Wiki & Encyclopedia: Start By Catching An Adulterer, Get Close To A Powerful Official And Get Pregnant

The wife of Prince Ji, who attempts to force her son, Zhao Lingyi, to seek a prestigious tutor to match the success of the Third Imperial Grandson.

The six-year-old son of Prince Ji. He is timid and manipulated by his parents into imperial court power struggles.

The Grand Chancellor. A sixty-eight-year-old veteran official serving two dynasties, highly respected for his wisdom and long service to the state.

Prince Ji's six-year-old son, currently in search of a tutor.

The reigning Empress, who was formerly Consort Lü. She is highly obedient to the Emperor and presides over the palace banquet.

The former title of the current Empress, who was promoted to her position to balance courtyard politics.

A loyal maid serving Wan Qingdai who seeks help from Huo Ningyu.

A young master from the Gao family who was used as a pawn in a conspiracy to frame Wan Qingdai.

A woman held captive within Puto Nunnery, whom Huo Ningyu is determined to rescue.

A subordinate guard within the Imperial City Guard who follows Zhao Bingyu on investigative missions.

A nun at Puto Nunnery who acts as a key conspirator in the institution's dark, illicit practices.

The corrupt head of Puto Nunnery who orchestrates the abuse and exploitation of women under her care.

A mysterious and predatory figure associated with Puto Nunnery, believed to be the primary beneficiary of the victims trafficked into the nunnery.

A junior nun at Puto Nunnery who is characterized by her timid, submissive nature and extreme fear of the Abbess.

A young noble lady whose supposed presence at Puto Nunnery provided the pretext for Huo Ningyu to enter the facility and initiate the investigation.

Qingdai's stepmother who is conspiring to seize Qingdai's inheritance.

A respected monk at Huguot Temple whom Huo Ming羡 approaches for assistance.

An intelligent and highly valued strategist for Prince Chen. He suffered from a severe, long-term illness that was treated and improved by Madam Yang's medical intervention.

The Emperor's eldest daughter who holds significant status. She has been residing at an estate outside the capital for nearly a year and experiences a distant, loveless marriage with the Prince Consort.

A military general stationed at the border for a long duration, who shares a significant connection to the Eldest Princess.

The husband to the Eldest Princess. Though married to royalty, he maintains three concubines and has fathered children with them, showing a lack of romantic intimacy with the Princess.

The grandfather of Wan Qingdai, holding the honorary title of Jiju.

The father of Wan Qingdai and a fifth-rank official serving in the Ministry of Works.

Wan Qingdai's grandfather and a respected elder figure. He holds the title of Libationer and exercises strict, authoritative discipline over his son, Wan Peide, and the household to maintain family honor.

Wan Qingdai's eldest brother, who has been away traveling for his studies. He is expected to take the imperial examinations soon.

The manipulative stepmother of Wan Qingdai who conspired with Gao Jichen to ruin her stepdaughter's reputation. She is removed from the household and sent to an estate as punishment.

Wan Qingdai's younger sister who is spiteful and vindictive. She is punished with confinement for her behavior.

The second aunt of Wan Qingdai who currently manages the household affairs of the Wan family and maintains a respectful, friendly relationship with the Huo family.

A dishonest official who outwardly appears upright but secretly keeps a mistress, failing to maintain proper moral conduct in his household.

The legitimate daughter of Imperial Censor Liang, who is caught in the crossfire of her family's internal strife.

The cruel and estranged biological father of Zhao Bingyu, who attempted to remove his son from the family line.

The Emperor's consort and the mother of the First Prince, Chen Wang. She is a primary figure in current palace political maneuvering.

The young heir to the Crown Prince who was recently involved in a suspicious incident involving falling into water.

A young noblewoman who frequently associates with Huo Ningyu.

A long-serving, loyal maidservant to Lady Xia Yixuan, responsible for managing household tasks and offering cautious advice.

The Emperor's eldest daughter who holds significant status. Struggling with long-term infertility, she seeks medical treatment and forms a tactical alliance with Madam Yang, eventually adopting Jiang Ning as her goddaughter to influence local noble affairs.

The Vice Minister of the Rite. Despite his public reputation as a pious, incorruptible, and modest official serving the state, he is secretly corrupt and leads a double life with multiple hidden families.

Huo Ningyu's second younger brother, a student at the Imperial Academy who enjoys fine arts and supports his sister's desire to improve her skills.

A powerful military general stationed at the border, who shares a significant, complex past connection with the Grand Princess Zhao Mingyue.

The fourth miss of the Gu family and the younger sister of the Crown Princess. She is friendly, sociable, and attempting to build a closer relationship with Huo Ningyu.

A capable and stern elderly servant serving the Grand Princess, responsible for handling estate investigations and maintaining order.

Huo Ningyu's elder brother, a capable figure who attempts to protect his sister from the schemes of others.

