I. The Shang Main Branch (Duke’s Household)
- Shang Yukuan (The Current Duke of Shang): Husband of Madam Gu (deceased) & Madam Wei. Father to all Main Branch children.
- Madam Gu (deceased): First Wife of the Duke. Maternal source of Shang Ji, Shang Dalang, and Shang Xue.
- Madam Wei (The Current Consort / West Courtyard): Mother to Shang Lu, Shang Huo, and Shang Lin. Aligned with the powerful Wei clan.
- Du Jingyi (Sixth Brother’s Wife / Protagonist): Wife of General Shang Ji. Protegé of the East Courtyard.
- Madam Liu (Eldest Sister-in-law): Widow of the late Shang Dalang. Guardian of Shang Zhiping and Xueniang.
- Xueniang (Unmarried Sister): Under Madam Liu’s care; subject to bullying.
The Duke’s Children
- Shang Ji (The General / Sixth Son): Son of Madam Gu. Husband of Du Jingyi.
- Shang Dalang (deceased) (The Former Heir): Eldest son of Madam Gu. Father of Shang Zhiping.
- Shang Xue (The Eighth Daughter): Youngest daughter of Madam Gu.
- Shang Lu (Princess Fu / Eldest Daughter): Daughter of Madam Wei. Wife of King Fu.
- Shang Huo (The Fourth Son / Silang): Son of Madam Wei. Husband of Silang’s Wife.
- Shang Lin (The Seventh Son / Qilang): Son of Madam Wei. Talented; holds high promise.
II. Extended Shang Branches & Grandchildren
Grandchildren & The Wei Branch
- Shang Zhiping (Eldest Grandson): Son of Shang Dalang & Madam Liu. Timid.
- Shang Zhihe (Grandson / Qilang): Ambitious son of the West Courtyard (Madam Wei’s lineage).
- Shang Zhiyin (Granddaughter): Haughty daughter of the West Courtyard (Madam Wei’s lineage).
- Silang’s Wife (Fourth Sister-in-law): Niece and daughter-in-law to Madam Wei; manages household finances.
The Third Branch (Shang Yurong’s Line)
- Shang Liuniang (Fei) (Youngest Daughter): Married to Jia Weiyou. The manipulative force behind the plot to gain royal influence.
- Shang Siniang (Fourth Sister): Divorced, meek, and docile. The target of the plot to be sold as a concubine to King Min.
- Erlang’s Wife (Second Sister-in-law): Resentful and desperate for the 10,000 taels dowry from the King Min scheme.
- Sanlang’s Wife (Third Sister-in-law): Disapproves of the King Min plot but is unable to intervene.
III. External Power Clans
The Gu Family (Shang Ji’s Maternal Clan)
The Gu family is the maternal clan of General Shang Ji. He was raised by them and derives his military authority and backing from this powerful lineage.
- Marshal Gu: Clan Patriarch / Military Head. Shang Ji’s chief maternal relative.
- Xing Zhao (Uncle Zhao): Marshal Gu’s nephew. Shang Ji’s loyal friend and comrade.
- Grandma Gu: Elder. High-ranking elder in the extended family.
The Royal and Princely Houses
- King Fu (Prince): Husband of Shang Lu. Father of the cruel Xie Daoen.
- Xie Daoen (Fu Shizi / Heir): Son of King Fu by the deceased First Princess Fu. Sickly and cruel.
- King Min (His Majesty’s Uncle): The aged royal uncle targeted by the Third Branch for a concubine.
- Princess Yuehua (Imperial Princess): Notorious figure in Yizhou; rumored to have hundreds of lovers.
- Queen Zhou (Empress): Married three times; her influence created protective laws for women in the Dynasty.
IV. Notable Guests & Supporting Figures
- Master Du & Madam Du: Du Jingyi’s Parents. Welcoming and affectionate in-laws to General Shang Ji.
- Wei Taiwei (Wei Clan Elder): Powerful elder in the Wei family, aligned with Madam Wei.
- Madam Xing (Court Gossip): Conversational elder who relays sensitive court information.
- Prince Consort Han (deceased): Deceased Consort. Late husband of Princess Yuehua.