The Tragic Age Progression Of Lishu In The Apothecary Diaries: From 14 To 17

The question of "how old is Lishu in The Apothecary Diaries" is more complex than a single number, reflecting one of the most tragic and sensitive character arcs in the series. For fans who have only watched the anime or read the first few volumes of the manga, the answer is simple: Lishu is introduced as 14 years old, the youngest of the Emperor’s high-ranking consorts. However, as of the latest light novel volumes, Lishu’s age has progressed significantly, and her history reveals she was even younger when she first entered the palace, a detail that underscores the brutal political reality of the Inner Court.

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the most current information reveals Lishu’s age has increased to 17 years old in the later volumes of the original light novel series. This progression is a subtle but crucial detail, showing the passage of time and her slow, painful journey toward independence and recovery from the trauma she endured as the Virtuous Consort of the Diamond Palace.

Lishu's Complete Biography and Character Profile

Lishu (里樹, Riishu) is a pivotal secondary character whose story intertwines with Maomao’s investigations and Jinshi’s political maneuvers. Her life in the Inner Court is a constant struggle against manipulation, allergies, and the dark history of her own family.

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• Name (Kanji): 里樹 (Riishu)
• Role: Former Virtuous Consort (賢妃, Kenhi) of the Diamond Palace (金剛宮, Kongōkyū)
• Clan Affiliation: Member of the powerful U Clan (于氏)
• Family: Daughter of the U Clan Head, a high-ranking official.
• Status: Alive (Show Potential Spoiler)
• Hair Color: Brown
• Eye Color: Purple
• Age at Debut (Anime/Manga): 14 years old
• Age in Light Novel (LN 10): 17 years old
• Defining Traits: Fragile appearance, bubbly personality (often a facade), severe food allergies, and a deep-seated trauma from her past.
• Key Relationships: Maomao (her unofficial apothecary/investigator), Ah-Duo (her protector), and Basen (her eventual guard and confidant).

The Four Key Ages of Lishu: A Timeline Breakdown

Lishu’s age is not static; it changes dramatically depending on which point in the The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) timeline you are referencing. Understanding her age progression is essential to grasping her character development and the severity of her circumstances.

1. Age 9: The Tragic Beginning

Lishu’s involvement with the palace started years before Maomao arrived. At a devastatingly young age, Lishu was first sent to the Inner Court as a consort to the Former Emperor. This historical detail is crucial, as the Former Emperor was known to have a predilection for very young girls, a fact that highlights the political coldness of the U Clan for sacrificing their daughter for status. This initial trauma and the subsequent events (including an incident involving a poisoned meal) led to her deep-seated fear and vulnerability, setting the stage for her character arc.

2. Age 14: The Youngest Consort’s Debut

When the main story of The Apothecary Diaries begins, and Lishu is re-introduced to the Inner Court under the current Emperor, she is 14 years old. She is officially titled the Virtuous Consort, residing in the Diamond Palace. This is the age most anime-only viewers are familiar with. At 14, she is the youngest of the Emperor’s high-ranking consorts, which is why she is the least favored by the Emperor—he treats her more like a daughter than a lover. Her youth, combined with her fragile health and severe allergic reactions (often intentionally triggered by her own ladies-in-waiting), makes her a target for manipulation and neglect. Maomao’s early investigations often revolve around protecting Lishu from these internal threats.

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3. Age 15–16: Navigating Freedom and Recovery

As the story progresses through the light novels, Lishu’s age advances, marking significant milestones in her life outside the Inner Court. The Fandom Wiki, which tracks the Light Novel (LN) timeline, confirms her age progression:

• Age 15: Lishu reaches 15 years old around Light Novel Volume 2.
• Age 16: She turns 16 years old around Light Novel Volume 5.

This period is defined by her release from the role of consort and her subsequent placement under the protection of Ah-Duo, the former Noble Consort. This transition is a massive step toward her healing, allowing her to escape the toxic environment of the Diamond Palace and the constant threat of poisoning due to her food allergies. Her journey is a compelling narrative of a young woman trying to reclaim a normal life after being used as a political pawn.

4. Age 17: The Latest Character Status

The most recent official age for Lishu, according to the Light Novel timeline, places her at 17 years old in Volume 10. While fan discussions sometimes speculate she might be 18 by the most current events, 17 is the last confirmed age referenced in the published materials. This makes her roughly the same age as Maomao, who is also around 17 by the later volumes. This shared age, combined with their history, solidifies their bond as two young women in a world that often treats them as commodities.

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The Significance of Lishu’s Youth and Age

Lishu’s age is not merely a biographical detail; it is a central theme that drives her story and the overall narrative critique of the Inner Court system. Her youth highlights several key topical authorities within the series:

• Political Manipulation: Her family, the U Clan, used her extreme youth to gain political leverage, demonstrating how children were sacrificed for power. The fact that she was only nine when first sent to the palace is a dark indictment of the political landscape.
• Vulnerability and Abuse: Being the youngest consort made her the most vulnerable. She was easily manipulated by her older ladies-in-waiting, who actively tried to undermine her, often using her severe food allergies against her. Her tragic history is a powerful counterpoint to the romanticized view of palace life.
• Maomao’s Compassion: Lishu’s fragile state and young age are what initially drew Maomao’s protective instincts. Maomao’s investigations into Lishu’s poisonings are driven by a desire to protect the innocent, especially the children and young women caught in the Inner Court’s machinations.
• Age Gap Dynamics: Her age contrasts sharply with the Emperor and other consorts like Gyokuyou and Rifa. This age gap emphasizes her unique position: she is a consort in title but a child in reality, which is why the Emperor treats her with kindness and distance, knowing her history with his predecessor.

In summary, Lishu is a character whose age is a constant reminder of the high cost of political power in The Apothecary Diaries. While she starts the main story at 14, her journey to 17 is a slow, hard-won battle for autonomy and a life free from the constraints and dangers of the Inner Court.