Luomen (
Appearance[]
Due to being a eunuch, Luomen has the appearance of an old woman, with white hair and a gentle smile. Because one of his kneecaps was removed, he walks using a cane with one leg dragging.
Personality[]
Despite being a highly skilled physician who studied in the west, Luomen is kind, humble, and passive to the point of being a pushover. He undercharges for his services or even fails to charge altogether, to Maomao's distress. He firmly believes that conjectures that lack evidence are better off not said.
Abilities[]
Medicine: Loumen is very knowledgeable in both herbal medicine and western medical practices, and is an outstanding surgeon.
Perception: Like many La Clan members, Loumen is very perceptive; with his vast experience, he is even more skilled at solving mysteries and puzzles than Maomao. She notes that he can deduce ten more facts from only one.[2]
Background[]
Luomen is the brother of the former head of the La Clan and was close to the latter's disabled son, Lakan. During his youth, Luomen studied medicine in the west and brought many books back home. He later passed both the civil service and medical exams, before choosing to become a physician in the imperial court.[2] Unfortunately, he was forced to become a eunuch as part of a cover-up by the Empress Regnant, who pinned the birth of the Former Emperor's illegitimate daughter onto another physician. He helped deliver the current Emperor by surgical means, leaving his young mother alive but with scars. During his time as the inner palace physician, he planted many different herbs in the gardens and various spaces around the court
Luomen had a difficult case to attend when the births of Imperial Brother and the first Pure Consort's son coincided. Deemed a lower priority despite Luomen's protests, the latter was denied the proper medical care and was left near-death. Both her and her baby should have died, but he removed her womb to ensure their survival. Though both babies were delivered safely, the former was switched with the latter and the true Imperial Brother died in Fengming's care. As a result, Luomen was held responsible; one of his kneecaps was removed and he was banished from the Inner Court.
Angered at the shame Luomen brought to their family, his brother chased him out of their home and because Lakan was very close to Luomen, he was sent away for three years. During that time, Luomen learned of the existence of his grand-niece Maomao, who was born to a Verdigris House courtesan, and became an apothecary at the red-light district. Although he may have been able to treat the syphilis of his nephew's beloved when he first showed up, he was not trusted enough to be made privy of the illness, which soon had passed the point where he could treat it. He lovingly adopted and raised Maomao, whom he taught medical knowledge and writing so that she could pursue a career outside of being a courtesan; however, he did not allow her to read his books from the west and, when she sneaked into them, burned them all.
At Maomao's request, Loumen eventually returned to the Inner Court to assist both Consorts Gyokuyou and Lihua during their pregnancies, the former who struggled with a breech birth. After he successfully delivered the Crown Prince, Luomen was permanently re-employed as a physician at the Imperial Palace.
Trivia[]
- Lakan sees him as a promoted rook (竜王) in the light novel[3], a rook (車) in The Apothecary Diaries[4], and an advisor (士) in The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao's Rear Palace Mystery-Solving Notebook.
References[]
- ↑ ANIME FREAKS (Abema TV) - アニメ「薬屋のひとりごと」声優・キャラクター一覧｜全キャスト96人を網羅 (in Japanese; in English: List of voice actors and characters for the anime "The Apothecary Diaries" | All 96 cast members
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Apothecary Diaries light novel: Volume 4, Chapter 7
- ↑ The Apothecary Diaries light novel: Volume 2, Chapter 20
- ↑ The Apothecary Diaries manga: Chapter 37
Fengming • Fengxian • Fuyou ☆ Gaoshun • Guen/Quack Doctor • Guiyuan • Gyokuen • Gyoku-ou • Gyokuyou
Haku-u • Hongniang ☆ Jazgul • Jin • Jinshi • Joka • Junjie ☆ Kanan • King of Shaoh • Koku-u • Kokuyou • Kounen
Lahan • Lahan's Older Brother • Lakan • Lakou • Dr. Li • Lihaku • Lihua • Lingli • Lishu • Dr. Liu • Lo-en • Loulan • Luomen
Maamei • Madam • Maomao • Maomao, the Cat • Meimei ☆ Onsou • Oracle ☆ Pairin ☆ Rikuson
Sanfan • Sazen • Seki-u • Shenlü • Shenmei • Shin • Shishou • Shisui • Shrine Maiden of Shaoh • Suirei • Suirei's Mother • Suiren • Sotei
Taihou • Taomei • Tianyu ☆ Ujun • Ukyou • Uryuu ☆ Xiaolan ☆ Yakou • Yao • Yinghua • Yo • Dr. You ☆ Zulin
Crown Prince • Emperor • Empress Regnant • Former Emperor • Imperial Brother