A crow in a harem

The grand finale. Shouxue confronts the ghost of Luan Bingqing, her mentor and the previous Crow. Bingqing was unable to pass on due to the necklace that bound her spirit, and now she is tormented by madness. Trying to free her mentor, Shouxue overexerts herself. The deity Wuxen within her awakens and attempts to completely take over Shouxue's mind, transforming her into a ruthless black bird. Thanks to the devotion of Jiujiu, Wen Ying, and Yixihi, who refuse to abandon her, Shouxue suppresses Wuxen. She breaks the necklace, releases Bingqing's spirit, and realizes for the first time that she has broken the shackles of Crow's eternal loneliness and found a true family.

A hidden political struggle erupts within the palace. A group of conspirators attempts to use forbidden sorcery and the summoning of dark entities to counterfeit the golden state seal and overthrow the government. Shouxue is forced to go beyond her usual duties as a medium and directly intervene in the affairs of the living, using Wusen to burn away the conspirators' magical taint.

The tranquility of the harem is shattered by the vengeful ghost of a woman who was brutally executed in life and now steals the votes of young servants. Shouxue delves into the secrets of bygone eras, finds a buried magpie feather that served as an anchor for the curse, and destroys it. She comes to a deeper understanding that ghosts are driven not simply by anger, but by an unbearable resentment from life.

The young concubine Tan Haitang begins acting strangely and attempts suicide by jumping into a pond. Shouxue discovers that the palace pond is inhabited by magical fish bearing an ancient curse of drowned men. An evil spirit has possessed the concubine to exact revenge. Shouxue performs a complex ritual to purify the water, dispels the curse, and saves the girl using the power of a pink peony.

A scholar is brutally murdered in the imperial archives, and ancient scrolls about the origins of the Crow disappear from a locked vault. Shouxue is the target of a daring assassination attempt right in the Night Palace. She investigates the case and encounters traces of the Baotou priests for the first time. A mysterious and dangerous warlock, Yu Yu, appears, wielding the same hair and peony magic as Shouxue, but serving a darker purpose. Wen Ying and Jiujiu help Shouxue survive this attack.

The central arc of the lore. Shouxue encounters the ancient mythology of the palace. She learns that the ruler of the state is the Summer King, and the Crow is the Winter King. They represent day and night, the sun and the moon. For peace in the country, they must coexist, but the Crow is forbidden from having close relationships with humans. An ancient deity, the black bird Wuxen, is trapped within Shouxue. Wuxen's power grants Shouxue magic, but in exchange, it slowly devours her human soul, condemning her to eternal, excruciating solitude.

The ghost of a young boy secretly enters the Night Palace, asking Shouxue to save his older sister, the concubine Hong Yue. The boy was once deliberately drowned in a well due to palace intrigue. Shouxue exposes the culprits, punishes the traitors, and grants the child peace. As a sign of gratitude, she takes under her wing the surviving eunuch servant, a bird-like boy from the Xingren tribe named Yixiha, who becomes her second faithful assistant.

Crow takes on the case of a blue lark ghost that has been attacking the palace's inhabitants. Shouxue discovers that it is the spirit of the late Princess Cao, who was kept locked in a cage like a bird by her mad mother since childhood. The princess died during a coup d'état. Shouxue breaks the mystical cage, freeing the tormented soul. In this episode, Shouxue finally accepts the noisy servant girl Jiujiu, allowing her to stay in the Night Palace and feed herself sweets.

Crow is contacted because of the ghost of a court musician named Ou Xiuyan. His spirit is trapped in the living world because he failed to play an important melody for his beloved, Concubine Ming, before his death. Shouxue finds an old flute, unravels the tragic story of their separation, and helps the spirit find peace through music. Following this, the sullen but loyal eunuch Wen Ying is assigned to the Night Palace to guard Crow.

An old jade earring is brought to the Night Palace by the Emperor. The spirit of the executed concubine Ban Jianyu cannot rest, appearing as a ghost with a bloody mouth. Shouxue investigates the past crime and discovers that the deceased was framed by the jealous Lady Fei. Crow finds a hidden jar of poison, proves Ban Jianyu's innocence, and, using peony magic, sends her soul to heaven. In this same arc, Shouxue's secret is revealed: she is the last of the Silver Dynasty. Her hair is naturally white (a sign of royal blood), but she is forced to dye it black with a herbal decoction to avoid execution. (She was alone at the time.)

Who she is: A mystical bird with golden plumage that can imitate the human voice and understand speech. Behavior: A capricious, proud, and very playful bird, Xinxing loves attention and treats. She often "comments" on the actions of Shouxue or the Emperor, shouting out funny or awkward phrases at the most inopportune moments, causing Shouxue to constantly shush her.