A skilled secret guard bestowed by the Emperor to Zhao Bingyu. He is tasked with protecting Huo Ningyu and keeping tabs on those who plot against her.

A field investigator and subordinate of Zhao Bingyu. He is observant and skilled at tailing suspects without being detected.

The mother of Jiang Ning. Possessing advanced skills in medicine and acupuncture, she is actively using her services to treat the Eldest Princess as part of a political scheme orchestrated by Prince Chen.

A highly respected, retired imperial female official known for her musical talent. She serves as a tutor in zither and etiquette for high-born ladies.

The spoiled and arrogant young son of Master Lin and his mistress. He bullies his peers at school.

The mistress of Master Lin who lives in a secluded courtyard on the outskirts of the city with her son, Hong'er.

A government official who maintains a secret residence for his mistress and illegitimate son.

A mistress of Lin Xuqing who lives in a hidden, off-the-books residence. She is unaware of the full extent of Lin Xuqing's double life and believes she can leverage her status to survive.

The wife of Lin Xuqing. She takes pride in her husband's reputation as a man who does not take concubines and manages the household finances by dipping into her own dowry.

A wealthy but dissolute young man who died after falling from a building during a brawl with the Fifth Young Master of the Dingyuan Marquis household.

An illegitimate son of the Marquis involved in a lethal conflict with the Gao family over a female entertainer.

One of Lin Xuqing's secret mistresses, residing in a hidden home with their teenage son.

The young, arrogant illegitimate son of Lin Xuqing and Lady Du, who is unaware of his father's true social standing and double life.

The teenage illegitimate son of Lin Xuqing and Xiang Shi, who bears a strong facial resemblance to his father.

A nobleman involved in an orchestrated accident at a restaurant, whose fall serves as a pawn to create friction between political factions.

The ruler of the nation. He is extremely busy with state affairs but offers a degree of personal protection and care toward Zhao Bingyu.

The Emperor's eighth uncle, a member of the imperial clan who is notoriously fond of court gossip and rumors. He is old but vigorous.

The Censor-in-Chief and Huo Pengcheng's father-in-law. A seasoned official who prefers to maintain a composed exterior, allowing his subordinates to lead political attacks to protect his own position.

A nobleman at court who publicly corroborates allegations of financial corruption against Lin Xuqing by confirming details gathered by his son.

The head of the Gao family and Junior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He is attempting to exploit his son's death to gain political leverage at court.

The Fifth Young Master of the Dingyuan Marquis household. Regarded as a dissolute youth but one with a moral bottom line, he survived the brawl that led to the death of Gao Jichen.

The Minister of Justice, responsible for executing the Emperor's legal decrees and investigating criminal cases involving court officials.

An ambitious and confident young scholar who becomes a top candidate in the imperial examinations. He is known for his sharp political insights and eventually rises to become a high-ranking official under Prince Chen.

Huo Ningyu's great-grandfather, a successful scholar who placed fifth in the imperial examinations and established the family's roots in the capital.

A scholar at the Moyun Literary Pavilion, known for debating political reform and advocating for prioritizing border defense over long-term civil service reform.

A corrupt official exposed by the Imperial City Guard for keeping an illicit mistress for six years.

A corrupt official exposed by the Imperial City Guard for keeping an illicit mistress for three years.

A high-ranking official publicly shamed by the Emperor for splurging on luxuries for his mistress.

A high-ranking official reprimanded by the Emperor for maintaining an extravagant private bathing facility for his mistress.

A polite and seemingly humble scholar from Yunqi Commandery. He is married and possesses a more gentle personality than his friend Liao Hanzhang, though he is easily influenced by the latter.

Jiang Ning's devoted personal maid who panicked when her mistress was injured.

The wife of Imperial Censor Liang, who took dramatic action against her husband's concubine after having a prophetic dream.

An elderly woman responsible for facilitating wedding rituals and assisting the bride during the procession and ceremony.

The official presiding over the wedding rites, responsible for announcing the stages of the ceremony and managing unexpected disruptions.

The father of General Qin Cangting, whose sudden, mysterious illness has served as the pretext for his son's return to the capital.

A scholarly contemporary of Liao Hanzhang who collaborates with him in seeking favor from the Huo family via their policy essays.

An exceptionally skilled, 21-year-old martial artist destined to become the future martial arts champion. He is loyal, righteous, and possesses immense combat potential, making him a prized, if dangerous, political asset.

An imperial physician summoned to the Huo residence to treat the critically wounded Zhongli Lu.

The Prince Chen's eldest son and heir. He is cautious about interacting with the Third Imperial Grandson and obeys his father's instructions to keep distance, despite participating in court gatherings.

Referring to Jiang Ning, the wife of Xie Zhengyang. She falls into the water due to a Cuju ball hitting her.

