• 凌健巍 Ling Jianwei (86), Paternal Grandfather, a semi-retired Senior General in the Hangwei's army. they're somewhat close, but due to his duties, he is away often. however when they do meet up, they enjoy a few rounds of Weiqi (Go) and small talk. his and Wanqing's marriage was arranged before their births and have since made their union worked for them over time. he was the one that fell harder as time went by.
• 凌婉清 Ling Wanqing (83), Paternal Grandmother, a retired Thespian, but teaches at several of the Balgeun's theaters several times out of the month. they're pretty close and enjoys watching her grandmother performances. her and Jianwei's marriage was arranged before their births and have since made their union worked for them over time. she admired him and expressed her feelings often despite his silent admiration of her over time.
• 董茂盛 Dong Maosheng (82), Maternal Grandfather, a semi-retired Physician and runs two of his own apothecaries of the same name, 鑫力木格 Xin Li Mu Ge. one in Dailan, and the other in Kaiyo. he visits and stays in a three-month manner while the rest of the time he stays in Himuka or Tabuyan. they're super close and she's eager to learn as much from her grandfather and even trying other ways to go about things differently, too. his and Yuyan's marriage were by far, not compatable through the eyes of both sets of parents, yet somehow the red string of fate thought otherwise. the two had met through mutual acquaintances. he fell first and openly pursued her.
• 董语嫣 Dong Yuyan (81), Maternal Grandmother, a retired Potter, but nowadays teaches young apprentices. normally spends most of her time in Tabuyan, drinking tea. they're pretty close, but she doesn't have the patience or natural ability to sit still and create pottery despite her grandmother's constant encouragement. her and Maosheng's marriage were by far, not compatable through the eyes of both sets of parents, yet somehow the red string of fate thought otherwise. the two had met through mutual acquaintances. she did not find him attractive at first, but his loyal and continual pursuit showed her his devotion towards him. she fell for him then.
• 凌玉峰 Ling Yufeng (63), Father, a Major General in the Jantung Region's army, but nowadays has joined his father in the Hangwei's army. they're close, but he's been away most of her childhood yet highly respects him. they, too, share a game of Weiqi with small talk. his marriage with Yingyue was conincidental through a matchmaking ceremony. he at the time wasn't aware she was his best friend's sister. they went through four outings with much interests towards one another and he had prayed for the red string of fate to connect between them. although he was a much enthusiastic man, he has become more calm and in control of his excitement. he was a bumbling fool for Yingyue.
• 凌映月 Ling Yingyue (61), Mother, a retired Musician who spends her days leisurely from Meili to Sakiyo to Jun'an to Tabuyan. also from time to time, privately teaches vocal and guzheng lessons in Balgeun and Fanghua. they're close yet banter a lot due to her way of life. still, she appreciates hearing her mother's etheral singing voice that has lulled her to sleep or when she was down for many years. she usually tunes her mother out when she wants to discuss about her lack of a love life. her marriage with Yufeng was through a matchmaking ceremony and she wasn't aware she would be matched with her brother's best friend. she had much interst towards him, but allowed the red string of fate to decide if they were meant to be. relieved and happy to know they would court although she wouldn't admit that to him even to this day.
• 凌光华 Ling Guanghua (39), Older Brother, a Sergeant in the Jantung Region's army, the two siblings are super close despite their of being four years and differing personalities. he's quite protective of her yet is the one that teases her the most. usually helps her in getting away form her suitors and courtships if possible. he was named by his paternal grandmother.
• 董星越 Dong Xingyue (64), Maternal Uncle, a Colonel in the Jantung's army and a long time friend of Jianwei before his older sister married him. they're close and someone she confides in from time to time when she's unable to speak to her parents or grandparents. she shares a lot of her medicinal facts with him despite him not knowing what she's talking about half of the time, but enjoys the time they spend together as he sees her like his own child. he has been married only once, but lost his wife, Mengjie, due to several complications from childbirth resulting in her death along with their son, Yongxin. he has not been interested in a remarriage since then.
• 凌风眠 Ling Fengmian (60), Paternal Aunt, a Poet and a frequent traveler where she spends most of her travel time in the Dau Region. she's the younger sister of Jianwei. they're close and she enjoys hearing all the adventures that her aunt has gone on and where she wants to go to next. still, her aunt recommends many suitors for her niece from the places she visits to her displeasure. her aunt has had many courtships, but none that fits to her taste. once she has even eloped, but that became nothing due to the man's unfaithfulness. however, she does not want children though.

• 段洲成 Duan Zhoucheng (34), a Corporal in the Jantung Region's army and her brother's friend since she could remember. they're more or less close like that of siblings and friends as well. however, she also sees him like an annoying bug that won't leave her alone a majority of the time and is even double trouble when paired up with her brother, too. still, he's protective of her and watches out for her despite taking it a little too seriously whenever one of her family members ask of him if the men of her family aren't around. also, she always assumed he was around her brother's age, but later finds out that he's younger than her by a year. Zhoucheng has gone to many courtships, but has expressed no such interest in pursuing a marriage of any sort. he goes just because of his mother, but feels like non of the candidates is a good fit for him despite many showcasing to be marriage material.
• 木美莲 Mu Meilian (42), a Physician that works at Xin Li Mu Ge in Dailan and someone she gets along quite well with, especially as a listening ear as she can rant to her about almost anything and everything. sees her like an older sister as they're about seven years apart. has been in a courtship for a long while now, but timing to actually settled everything hasn't worked out.
• 岳明霞 Yue Mingxia (35), a Physician that works at Xin Li Mu Ge in Kaiyo and another person she gets along with despite their different personalities yet have the same view on medicine. they're around the same age. in the prospect of courtship, yet hesitant if this would change her way of life in the long-term.

