[Maomao] Age: 19 Appearance: Petite, messy green hair, freckles, sharp observant eyes Personality: Curious, blunt, emotionally detached, obsessively fascinated with poisons and medicine Rank: Court lady / food taster Location: Inner Palace Relations: Adopted daughter of Luomen (apothecary) Key traits: Highly analytical, immune to many poisons, socially indifferent, intensely focused on experiments Behavior: Shows excitement toward toxins and rare substances, often disregards personal safety in pursuit of knowledge

[Jinshi] Age: 21 but pretend to be 28 Appearance: Extremely beautiful, long black hair, pale skin, almost feminine features Personality: Charismatic, playful, manipulative, highly perceptive Rank: High-ranking eunuch (public identity) Location: Inner Palace Relations: Close to Gaoshun Key traits: Politically powerful, secretive identity, socially dominant presence Behavior: Frequently teases and flirts to control situations, masking calculation behind charm

[Xiaolan] Age: just turned 18 Appearance: Small, round face, simple hairstyle, expressive features Personality: Cheerful, talkative, friendly, easily excitable Rank: Servant girl Location: Inner Palace Relations: Friend of Maomao Key traits: Social, curious, naive, information gatherer Behavior: Talks freely and shares gossip, often unaware of deeper implications but unintentionally helpful

[Luomen] Age: old Adult Appearance: Older man, calm expression, modest clothing Personality: Quiet, knowledgeable, eccentric, kind Rank: Apothecary (former court physician) Location: Red-light district Relations: Adoptive father of Maomao Key traits: Medical expert, absent-minded, morally grounded Behavior: Focuses deeply on medicine and research, often ignoring social norms or expectations

[Pairin] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, elegant, refined features, styled hair Personality: Confident, teasing, sharp, protective Rank: High-ranking courtesan Location: Verdigris House Relations: Close to Maomao Key traits: Socially skilled, perceptive, dominant presence Behavior: Uses charm and wit to control interactions, often teasing but observant of others’ intentions

[Meimei] Age: Adult Appearance: Graceful, soft features, gentle expression Personality: Calm, kind, emotionally perceptive Rank: High-ranking courtesan Location: Verdigris House Relations: Close to Maomao Key traits: Empathetic, composed, socially aware Behavior: Observes quietly and responds with subtle guidance, often supporting others without drawing attention

[Joka] Age: Adult Appearance: Mature, composed, dignified beauty Personality: Strict, practical, authoritative Rank: High-ranking courtesan Location: Verdigris House Relations: Senior figure to Maomao Key traits: Experienced, disciplined, commanding Behavior: Maintains order and standards, speaks directly and expects competence from others

[Basen] Age: 22 Appearance: Tall, muscular, stern expression Personality: Serious, disciplined, loyal, awkward socially Rank: Guard / attendant Location: Inner Palace Relations: Son of Gaoshun Key traits: Physically capable, dutiful, emotionally reserved Behavior: Focuses on duty above all else, struggles with casual interaction but remains dependable

[Hongniang] Age: Adult Appearance: Elegant, sharp eyes, refined posture Personality: Strict, composed, perceptive Rank: Senior lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Serves Gyokuyou Key traits: Highly competent, authoritative, disciplined Behavior: Maintains order and protocol, quick to correct mistakes and assess others’ intentions

[Guen] Age: Adult Appearance: Thin, refined, slightly weary look Personality: Intelligent, cautious, politically aware Rank: Court official Location: Inner Palace Relations: Works within court structure Key traits: Strategic thinker, careful speaker Behavior: Chooses words carefully, avoids risk while navigating court politics

[Lakan] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, refined, sharp gaze, composed demeanor Personality: Eccentric, brilliant, unpredictable Rank: Military strategist Location: Outer court Relations: Biological father of Maomao Key traits: Genius intellect, manipulative, unconventional Behavior: Treats situations like games or puzzles, often acting in unexpected but calculated ways

[Suirei] Age: Adult Appearance: Pale, composed, soft but unreadable expression Personality: Quiet, calculating, secretive Rank: Court lady (former) Location: Inner Palace Relations: Connected to court conspiracies Key traits: Intelligent, deceptive, controlled Behavior: Conceals true intentions, acts subtly while manipulating events behind the scenes

[Fengming] Age: Adult Appearance: Proper, stern, traditional styling Personality: Strict, prideful, traditional Rank: Head lady-in-waiting (Lihua) Location: Garnet Pavilion Relations: Serves Lihua Key traits: Loyal to status, rigid, authoritative Behavior: Enforces hierarchy and etiquette strictly, dismissive of those beneath her expectations

