The novel has dozens of important characters and bcos ALL the princes, except the ML, has similar names (Xiao ChangXX), it is VERY easy to get confused. So I have made a characters introduction and decided to share, in case any of you have no time to read the novel, but are curious with the characters.
KEEP IN MIND, THESE INTRODUCTIONS CONTAIN SPOILERS FROM THE NOVEL!!!!
READ ON YOUR OWN RISKS!!!!
SHEN XIHE
The daugther of a general who defends the northwest border. She was born premature, so she is physically weak. She couldn't walk far, ride horse, run, or do anything a normal person can. Her father and brother are overprotective to her. Xihe is bestowed the title of Princess Zhaoning and granted a treatment equal of a duke.
She is skilled in perfume making and has a keen sense of smell. She can differentiate a smell and remembers the smell on each person. Bcos of this, she doesn't like being in the crowd.
Due to her weak physique and sensitive status, her 5 maids are all capable of martial arts. She also recruited a medic skilled in acupuncture.
Xihe doesn't like being touched by someone other than her family. She also doesn't like to socialize and doesn't have friends, Her first and official friend is Xie Yunhuai. Then she befriended Bu Shulin and Xue Jinqiao.
Shen Xihe doesn't believe in love and long lasting affection. She only believes in mutual benefits. She chose Xiao Huayong bcos she wanted an unfavorable prince. Moreover, the crown prince won't live long. Xihe treats Huayong respectfully and keeps reminding him about her principles and not to indulge in love. She wants them to be a harmonious couple who respect e/o, nothing more nothing less. But after being constantly treated sincerely by Huayong, he becomes the first man she ever loves.
XIAO HUAYONG
The seventh prince. Courtesy name Beichen.
He ate poisonous cake presented for the emperor when he was a kid. To recuperate he was sent to live in a temple. The poison inside him can't be cured and it is said that he won't live long. No one knows that even if this poison is deadly, it doesn't hold him from physical activity. He is an expert in martial arts and disguises. He can disguise himself to be one of his acquaintances as long as they have similar build with him.
He tamed a legendary falcon and secretly raised a group of guards. As he spent his childhood outside, he befriended a lot of famous figures.
He returned to the Eastern Palace and started his plans to eliminate his enemies. He shows no mercy to them, including those who harm Shen Xihe.
Xiao Huayong only cares about Shen Xihe and regards others as idiots or pawns. He doesn't mind using the innocents as long as he can keep his hands clean and his plans work. He also hates every man who is close to Xihe or those who harbor feelings for her, this includes her father and brother...
XIAO CHANGQING (PRINCE XIN)
The fifth prince who married Gu Qingzhi. The eldest son of Concubine Rong.
He fell in love with Gu Qingzhi when she was still engaged to Xie Yunhuai. After the engagement was broken, he begged the emperor to grant him marriage with her in exchange he will become his tool. However, this marriage was a disaster. Until her death, Gu Qingzhi never loved him nor cared about him.
The emperor ruthlessly used Changqing to execute the Gu family. He helplessly watched his wife committed suicide along with their unborn child. Since then he harbors hatred to the emperor and has been in seclusion, refuses to return to the court. He is gathering power to punish those who are responsible for Gu family demise.
The emperor highly favored him and wishes he would be the next emperor, so he raised Changqing diligently. However, after Gu Qingzhi's death, Changqing no longer seek the throne.
Changqing is extremely smart, just slightly below the main couple. He is the first who realizes Huayong is the mastermind of all the incidents that happened in the capital and since their goal is the same, he doesn't mind helping Huayong.
BU SHULIN
The only child in Bu family. Bu family is stationed in Southern Shu. Bcos she is the only child, in order to hide the fact that she is a woman, her family told the outside world that Shulin is a man.
At the age of 6, she was sent to the capital as a hostage and grew up safely. Her position is very crucial and dangerous. If she is found to be a girl, the whole Bu family will be executed.
Bcos of her talents, the emperor promoted her as the general of the central army in Jinwu Guard.
As a "boy", Shulin is famous for being a playboy, unruly and has no manner. She is a regular in brothel, likes to flirt with girls, and often runs away from her duty.
Bcos Shen Xihe knows about her identity, they became best friends, although it was one sided at first.
