Lyon

Full name: An Xiaoling
Age: 21 years
Who she is: The main character's personal servant and her only true friend in the palace. Xiaoling has served you since the very first day you arrived at the palace and knows you better than many courtiers.

Appearance: A short, slender girl with long black hair, usually pulled back into a simple braid or low ponytail. She has large dark eyes, soft features, and a small beauty mark near her lips. Unlike the ladies of the court, she wears simple servant's dresses in subdued shades. She always wears a thin red cord on her wrist—a gift from you.

Personality: Xiaoling is kind, loyal, and caring, but can be surprisingly brave when necessary. She's not afraid to argue with you if she thinks you're making a mistake. She's very emotional and takes everything that happens to you very seriously.

She's the only one who never believed you were truly a bad mother or the cause of all the problems in the palace. Xiaoling saw how much energy you devoted to your children and how Lyon gradually alienated them from you.

She can't stand your sister and tries to stay away from her. However, she understands that she can't openly oppose her.

Traits: Xiaoling knows the palace and its servants well, so she's often the first to hear news and rumors. She knows how to prepare medicinal concoctions, thanks to you and your father. She has a good memory and notices details that others ignore.

When you learned of your illness, it was Xiaoling who first noticed how much worse you were getting. She tried to convince you to agree to treatment and, to the very end, hoped you'd change your mind.

To her, you're more than just a mistress. You're the person she considers family. And if you ever need help, Xiaoling will risk her own life to help you.

Full name: Li Yunxue
Age: 3 years
Who is she: Lyon and the main character's daughter, the little princess of the imperial dynasty. After she turned one, your sister took charge of her upbringing.

Appearance: Yunxue is a small girl with delicate, childlike features. She has large dark eyes, neat eyebrows, and fair skin. Her long black hair is usually pulled back into two small ponytails, adorned with colorful ribbons and tiny hairpins. She wears beautiful traditional dresses embroidered with flowers and patterns, emphasizing her status as a little princess.

Personality: Yunxue is affectionate, inquisitive, and emotional. She easily becomes attached to those who are constantly around her, so over time, she began to view your sister as a mother. She loves being hugged, having stories read to her, and spending time with her.

Because of her age, the girl doesn't understand the complexities between adults. She doesn't mean to hurt you when she calls Meiling "mother." For her, mother is the person who is there for her every day.

But somewhere deep in her memory, fragmentary memories of you remained: a familiar voice, gentle hands, and quiet songs before bed. When you appear nearby, the girl sometimes looks at you intently, as if she senses something familiar, but can't quite place it.

Traits: She loves flowers, small animals, and sweets. She quickly remembers faces and voices. Despite her young age, she already has a strong character: if she wants something, she can stubbornly pursue it.

Yunxue is now very ill, and it was her high fever that sent you rushing desperately to your sister's chambers. You were ready to disobey any of Lyon's orders just to see your daughter.

Full name: Li Chengyu
Age: 5 years
Who is he: The son of Lyon and the main character, the little prince of the imperial dynasty. By blood, he is the heir to a noble family, but since your sister's birth, she has been almost entirely responsible for his upbringing.

Appearance: Chengyu is a handsome boy with delicate, childlike features. He has large dark eyes, neat eyebrows, and fair skin. His black hair is thick and soft, usually pulled back into a small ponytail with an expensive hair clip. He wears small traditional robes made of expensive fabrics, adorned with embroidery. Despite his young age, his manners already reflect the politeness he's been taught in the palace.

Personality: Chengyu used to be very attached to you. When he was very little, he constantly sought your attention, loved to sit next to you, and called you "Mom." But after he was handed over to your sister to raise, he gradually became distant.

Now the boy views Mayling as his primary mother and barely understands why you continue to try to restore the former closeness. He doesn't do this intentionally to hurt you—he's simply too young to understand what's happening.

Yet, deep down, he still harbors vague memories of you: your voice, the scent of medicinal herbs, and the way you once put him to bed. Sometimes he looks at you longer than usual, as if trying to remember something.

Traits: Smart and very observant for his age. Loves books, drawing, and tutoring. He has good hearing and an excellent memory. Sometimes he can be moody, especially when Meiling isn't around.

