As asked by some of my readers, I am putting down a formal guide and a FAQ.
Locations:
Dashun – The main empire, where our story takes place. It is a fictionalized China-adjacent place, with similar ethnic populations and name places.
Imperial City – the “city” within the Capital which is where all the palaces are.
Sui Kingdom – A kingdom to the south, bordering Dashan and Ming.
Ming – Another kingdom to the south
Western Kingdom – A kingdom that is a vassal state to Dashan.
“The North” – general term for the areas of desert and plains, including snowy lands.
Characters:
Li Family
A prestigious martial family serving the Empire for many generations.
Li Beidou – Father, Male Alpha, formerly a General, given a Duke title at time of marriage edict. Excellent horseback rider. Loves his Wife and Sons dearly. Mother was of Northern descent.
Li Yuyan – Mother, Female Alpha, a physician. She worked in the military as a field doctor, but now settled in the Capital as a general doctor. Could probably kill someone and never be detected.
Li Guangzhu – Eldest Li Son, Male Alpha, currently a General but injured and recovering. Married an omega named Julong, from a Shiwei band up North. Often fights with Li Changyu, but fiercely defensive of his Brothers.
Li Jiuxing – Middle Li Son, Male Alpha, Captain. Fell in love with Li Changyu’s friend and comrade Shen Pei at first sight. Constantly pursues her. Probably kisses the ground she walks on. Though an idiot and clumsy, he is an excellent fighter, and the tallest of the Brothers.
Li Changyu – Main Character, Male Omega, our Empress, formerly a Lieutenant General. Youngest Son of the Li Family. Prefers swords or spears, can speak a lot of languages. Also named Yanhe (a name he earned for a brave feat involving flooding a river to single handedly wipe out a squad). Grew up with Jin Xiyan in the Palace, then transferred to the military at age 12-13.
Li Julong – Wife to Li Guangzhu, Male Omega, and a Prince in his own right as he is the son of a Chieftain. Li Guangzhu won his hand in marriage through a series of competitions. Loves domestic stuff, and it’s the first time in a very large city.
Other Li’s of Note: (Grandfather) Li Jiao-Long, (Grandmother) Li Aynur
The Royal Family
A Royal Lineage spanning the past 100 years.
[dead] Emperor (Father) Jin Zhan Long – Male Alpha, died from sickness 2-3 years ago.
[dead] Empress Zhao Rulan – Female Alpha, biological Mother to Prince Zhao Lanhu. Died when Jin Xiyan and Li Changyu were younger.
Grand Empress Dowager Zhang Yunqing – Female Alpha, Grandmother to Jin Xiyan. Benefactor of sorts to Li Changyu when he was training inside the Palace. Loves poetry and the arts. Knew Li Changyu’s Grandparents.
Prince Uncle Zhang Wenru – Third Prince (thus Jin Xiyan’s Third Uncle), Male Alpha. Gruff, once served in military exploits, and is Li Changyu’s biggest suspect for the plot. Referred to as Third Prince, Prince Uncle, or Third Prince Uncle.
Empress Dowager Jin Qiuye – Formerly concubine to Emperor Jin Zhan Long, Male Omega, Jin Xiyan and Jin Ai’s biological Mother. Was once just a servant in the Palace before catching Jin Zhan Long’s eye and giving birth to the only Alpha Son and thus Heir (Jin Xiyan). Birth name is Mu Qiuye, granted the Jin name by Jin Xiyan.
Prince Zhao Lanhu – First Prince, Male Omega, only son of former Emperor and Empress, Eldest Brother to Jin Xiyan. Close to Grandmother and Li Changyu. Husband Wei Shenqiao (Beta Male) became a Minister and was assigned to Ming to act as liaison, where Zhao Lanhu has lived for the past years. Son is Zhao Weixiu, an Alpha Male.
Prince Jin Ai – Fifth Prince, Male Beta, older Brother of Jin Xiyan. Sneaky and conniving, likes gambling and the “easy life”. Only gained favor when Jin Xiyan was born because he’s the biological Brother.
Emperor Jin Xiyan – Main Love Interest, our Emperor. Fell in love with Li Changyu very young, but was not allowed to marry him when they were of age. Lost his memories about 2-3 years ago, shortly after the Emperor died, and has forgotten Li Changyu.
Other Jin’s of Note: (Great Grandfather) Emperor Jin Wenlong, (Grandfather) Emperor Jin Yinlong
The Harem
Listed by rank, highest to lowest, including children. Note, several of the harem members were married within the same year. Lower ranked children could not take Mother’s surname, thus they are Jin.
[Huang Guifei] Imperial Noble Wife Qin Yuze – Male Omega, nephew of the King of the Sui Kingdom. Politically married to Jin Xiyan when they were both 15.
Noble Consort Chen Ziyin – Female Beta, twin to Chen Ziwei, also a political marriage shortly after Qin Yuze. Children: Chen Jingyi, Male Beta, age 9. Chen Yuxi and Guojing (twins, Female and Male Beta), age 8.
Noble Consort Chen Ziwei – Male Beta, due to a compromising scandal, joined his twin sister Chen Ziyin to be a Consort/same title. Basically just a toyboy.
Concubine Qian Jing – Female Alpha, niece to a low ranking official, an orphan, not wealthy. Children: Jin Lim, Female Beta, age 9.
Concubine Wu Shanjin – Male Omega, son of a mid-level court official and merchant family. Has not had any children. Hopes to move up the ranks.
Concubine Song Rushen – Male Omega, formerly a maid in the palace that Jin Xiyan took an interest in. Has not had any children. An early friend for Li Changyu when he enters the harem.
Unnamed Concubine – Female Beta, Mother to Jin Zhelan, age 9.
Unnamed Concubine – Female Beta, Mother to Jin Xieren, age 6.
[dead] Unnamed Concubine – Male Omega, Only deceased harem member, Mother to Jin Haoran, age 5.
Side Characters
A story would not be complete without them.
Li Wangshu – Male Omega, sex worker and owns a very successful brothel. Chose the Li surname and often pretends to be a cousin of the Li Family.
Li Jiyu, Zhenyu, and Huayu – Male Beta, Triplets. They are physicians recommended by Li Yuyan. It is implied that Li Wangshu is their Brother, and like Wangshu, pretends to be related to the Li Family.
Shen Pei – Female Alpha, SUPER TALL, oldest and dearest friend and trusted confidant of Li Changyu. Became joined at the hip in the military. Is very tsundere with Li Jiuxing, but does want to get married after she turns twenty four and leaves the military. Currently acts as Li Changyu’s personal bodyguard.
Meimei – Female Beta, maid to Li Changyu. “Sister” to Bowen. Fiercely loyal and very sweet, albeit a bit innocent.
Bowen – Male Beta, servant to Li Changyu, “Brother” to Meimei. Stutters, especially when nervous, but is literate and quick to learn.
Commander Wei Xu – Male Alpha, Commander of the Palace Guards, Shizun [Teacher/Master] to Li Changyu. Taught Li Changyu how to be a shadow guard as well. Died shortly after Emperor passed away, but before Jin Xiyan’s accident.
Ping Feng – Male Alpha, Shixiong [Senior] to Li Changyu, also trained as a guard. Son of the former Minister of War, took over the position at a young age.
Xiaoyao – One of the tigers gifted to Li Changyu, the white one. Lazy, likes grooming.
Jianxian – Another tiger gifted to Li Changyu, the orange one. Active, curious, whines a lot.
