Si Yunqi

Biodata

Background

The Si Household’s ancestors helped Zhaoyuan’s founding emperor conquer the realm. Its successive generations remained loyal to the imperial family and guarded the Northern Borderlands. Si Yunqi is the eighth in its single line of succession and the only prince in Zhaoyuan without the imperial surname 1.

Before his marriage, Si Yunqi had his shadow guards investigate Yan Wanning. He initially cared little whom he married, provided she behaved herself and did not harm the prince’s residence 2 8.

Appearance

Si Yunqi is tall and powerfully built, with a cold, handsome face and a naturally imposing presence 2.

• Eyes: Ink-black 2.
• Chest scar: A long scar left by a wound sustained while fighting Western Rong’s third prince 21.

Personality

Aloof and taciturn, Si Yunqi has a stern manner that can intimidate those around him. His grandmother observes that he is not skilled at speaking sweetly, while his companions are surprised by the gentleness he shows Yan Wanning 7 13 36.

He becomes attentive and protective toward his wife, taking time to understand her and insisting that she need not stand on ceremony with him. After initially leaving her sore through his lack of restraint, he agrees to try to be gentler and later coaxes her when she is angry with him 4 6 7 12.

His affection also draws out a teasing, boastful side: he proudly shows Ye Muchen the robe Yan Wanning made him and jokes that the unmarried crown prince cannot understand how it feels to be cared for by a wife 45 46.

Abilities & Skills

Military command and combat

Si Yunqi commands troops defending the Northern Borderlands and fights personally on the battlefield.

• Ordered Gu Qingshi and Old Leopard to lead 50,000 soldiers against Western Rong, warning them against rash action 16.
• Led 3,000 elite soldiers out of Yucheng and struck Western Rong’s third prince from his horse with a long saber 19.
• Suffered a chest wound during the fighting after an attempted sneak attack 21.

Martial techniques

• Used a gust from his palm to extinguish candles 5.
• Circulated internal energy to suppress the effects of a drug 48.
• Has excellent hearing, allowing him to overhear Yan Wanning from outside a private room 24.

Hunting and riding

• Took Yan Wanning riding, caught a rabbit and two pheasants, and prepared and roasted the birds by the river 7.

Equipment and Gifts

• Long saber and golden armor — Carried and worn when he led the sortie against Western Rong 19.
• Embroidered pouch — Made by Yan Wanning and tied around his waist 25.
• Moon-white robe — Made by Yan Wanning with gold embroidery, small chicken-drumstick motifs, and her name stitched over his chest 45.

Relationships

• Yan Wanning — His wife, whom he marries by imperial decree. Their initially formal relationship becomes affectionate; she later becomes pregnant with their child 1 5 28 36.
• Old Princess Dowager — His grandmother. She urges him to spend time with Yan Wanning and asks him to protect her in the capital 7 35.
• Yun Yin — His personal guard, whom he assigns to protect Yan Wanning 8.
• Gu Qingshi — A longtime acquaintance and military subordinate. Si Yunqi entrusts him with troops against Western Rong 16 26.
• Qin Shaoheng — A companion whose wartime injuries Si Yunqi recounts to Yan Wanning 13 32.
• Ye Muchen — The crown prince, whom Si Yunqi teases about his unmarried status 45 46.

Story Role

Marriage and war

Emperor Zhaoyuan decrees Si Yunqi’s marriage to Yan Wanning, sending her to the Northern Borderlands. As the newlyweds grow closer, Si Yunqi takes her on outings, gives her a rabbit, and assigns Yun Yin to guard her 1 7 8.

When Western Rong attacks, Si Yunqi leads Ningbei Army forces at Yucheng. After defeating the enemy and reporting its surrender and proposed marriage alliance to the emperor, he returns to Ningguan City and reunites with Yan Wanning 19 20.

The Western Rong envoys

Si Yunqi hosts the fifth prince, Tamu’er, who is escorting a Western Rong princess for a marriage alliance. He refuses Tamu’er’s gift of the dancer Jiaoniang, declaring that he already has a beloved wife. When the scent of powder on him upsets Yan Wanning, he explains its source and reassures her that he has no intention of taking a concubine 27 28.

Journey to the capital

Before leaving for the capital, Si Yunqi promises his grandmother that he will protect Yan Wanning. On the journey, a physician confirms that she is pregnant; Si Yunqi cares for her and takes her to Yucheng’s Lantern Festival night market 35 36.

At the Duke Yan Household, he supports Yan Wanning’s demand for her late parents’ belongings. After finding that much of the inventory is missing, he strikes Duke Yan with a teacup and orders the family to return everything within three days. The family later delivers valuables and silver for the missing items 39 41 44.

During a New Year visit to the Duke Yan Household, Si Yunqi realizes he has been drugged and resists Yan Wanwen’s attempt to approach him. A physician treats him, and Yun Yin later reports that Yan Wanwen is pregnant. Yan Wanning concludes that her relatives intended to pass the child off as Si Yunqi’s and force him to take Yan Wanwen as a concubine 47 48 49.

Notable Quotes

“Everyone was hoping I’d take a wife. Now that I’ve married her, shouldn’t I cherish and protect her? What else would I do, throw her away?” 14

“A Ning is my wife. To bully her is the same as bullying me. I won’t let her suffer any wrong.” 35