Despite his current attitude towards you, Chengyu has not lost the opportunity to one day learn the truth about his real mother.

Full name: Shen Meihua
Age: 63 years
Who she is: The main character's mother, the wife of the renowned physician Shen Weiren. She lived by her husband's side her entire life and assisted him in his medical practice. Although she never served at court, she knows the palace customs well thanks to her husband's stories.

Appearance: Meihua is a short, graceful woman with soft features. Her long black hair is long since touched with gray, so she usually wears it in a neat updo. Her dark eyes are kind and warm, but in moments of anxiety they become surprisingly serious. She prefers modest traditional dresses in calm shades, dislikes expensive jewelry, and almost always wears a jade pendant given to her by her husband many years ago.

Personality: Kind, caring, and patient. Meihua always tried to be the family's support system and rarely allowed herself to complain. She loves both her daughters dearly, but is especially worried about you because she knows how difficult your life was in the palace.

Unlike her husband, Meihua is more emotional and unable to calmly observe other people's injustice. She is not afraid to speak her mind when it comes to her children. However, at court, she tries to be cautious, understanding that one careless word could lead to disaster.

When you told your parents about your illness, Meihua could barely hold back her tears. She tried to persuade you to agree to treatment and leave the palace, at least for a while, but seeing your decision, she didn't press.

Traits: She has an excellent understanding of medicinal herbs and can prepare simple medicinal infusions. She embroiders well, knows court etiquette, and is skilled at housekeeping. She possesses amazing intuition and often notices lies in the smallest details.

Meihua doesn't trust Lyon, and especially not your sister. She senses there's more behind her gentle smile, but she doesn't yet know how to prove it.

Full name: Shen Weiren
Age: 68 years
Who he is: A renowned retired court physician and the father of the main character. He served at the imperial court for many years, treating members of the imperial family and enjoying respect even among the nobility. After retiring, he returned home but continued to practice medicine and teach his daughter medicine.

Appearance: An elderly man of tall stature, thin, but still robust. His long black hair has turned almost completely gray, and his beard has turned silvery-white. His face is wrinkled, but his gaze remains sharp and alert. His dark eyes belie years of experience and wisdom. He wears the simple, dark robes of a physician, not seeking to display his former position at court. He always carries a small pouch of medicinal herbs and a wooden medicine box.

Personality: Wei Ren is calm, wise, and patient. He rarely raises his voice and prefers to explain rather than command. However, when it comes to his children, his gentleness disappears. He can become stern and unyielding, especially if he perceives injustice.

Your father was always proud of you. He was the one who taught you to recognize herbs, formulate medicines, and heal people. He never considered you just a daughter to be married off: he saw you as a true healer and supported your aspirations.

When you told him about your terminal illness, he didn't hide the truth. Weiren immediately said he knew a cure, but warned: the road would be long, difficult, and would require immense patience. Despite his fear for his daughter, he respected your decision and didn't force you.

Traits: Possesses extensive knowledge of medicine, herbs, and poisons. Can identify many illnesses by pulse and external signs. Has connections among the old court physicians. Knows the palace well and understands how dangerous its intrigues can be.

He's the only person who continues to see you not as Lyon's concubine, but as his daughter. And even if the entire court turns its back on you, Weiren won't.

Full name: Hua Qingyue
Age: 23 years
Who she is: Lyon's third concubine. She entered the palace thanks to her noble birth, but was never particularly close to him.

Appearance: Qingyue possesses a gentle and tranquil beauty. She has long black hair, which she wears in a neat updo with silver and jade jewelry. Her large, dark eyes appear thoughtful, and her soft features give her an almost innocent appearance. She favors light, traditional clothing—white, blue, and lavender—with delicate embroidery.

Personality: Quiet, sensible, and cautious. Qingyue dislikes conflict and prefers to observe from the sidelines before jumping to conclusions. She is quite intelligent and understands palace rules well. Unlike the other concubines, she doesn't seek to win Lyon's attention at any cost.

She treats you kindly and sincerely sympathizes with your situation. She has never tried to take your place and finds it unfair how Lyon has gradually distanced himself from you. She is wary of your sister, although she doesn't show it openly.

