Lahan

He has narrow, slanted fox-like eyes framed by round glasses and his black hair is somewhat unkempt to just above his shoulders. He is one year older than Maomao.

Lahan is a civil official and member of the La Clan who investigates financial and political matters on behalf of his adoptive father, Lakan, and Jinshi throughout the series. His eccentric fascination with numbers and sharp, calculating nature make him a highly valuable informant and strategist, giving the country of Li considerable leverage in political affairs. He is also meticulous in his dealings, pulling strings behind the scenes with minimal involvement, as he prefers not to get his own hands dirty.

Due to his quirks, Lakan is also notoriously persistent in exploiting others for his own personal gain and the advancement of the La clan, often prioritizing financial profit at others' expense. This tendency becomes a recurring comedic element in the narrative, especially in his interactions with his adoptive sister Maomao, who often remarks that he is even more miserly than the Madam. As Lakan’s trusted partner, Lahan makes up for his shortcomings with quick wit and calculated brilliance, forming a chaotic and unpredictable yet equally formidable and dangerously intelligent duo.

Numerical Observation: Like other members of the La Clan, Lahan possesses a unique specialty. His peculiar talent lies in an obsessive affinity for numbers not only in financial analysis, but in applying numerical logic to everything around him. He is particularly fixated on the concept of "beautiful numbers," perceiving certain arrangements, subtle differences, or even people's appearances (most notably Jinshi's) as mathematically ideal. However, his captivation with numbers can also cause him to act compulsively and have particular number-related habits.

Manipulation: Lahan is quick to exploit any opportunity for his own benefit, whether for financial gain, the pursuit of numerical perfection, or to satisfy his curiosity. His willingness to discard conventional morality in favor of personal desires is a major reason Maomao holds him in deep disdain, viewing him as morally reprehensible. However, Lahan is also exceptionally capable at uncovering intricate political schemes through his network of connections, persuasive charm, and strategic manipulation of others’ desires through carefully timed offers.

After an assassination attempt on Jinshi (acting as the Imperial Brother) during a hunting trip in the Northern Province, Lahan is tasked by Lakan to investigate the feifa guns used. Using his access to financial records, he discovers suspicious transactions: large quantities of metal were purchased under the guise of acquiring grain, suggesting mass weapon production. Lahan presents these findings to Jinshi as a bargaining chip — after Lakan damages a Rear Palace wall in a rage over Maomao’s kidnapping. In exchange for further investigative services, Lahan negotiates to have the repair costs waived, and Jinshi agrees.

Lahan then uncovers evidence of treason linked to the Shi clan: years of suspicious financial transactions and the expansion of an abandoned stronghold in the Northern Province. This prompts Jinshi to lead the imperial army against the Shi Clan rebellion and rescue Maomao.

Thanks to his financial analysis skills, negotiation talent, and language abilities, Lahan becomes involved in foreign relations in the Western Capital. He also aids Lakan in blackmailing his grandfather into relinquishing the clan head position, leading to the exile of the rest of the family to the countryside. His grandparents and mother see him as a traitor; his father remains indifferent, preferring to be a farmer.

Later, Lahan gains greater significance through his role in addressing the food shortage caused by the locust plague and supporting international relations. He resides in the La Clan’s villa in the Royal Capital, managing its servants (including Sanfan) hired by Lakan.

Like his adoptive father, Lahan is a lightweight when it comes to drinking alcohol. Maomao takes a different tone of voice with Lahan, speaks more rudely to him, and also has a habit of stomping on his toes when he irritates her. He is intelligent but lacks athletic ability, he gets seasick when traveling on boat and is also unable to ride a horse. He flirted with En'en the first time he met her because she was pretty, but is specifically into older women. Lahan's fixation with numbers Lahan is infatuated with Jinshi's looks, which he deems numerically perfect. He once suggests to Maomao to act as a surrogate so she can have her bucket list experience of giving birth, and so he can raise Jinshi's child as his own (as Maomao has no interest in having children) He is particular about numbers to the extent that he only writes in the specific arrangement of five columns and eight rows. When he was five years old, he used scissors to fix his older brother's crooked haircut while he was asleep due to a compulsion to make it perfectly straight. Needless to say, he ended up cutting off a lot of his hair, to his brother's dismay. When his older brother was dueling against Ujin at the named clan conference, he analyzed their numbers to determine who was winning. Lahan's name appears exactly 100 times in the 7th English volume of the light novel, which is ironic considering his fixation on "beautiful numbers".