He sees people as chess pieces. Literally. When Lakan looks at a crowd, he doesn't see faces, noses, or eyes. He sees wooden carvings, shogi pieces, and cold, inanimate objects. It’s a jarring way to live. But for fans of The Apothecary Diaries, Lakan is far more than just a quirky military strategist with a monocle and a penchant for creeping people out. He’s the catalyst for some of the most intense emotional payoffs in the entire series.
If you’ve been following the journey of Maomao, you already know that her family tree is... messy. To put it lightly. At the center of that mess stands Lakan, a man whose reputation as the "Oddball Tactician" precedes him in the imperial court. He’s brilliant. He’s terrifying. And honestly, he’s kind of a disaster as a human being.
The Truth About The Apothecary Diaries Lakan and His Face Blindness
Most people just think Lakan is being an arrogant jerk when he ignores people. In reality, he suffers from prosopagnosia. It’s a real neurological condition, commonly known as face blindness. In the world of The Apothecary Diaries, there’s no medical term for it yet, so Lakan just navigates a world of "furniture."
Imagine trying to navigate high-stakes palace politics when everyone looks like a chair or a table. It's impossible. This is why his obsession with Maomao and Fengxian is so significant. They are the only people who actually have faces in his mind. Think about that for a second. In a sea of wooden blocks, two people suddenly gained human features. It wasn't just love; it was a sensory awakening.
Lakan’s tactical genius actually stems from this "disability." Because he can't see human emotion or facial cues, he treats every conflict like a game of Go or Shogi. He doesn't get distracted by a general’s intimidating glare or a diplomat’s fake smile. He only sees the board. He sees the moves. This makes him the most dangerous man in the military, but it also made him a social pariah for decades. He’s a man who has mastered the art of winning wars but can’t even recognize his own subordinates without their specific "piece" identifier.
The Tragedy of the Verdigris House
We need to talk about what happened with Fengxian. It’s easy to look at Lakan and see a villain, especially given how much Maomao clearly despises the sight of him. But the backstory revealed in the series paints a much more nuanced, soul-crushing picture.
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Lakan didn't just abandon Fengxian. He was a victim of timing, family interference, and his own social ineptitude. He was sent away on military duty right when things were reaching a breaking point. When he returned, the woman he loved had been "ruined" in the eyes of the brothel, and his daughter was gone.
The most gut-wrenching detail? The finger. In the light novel and anime, the "gift" of the severed pinky finger is a traditional, albeit gruesome, way for a courtesan to show her devotion. Lakan received it, but due to his family’s meddling and his own circumstances, he couldn't act in time. By the time he found his way back to the Verdigris House, the damage was done. Fengxian had descended into illness and madness, and Maomao was being raised by Luomen.
Why Maomao Can't Stand Him
You've seen the look on Maomao’s face whenever Lakan is mentioned. It’s pure, unadulterated disgust. And honestly? She’s valid.
Even if Lakan’s intentions were "pure" in his own twisted way, from Maomao’s perspective, he’s the man who broke her mother. He’s the reason she grew up in the pleasure district under the shadow of a tragedy. Maomao values logic, pragmatism, and herbalism. Lakan represents the chaotic, emotional fallout of a romance that went horribly wrong.
- Maomao sees him as a stalker.
- He sees her as his "precious piece" he needs to reclaim.
- The disconnect is massive.
There's this one specific scene where Lakan tries to win Maomao over with blue roses. It’s a classic move for him—using his knowledge of science and trickery to create something impossible. But Maomao sees right through it. She doesn't want a miracle; she wants the father who was never there to stay away. Their dynamic is one of the best written "father-daughter" relationships in modern animanga precisely because it isn't fixed with a simple apology. It’s scarred.
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The Blue Rose Incident: Strategy vs. Emotion
The "Blue Rose" arc is where the Apothecary Diaries Lakan really shows his cards. He challenges Jinshi to a game, essentially betting on Maomao’s future. It’s peak Lakan. He uses a psychological game to test Jinshi’s resolve while also showing off his ability to manipulate the environment.
Lakan’s use of temperature and chemical reactions to turn red roses blue (or rather, a withered, dyed version of it) is a direct parallel to Maomao’s own skills. It proves they are cut from the same cloth. They are both "monsters" of logic. But while Maomao uses her brain to save lives and solve crimes, Lakan has spent his life using his brain to win games and survive a family that never understood him.
Many fans wonder: is Lakan a "good" guy? No. Is he a "bad" guy? Also no. He’s an antagonist in Maomao’s personal life, but he’s a protagonist in his own tragedy. He’s a man who lived a life of grayscale and suddenly saw color, only to have that color ripped away by his own father.
Understanding Lakan’s Role in the Imperial Court
Lakan isn't just hanging around the palace to annoy Maomao. He holds the rank of a high-ranking military official for a reason. His ability to predict enemy movements is borderline supernatural.
- The Clan Dynamics: Lakan belongs to the La (Lu) clan, which is famous for its eccentric geniuses.
- The Succession: His presence creates a massive power vacuum or power surge depending on who he supports.
- The Rivalry: His friction with Jinshi isn't just about Maomao; it’s about the old guard versus the new, and the unpredictability of a man who doesn't care about royal bloodlines.
He’s one of the few people who isn't afraid of Jinshi. Because, again, to Lakan, Jinshi isn't a beautiful, transcendent prince. He’s just a very important, perhaps slightly annoying, piece on the board. This lack of awe makes Lakan an incredibly dangerous variable in the Emperor's court.
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The Redemption (If You Can Call It That)
Lakan’s eventual "victory" in buying out Fengxian’s contract is one of the most polarizing moments for fans. On one hand, it’s a beautiful act of devotion to a woman everyone else had discarded. On the other, it’s a late gesture that doesn't fix the years of suffering Maomao and Fengxian endured.
Seeing Lakan carry the frail, dying Fengxian out of the Verdigris House is a moment of pure, raw emotion that breaks through his "chess piece" exterior. For once, he isn't playing a game. He’s finally acknowledging the reality of his choices. He didn't win. He just finally stopped losing.
What You Should Take Away From Lakan’s Arc
Lakan is a lesson in perspective. In a story about an apothecary who solves mysteries through observation, Lakan is the ultimate mystery because his observation is fundamentally broken. He reminds us that even the most "brilliant" people can be completely blind to the things that matter most—like family, timing, and the weight of their own actions.
If you’re looking to understand Lakan better, pay attention to the background characters in his scenes. The creators often draw them as literal game pieces when we see the world through his eyes. It’s a small detail that explains everything about why he acts the way he does.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Re-watch the "Blue Rose" episode with the knowledge of his face blindness. It changes how you view his interactions with Jinshi.
- Observe Maomao’s reactions more closely. Her hatred isn't just "teen angst"; it's a direct response to the trauma Lakan represents for her family.
- Look for the Go/Shogi metaphors. Every time Lakan is on screen, the writers are telling a story about strategy versus humanity.
Lakan remains one of the most complex figures in The Apothecary Diaries because he refuses to fit into a neat box. He’s a tragic hero, a creepy stalker, a brilliant mind, and a failed father all at once. That complexity is exactly why we can’t stop talking about him. Just don't expect Maomao to forgive him anytime soon—she’s far too smart for that.