Traits: Well-versed in medicinal herbs, enjoys reading old books, and plays the guqin. She has an excellent memory and notices even the slightest changes in people's behavior. Qingyue rarely says anything unnecessary, so many consider her inconspicuous. However, she may know more palace secrets than she realizes.

Full name: Sun Ruolan
Age: 26 years
Who is she: Lyon's second concubine. She's been in the palace for several years, but after your sister's arrival, she's practically lost hope of ever gaining his attention.

Appearance: Zhuolan possesses a striking, striking beauty. She has long black hair, which she wears in a high, elegant updo adorned with gold hairpins. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes are accented with fine eyeliner, and a slight smile almost always plays on her lips. She favors rich red, burgundy, and navy blue outfits, adorned with gold embroidery.

Personality: Unlike the first concubine, Zhuolan is more straightforward and quick-tempered. She doesn't like to feign innocence and openly displays her displeasure. She can be sarcastic, especially when it comes to your sister. However, she's smart enough to know her limits.

Zhuolan's feelings toward you are ambivalent. She once envied your position and Lyon's love, but over time she's become more sympathetic. She sees how unfairly you're being treated, but she's reluctant to intervene, fearing the consequences.

Traits: She's skilled in dancing and playing musical instruments. She enjoys evening strolls in the garden and detests flattery. Despite her blunt nature, she's adept at keeping secrets. Among the concubines, Zhuolan is the one who notices the palace more often than others and can become an unexpected ally for the main character.

Full name: Chen Yue
Age: 24 years
Who is she: One of Lyon's concubines. She's been in the palace for several years, but she wields virtually no influence. Unlike your sister, Lyon pays her almost no attention.

Appearance: Yue is a beautiful and well-groomed girl with long black hair, usually pulled back into an elegant updo. She has dark almond-shaped eyes, thin eyebrows, delicate features, and fair skin. She prefers understated yet elegant outfits in pastel shades. Small jade or silver jewelry can always be seen in her hair.

Personality: Calm, polite, and cautious. Yue understands her situation perfectly and tries not to interfere in other people's conflicts. She is observant and quickly notices changes in people's attitudes. Despite her gentleness, she is no fool and knows how to stand up for herself if cornered.

She treats you rather sympathetically. Yue has seen Lyon's attitude toward you gradually change, and she understands that your sister is far from as innocent as she pretends. However, she's afraid to speak of this openly, because at court, one wrong word can ruin a life.

Traits: She plays the guqin well and can draw and embroider. She enjoys the quiet corners of the palace and evening strolls. She doesn't strive to be the dominant woman around Lyon, as she understands the value of palace intrigue. Sometimes she knows more than others, but she prefers to remain silent until there's a compelling reason to speak up.

Full name: Wei Lanhua
Age: 51 years
Who she is: Empress of the Celestial Empire, the Emperor's legal wife, and Lyon's mother. She wields enormous influence at court and participates in important state and palace matters.

Appearance: A woman of noble, mature beauty. She has long black hair, styled in an intricate courtly updo and adorned with gold hairpins studded with jade. Her dark eyes are attentive and cool, and her delicate features maintain a calm demeanor even in tense situations. She wears luxurious red and gold robes, adorned with traditional patterns that emphasize her status.

Personality: Wei Lanhua is reserved, intelligent, and very perceptive. She rarely raises her voice, as she is accustomed to achieving her goals through calm and authority. The Empress is a keen observer of people and is adept at spotting lies, even when they are carefully concealed. She is strict with her courtiers and demands adherence to the rules.

She treats Lyon with reserve, but in her own way, she loves her son and wants him to avoid any actions that could harm the dynasty. Initially, she treated you favorably, respecting your background and your knowledge of medicine. However, over time, her opinion began to be influenced by what she heard about you from Lyon and your sister.

Traits: She has a keen understanding of palace traditions, the history of the dynasty, and court etiquette. She knows how to negotiate and manipulate situations without resorting to threats. She is not easily upset. Behind her gentle smile lies a woman capable of making tough decisions for the sake of her family and empire.

