Jinshi is actually 18 years old in The Apothecary Diaries, though he initially appears as a 23-year-old eunuch.
His true age helps clarify his relationship with Maomao, removing concerns about an age gap.
Jinshi’s disguise as an older eunuch plays a key role in his ability to navigate the imperial palace.
This adds depth to his character and the story’s romance, as he uses his fake age to gain freedom and influence.
For more insights into how old is Jinshi Apothecary Diaries, check out our full article on HariManga.
How old is Jinshi Apothecary Diaries?
According to Fandom.com, in The Apothecary Diaries, Jinshi initially appears as a five-year-old teenager, but his actual age is 18 at the beginning of the story.
This makes him about a year older than Maomao, with both characters aging as the series progresses.
His real identity as Ka Zuigetsu, the Emperor’s son, remains a secret, and the five-year-old eunuch persona is simply a cover.
How old is Jinshi Apothecary Diaries?
- Apparent Age (Eunuch Role): 23.
- Actual Age (Real Identity): 18 (at series start).
- Age Gap: He is approximately one year older than Maomao.
- Evolution in Light Novels: Jinshi’s age increases as the Light Novels (LN) progress, for example, reaching 20 in LN Volume 5 and 21 in LN Volume 9.
Who is Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries?
Jinshi is the handsome, charismatic male protagonist and deuteragonist of The Apothecary Diaries.
He serves as a high-ranking palace official, disguised as a eunuch who oversees the Inner Court.
Throughout the series, Jinshi becomes fascinated with Maomao, the talented apothecary, while hiding a secret: he is the biological son of the Emperor, making him a royal prince.
His true identity is carefully concealed to avoid succession conflicts, as he was raised as the Emperor’s younger brother.
Key Aspects of Jinshi:
- Official Role: He serves as a senior eunuch in the Rear Palace, managing affairs and introducing Maomao to the consorts.
- True Identity: He is the eldest son of the current Emperor, born to Lady Ah-Duo, but was swapped at birth and raised as the Emperor’s “brother” (the Imperial Brother).
- Motivation: He actively avoids becoming Crown Prince, a fate he escaped by winning a game of Go against the Emperor, which led to his eunuch position.
- Relationship with Maomao: He is captivated by Maomao’s unique skills and personality, using her to solve mysteries and gradually developing romantic feelings for her, much to her indifference.
- Appearance: Known for his stunning beauty, he often uses his looks to his advantage, despite his seemingly low eunuch status.
Is Jinshi’s age important to the story?
Yes, Jinshi’s age (actually 18, pretending to be 22) plays a pivotal role in The Apothecary Diaries.
It helps clarify the supposed “inappropriate” age gap between him and Maomao, revealing that they are nearly the same age.
His fake age is an essential part of his elaborate disguise, enabling him to gain the freedom needed to manage the Rear
Palace while maintaining a mysterious persona. This element adds both depth to his character and complexity to the romance in the story.
Why Jinshi’s Age Matters:
- Clarifies Romance: The perceived large age gap between Jinshi (23) and Maomao (18) fueled online debate, but revealing his real age (18) makes their relationship more akin to a typical, close-in-age pairing, removing concerns about impropriety.
- Unveils His Identity: His feigned age and eunuch status are a mask, allowing him freedom and a unique position to observe and influence the imperial harem, a key plot element.
- Highlights His Cunning: Pretending to be older and a eunuch showcases his intelligence and strategic maneuvering, even as a young man, establishing his character beyond just his looks.
- Adds to His Mystery: The hidden truth about his age and identity deepens his allure and makes his actions more intriguing to Maomao and the audience.
How old are the apothecary diaries characters?
The characters in The Apothecary Diaries vary in age, with each one playing a unique role in the story. For example, how old is Jinshi Apothecary Diaries?
Let’s take a look at the ages of some of the key characters.
Maomao
Maomao is The Apothecary Diaries’s teenage protagonist, coming in at 17 years old.
Having been sold to bandits and forced to work in the Red Light District during her childhood, Maomao developed a keen interest in the art of apothecary.
Xiaolan
Xiaolan is one of the youngest main characters in The Apothecary Diaries, coming in at just 15.
She is a young servant in the royal palace and quickly forms a close friendship with Maomao.
Gaoshun
Gaushun is on the opposite side of the Apothecary Diaries age spectrum from Xiaolan.
The palace servant is around 36 years old, displaying signs of age and appearing as if he could be the father of some of the younger characters.
Lihaku
Lihaku is the muscle at the royal palace, working as a loyal soldier to the Emperor and his family.
He is in his mid-20s, noticeably older than characters like Jinshi and Maomao, though not by a large margin.
Gyokuyō
Gyokuyō is one of the Emperor’s high-ranking concubines and is known as his favorite among his many consorts.
She is 19 years old and behaves with the elegance and wisdom of an empress.
Lihua
Lihua is another of the Emperor’s consorts.
At just 23 years old, she is known as the Wise Consort for her exceptional intelligence.
She works in the hospital and is the mother of the second prince.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Jinshi and The Apothecary Diaries:
Is Jinshi really 19?
Yes, Jinshi is actually 19 years old. Though he initially presents himself as a 24-year-old eunuch overseeing the Inner Palace, his true age is revealed in Light Novel Volume 2, Chapter 14.
Why is Jinshi pretending to be 24?
Because making eunuchs was forbidden after the current emperor came to power. For the ages to match and Jinshi to enter the rear palace as a eunuch, he had to be aged up.
Is Jinshi in love with Maomao?
While Jinshi and Maomao have not publicly announced their relationship or gotten married, it’s clear that Jinshi has deep feelings for Maomao. He has proposed to her several times, though she remains indifferent to his advances.
How old is the Jinshi apothecary diaries actually?
Jinshi’s real age is 19, as revealed in Chapter 34 of the manga by Nekokurage. Despite appearing older, his true age plays an important role in understanding his character.
Why was Jinshi swapped at birth?
Jinshi was swapped at birth to protect him. His biological mother, fearing for his safety, exchanged him with the Imperial Brother, who was believed to be the Emperor’s son.
This switch kept Jinshi safe from harm and allowed him to grow up without the threat of succession conflict.
Is Apothecary Diaries historically accurate?
Natsu Hyuga collected many features from the Ming and Tang dynasties, but the setup is largely fictionalized and not entirely historically accurate.
In conclusion, the question of how old is Jinshi Apothecary Diaries is an important aspect of his character development, revealing his true age as 18.
This fact helps deepen the intrigue around his persona and the evolving relationship with Maomao.
For more detailed insights into the characters and the series, visit HariManga, your go-to source for all things The Apothecary Diaries.
