known for her kindness and intelligence. She is the mother of the current heir apparent, Prince Zhuyou, and she becomes a key ally to Maomao.
- Lady Lishu – another high-ranking consort, from the Lishu family, who is more reserved and later gives birth to a son, Prince Ryou.
- Lady Ah-Duo – a lower-ranking consort who is actually a former courtesan and the mother of the eldest prince, Prince Kason. She is a quiet but shrewd woman.
There are other consorts and court ladies, but these three are the most central to the plot. The emperor also has a daughter, Princess Fuyou, from a previous consort, but she is not a major character.
The Four Princes and Their Mothers
The emperor has at least four sons, each with a different mother, and their birth order and mothers are crucial to the succession politics. The known princes are:
- Prince Kason – the eldest son, born to Lady Ah-Duo. He is quiet and often overlooked, but he becomes a point of contention because he is the first-born.
- Prince Zhuyou – the second son, born to Lady Gyokuyou. He is the current crown prince, chosen for his intelligence and his mother’s political backing.
- Prince Ryou – the third son, born to Lady Lishu. He is still a child during the main events.
- Prince Haku – the fourth son, born to a consort who is not a main character (sometimes referred to as a minor consort). He appears only briefly.
There is also a princess, but she is not central. The succession is not strictly by birth order; the emperor and the court choose the heir based on ability and political support, which is why Prince Zhuyou is the crown prince despite not being the eldest.
How the Family Tree Works in the Story
The imperial family tree in The Apothecary Diaries is not presented as a chart but is revealed gradually through dialogue and events. The rear palace is a microcosm of the empire, where each consort represents a powerful family, and the emperor’s children are pawns in political games. The family tree matters because:
- It determines who becomes the next emperor, which is the central conflict of the later arcs.
- It explains the alliances and rivalries among the consorts and their families.
- It gives context to Maomao’s investigations, as many mysteries revolve around the health and safety of the imperial family.
For example, the mystery of the poisoned silk in the first arc involves Lady Gyokuyou’s pregnancy, and later the story revolves around the health of the crown prince. The family tree is thus a tool for understanding the stakes.
Common Misconceptions About the Family Tree
One common misconception is that the emperor has only one wife or that the empress is a major character. In fact, the story does not feature a single empress; the highest-ranking woman is the Empress Dowager, and the consorts are ranked below her. Another misconception is that the family tree is based on real Chinese history. While the setting is inspired by the Chinese imperial harem system, the Li Empire and all its characters are fictional. The author, Natsu Hyuuga, has not provided a full genealogy, so any fan-made trees are speculative.
Comparison with Real Imperial Harem History
The rear palace in The Apothecary Diaries mirrors the historical Chinese imperial harem, particularly the Qing dynasty, where the emperor had an empress and multiple consorts of varying ranks. In real history, the family tree was meticulously recorded, and succession was often a matter of life and death. The story takes creative liberties, such as having a female protagonist who is not a consort but a servant, and it focuses on the human side of the harem rather than strict historical accuracy. For readers interested in the historical basis, the novel’s setting is often compared to the Forbidden City, but it is not a direct representation.
How to Keep Track of the Family Tree
Because the family tree is not given in one place, readers often use fan-made charts. A simple way to keep track is to remember the mothers:
- Lady Gyokuyou → Prince Zhuyou (crown prince)
- Lady Lishu → Prince Ryou
- Lady Ah-Duo → Prince Kason
- Minor consort → Prince Haku
Also, remember the Empress Dowager is the emperor’s mother, not his wife. The emperor’s own siblings are not mentioned, so the tree is limited to his direct descendants and his mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the emperor’s wife in The Apothecary Diaries?
The emperor does not have a single wife; he has multiple consorts. The highest-ranking woman is the Empress Dowager, his mother, and the consorts are ranked below her, with Lady Gyokuyou being the most influential among them.
Who is the crown prince in the series?
Prince Zhuyou, the second son, is the crown prince. He is the son of Lady Gyokuyou, and his selection is based on his intelligence and his mother’s political support, not on being the eldest.
Does Maomao belong to the imperial family?
No, Maomao is a commoner and an apothecary. She is not related to the imperial family, but she works in the rear palace and becomes involved in their affairs because of her skills.
Are there any princesses in the imperial family?
Yes, there is at least one princess, Princess Fuyou, but she is not a major character. The story focuses on the princes and the consorts.
Is the imperial family based on a real dynasty?
No, the Li Empire is fictional. The author drew inspiration from Chinese harem history, but the characters and events are original. The family tree is not a historical record.
Where to Find More Details
For a deeper dive, readers can consult the light novel series, which is the original source, or the manga and anime adaptations. The novels provide more backstory on the consorts and the political situation, but even they do not give a complete family tree. Fan wikis often have compiled the known information, but always cross-check with the primary source, as fan interpretations can be inaccurate.
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