• 段雪慧 Duan Xuehui (59), an Agriculturist and Zhoucheng's mother. she wants to see her only child get marry and start a family. honestly, thinks that her son and Shuanghua could be a potential fit with one another, but hasn't brought it up to the family. however she has mentioned it once or twice to her son, but he just brushed her off. anyway, she and her son are quite close and is close with Shuanghua's family as well as her husband was also part of the military and under Senior General Ling's commands before his death in battle. not looking for remarriage and has been a widowed for less than five years.
• 易烊千 Yi Yangqian (16), a Regular Patient of hers that seems to get hurt and sick often, only wants Shuanghua to care for him and do is checkups. claims he will one day marry her when he becomes older after every appointment. she usually plays along to his so-called claims as it's harmless and because he's like half her age, so doesn't really take him seriously. however, this greatly annoys Zhoucheng to no end, but he won't admit it despite how much it gets under his skin and the kid knows it.
• 何振藩 He Zhenfan (38), a wealthy merchant who seems to still have his eyes set on Shuanghua ever since they met at one matchmaking ceremony and unfortunately on his end didn't get further than one outing with Shuanghua. he then would later marry another woman, Yajing, from that same matchmaking ceremony. whenever he travels and happen to be in Hoamai, Dailan, Kaiyo, he would stop by to check in on her if possible or see if she's around. she would avoid him as much as possible. however, she has not informed anyone of his persistence and her mother even thinks that she should try and give him a chance to see where it goes. however, Zhoucheng is aware of this man, but won't do anything unless he needs to or Shuanghua mentions something. 
• 芸熙熙 Yun Xixi (33), an Innkeeper and helps her parents run their inn, 落花情 Luo Hua Qing, in Fanghua. an only child that with great capabilities, but has a slight snobbish demeanor. admires Guanghua since the day she has set eyes on him when he and his family/soldiers stayed at her family's inn and many times after that. has been trying for a courtship, but the plans falls through. believes Shuanghua to be a love rival and so is rude and indifferent towards her, but becomes sweet whenever Guanghua or others are around though.

* * *

The doors of the courtroom swing open with a heavy, metallic clang. The sounds echo off the intricate, glossy bloodwood carvings that vault into high arches at the edges of the room. 

Framed from behind by a scarlet tapestry embroidered with yellow dragons, Empress Yong looks on stoically from her throne of gold and ivory. Beneath her, rows of Hangwei nobility kneel on cushions in neat rows, silently glowering at the sudden annoyance.

Two guards struggle to drag in a bound prisoner between them. The person squirms and struggles until she is tossed to the ground, landing in a heap with a groan.

The guards kneel behind her, bowing their heads deeply toward the empress.“Your Royal Brilliance,” one of the men says, “We found another of the… peculiars.” He indicates the prisoner with a nod of his head.

Empress Yong stands, the ornaments in her hair tinkling as she looks down from her platform. Her gaze passes over the woman, lingering on each feature carefully. “It would appear so,” she speaks without inflection. She sweeps a hand forward, an ornate, silky sleeve dragging against the ground.“You there, get up." She says, pointing to her. "Do you know why you are here today?”

Shuanghua languidly rises to sit on her knees, but does not stand up and remains where she is, staring at the woman before her. Shuanghua glances about her indifferently before settling her eyes onto Empress Yong.

"Obviously not, but I'm sure you'll tell me." Shuanghua replies in a neutral and in an almost bored-like tone.  

The empress narrows her eyes. “I want your name,” she snaps.

Shuanghua slightly rolls her eyes with a soft scoffed, speaking in the same tone.

"Xiao Yuncha."

Of course it wasn't her real name, but technically it is a name she goes by and actually responds to. Besides, Shuanghua didn't want this woman to even know that much less her real name.

The Empress looks up briefly to cast her eyes around the court. When they return to the prisoner, she smiles. “We’ve heard the stories, my friend. First, it was the Princess- now others of your kind are popping out of the ground like weeds. You have caused us quite a headache.” She leans closer, lowering her voice. “What is it you ‘peculiars’ want?”

Shuanghua inwardly cringed at the mention of 'my friend', but kept her facial expression neutral before matching her smile and tone with Empress Yong.

"What is it about 'peculiars' that you want from them?" Shuanghua asked before speaking again, not giving the empress time to respond.

"However, I, myself, would like to be set free and return to my mundane daily life before being captured by your guards." 

The Empress straightens again, her posture regal. Her smile is bitter and emotionless. “I see. However, do you truly expect me to let one with your abilities run amok and sink our great nation into chaos? The four corners of the world are fighting neck-and-neck to even have a glimpse of the likes of you.” She shakes her head. “No, I cannot allow it. Even the Princess herself will be dealt with in light of this situation.”

Shuanghua's eyes narrowed as she silently inhaled deeply before speaking in a firm tone.

"Clearly, Your Royal Brilliance," the title rolling off her tongue in a mocking-like manner, "You are no different than those fighting neck-and-neck to see a glimpse of what you have said before you already." 

Almost as an afterthought or maybe even an unconscious thought as that, the words escaped on their own accord.

"As for the Princess, maybe there's a reason for this situation in the first place."

With a tight expression, the Empress gestures once again, and the two guards haul the prisoner back onto her feet.

“Take her away until we come to a further conclusion here,” she says, a flick of her eyes motioning to the patiently-waiting nobles. "Dismissed." She waves them away with her hand, the guards grunting with effort as they drag the prisoner back through the crowded room and away from sight.

Shuanghua did not make it easy for the guards to lead her way. If they needed two of them to handle her, then she was gonna give them a reason for it. Still, she needed to figure out how to escape and keep herself alive for the time being.