Crown Prince

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Jiang Xun (姜洵)
Alias(es)	Crown Prince; “Little Fatty”; Young Master Jiang (disguise) 85 408 413
Bloodline	God King Blood 85 407
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yin Dynasty; Eastern Palace
Occupation/Role	Crown Prince of the Yin Dynasty; later Emperor of the Yin Kingdom 85 520 574
Status	Ascended to the throne following the Mubei Emperor’s death 520 574
First Appearance	Chapter 85

Background

Jiang Xun is the third son of the Mubei Emperor. He spent his early life studying with tutors and playing with companions, never expecting to become heir apparent. A court-shaking case left him the eldest imperial prince with God King Blood while the Emperor’s old injuries had relapsed, leading to his sudden appointment as Crown Prince. 85

His position became precarious after National Preceptor Li Longchan healed the Mubei Emperor. The Emperor remained healthy, while the Sixth Prince developed an exceptional public reputation and became the subject of persistent rumors that Jiang Xun would be replaced. 71 85

The later revelation of the First Prince’s disappearance clarified the circumstances of Jiang Xun’s elevation: the Xishan Society was suspected of targeting the First Prince so that the “dull-witted and weak-natured” Third Prince would be made Crown Prince, allowing the society to regain control over the court. 265

Appearance

Jiang Xun is fair-skinned, slightly plump, and approachable in appearance. His gentle eyebrows and eyes, simple-looking face, and lack of an imposing presence contrast with expectations for an imperial heir. 85

• Wears a yellow robe embroidered with a four-clawed python at formal ceremonies. 85
• Has a “chubby” or fleshy face; he is frequently called the “Little Fatty.” 85 99 437
• Resembles his birth mother more than the Mubei Emperor and is considered less ruler-like in appearance than the Sixth Prince. 407

Personality

Jiang Xun is benevolent, amiable, and unpretentious. Supporters view these traits as kindness, while opponents interpret them as weakness. He is uncomfortable as the center of attention and retains the temperament he developed before becoming Crown Prince. 85 437

He enjoys food, casual outings, and friendships not defined by rank. While travelling incognito in Yunlu City, he readily treated Chen Ju as a friend because of Chen Ju’s friendship with Liang Yue. 408 413

Though initially politically inexperienced and often overwhelmed by court maneuvering, Jiang Xun grows more discerning. He remains cautious when Qingdu’s great families suddenly pledge allegiance, supports exposing their crimes rather than using them for political advantage, and backs Liang Yue’s pursuit of justice against entrenched noble interests. 437 438 456

After the Mubei Emperor’s death, Jiang Xun becomes deeply anxious about the instability of the Yin Kingdom and the uncertain loyalty of the court. He places exceptional trust in Liang Yue, whom he considers the one person he can rely on. 521

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

Jiang Xun possesses God King Blood but did not cultivate diligently in his early years. At the Heaven-Piercing Tower ceremony, he was an early Third Realm Qi Refiner. 85 86

• His cultivation was sufficient to handle spiritual items, though lifting the spirit-infused jade seal required considerable effort. 85 86
• His low cultivation compared with the ceremony’s threats made him a vulnerable assassination target. 86
• He later notes that royal duties and study have delayed the cultivation of the princes. 407

Political Judgment

Jiang Xun develops practical political awareness during the Yunlu City investigation.

• Recognizes that sudden support from Qingdu’s aristocratic families is suspicious rather than automatically trustworthy. 437
• Chooses to expose corrupt officials and the Fire of Righteousness Sect despite the political risks. 438
• Uses negotiations with Wei Lingfeng to secure post-purge order in Qingdu. 438
• Supports Liang Yue’s decision to redistribute the convicted noble families’ businesses and lands rather than protecting aristocratic privilege. 456

Composure and Wit

Despite his limited combat ability, Jiang Xun shows resilience under pressure.

