Character Index

Yu Bianfu: A female officer who is the daughter of General Yu, was also Xianchun's childhood friend. She formerly served as the commander of the Empress Dowager's guards, a primarily ceremonial title, but has since been transferred to the Southwest where her post is lower-ranking but more concrete.

Liu Boyue: Xianchun's childhood friend and strategist, the two have grown estranged through Kayla's interference.

Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince, a contender for the throne. In the original timeline of the story, he had an impressive harem, but remains single in the current timeline.

General Yu: Yu Bianfu's father, a commander in the Southwest who has since been promoted to the Southeast instead of the North, due to the Third Prince's interference via the Minister of War.

General Yan: A general who is posted in Xiazhou, recommended to Kayla by the Third Prince. Though he had no interest in the politics of the capital, he was roped into becoming Kayla's ally during her trip to the northern border. Kayla's candidate for commander of the reinforcements to be sent to aid Chuluo Khagan.

Ashina: Personal name is Ibilga, a princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and Kayla's bride.

Shegui Khagan: Khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate, Chuluo Khagan's rival.

Chuluo Khagan: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, Ashina's father.

Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, a contender for the throne.

Lady Lin: A blind divinator who worked with the Imperial Princess. Died after showing Kayla the future.

Qiu Yun/Yun'er: A teenage girl with plain looks and a bubbly personality, Kayla's personal servant. Originally named Yun, she became known as Yun'er due to her friendship with Yan'er, who is a year older.

Housekeeper Li: Kayla's loyal housekeeper, formerly served Wenyuan and his father as Matron Li.

Sun Ruhui: Right Secretariat of Justice, Kayla's supporter and advisor. Very mindful of Kayla's mental state and how it'll impact her choices.

Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang clan and Vice Censor of the Office of Censure. Kayla's close friend and supporter.

Zhang Dingyong: Minister of Justice, Kuang's supporter. Came from very low birth but was adopted by a decent household that lacked a son. Can have a sadistic streak sometimes.

Secretary Song: A secretary who works in the Ministry of Justice, he is half-Persian. Kayla tasked him with establishing a network of Persian and Sogdian clients for her after he offered his services. A man of few words and sharp insight.

Empress Gongsun: The deposed Empress who hailed from the Gongsun clan, mother of Zhou Yong and Zhou Hong, the first and second princes who would've been the heirs apparent if not for the fall of the Gongsun clan.

Zhou Zhen: The Fourth Prince, he died after suffering from mental and physical deterioration after being disowned by the Emperor following the death of his younger brother and the fall from grace of Archduke Qi. Though this was often seen as evidence of the Emperor's temper, the surviving princes admit that there were political considerations about Zhen's maternal clan at play.

Chen Caichun: A young female official who serves as a Chamberlain in the Court of Judicial Review. Kayla's supporter.

Zhao Kangyu: Wenyuan's biological father and adopted heir of the Grand Duke. Was poisoned by the Grand Duke.

Wei Guang: The Imperial Edict Bearer and Minister of the Office of Censure. Was also the Emperor and Imperial Princess' teacher.

Lin Jie: An Attendant Censor with a bad arm. As a former provincial official, he bonded with Zhang Wuxian as fishes out of water in the capital after being promoted due to Kayla's investigations clearing out a number of officials from their posts.

Feng Yi: A good-natured merchant who has since come to work for Kayla after a series of manipulations from Liu Boyue and then Kayla herself.

Zhao Chao: Kayla's retainer and bodyguard, accompanied her North.

Zhang Wuxian: An Attendant Censor, friends with Lin Jie.