She was once being pursued by Princess Anling. To get rid of this princess, she used Cui Jinbai as her cover. Since then they become "gay couple". Later they truly love e/o, but Shulin realizes this will lead into disaster. She then keeps avoiding Cui Jinbai and has to say goodbye to him.
XIAO CHANGYING (PRINCE LIE)
Xiao Changqing's brother, the ninth prince.
He is impulsive, strong, talented, and proud. Changying holds military power and can mobilize the army.
He fell in love with Shen Xihe. Even after she ruthlessly rejected him countless times, and after she is engaged with Xiao Huayong, he still can't let go of her. He tries to protect and help her in any way he can. Xiao Changying still holds a glimmer of hope that Shen Xihe won't love Xiao Huayong, knowing her personality, until he sees it himself that she has fallen in love with Xiao Huayong.
Changying is a brother complex. For him, Changqing is his pride and role model. That's why he hated Gu Qingzhi who made Changqing changed. He has been working hard to pave way to make Changqing the emperor.
CUI JINBAI (CUI SHAOQING)
The junior official of Dali Temple (Judicial Review).
He is only 22 y.o, but he is a fourth rank official who holds real power. When he was 16, he won third place in the imperial exam and has been an official since then.
Cui Jinbai is the third son of the Cui family and a child prodigy. He is highly valued by the emperor and wealthy families are eyeing him to be their son in law.
Bcos Bu Shulin keeps pursuing him, he falls in love with her without knowing she is a girl. He accepts the fact that he loves a "man" and pursues her back. After endless hide and seek play, accident occurs and they have to go separate ways.
XIE YUNHUAI
Courtesy name Ruogu.
Former fiance of Gu Qingzhi and the only son of Duke Xie. He broke ties with his family due to his father's scandal and the death of his mother. He also broke the engagement with Gu Qingzhi. He then traveled around the world as Doctor Qi.
He met with Shen Xihe when she was on her way to the capital. Bcos of his knowledge and talents, Shen Xihe begs him to come with her to the capital and treat her illness. They become confidants and he is the first person she doesn't want a mutual benefits based relationship.
Due to Xiao Huayong's jealousy, his relationship with Xie Yunhuai is hot and cold. However, Xiao Huayong can't kill him bcos Xihe needs Yunhuai. These two men then cooperate to find the cure for Xihe.
SHEN YINGRUO
Shen Xihe's stepsister who is 10 months younger. Her mother is the cousin of the emperor, so Yingruo is the emperor's niece.
Due to her mother's evil deed, Yingruo's existence is very sensitive. Shen family doesn't acknowledge her, even her mother abused her. In summary, she is someone who shouldn't exist.
Despite her situations, Yingruo grew up as a graceful, kindhearted, polite, mature, but fragile girl. She is lonely and wants to be loved.
Until she met Prince Zhao (the second prince). From admiration to love, she wished to be his wife. After breaking up with Prince Zhao, she lives in seclusion, refrains from socializing. Yingruo decides not to get married.
Her father and Xihe neither like nor dislike her. They treat her as a stranger bcos once they show care for her, she will be manipulated by the emperor. However, as long as she is a Shen, they won't let anyone bully her.
The emperor bestows a marriage between her and Xiao Changfeng. With this new status, she won't be affected no matter what happens in the future.
SHEN YUN'AN
Courtesy name Buwei.
Shen Xihe's brother who is extremely overprotective and a sister complex. He is willing to do anything to make Xihe happy and won't forgive anyone who hurts her.
As the inheritor of Northwest King, he is highly skilled, talented, loyal, dependable. He is still single due to his love for Xihe and wishes his future wife to be able to tolerate this. Later on, he marries Xue Jinqiao.
Yun'an deeply hates Yingruo due to her mother's scheme which caused Xihe to be born prematurely. If not bcos of his father, he might have killed Yingruo long time ago. Later, his hatred cooled down a little.
XIAO CHANGGENG
The twelve prince.
He was a nobody, alone, powerless, neglected. Until he was "saved" by Shen Xihe when he was bullied by the princesses. Changgeng admired Shen Xihe and wanted to repay her, but unexpectedly aroused the anger in Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong then threatens Changgeng to be his pawn and stay away from Xihe. Changgeng regrets this and unwillingly become Xiao Huayong's pawn to do dirty jobs.
