Character Index

Duan Wuxie: A Senior Investigator of the Imperial Investigation Bureau.

Ke Sitao: Vice-Director of the Imperial Investigation Bureau. Hasn't really appeared in-story since Book 1, back when Hu Qing first joined the crew.

Tabuyir: Senior Investigator of the Imperial Investigation Bureau, of Khitan descent. Sent his nephew into the Zhao household as a semi-hostage/ward.

Shu Wei: Chief Secretariat of the Imperial Investigation Bureua. Same as Ke Sitao, hasn't appeared for a very long time since he primarily does admin work.

Li Que: Senior Investigator of the Imperial Investigation Bureau.

Wu Zhihuan: Lord Wu, one of the conspirators. He was selected by unanimous vote to be the scapegoat after he missed a meeting.

Hong Xifan: A middleman who hired Xia Xun, the spy sent to monitor the situation in the capital, on behalf of the conspirators (though he only gave up Wu Zhihuan's name).

Ju Wuhui: Chief Internal Inspection Officer of the Imperial Investigation Bureau. Also hasn't shown up since halfway through Book 1 since he primarily handles internal investigations, regulations, etc.

Empress Gongsun: Mother of Zhou Hong and Zhou Yong, she was deposed after her clan grew too powerful.

Chen Jian: Li Que's protege, oversaw the autopsy of the bodies discovered in the mass grave a good few chapters ago.

Xia Xun: The spy hired by Hong Xifan to watch the political situation in the capital. Unbeknownst to him, he was set there as bait for Kayla.

Yu Bianfu: A female commander, currently stationed in the Southwest. Xianchun's childhood friend and supporter.

Liu Hongyu: Former Secretariat Director, died after being sentenced to house arrest in complete isolation for lese-majeste.

Li Sanjin: A servant of Liu Hongyu who was ordered to give false testimony by the Empress Dowager, he was then forced to accuse Kayla of the Empress Dowager's crime by the Grand Duke.

Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince.

Sir Yang: An elderly eunuch who serves the Emperor.