Basen

Overview

Basen is a character from The Apothecary Diaries. Hailing from the prestigious Ma clan, which has historically guarded the imperial lineage, he serves as a military officer in the royal court and works closely as Jinshi's personal bodyguard. Being milk brothers born in the same year, he shares a deep-seated connection with Jinshi and acts as his dedicated protector.

Appearance

Basen has purple eyes and long dark brown or black hair, styled in a half-updo with a single hair bun adorned with ribbons and ornaments. He wears traditional Chinese hanfu robes featuring wide, long sleeves alongside a shawl.

Personality

Basen is exceptionally earnest and dutiful, though rigid and notably terrible at maintaining a poker face. His loyalty to Jinshi is absolute, causing him to flare up whenever anyone speaks ill of his master. Although his quick temper sometimes necessitates his absence from delicate diplomatic meetings, his bluntness helps turn away rude visitors. Due to a childhood mishap, he is deeply uncomfortable around women, yet he remains honest and straightforward at heart.

Abilities

Basen possesses superhuman physical strength, immense stamina, and an extraordinarily resilient body that heals rapidly even after severe injuries. In hand-to-hand combat, he easily overpowers average fighters unarmed and is strong enough to fend off a lion single-handedly. He demonstrates sharp tactical judgment during emergencies by instantly executing the optimal response.

Background

Born as the second son of Gaoshun and Taomei, Basen was appointed heir to the Ma clan over his elder brother Baryou due to the latter's total lack of physical aptitude. A childhood accident in which he injured his sister with his overwhelming strength left him with a lasting anxiety around women. However, after repeatedly coming to the rescue of Consort Lishu during court incidents, the two developed mutual affection, leading to a implicit promise of marriage supported by the Emperor.

Relationships

Basen is bound by absolute trust to Jinshi, his master and milk brother of the same age. He is guided—and occasionally physically reprimanded—by his father Gaoshun. He is the younger brother of Baryou, an intellectual civil servant, and Mamei, a strong-willed mother. Though initially skeptical of Maomao, he came to respect her capabilities. He also holds a mutual romantic affection for the former high-ranking Consort Lishu.

Trivia

Due to his unbelievable durability and overwhelming physical strength, Maomao describes him as a bear wearing human skin. The timeline for the reward promised to him by the Emperor directly mirrors the duration of Consort Lishu's period of religious retirement.