Celestial Prison
天牢
The detention facility where Chen Guanlou seeks to obtain a position.
Liu Manor
刘宅
The residence of Steward Liu and his wife.
East Lane
东巷
The specific residential area where Chen Guanlou's family resides.
Pingjiang Marquis Estate
平江侯府
The opulent and powerful residence of the Marquis of Pingjiang; the ancestral family from which Chen Guanlou's lineage has long been estranged.
Liu Manor
刘府
The private, well-appointed residence of Steward Liu and his wife, featuring a two-court layout.
Jixia Academy
稷下学宫
An educational institution where one can study Confucianism and potentially become a learned martial artist.
Cell Block A
甲字号大牢
The primary, most prestigious, and lucrative section of the Celestial Prison, managed by the lead狱吏.
Equipment Bureau
器械房
A minor, low-income division within the Celestial Prison responsible for maintenance and supplies, often used as a place to demote unwanted officials.
Zui Xiang Tower
醉香楼
A famous high-end brothel and restaurant in the capital, renowned for its beautiful hostesses and luxurious atmosphere.
Guanmei Tower
冠美楼
A dining establishment in the capital, often frequented by officials but considered less prestigious and expensive than Zui Xiang Tower.
Capital City
京城
The imperial capital, densely populated and filled with both immense wealth and dangerous political intrigue.
Cell Block C
丙字号大牢
A lower-tier section of the Celestial Prison with significantly fewer financial opportunities compared to Cell Block A.
Jinzhou
金州
A region suffering from severe drought where a widespread rebellion against the imperial court has taken hold.
Pingjiang Marquis Estate School
平江侯府私塾
A private school located within the Pingjiang Marquis Estate where Chen Guanlou seeks knowledge.
Sitong Bank
四通钱庄
A money house in the capital used by prison officials to issue high-interest loans to imprisoned officials, functioning as a mechanism for extortion.
County Magistrate's Office
县衙
The local administrative and judicial headquarters where legal cases are processed and the deceased are held.
Jinyiwei Office
锦衣卫
The adjacent government agency responsible for imperial security and high-level investigations, often holding prisoners distinct from the Celestial Prison.
Tongshui River
通水河
A waterway located in the Southern City District, alleged to be the site of Li Dahong's drowning.
Southern City District
南城
A specific district within the Capital City, home to the Tongshui River.
Eastern Palace
东宫
The residence of the Crown Prince, a place of immense power and political intrigue.
Shao-Fu Office
少府
An imperial government office where Liu Mingchang held a position, nominally responsible for managing the Crown Prince's finances.
Torture Chamber
刑房
The interrogation room within the Celestial Prison where Old Zhang performs his duties.
Li Family Residence
李家
The home of the late Li Dahong, serving as the setting for his funeral rites and a subsequent violent confrontation.
Taiji Palace
太极宫
The imperial residence and throne room where Emperor Taixing resides and conducts daily audiences and meditative practices.
Jiangnan Region
江南
A southern region experiencing unrest due to tax resistance orchestrated or exacerbated by Jiang Tu's administration.
Imperial Prison
诏狱
The heavily guarded detention facility managed by the Jinyiwei, notorious for its brutal treatment of high-profile political prisoners.
Office of Transmission
通政司
The central government agency responsible for receiving and processing official memorials and petitions addressed to the Emperor.