Character Index

Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, one of the primary contenders for the throne.

Chuluo: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, Kayla's father-in-law and Ashina's father.

Shegui: Khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate, though he has seemingly initiated war against Chuluo, it is likely that he has become a puppet ruler due to his ailing health.

Ashina: Personal name Ibilga, princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, wed to Kayla in a political marriage.

Lady Lin: A blind divinator who worked for the Imperial Princess.

General Yan: A brusque general stationed in Xiazhou who has been selected as the commander for reinforcements to Chuluo, reluctantly allied with Kayla.

Zhou Hong: The First Prince, he was murdered after having been exiled and deposed. He was wed to a distant cousin of his from his maternal clan, the Gongsun, an act that had political implications that set off the Emperor's suppression of his ambitious in-laws.

Zhou Yong: The Second Prince, also a son of Empress Gongsun.

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

Housekeeper Li: Formerly Matron Li, a loyal servant who had watched over Wenyuan since his childhood.

Lin Yaoguang: A mysterious man who claims to be the Grand Duke's money launderer. (See the chapters where Kayla ended up with a huge bill from the Treasury but had no idea where the Grand Duke's money was).

Tao Qian: Kayla's retainer and bodyguard, a reliable young man recommended to her by Hu Qing.

Zhao Wei: Wenyuan's uncle and former Minister of War. Though he had his problems, he is a practical man who placed his cards on Wenyuan when he realized the situation was no longer in the Grand Duke's favor. To protect his family, he accepted exile and demotion.

Sun Ruhui: Right Secretariat of Justice, Kayla's supporter, advisor, and sometimes guidance-counselor.

Sun Zhong'e: Kayla's retainer, a capable middle-aged woman who uses unconventional healing magic and has a knack for administration and getting-things-done.

Jing Shuyou/Chujiao: Xiang Daozong's cousin and formerly Wenyuan's personal serving maid, she was forced to enter the Zhao household as a spy at a very young age. In the harsh environment where sexual abuse was rampant due to the Grand Duke's lack of concern towards his female servants, Chujiao managed to survive unharmed due to Wenyuan's favor towards her, and the two of them developed romantic feelings for each other at some point. Kayla has since ended things with her thoroughly, gifting Wenyuan's memorial plaque to her as a parting gift.

Wei Guang: The Imperial Edict Bearer and Minister of the Office of Censure, Kayla's godfather. He is a practical man and has immense political experience and insight, but the cracks in the relationship between him and Kayla have grown immensely.

Xiang Daozong/Qu Boyong: Lord of the Xiang clan, he sought revenge against the Grand Duke for the bloody destruction of his clan since a very young age, he is now floundering in the political arena after having been reinstated.