Character Index

Zhou Yunqi: The Fifth Prince.

Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince.

Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince.

Shu Yunsong: Zhou Yunqi's maternal uncle.

Shu Zhengyan: Zhou Yunqi's cousin. He was sent away from the capital after acting rashly and replaced by the mild-tempered Shu Zhengyu.

Wu Zhihuan: Former Lord of the Wu clan, one of the conspirators. He was forced into the position of scapegoat by the other conspirators.

Qiu Jinwei: Yunqi's eccentric but brilliant advisor.

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

Qin Yang: A young Investigator who was on duty at the Zhao household back during the assassination attempt of Book 1 Chapter 57-58. Unlike his four coworkers who were found dead at the Zhao household, Qin Yang was found dead en route to Dengzhou in Book 1 Chapter 66. He had been trained in martial arts by Tan Hui.

Tan Hui: The head of security/bodyguard of Archduke Qi.

Archduke Qi: Brother of the Emperor, one of the conspirators.

Lin Jie: Former Attendant Censor, he was murdered after uncovering the truth of the conspiracy.

Huai Yan: A young archivist. He was arrested after Lin Jie's death back in Book 2 Chapter 62.

Guo Qian: An older archivist who was arrested on Kayla's orders after he implicated Huai Yan.

Alizhi: Grandson of Chieftain Tumidu, Princess Mingda's cousin. Friends with Hu Qing.

General Yan: Commander of the Wu reinforcements. Kayla's tentative ally.

Lord Qu: Oversight Censor sent to negotiate and watch over General Yan.

Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang Clan, Oversight Officer sent to handle General Yan.

Xie Rengui: Hu Qing's retainer, a talented farmboy who General Yan is fond of.

Tuhezhen: The ambitious and much-older nephew of Chieftain Heli.

Heli: Chieftain of the Pugu tribe, a fifteen year old boy. Previously came to an agreement with Kayla to get rid of Tuhezhen.

Chuluo: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Father of Ashina.

Kulun: Chuluo's trusted tarkhan.

Ju Shou: The Third Prince's poison-tester.

Cao Shuyi: The Third Princess Consort

Royal Consort: Kuang's mother.