Xiao Huayong then helps him to build his foothold: gain the emperor's favor, able to attend court meeting, earn his own residence and private guards, and granted a title. However he deeply hates being used like a tool.
XIAO CHANGFENG (PRINCE XUN)
Prince Xun is a hereditary title and doesn't count as royal family members. So even if the throne changes its master, their family won't be affected.
Changfeng inherited the title after his father "died". Changfeng is the cousin of the princes. He is loyal and filial. Loyalty is embedded in his bones and he can never betray this principle. He is willing to die to protect the one who sits in the throne.
When he was young, he studied in imperial study with Shen Yingruo. The emperor proposed a marriage upon him and Yingruo, but they rejected it.
Changfeng is cautious, capable, smart, sober and steady. He isn't the type that get swayed easily. Even Xiao Huayong praises him highly.
Later, he and Yingruo get married. They live as harmonious couple and he treats her sincerely.
XIAO CHANGMIN (PRINCE ZHAO)
The second prince.
His wife passed away and left a daughter and a son.
He met Shen Yingruo when she was 8, and the only person who showed care and love to her. Little Yingruo fell in love with him and begged him to wait until she reaches marriageable age. They had a secret relationship.
After Shen Xihe entered the capital. Yingruo started avoiding him, but he persisted in pursuing her, even boldly begged the emperor to grant a marriage.
His fate changes drastically due to the schemes of Yu Sanniang and Xiao Huayong.
XIAO CHANGZHEN (PRINCE DAI)
The third prince.
He fell in love with a woman from enemy's country, Li Yanyan. When the emperor attacked her country and slaughtered the royal family members, Prince Dai begged the emperor to spare Li Yanyan and he married her.
Although they don't have children, Prince Dai loves her deeply. Their marriage falls apart after she gets caught for conspiracy. Deep within, Changzhen is tired with his complicated relationship with his wife. His love and devotion ends up in vain.
XIAO CHANGTAI (PRINCE DING)
The fourth prince.
He married the woman he loves, Ye Wantang. He showed no interest in state affairs and the throne and lives happily with his wife.
However, Xiao Changqing blows up his cover. The emperor punishes him to guard the mausoleum. He plans for the next move while hiding in the mausoleum.
Shen Xihe finds out about his plans and he runs away with his wife. His wife still chooses to be with him even after being constantly lied to. Prince Ding still hasn't give up and this time is to kill Xiao Huayong.
XIAO CHANGYU
The sixth prince.
The emperor never bestowed him a title due to his mother's sin.
He has a relationship with a dancer, Bian Xianyi, who is 9 years older. Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi are deeply in love and they are willing to sacrifice for e/o.
Although Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were eager to kill them, they are able to escape and live in peace as commoners.
XIAO CHANGYAN (PRINCE JING)
The eighth prince.
He is a military general and is stationed in Annan. Highly skilled, invulnerable, and possesses the soul stealing technique.
The emperor put his hope on the fifth and eighth princes to inherit the throne.
He returns to the capital and confronts the main couple after his uncle's death. Changyan doesn't know that his twelve brother, Changgeng, is Xiao Huayong's man, and trusts him. Changyan also has a good relationship with Changfeng.
XUE JINQIAO
The seventh daughter of Xue family and the only legitimate daughter.
8 years ago, when Jinqiao was 6, due to certain situations, her parents were exiled, and she was bullied by her family. She was forced to marry a deceased soul by an eunuch and was buried alive. Thankfully thunder hit the coffin and she crawled her way out.
Her parents were called back, but she hates her family, esp her parents. She grew up becoming dark, cruel, devious, and temperamental. She only loves her grandparents.
She admires Shen Xihe and tries to get close to her.
GU QINGZHI
The daughter of Gu family.
She was graceful, indifferent, coldhearted, emotionless, as if she was a walking flesh with no soul.
Born in a noble family, she had long accepted the fate that Gu family will be exterminated.
She was once engaged with Xie Yunhuai. She then married Xiao Changqing, but even after 3 years of marriage, no matter how much he loves her, she remained unmoved. She committed suicide after her whole family was executed.
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