• After Liang Yue accidentally kicks him during the Heaven-Piercing Tower ceremony, he orders the Imperial Capital Guards to release Liang Yue and hear his explanation. 86
• During his kidnapping by Ba Mountain bandits, he outsmarts them long enough for the Imperial Guards to rescue him. 451

Equipment / Items

• Jade seal — Used to activate the Heaven-Piercing Tower’s foundation array; it was secretly planted as part of an assassination conspiracy. 85 86
• Snow Treading Dragon Steed — A spiritual horse with pure dragon blood and white hooves, capable of travelling eight thousand li per day. Jiang Xun gifts it to Liang Yue despite his visible reluctance to part with it. 92

Relationships

• Mubei Emperor Jiang Duo — Father. Jiang Xun was unexpectedly named heir during the Emperor’s illness; after the Emperor’s death, Jiang Xun prepares to inherit the throne amid uncertainty and grief. 85 520 521
• Liang Yue — Companion reader, trusted investigator, and savior. Liang Yue prevents the Heaven-Piercing Tower assassination, later assists Jiang Xun’s Yunlu City mission, and becomes the person Jiang Xun trusts most during his accession. 86 92 438 521
• Hu Delu — Imperial protector and First-Rank Imperial City Enshrined. Hu Delu guards Jiang Xun, accompanies him to Yunlu City, and comes to recognize Liang Yue’s value to the Yin Kingdom. 86 408 456
• Xu Zhanao — Grand Tutor and Minister of Rites. As Jiang Xun’s chief teacher, Xu Zhanao is one of the few important court figures tied to the Crown Prince’s faction. 92 100
• Sixth Prince Jiang Long — Younger brother and principal rival for succession during Jiang Xun’s time as Crown Prince. The Sixth Prince’s reputation fueled repeated calls to depose Jiang Xun. 71 407
• Ninth Prince Jiang Tu — Younger brother. Their relationship is comparatively warm and resembles that of father and son. 406
• Chen Ju — Liang Yue’s friend, whom Jiang Xun treats warmly while travelling in disguise. 413
• Wei Lingfeng — Head of the Wei Family. Jiang Xun offers him the chance to become Qingdu’s foremost aristocratic family in exchange for helping maintain order after the purge. 438

Story Role / Major Arcs

Heaven-Piercing Tower Assassination

Jiang Xun attends the Heaven-Piercing Tower groundbreaking ceremony on behalf of the Mubei Emperor. He is nearly killed when a concealed formation and three hundred Zhengyang Thunders are set to detonate upon placement of the jade seal. 85 86

Liang Yue reaches the platform by trebuchet and accidentally kicks Jiang Xun away from the seal before the array can be activated. Jiang Xun survives the blast and later thanks Liang Yue, beginning their close association. 86 87

Eastern Palace and Liang Yue’s Recruitment

Jiang Xun invites Liang Yue to serve as his companion reader, valuing both Liang Yue’s intelligence and his connection to Chen Su and the Evil Extermination Division. 89

He personally receives Liang Yue at the Imperial City, arranges for him to join lessons with Xu Zhanao, and gives him the Snow Treading Dragon Steed. He then asks Liang Yue to assist with the Heaven-Piercing Tower and Ministry of Works investigation. 92 93

Yunlu City Investigation

The Mubei Emperor appoints Jiang Xun as imperial envoy to investigate the Zhao Faxian case in Yunlu City, with Liang Yue accompanying him as the effective investigator. 408

While incognito, Jiang Xun witnesses the arrogance, corruption, and influence of Qingdu’s aristocratic families. When Liang Yue obtains a registry implicating powerful figures, Jiang Xun chooses justice over using the evidence to secure their political support. 413 437 438

He supports the purge of the Fire of Righteousness Sect and Qingdu’s Three Great Families, then experiences the weight and exhilaration of authority during their executions. 469

Succession

The Mubei Emperor’s political reforms and purges are understood as efforts to clear obstacles before Jiang Xun’s succession, creating a more stable system for a ruler widely considered mediocre. 371 475

Following the Mubei Emperor’s death, Song Zhili arranges Jiang Xun’s ascension. On the eve of becoming Emperor, Jiang Xun seeks Liang Yue’s support and attempts to grant him a series of powerful titles and offices. 520

Trivia

• Liang Yue’s rescue of Jiang Xun is remembered by onlookers as the work of a “Flying Kick Hero.” 87
• Jiang Xun’s first instinct after completing the Heaven-Piercing Tower ceremony was to return home and eat. 86
• He is intimidated by Xu Zhanao’s lectures and warns Liang Yue that previous companion readers resigned after being relentlessly scolded. 99
• When Qingdu’s aristocrats suddenly begin flattering him, he briefly wonders whether his imperial aura or appearance has somehow made him irresistible. 437