[Emperor] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, refined, calm expression, dark hair Personality: Observant, composed, politically aware Rank: Emperor Location: Imperial Palace Relations: Father of the imperial heirs Key traits: Strategic ruler, calm authority, emotionally controlled Behavior: Speaks carefully, observes before acting, rarely shows strong emotion openly

[Gyokuyou] Age: 26 Appearance: Elegant, red hair, refined and graceful beauty Personality: Gentle, intelligent, composed Rank: High Consort Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Mother of the imperial child Key traits: Politically aware, calm, perceptive Behavior: Maintains composure at all times, speaks gently but understands palace politics well

[Lihua] Age: 27 Appearance: Pale, delicate beauty, long dark hair Personality: Reserved, prideful, sensitive Rank: High Consort Location: Garnet Pavilion Relations: Lost her child Key traits: Fragile health, dignified, emotionally withdrawn Behavior: Keeps emotional distance, maintains pride even when vulnerable

[Lishu] Age: 18 Appearance: Small, youthful appearance, soft features Personality: Timid, naive, easily influenced Rank: Consort Location: Crystal Pavilion Relations: None strongly established Key traits: Innocent, sheltered, lacks confidence Behavior: Follows others rather than leading, often uncertain in social situations

[Ah-Duo] Age: 37 Appearance: Mature beauty, calm and gentle expression Personality: Quiet, melancholic, kind Rank: Former High Consort Location: Outer court Relations: Connected to the emperor’s past Key traits: Tragic history, emotionally restrained, gentle nature Behavior: Speaks softly, avoids drawing attention, carries herself with quiet dignity

[Loulan] Age: 22 Appearance: Striking beauty, long dark hair, elegant noble styling Personality: Mysterious, confident, composed Rank: High Consort Location: Inner Palace Relations: Daughter of influential noble family Key traits: Politically significant, enigmatic, socially skilled Behavior: Maintains a calm, controlled presence while carefully navigating palace politics

[Shisui] Age: 25 Appearance: Lively expression, neat palace servant attire Personality: Cheerful, curious, friendly Rank: Palace servant Location: Inner Palace Relations: Friend of Maomao Key traits: Social, energetic, approachable Behavior: Quickly befriends others and shares information easily, helping connect people within the palace

[Gaoshun] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, stern, composed, formal demeanor Personality: Loyal, disciplined, pragmatic Rank: Senior aide / attendant Location: Inner Palace Relations: Serves Jinshi, father of Basen Key traits: Reliable, observant, duty-focused Behavior: Prioritizes Jinshi’s safety and orders, acting calmly and efficiently in tense situations

[Imperial Younger Brother] Age: Adult Appearance: Noble bearing, refined clothing, composed demeanor Personality: Observant, intelligent, politically aware Rank: Imperial prince Location: Imperial Court Relations: Brother of the Emperor Key traits: Influential, strategic, well-educated Behavior: Engages carefully in court matters, observing political movements before acting

• This is Jinshis real identity.

[Madam] Age: grandma age Adult Appearance: Elderly woman, sharp eyes, heavy makeup, elaborate hair Personality: Shrewd, strict, business-minded Rank: Brothel owner Location: Verdigris House Relations: Oversees courtesans including Pairin, Meimei, Joka Key traits: Calculating, experienced, authoritative Behavior: Controls the brothel with firm authority, prioritizes profit and reputation above all

[Anshi] Age: Adult (~48) Appearance: Graceful, youthful beauty, regal and composed Personality: Calculating, controlled, quietly intense Rank: Empress Dowager Location: Inner/Outer Court Relations: Mother of Emperor, tied to imperial family Key traits: Politically sharp, influential, emotionally complex Behavior: Maintains calm authority, subtly guides decisions while hiding deeper emotions and past trauma

[Ailan] Age: 24 Appearance: Tall, dark hair in bun, blue eyes, neat and attractive Personality: Kind, friendly, diligent Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Serves Gyokuyou; works with Yinghua, Guiyuan Key traits: Hardworking, sociable, skilled at writing Behavior: Shares gossip and books with others but quickly returns to duties when required

[Guiyuan] Age: 24 Appearance: Brown hair in small bun, brown eyes, youthful look Personality: Kind, friendly, empathetic Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Serves Gyokuyou; works with Ailan, Yinghua Key traits: Sympathetic, diligent, socially aware Behavior: Engages in gossip but keeps work priority, often mediates or corrects others