Who she is in the story: A high-ranking concubine of the harem, holding the title of Crane Consort. Shouxue helped her deal with a ghost from her past, after which Yusa became one of Crow's few true friends outside the Night Palace. Appearance: A true classic harem beauty. Very refined, graceful, with an aristocratic demeanor and pale skin. She wears expensive, light silk robes, emphasizing her high status. Personality: A gentle, polite, and kind girl with a strong inner core. She doesn't engage in dirty palace intrigues for the Emperor's attention. Yusa sincerely cares for Shouxue, regularly sending her exquisite fabrics, jewelry, and rare sweets from her palace.

Who is he in the story: A boy from the oppressed Hatan tribe. Shouxue rescued him from the cruel treatment of concubines in other palaces and took him under her protection, making him her servant. Appearance: Very young (the youngest of all in the Night Palace), a frail boy with traces of a hard life on his face and hands. He wears the simple clothes of servants. His eyes are soft, slightly timid, but devoted. Personality: Incredibly quiet, modest, and grateful. He is fanatically devoted to Vorona for saving her. Unlike the noisy Jiu-jiu, Isiha strives to be as helpful as possible: he silently and diligently learns to write, read, and help around the house.

Status: The Emperor's personal bodyguard and guard, temporarily assigned to provide 24-hour protection to the Crow's Consort and the Night Palace [1]. Appearance in canon: After Shouxue began assisting the Emperor in dangerous investigations, her life was put in danger. To protect the fragile girl from physical attacks by conspirators, Gaojun assigned his most trusted and secretive warrior to guard her. Bond with the Crow: Wen Ying treats Shouxue with deep, silent respect. He doesn't ask unnecessary questions about her magic or ghosts, but simply performs his duty as a guardian, protecting her peace from any external threats. Build: Tall, muscular, and powerfully built, he has the impeccable bearing of a professional soldier. Every movement he makes is efficient, silent, and precise down to the millimeter. Facial features: A masculine, stern face that rarely shows emotion. He has the focused, piercing gaze of a predator, constantly scanning the space for hidden threats. Clothing: He wears the austere, dark uniform of the Imperial Guard, suitable for stealth and swift combat. He avoids any bright or rustling details. His main weapon, the iconic Imperial Sword, is always worn at his waist. Behavior: Extremely taciturn, cool, and reserved. Wen Ying speaks only when it's truly necessary for the task at hand. He never engages in palace gossip and masterfully blends into the shadows of the Night Palace, remaining unnoticed until his power is needed. Key qualities: Iron discipline, absolute loyalty to the Emperor's orders, and a heightened sense of duty. He cannot be bribed, deceived, or provoked into emotion. Interaction with others: While the maidservant Jiu-jiu brings chaos and fuss to the Night Palace, Wen Ying serves as its silent anchor. Despite his stern appearance, he is not lacking in empathy—he sincerely sympathizes with Shouxue's plight and watches over her with a gentle, almost paternal care.

Status: Senior eunuch of the Inner Palace and personal attendant (right-hand man) of Emperor Xia Gaojun. Past: His fate is tragic. As a child, the son of an executed official, he was enslaved in the palace, where he was castrated and brutally abused. He was rescued from this hell by the young Gaojun. From then on, Wei Qing dedicated his life to serving him, seeing the Emperor as his only savior and the meaning of his life. Relationship with Crow: Initially, he views Shouxue with deep suspicion and wariness. He sees her as a potential threat to Gaojun, both because of her dangerous magic and because the Emperor breaks the harem laws for her. However, seeing her honesty and the way she helps Gaojun, he gradually gains respect for her. Facial features: A tall, slender, and exceptionally handsome young man with delicate, androgynous features. Due to a scar on his neck (a symbol of his slave past), he often wears collars to conceal this feature. Gaze and facial expression: His gaze is cold, calculating, and penetrating. He rarely smiles, and his face almost always maintains a mask of absolute, impenetrable calm. Clothing: He wears the expensive, formal, and impeccably clean robes of senior eunuchs in dark or blue tones. Every detail of his wardrobe emphasizes his high status and strict self-discipline. His movements are smooth, quiet, and swift. Behavior: Extremely focused, strict, efficient, and pragmatic. Wei Qing is the ideal administrator, overseeing the entire Inner Palace. He disbelieves in mysticism and ghosts, relying solely on logic, facts, and force. Main trait: Absolute, fanatical loyalty to the Emperor. For the sake of Gaojun's safety and well-being, he will commit any crime, lie, or cruelty without hesitation. He completely suppresses his own interests and feelings. Inner World: Due to a difficult childhood, Wei Qing is deeply traumatized. He fears being helpless again and becoming a burden to the Emperor. Behind his icy facade lies

