Zelan

Biodata

Background

Zelan grew up with Su Luoqian at the Su residence and served her from childhood. She continued attending her after Su Luoqian married Lu Jingsi, Prince Cheng’an 14 48.

Peilan had once reminded Zelan to use the proper form of address for Su Luoqian. Both maids received peach-pink sachets from their mistress 4 11.

Personality

Zelan is attentive and protective of Su Luoqian. She worries when her mistress is hurt or threatened, and openly criticizes both Nanny Liu’s conduct and Lu Jingsi’s roughness toward her 3 4 14 38.

Although she is afraid of Lu Jingsi and finds the Prison Administration intimidating, Zelan carries messages and follows Su Luoqian’s instructions when needed 2 21 24.

Abilities & Skills

Personal attendance

Zelan assists Su Luoqian with dressing, bathing and daily care 3 8 14.

• Coils elaborate hair buns and selects ornaments with her mistress 3.
• Applies ointment and checks on Su Luoqian when she is injured or exhausted 3 50.
• Directs other servants, including those sent to pick green plums and prepare Lu Jingsi’s clothes 11 18.

Gathering information

Zelan passes household news and potential threats to Su Luoqian.

• Learned from a kitchen friend that Nanny Liu had replaced the residence’s vegetable supplier with her husband and son 8.
• Overheard Nanny Liu secretly approaching Yinzhu and brought the maid to Su Luoqian for questioning 38.
• Reported Lu Jingsi’s overnight questioning of Su Youqing and reassured Su Luoqian that her parents were well 43.

Relationships

• Su Luoqian — Her mistress and childhood companion. They share an affectionate familiarity and reminisce together about their early years at the Su residence 14 48.
• Peilan — A fellow maid who once reminded Zelan about the proper way to address Su Luoqian. Both received sachets from their mistress 4 11.
• Lu Jingsi — Su Luoqian’s husband. Zelan is frightened of him but attends to his wife and carries information to him when asked 2 24.
• Nanny Liu — A household servant whose attempts to undermine Su Luoqian anger and worry Zelan 4 38.
• Yinzhu — Another maid in Su Luoqian’s courtyard. Zelan worries that Yinzhu is too timid to help expose Nanny Liu’s scheme 38 39.
• Chengying — Lu Jingsi’s guard. He refuses to answer Zelan’s anxious questions after the villa incident and later leaves her to walk back from the Prison Administration 2 24.

Story Role

Villa incident

After Su Luoqian is drugged at the villa, she whispers Zelan’s name and mentions the back gate. Lu Jingsi sends someone to collect Zelan, who anxiously questions Chengying on the way back before attending her mistress at the residence 1 2.

Cui Anlan’s birthday

At the Su residence, Zelan demands that Kong Cuilian formally pay respects to Su Luoqian. When Kong insults her, Zelan slaps her on Su Luoqian’s orders 5.

Duke Xu’s banquet

Zelan accompanies Su Luoqian when she overhears Xu Jia and her cousin discussing Zhong Qin’s abduction. Su Luoqian sends Zelan to warn Lu Jingsi or Chengying at the Prison Administration; Zelan waits outside until they return and tells Lu Jingsi what she knows 20 21 24.

Nanny Liu’s plot

Zelan’s report about Nanny Liu’s secret conversation with Yinzhu prompts Su Luoqian to question the maid. Yinzhu then pretends to cooperate with Nanny Liu and discovers her plan to bring a man into Su Luoqian’s bedroom. Nanny Liu acts when she believes Zelan has been sent away, but Zelan is present when the plot is exposed 38 39 40 41.

Bright Moon Lake

During the Qiqiao Festival, Lu Jingsi leaves to handle Xu Bin’s death and arranges for Zelan to attend Su Luoqian. The two enjoy the lake view and recall their childhood at the Su residence 48.