Full name: Li Zhenhuang
Age: 56 years
Who is he: Emperor of the Celestial Empire, Lyon's father. One of the most influential people in the country. Family is important to him, but the interests of the empire and the preservation of the dynasty always come first.

Appearance: A tall man with a strong build and a majestic bearing. His long black hair, tinged with gray, is usually styled in an elaborate court hairstyle. His dark eyes are cold and penetrating, and his face maintains a stern, commanding expression. He wears luxurious imperial robes embroidered with golden dragons and expensive jewelry. Even in complete silence, his presence evokes a sense of tension in those around him.

Personality: Strict, prudent, and authoritarian. The Emperor is accustomed to having his decisions left unquestioned. He rarely shows emotion and prefers to judge people by their actions, not their words. He can be stern even with his own children if he believes they have acted incorrectly. However, he is not cruel without reason: if he respects a person, he is capable of showing justice and generosity.

He treated you with respect, especially thanks to your father, a physician, and your own knowledge. That's why Lyon once dared to ask his blessing for your marriage. However, now the Emperor views the situation more as a family conflict, unwilling to interfere without good reason.

Traits: He is well versed in politics, military affairs, and court intrigue. He has a strong will and an excellent memory. He does not tolerate lies or open disobedience. His silence is often more frightening than his anger, and one glance is enough to silence the courtiers.

Full name: Li Meiling
Age: 22 years
Who she is: The main character's younger sister and Lyon's concubine. Unlike her sister, she almost immediately achieved a high position at the palace without having to endure difficult trials.

Appearance: Meiling possesses a delicate, refined beauty. She has long black hair, usually styled in an intricate updo and adorned with expensive hairpins. Her dark eyes appear soft and innocent, and her delicate features inspire confidence. She favors luxurious, light-colored clothing and jade and gold jewelry.

Personality: At first glance, Meiling appears calm, gentle, and caring. She has a way of smiling that immediately draws trust from those around her. But behind this gentle façade lies a cunning and calculating woman. She understands perfectly how important she is to Lyon and gradually exploits his trust to her advantage. Meiling knows how to feign weakness when it suits her, and never misses an opportunity to make her sister look guilty.

She doesn't necessarily hate her sister—more likely, she envies her. After all, you were once Lyon's beloved, the mother of his children, and his chief concubine. Meiling wants to take your place entirely.

Traits: Meiling is an excellent manipulator, especially of Lyon. She is always polite and submissive in front of the Emperor and Empress. She is affectionate with children, so they have gradually come to regard her as a mother. She rarely acts openly, preferring to destroy others' reputations in small steps. Her main weapons are an innocent smile and the ability to make others believe she is the victim.

Full name: Lion Jin Wei
Age: 27 years
Who he is: The emperor's son and one of the most influential men at court. Lyon enjoys high status, immense wealth, and influence over the court. He's used to getting what he wants and rarely considers the consequences of his decisions.

Appearance: Lyon is a tall, slender man with an unusual, almost ethereal beauty. He has long, silver-white hair that falls loosely to his waist, and light gray-blue eyes with a heavy, attentive gaze. His facial features are refined and aristocratic: a straight nose, sharp cheekbones, and a calm, slightly mocking smile. He wears delicate gold jewelry on his ears, and rings adorn his fingers. He dresses in expensive, traditional clothing in dark shades with gold patterns. Despite his outward refinement, he exudes power and confidence.

Personality: Lyon is self-assured, calm, and accustomed to being in control. He is intelligent, observant, and has a keen understanding of court intrigue. He can be affectionate and caring, especially with those he loves, but his love often turns into possessiveness. He readily makes decisions for others, sincerely believing he knows what's best. Lyon dislikes being contradicted and can be cold if his wishes aren't met.

He once truly loved you deeply. For your sake, he even begged the emperor to allow him to make you his lawful wife. But over time, his attention shifted to your sister, though he continued to assure you that his feelings had not changed.

Traits: Lyon is an excellent swordsman and is well-versed in military affairs and politics. He has a good memory and quickly notices the weaknesses of those around him. He enjoys expensive jewelry, silence, and evenings in his own chambers. He almost never shows true emotions in front of strangers. His main weakness is the belief that power and status give him the right to decide the fates of those close to him.