Status: Personal servant of the Crow Consort in the Night Palace. Appearance in canon: Initially, the Night Palace was supposed to remain in complete isolation, and Shouxue lived alone. However, Emperor Gaojun, eager to take care of Crow, insisted on sending her an assistant. Thus, Jiujiu became the first living soul to break Shouxue's solitude. Relationship with Crow: She treats Shouxue not just as a mistress, but as a close friend or younger sister. Jiujiu is one of the few characters who can fearlessly contradict Crow when it comes to her health, sleep, or diet. Facial features: A young, pretty girl with a round, very expressive face. She has incredibly lively facial expressions: her face instantly reflects all emotions, from genuine joy to panicked terror. Build: Petite, neat, and agile. She's always on the move, busy with housework. Clothing: She wears the standard, neat uniform of the Inner Palace maids. Her clothes are simple, understated colors, and her hair is usually tied back in a traditional, modest bun. She makes no effort to stand out in appearance; her most distinctive feature is her sincere smile. Behavior: Kind, simple-minded, caring, and very talkative. She brings a cozy atmosphere to the cold Night Palace, constantly bustling about, cleaning, making tea, and ensuring Crow eats on time. Attitude to Mysticism: Jiu-jiu is terrified of ghosts, magic, and the afterlife, which Shouxue encounters every day. At the sight of spirits, she may squeal in fear and hide behind her owner. However, her love and devotion always outweigh her fear: if Shouxue is in real danger, Jiu-jiu will rush to her defense without hesitation. Weaknesses and quirks: She loves to gossip about palace affairs and knows all the harem gossip. Jiu-jiu is an excellent cook and always seems genuinely happy when Shouxue devours her treats or the sweets brought by the Emperor.

Status: The current young Emperor of the country, holder of absolute secular power. Politics: A wise, progressive, and strong reformer, he ascended the throne after overthrowing the cruel Empress Dowager (his stepmother) and now, with an iron fist, restores order to the state, eliminating corruption and the old, cruel laws. Bond with the Crow: He is the first Emperor in centuries to consciously break the isolation of the Night Palace. Gaojun sees Shouxue not as a "tool" or a "witch," but as a living, lonely person, and strives to save her from the curse of loneliness by forcing his care, servants, and friendship upon her. Facial features: A young, attractive man with noble, clearly defined, strong features. He has the deep, attentive, and penetrating gaze of a man accustomed to instantly recognizing lies and palace intrigue. Build: Tall, broad-shouldered, with a superb warrior's bearing. Beneath his luxurious robes lies the trained physique of a fighter—he is personally skilled in swordplay and martial arts. Clothing: In formal settings, he wears stately light or gold imperial robes with rich dragon embroidery. However, for secret nighttime visits to Shouxue, he often chooses simpler, more discreet dark-colored clothing without insignia, allowing him to move about the harem unnoticed. External demeanor: A calm, self-confident, ironic, and charismatic leader. In public, he always maintains a regal air, impeccable manners, and icy composure. He is impossible to intimidate or take by surprise. In his interactions with Raven, he's persistent, understanding, and slightly teasing. He deliberately ignores her rudeness and "witch" facade. Gaojun shows her surprising gentleness, genuine warmth, and respect, regularly bringing her sweets to thaw her icy demeanor. Internal trauma: As a child, his mother was brutally murdered by the former empress, and he grew up in constant fear for his life, which made him incredibly suspicious and secretive. He knows how to be cruel.

Liu Shouxue: The Main Secret: She possesses sparse, shining silver-white hair—a sign of the executed royal Lan Dynasty. Due to the mortal danger she faces in public, she is forced to dye her hair black. Facial Features: Delicate, porcelain-pale skin, neat features and deep, penetrating dark eyes that reflect a wisdom unnatural for a young girl. Clothing: She prefers loose, layered garments in dark shades (black, deep blue, purple) with delicate embroidery. A peony motif is often featured on the chest or in the hair. Special Marker: When the power of the Wu Lian deity awakens within her, her gaze becomes chilling and her voice changes beyond recognition. 🖤 ​​Character External façade: Behaves like a proud, unapproachable, and cold "witch" of the Night Palace. Speaks in a stern, archaic, and slightly arrogant style. Demonstrates complete indifference to the intrigues of the harem. Inner world: Secretly very vulnerable and terrified of the loneliness to which her status has condemned her. She is stubborn and proud, but has a heightened sense of justice. Weaknesses: Her icy facade instantly crumbles when she encounters delicious food or rare sweets (especially dried baozi or cakes). At such moments, she appears like a normal, sweet teenager. Special Position: She occupies the pinnacle of the Inner Palace's hidden hierarchy. Shouxue is not an ordinary concubine of the Emperor. She is not obligated to serve him, does not visit his chambers, and lives entirely apart in the Night Palace. Soul Guide: Her main task is to listen to the ghosts of deceased concubines and servants who are stuck in the harem due to grievances, revenge, or unrequited love. She helps them find peace and pass on to the afterlife. Tools: For banishing or repose rituals, she uses pink peony petals, a ritual silver knife, and special shamanic dance spells. Payment for magic: Raven never helps selflessly. For her to undertake a task, the petitioner must bring her tangible payment—a hairpin, a beautiful piece of silk.