Wiki & Encyclopedia: Royal Gold Magistrate

An official who serves as a reluctant mentor and older brother figure to the Crown Prince. He is pragmatic, cynical, and highly skilled at navigating both bureaucratic and domestic life.

The Crown Prince. A restless and naive teenager who constantly seeks to escape the suffocating restrictions of palace life.

A palace eunuch serving the Crown Prince. He is anxious, subservient, and constantly living in fear of the Emperor's displeasure.

A servant in the Fang household. She is practical, efficient, and skilled at disguises.

A personal bodyguard and servant to Fang Zhengyi. He is physically imposing, brutally strong, and literal-minded.

A high-ranking eunuch within the Imperial court. He is observant, politically savvy, and maintains a surprisingly cordial, semi-respectful relationship with Fang Zhengyi.

The reigning Emperor. He is authoritative, stern, and deeply invested in the Crown Prince's development, though he often observes events from the shadows. He appreciates, and is frequently amused by, novel approaches to education.

The Head of the Grand Secretariat. A seasoned and cautious statesman who manages the delicate balance between the Emperor's fiscal constraints and the practical needs of the empire.

Minister of the Ministry of War. An official responsible for military intelligence and the suppression of rebellions nationwide.

A Grand Secretary and senior official. He is a wealthy landowner and a trusted advisor to the Emperor.

A Grand Secretary and senior official, known for his long tenure and significant influence in the imperial court.

Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He is primarily concerned with the state of the national treasury and financial support for disaster relief.

The foreman of the mining team from Taoyuan County. He is an expert in handling black powder and mountain demolition. He possesses a pragmatic, no-nonsense leadership style and commands loyalty from his men by ensuring they are fairly rewarded.

A high-ranking member of the Imperial Guard acting in plainclothes to protect the Taoyuan County miners. Although initially dismissive of the miners, he quickly developed respect and eventually awe for their physical endurance and their powerful, unconventional demolition methods.

A Supervising Secretary within the Ministry of Revenue. He is an outspoken, principled official who frequently engages in debate with the Emperor and the court regarding state affairs and social welfare.

The Third Princess of the former Qian dynasty and the current Holy Maiden of the Water God Sect. She has gone into hiding following the sect's defeat.

The current Grand Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household responsible for the Crown Prince's education. He is surprised by the Prince's sudden academic improvement.

A local medical practitioner who manages the medical hall where the rescued woman is being treated.

An alluring and elegant woman rescued by miners, currently unconscious in the local medical hall.

An envoy from the capital tasked with delivering an imperial edict to Taoyuan County.

A figure connected to the capital whom Fang Zhengyi suspects of betraying him by informing the Emperor about his covert activities in Taoyuan County.

An exceptionally beautiful and mysterious woman who claims to be the sole survivor of a family from Jianjiang Prefecture destroyed by the recent flooding. She attempts to insinuate herself into Fang Zhengyi's service, though her calculated behavior and resilience raise his suspicions.

A team leader in the Security Division. He reports the capture of undercover Imperial Inner Guards to Fang Zhengyi.

The Deputy Chief of the Security Division. He is appointed as the acting head of the Security Division during Fang Zhengyi's absence.

The Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division. He is appointed as the acting magistrate of Taoyuan County during Fang Zhengyi's absence.

The owner of Lao Liu Restaurant in Taoyuan County. He shares a deep, respectful, and emotional bond with Fang Zhengyi, viewing him as a benefactor to the town.

A yamen runner serving in Taoyuan County. Having worked closely under Fang Zhengyi for a long period, he has developed a deep, almost familial sense of loyalty and respect for the magistrate.

Minister of Rites. A sycophantic official who praises Fang Zhengyi's character during court briefings to curry favor with the Emperor.

A greedy property owner known for exploiting the vulnerable. He is intimidated into selling his house to Fang Zhengyi under threat of potential political exposure.

The son of the Minister of Revenue, whose political influence is frequently used to back private business interests like the Fulai Restaurant.

The son of the Emperor. He is young, impressionable, and feels a strong affinity toward Fang Zhengyi, seeing him as someone who truly understands his character.

A eunuch serving in the imperial palace, previously known to Fang Zhengyi from past encounters.

A figure connected to the capital.

A Hanlin Editor and petty official known for his sycophantic behavior and jealousy. He resents Fang Zhengyi's sudden favor within the court and attempts to undermine him.

An associate in Taoyuan County who is suspected by Fang Zhengyi of leaking confidential information about local inventions to the Emperor.

A young eunuch assigned to guide Fang Zhengyi to the official residence.

A stern teacher or mentor figure whom the Crown Prince wishes to avoid.

A high-ranking official present in the palace, mentioned as arriving, causing anxiety among the others.

A high-ranking palace eunuch. He is allegedly close with Fang Zhengyi, though this connection is used by Fang to provoke traditional officials.

A loyal eunuch serving the Princess of the fallen Great Gan Dynasty. He operates a cloth shop as a front for his activities and is a resourceful, if slightly grumpy, elderly man.

The second son of the Prince of Ning. He is currently active in the capital under the alias Ning Hongyuan to covertly build influence among scholars and literati, though his current status and exact whereabouts are becoming harder to track.

The top courtesan and prized beauty of Cangxiang Pavilion. She is musically gifted, particularly with the zither, and serves as the judge for the poetry appreciation gathering.

A clever and manipulative individual who seeks to incite conflict between rival factions. He observes social dynamics from the shadows and uses psychological tactics to goad others into acting against his interests.

The loyal and obedient household steward who carries out the Minister's administrative and disciplinary orders.

The fifth daughter of Emperor Jing. Her sudden, life-threatening illness creates an urgent crisis at the end of the day's events.

An aged, refined-looking imperial physician tasked with treating the Fifth Princess. He is defensive, somewhat insular, and often dismissive of those outside his medical field.

The ailing Princess and younger sister of the Crown Prince. She has been chronically ill and weak since childhood.

The Fifth Princess. She is suffering from an unexplained, persistent illness that has left her bedside-bound and wan.

An honest, albeit fearful, medical procurer for the Imperial Medical Academy. He mistakenly purchased foreign crops thinking they were ginseng and embezzled funds in the process.

The former owner of a bubble tea shop in Taoyuan County who has become mute due to excessive singing. He is now employed by the county office and serves as an assistant to those learning the 'art' of interrogation through song.