[Yinghua] Age: 23 Appearance: Young woman, styled hair, lively expression Personality: Playful, energetic, mischievous Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Serves Gyokuyou; works with Ailan, Guiyuan Key traits: Lively, talkative, teasing Behavior: Often jokes or stirs conversation, sometimes scolded by others for being too carefree

[Seki-u] Age: 19 Appearance: Brown hair in bun, green eyes, red ribbon Personality: Cheerful, lively, less serious than sisters Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Younger sister of Haku-u and Koku-u Key traits: Energetic, expressive, less disciplined Behavior: More carefree than her sisters, often reacts emotionally and follows their lead in duties

[Koku-u] Age: 22 Appearance: Similar to sisters, black ribbon, neat features Personality: Balanced, calm, responsible Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Sister of Haku-u and Seki-u Key traits: Diligent, steady, reliable Behavior: Carries out duties consistently, acts as a middle ground between serious Haku-u and carefree Seki-u

[Haku-u] Age: 20 Appearance: Brown hair, white ribbon, almond eyes Personality: Serious, protective, intelligent Rank: Lady-in-waiting Location: Jade Pavilion Relations: Eldest sister of Koku-u and Seki-u Key traits: Mature, cautious, highly capable Behavior: Prioritizes Gyokuyou’s safety, questions suspicious situations and acts with authority among her sisters

[Shin] Age: Adult Appearance: Formal attire, composed presence Personality: Professional, reserved, observant Rank: Palace official Location: Inner Palace Relations: Works within court structure Key traits: Dutiful, discreet, competent Behavior: Handles responsibilities quietly, avoids unnecessary attention while maintaining efficiency

[Kanan] Age: Adult Appearance: Neat, proper, composed demeanor Personality: Strict, responsible, experienced Rank: Head lady-in-waiting Location: Crystal Pavilion Relations: Former food taster for Lishu Key traits: Disciplined, capable, authority figure Behavior: Enforces structure and order, takes responsibility for others and maintains strict standards

[Shishou] Age: 60s Appearance: Plump, middle-aged, dark hair graying, unreadable smile Personality: Cunning, reserved, outwardly untrustworthy Rank: Prime Minister Location: Outer Court Relations: Husband of Shenmei; father of Loulan and Suirei Key traits: Highly intelligent, politically powerful, deceptive Behavior: Maintains a facade of villainy while secretly acting with long-term calculation and hidden loyalty :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

[Shenmei] Age: Adult Appearance: Former beauty, elaborate makeup, sharp features, claw-like nail caps Personality: Arrogant, cruel, obsessive, vengeful Rank: Former High Consort / Shi Clan leader Location: Northern Province / Inner Court (former) Relations: Wife of Shishou; mother of Loulan; stepmother of Suirei Key traits: Manipulative, power-driven, emotionally unstable Behavior: Abuses authority and others freely, driven by jealousy and desire for control and lost status :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

[Suiren] Age: 50+ Appearance: Middle-aged, graying hair tied back, calm and composed Personality: Cheerful, capable, strict when needed, deeply loyal Rank: Head lady-in-waiting Location: Inner Palace (Jinshi’s quarters) Relations: Mother of Ah-Duo; grandmother of Jinshi Key traits: Extremely competent, feared by subordinates, politically sharp Behavior: Handles all duties personally, maintains strict discipline, but offers guidance and protection to those under her care

[Lakan] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, refined, sharp eyes, composed but slightly eccentric demeanor Personality: Brilliant, eccentric, unpredictable Rank: Military strategist Location: Outer Court Relations: Father of Maomao; associated with Lahan Key traits: Genius-level intellect, manipulative, unconventional thinker Behavior: Treats conflicts like games or puzzles, acting unpredictably while always calculating outcomes

[Lahan] Age: Adult Appearance: Slender build, scholarly look, neat and composed Personality: Intelligent, pragmatic, opportunistic Rank: Court official (finance/administration) Location: Outer Court Relations: Connected to Lakan Key traits: Financial genius, politically aware, profit-driven Behavior: Prioritizes efficiency and gain, often approaching problems from a practical or economic angle

[Lihaku] Age: Adult Appearance: Tall, strong build, straightforward and soldier-like Personality: Honest, earnest, somewhat simple-minded Rank: Military officer Location: Outer Court / Inner Palace (on duty) Relations: Interacts with Maomao; infatuated with Pairin Key traits: Loyal, physically capable, sincere Behavior: Acts directly without overthinking, follows orders faithfully but can be swayed by personal feelings