Ah-Duo

Ah-Duo (also written as Ah Duo) is one of the high-ranking consorts in the anime adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, specifically known as the Pure Consort (from the Garnet Pavilion). She's the eldest among the Emperor's four senior consorts and a childhood friend/milk sibling of the current Emperor.

In the anime, she stands out for her striking androgynous appearance—she has long purple hair, clear purple eyes, and a handsome, almost masculine beauty that makes her look like a very attractive young man despite being a woman and the oldest consort. She often prefers practical attire like hunting uniforms over flashy dresses, and she has a distinctive red huadian (forehead decoration).

Her personality is tomboyish, confident, and charismatic, with a free-spirited nature—she's shown as someone who once dreamed of traveling the world rather than being confined to palace life. She's caring and maternal, particularly toward younger figures like Consort Lishu (with whom she has a close, protective bond), and she commands respect and popularity in the Rear Palace due to her influence and demeanor.

She is voiced by Yūko Kaida in Japanese (Monica Rial in English dub). In the anime's events (especially around season 1), she plays a significant role in palace dynamics and eventually steps away from her consort position, which impacts many around her.