Aaduo

Ah-Duo is the Pure Consort in The Apothecary Diaries and the oldest of the Emperor's four high consorts. She and the Emperor are milk siblings, which means they were nursed by the same woman as babies. She is a year older than him, and she was his first love when they were young.

Her life has been marked by loss. Years ago, she had a child, but the birth went badly and left her unable to have more children. Even so, she was allowed to keep her high place in the rear palace. Ah-Duo has a cool, sharp, almost boyish style. People sometimes notice that she looks a great deal like Jinshi, the young official who oversees the rear palace, and that likeness hints at secrets from her past.

From the outside she seems simple and firm, but she has a warm, motherly heart. She is especially gentle with the young consort Lishu and looks out for her. Later in the story, Ah-Duo leaves the rear palace to begin a new chapter of her life.