Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… in the palace in the capital, of course! The ruler of such a powerful empire has a grand palace where he meets with his ministers, goes over policies with his eunuchs, and keeps a close eye on the goings-on in the capital.
Profession… ruling the Qing empire. The emperor is intelligent and easily keeps control despite all the plotting that goes on around him. While the princes vie for his favor, the eldest princess schemes for control of the treasury, and the Overwatch Council expands its influence, not one of these people really make a move without the emperor knowing.
Interests… Fan Xian. The emperor has taken an interest in the skilled young man, which Fan Xian and everyone around him find puzzling. Knowing the calculating nature of the emperor, one can only guess at the long game he’s playing, and what secrets are tied to this relationship.
Relationship Status… forever single, but possibly an admirer of Fan Xian’s late mother, Ye Qingmei. From what the emperor, Chen Pingping, and Fan Xian’s father Fan Jian have told him, his mother was an extraordinary young woman who ‘developed’ amazing technologies far ahead of her time. No wonder, only such an unusual mind would have captured the attention of the emperor.
Challenge… seeing his plans for Fan Xian come to fruition. The emperor wants to raise Fan Xian up. Beyond becoming the judge of the Overwatch Council and becoming famed as a great poet, the emperor arranged Fan Xian’s marriage to Lin Wan Er to help him gain control of the treasury through inheritance.
Personality… calculating, ruthless, and ambitious. The emperor’s intelligence and coldness are familiar to the eunuchs and ministers around him. One recalls the time he invited a childhood friend, a judge of Qing, for a drink, and the poor judge’s first reaction was to beg for mercy because he thought the drink was poisoned. It might as well have been, seeing as the emperor issued an order for the judge’s secret execution after the meeting. He is even aware of the plans of the princes and the eldest princess, who are clever themselves, and makes sure to put his foot down when they’ve crossed a line. It’s a delicate balance. On one hand, the emperor wants to maintain and grow his power, but on the other, he can’t have his princes or favorites growing up blindly loyal and upright idiots. He encourages their plotting and hints that Fan Xian should also join in, but only if their plans don’t infringe on his own power.