The noble title bestowed upon Huo Ningyu.

The wife of the Crown Prince, currently managing the imperial banquet on behalf of the Empress. She is a dedicated and doting mother to Zhao Lingzhe, noting his newfound independence and vitality.

A high-ranking imperial consort and the mother of Prince Ji. She actively competes with Consort Yuan and other factions to secure influence within the inner palace.

An imperial doctor who treats Huo Ningyu's poisoning with a medicinal concoction and provides expert assessment of her condition.

The Commander of the Imperial Guard, tasked by the Emperor to collaborate with Zhao He in a thorough investigation of the attempted assassination.

A dan actor from Li Garden who was murdered ten days prior to the banquet; his death was concealed to allow an assassin to impersonate him and infiltrate the palace.

Huo Ningyu's father, highly respected for his intellect and pedagogical skills; he serves as the strict tutor to the Third Imperial Grandson, Zhao Lingzhe.

The eldest grandson of the Rong household and cousin to Huo Ningyu.

The matriarch of the Rong household and maternal grandmother of Huo Ningyu.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Rong household.

The second daughter-in-law of the Rong household and mother of Rong Linyuan.

A cousin of Huo Ningyu, currently placed under house arrest for reasons her family keeps private.

A scholar from Huzhou who portrays himself as talented and virtuous to deceive women. He is secretly married with children and actively exploits romantic connections with noble families to advance his political career.

The personal maid of Rong Linyuan who assists her in secret communications.

A young nobleman who becomes the victim of a trap set by Huo Ningyu's allies. By being forcibly incapacitated and placed near Jiang Ning, he inadvertently ruins her reputation and precipitates her miscarriage.

The newly appointed Imperial Guard Commander and son of Old Prince Lu. He is a capable martial artist and an ally of Zhao Bingyu.

A loyal and intelligent black wolf dog gifted to Zhao Lingzhe by the Emperor.

The father of the new Imperial Guard Commander, Zhao Sheng.

The current Jingzhao Yin (Capital Magistrate) responsible for maintaining order in the capital. He is cautious and eager to please the Emperor, personally overseeing the lantern festival competitions.

A nobleman and associate of the Huo family who participated in the rescue operation on the river.

A young lady from a government official's family who was abducted alongside others; her whereabouts remain a source of concern.

The second eldest brother of the Crown Princess and uncle to Zhao Lingzhe. He loves his family deeply and was frantic with worry when his nephew went missing.

The Governor of the capital, responsible for law and order. He reports the findings of the kidnapping case to the Emperor.

A high-ranking noblewoman whose child was saved during the rescue mission. She visits the manor to express deep gratitude to Huo Ningyu.

The third daughter-in-law of Prime Minister Wen. She is an aristocrat who visits the manor to thank Huo Ningyu for rescuing her family's child.

The wife of a scholar who accompanied her husband to the capital for the imperial examinations. She suffers from a lingering pulmonary illness due to poverty and self-neglect, but is saved by the intervention of the Huo family.

The Minister of the Ministry of War, responsible for overseeing the Martial Examinations and officially announcing the list of successful candidates.

The second son of the Qin family's second branch, known for his martial prowess. He achieved second place in the Martial Examination and was commissioned to the border to serve as a commander.

A member of the imperial clan who achieved third place in the Martial Examination. He values the opportunity to earn his own path rather than relying solely on noble birth and was appointed to the Imperial Guard by the Emperor.

The second uncle of Prince Ji. He serves as a commander in the Metropolitan Camp with authority over twenty thousand troops, representing a critical pillar of support for his nephew's faction.

An elderly, seasoned general guarding the border and the uncle of Zhongli Lu.

The wife of scholar Lu Qianyun. She received critical medical aid from the Huo family, which saved her life.

The wife of Shen Zhiyan from his hometown. She has arrived in the capital, posing a threat to her husband's scheme of manipulating noble families.

The newly appointed Minister of Rites, responsible for organizing the imperial examinations. He is an innovative official who overhauled the examination hall facilities to improve testing conditions.

Huo Mingxian's personal servant, loyal and quick-witted, who handles errands and updates for his master.

Shen Zhiyan's hardworking and unassuming wife from his hometown. She travels a great distance to the capital with their young daughter in search of her husband.

The young, two-year-old daughter of Shen Zhiyan and Madam Lin.

A young nobleman previously used as a pawn in various schemes involving the Huo family.

The wife of the Count of Loyalty, who finds herself forced to apologize to the Huo family on behalf of the Eldest Princess.

The wife of Prince Chen. A noblewoman who socializes among the elite and organizes outings for local noble families.

The ten-year-old daughter of Prince Chen and Princess Chen. She is a spoiled young noble lady who is frequently restrained by her mother's strict discipline and is eager for amusement outside the palace.

A servant in the Huo household who assists Rong Huazhi.