Liu Yumei

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Yumei (柳玉梅)
Alias(es)	Grandma Liu
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Liu and Qin families; resides in Li Sanjiang's household
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background

Liu Yumei's ancestors were boatmen on the Yangtze River; she describes the river itself as both her and her late husband's ancestral home. Her family and her husband's had once been sworn enemies, but he pursued and married her, after which their families reconciled. 8

She is the grandmother and guardian of Qin Li, also called A'Li, the only descendant of both the Qin and Liu families. Before Li Zhuiyuan's arrival, Liu Yumei had spent years managing A'Li's condition and preventing episodes that could harm either A'Li or those around her. 12 13

Liu Yumei lives at Li Sanjiang's house because its air and climate benefit A'Li. Though she presents this as a practical arrangement, Li Zhuiyuan observes that she owns valuable antiques and a refined tea set. 12

Appearance

Liu Yumei is an elderly woman with silver-white hair that has turned soft white beneath its surface layer. She dresses and grooms A'Li carefully, taking particular joy in making her granddaughter look beautiful. 20 23

• Often sits with a tea set, brewing or drinking tea. 7 12
• Carries a fragrance of incense. 7
• Uses a cattail fan while watching over A'Li. 21
• Her hands bear burn marks after handling suspicious human-skin paper with hot tea. 43

Personality

Liu Yumei is observant, sharp-tongued, and difficult to deceive. She quickly recognizes Li Zhuiyuan's unusual intelligence, privately judging him exceptionally precocious and aware that he may be concealing the extent of his knowledge. 13 34

Her foremost concern is A'Li's recovery. Liu Yumei initially warns Li Zhuiyuan not to approach her granddaughter, fearing A'Li's reactions to strangers, but becomes overwhelmed with hope when A'Li begins eating, communicating, and willingly following him. 7 12 34

Despite her composed manner, she carries enduring grief and resentment over the loss of her family. When Xue Liangliang's crisis recalls the dangers facing those connected to the river, she openly condemns her departed relatives for leaving her alone to bear the consequences. 23

Abilities & Skills

Qi Gazing and Divination

Liu Yumei possesses expertise associated with the Liu Clan's Qi Gazing Art and can assess fluctuations in fortune and physiognomy.

• Notices abnormal changes in Li Sanjiang's fortune after the luck-transfer ritual. 33 34
• Uses concealed finger movements while examining Li Zhuiyuan's appearance and fortune. 33 34
• Explains that Li Sanjiang's powerful fortune can alter even his own destiny. 29
• Intends to accept Li Zhuiyuan as a registered disciple and teach him the Liu Clan's Qi Gazing Art once A'Li has recovered. 44

Paper, Cloth, and Antique Appraisal

Liu Yumei is highly knowledgeable about paper, cloth, and old books.

• Dates Yin Yang Physiognomy Explained and Destiny Deduction Theory to the Republican era. 43
• Dates the Liu Clan's Qi Gazing Art and Qin Clan's Flood Dragon Observation Method paper to the Ming–Qing period. 43
• Identifies the material of Wei Zhengdao's books as human-skin paper and dates it to the Southern Liang period. 43
• Identifies a gold ingot as Nether Gold used in burials and arranges its exchange for money. 43

Household and Ritual Knowledge

Liu Yumei maintains the Qin and Liu ancestral tablets and understands the dangers surrounding spiritual inheritance, fortune, and supernatural contamination.

• Keeps and tends the memorial tablets of both families. 8 12
• Recognizes that certain dangers should be handled through official channels rather than by Li Zhuiyuan acting alone. 39
• Warns Li Zhuiyuan that exposure to excessive Yin energy can blur the boundary between the living and the dead. 29

Relationships

• Qin Li / A'Li — Granddaughter and the sole descendant of the Qin and Liu families. Liu Yumei has devoted years to protecting her, and A'Li's growing responsiveness brings her immense hope. 12 13 34
• Li Zhuiyuan — A'Li's close companion. Liu Yumei first treats him warmly but cautiously, then increasingly relies on his ability to reach A'Li and considers taking him as a registered disciple. 7 12 36 44
• Li Sanjiang — Housemate and Li Zhuiyuan's great-grandfather. Liu Yumei respects his unusual fortune but criticizes his roughness and warns Li Zhuiyuan not to interfere carelessly with his fate. 14 29
• Liu Yumei's late husband — Her husband and A'Li's grandfather. Their families had been enemies before he pursued and married her. 8
• Liu Ting / Aunt Liu — Household companion who assists Liu Yumei with domestic work and A'Li's care. 23 49

Story Role / Major Arcs

A'Li's Recovery

Liu Yumei meets Li Zhuiyuan after he begins staying with Li Sanjiang. She gives him a jade thumb ring as a meeting gift, warns him to keep his distance from A'Li, and explains that hospitals cannot help her granddaughter's condition. 7

When A'Li begins watching Li Zhuiyuan, eating at his request, holding his hand, and joining him to read, Liu Yumei is shocked and emotional. She regards each small response—including A'Li's ability to nod—as evidence that recovery may finally be possible. 12 34

A'Li's temporary regression deeply distresses Liu Yumei. She confronts Li Zhuiyuan for answers, then places faith in his promise that he can restore their connection after he has time to study. 35 36

Bai Family Empress Incident

After watching a film, Liu Yumei receives upsetting news connected to Xue Liangliang's accident. Against her usual caution, she permits Li Zhuiyuan and A'Li to leave for the hospital with Uncle Qin. 22 23

Later, she vents her long-suppressed anger at the ancestral tablets, declaring that the forces from the riverbed must remember whose family truly commands the river. 23

Li Zhuiyuan's Studies

Liu Yumei observes Li Zhuiyuan's rapid development through the books in Li Sanjiang's basement, finding it difficult to believe that he can learn so much without formal instruction. 34 39

She appraises fragments from his books and discovers their disturbing human-skin material. Though wary of his involvement with dangerous knowledge, she remains willing to help him assess the artifacts and exchange the Nether Gold safely. 43

Trivia

• Liu Yumei uses Li Zhuiyuan's name as an effective way to persuade A'Li to sleep or rest. 21
• She becomes jealous when A'Li's attention centers on Li Zhuiyuan, but ultimately values her granddaughter's recovery more than her own loneliness. 13 36
• She once remarks that, when young, she was as beautiful as A'Li. 43