Imperial Palace

The **Imperial Palace** or **Imperial Court** is a palace complex in the Royal Capital of Li. It consists of two parts: the **Inner Palace** or **Inner Court**, where the Imperial Harem lives, and the **Outer Court**, where the offices of court officials are located. It serves as the Emperor and his government's main base of operations, and is the main setting of *The Apothecary Diaries*.

## Inner Palace

The Inner Palace (or Inner Court), also known as Hougong, the Rear Palace, is the home of the Emperor's harem. Though its primary purpose is to serve as the Emperor's "flower garden", it also served as a refuge for slaves who were to be sold to foreign countries while the Empress Regnant was in the process of stopping the slave trade. The Inner Palace is surrounded by walls in order to prevent harem members from leaving, and uncastrated men are forbidden from entering, with the exception of the Imperial Family. The Emperor's four high consorts each possess their own large section of the palace.

### Jade Pavilion

The Jade Pavilion is the area belonging to the Precious Consort; formerly Gyokuyou, the title of Precious Consort is now empty following Gyokuyou's promotion to Empress.

During Gyokuyou's time in the palace, her pavilion was managed by four trusted maids: head maid Hongniang, and attendants Yinghua, Guiyuan, and Ailan. After Lingli's birth, she also lived in the palace with her mother. Due to Gyokuyou's warm-hearted nature and the closeness of she and her attendants, the palace emanated a cozy and welcoming aura. In the beginning of the series, Maomao was promoted from a maidservant to an attendant in the Jade Pavilion after she saved Gyokuyou and Lingli from poisoning.

### Crystal Pavilion

The Crystal Pavilion belongs to the Wise Consort the title is currently filled by Lihua. The pavilion itself was dressed in refined nobility in accordance with Rifa's elegant personality. It was managed by over ten personal attendants, many of whom intentionally or unintentionally sabotaged her: one maid was sent home because she continued to give Rifa poisonous face powder following its confiscation from the Inner Court, and Rifa's own cousin and head maid Shin attempted to abort Rifa's child by making abortion medicines.

### Diamond Pavilion

The Diamond Pavilion is the home of the Virtuous Consort; previously filled by Lishu, the title is empty following her move to a monastery.

### Garnet Pavilion

The Garnet Pavilion belongs to the Pure Consort. Ah-Duo filled the spot for the first five years of the Emperor's reign, having been his consort since he was Crown Prince; however, because of the presumed death of her first son and her infertility following childbirth, she was more of an advisor than a consort, and her position was unstable despite her close friendship with the Emperor. She was ultimately forced out by Prime Minister Shishou, who replaced her with his daughter Loulan; however, Loulan was presumed dead following the Shi Clan rebellion, leaving the title empty.

During Ah-Duo's time in it, the Garnet Pavilion had a simple and practical setup and was bare of needless decorations. When the extravagant Loulan moved in, the palace changed drastically; its minimalism was replaced by an overabundance of exotic and garish decorations.

## Outer Palace

The Outer Palace (or Outer Court) is where most of the lower-ranking officials, servants, and facilities that support the workings of the Imperial Palace exist. It is much more populated and bustling with activity compared to the Inner Palace.

## References

1. ↑ *SQUARE ENIX MANGA & BOOKS* - THE APOTHECARY DIARIES (LIGHT NOVEL), VOLUME 1