A master physician. A silent scapegoat. And a secret worth an empire’s silence.
That’s the story of Luomen in The Apothecary Diaries. Known as Maomao’s adoptive father and mentor, his quiet life in the red-light district hides a past marred by scandal, injury, and a banishment far harsher than his official “crimes” suggest.
The “Official” Story of Luomen
Luomen’s banishment from the Rear Palace is chalked up to two failures:
- Consort Ah-Duo’s medical crisis, where she lost her womb under Luomen’s care during childbirth.
- The death of an infant in Ah-Duo’s care, allegedly caused by his inability to save the child.
On paper, it’s simple: a physician failed to protect a consort’s fertility and a potential heir. But behind these tragedies lurked deeper truths.
The Reality: Politics, Secrets, and Scapegoating
During simultaneous labors—Empress Anshi’s complicated delivery and Consort Ah-Duo’s—Luomen had to prioritize the Empress, as imperial protocol dictated.
The Empress’s survival was paramount, regardless of Ah-Duo’s equally perilous situation. This decision, though systemically imposed, was weaponized to pin blame on Luomen.
A Taboo Procedure
To save the Empress and her child, Luomen performed a Caesarean section, a life-saving but culturally taboo operation.
Even though it preserved the imperial line, it painted Luomen as reckless or unorthodox—making him an easy target for later accusations.
The Infant’s Death Was No Ordinary Illness
The infant’s death wasn’t negligence; it was honey poisoning, unknowingly administered by Ah-Duo’s lady-in-waiting, Fengming.
Luomen was blamed because he couldn’t identify the rare cause of the illness—knowledge that even Maomao would only deduce much later.
The Baby Switch
The real scandal? The baby that died wasn’t truly Ah-Duo’s son—it was Empress Anshi’s biological child, swapped in secret. Ah-Duo’s own healthier baby was raised as the Empress’s, securing her position and stabilizing the imperial line.
Luomen, as the attending physician, likely noticed something—or was suspected of knowing. This dangerous knowledge could have destabilized the entire empire. His banishment, and the brutal removal of his kneecap, wasn’t about medical failure.
It was a calculated move to silence him and protect a secret that couldn’t come to light.
| Factor | Official Story | Hidden Truth |
|---|---|---|
| Ah-Duo’s Health | Medical failure by Luomen | Delayed care due to forced prioritization of Empress |
| Infant’s Death | Luomen’s negligence | Honey poisoning by Fengming |
| C-Section | Not cited but viewed as taboo | Saved Empress’s life but branded him reckless |
| Baby Switch | Unspoken | Luomen likely knew or was suspected, making him a threat |
| Kneecapping | Just punishment for failure | Silencing and discrediting to protect the secret |
Luomen’s past was a tapestry of silent sacrifices and hidden truths.
Luomen Was More Than Just a Scapegoat
Luomen’s exile reshaped lives. His banishment led him to Maomao, whose own brilliance would later expose many palace secrets. His nephew, Lakan, was displaced, separated from Fengxian, and sent abroad.
Even years later, Luomen’s skills were indispensable when Maomao pleaded for his help during Consort Gyokuyou’s complicated pregnancy.
His fate illustrates a harsh truth: in the palace’s cold calculations, one man’s silence was worth more than his skill.
🧠 What Happened to Luomen in The Apothecary Diaries?
Was Luomen really guilty of the medical failures?
No. Court hierarchy forced him to prioritize Empress Anshi over Consort Ah-Duo, leading to the latter’s complications. The infant’s death was due to honey poisoning, not medical incompetence.
Why did Luomen receive such a severe punishment?
Because he likely knew or was suspected of knowing about the baby switch between Anshi and Ah-Duo. This dangerous secret could destabilize the imperial line, making Luomen a liability.
What role did the Empress Dowager play?
She ordered Luomen’s exile and kneecapping to silence him and preserve the secret of the baby swap. Her actions reflected political expediency, not justice.
How did Luomen’s banishment impact the story?
His exile led him to adopt and mentor Maomao, shaping her into the formidable apothecary she became. It also indirectly shaped Lakan’s fate and deepened palace intrigue.
Where did Luomen end up after exile?
He lived quietly in the red-light district, using his skills in secret and raising Maomao, until events later drew him back into palace politics.