Princess Dongyang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Princess Dongyang
Alias(es)	Princess Anning; County Princess; Grand Princess
Gender	Female
Affiliation	King Dongyang's household; Princess Dongyang faction; Blood-Clad Tower
Occupation/Role	Eldest legitimate daughter of King Dongyang; political operator and patron of the Blood-Clad Tower
Status	Grand Princess following King Dongyang's enthronement 48
First Appearance	Chapter 22

Background / History

Princess Dongyang, whose given name is Anning, is King Dongyang's eldest legitimate daughter. After Consort Feng died from illness, King Dongyang became especially devoted to her. Her exceptional intelligence earned her further favor, including the title “Princess Dongyang.” Backed by Consort Feng's family, her faction rivaled that of the Heir Apparent despite the latter's stronger claim to succession 33.

She secretly left Chunyang Villa disguised as a merchant to enter Zhenshui Commandery and persuade King Zhenshui to support her father's cause. Jiangshan Tower uncovered the journey and assembled nearly thirty assassins to ambush her at Luoma Mountain 22.

Qin Sang intercepted her caravan to deliver the warning. She received him calmly, acknowledged that Bai Jianglan had saved him with her approval, and ordered Granny Li to hear his intelligence in private 23. Though Granny Li urged that Qin Sang be killed as a possible enemy agent, Princess Dongyang instead had Bai Jianglan test him and promised to reward his assistance once they were safe 24.

After splitting from the decoy convoy, she changed the group's route toward Yingnan Prefecture, ordering that Chun Tao's sick younger brother receive an imperial physician's treatment and a position in the Prince's mansion 25. During a night ambush, Qin Sang deflected a poisoned needle aimed at her. She personally returned his ironwood staff, thanked him for saving her life, and ordered proper burials for the guards killed in her defense 26.

Rather than flee, she returned to Three Witches City to seek King Zhenshui's support, judging that the assassins would not expect such a move. King Zhenshui agreed to help escort her back to Dongyang Commandery 27.

After King Dongyang began his rebellion, Princess Dongyang proposed establishing the Blood-Clad Tower to counter Jiangshan Tower's assassinations, sabotage, and espionage 29. She later protected Qin Sang politically, even as she disciplined him for forging seals, mobilizing troops without authorization, and attacking Xuanji Temple 39 40. When King Dongyang was enthroned as Emperor Wude, she became the Grand Princess 48.

Appearance

Princess Dongyang is tall and slender, with delicate features and an extremely slim waist. She frequently presents herself in masculine attire, allowing her to be mistaken at first glance for a refined young gentleman 23.

• An exquisite pearl-inlaid skullcap, silk clothing, floral cloud-patterned sash, and jade waist ornament during her merchant disguise 23.
• Light armor, helmet, precious sword, and a black-and-red cloak when arriving in Jiang Prefecture 39.
• Chun Tao closely resembles her in height, build, facial features, and gait, enabling a convincing decoy disguise with a human-skin mask 25.

Personality

Princess Dongyang remains notably composed under threat. Even after hearing that Jiangshan Tower had organized an assassination attempt against her, she showed no visible fear while hearing Qin Sang's warning 23. During the poisoned-needle attack, she recovered from her initial alarm quickly enough to order Bai Jianglan to end the battle 26.

She is decisive and willing to accept personal danger for political goals. She overruled Elder Yue's objections to return to Three Witches City, reasoning that major achievements require readiness for sacrifice 27. Her compassion is equally practical: she ensured care for Chun Tao's brother and demanded honorable treatment for guards who died protecting her 25 26.

Her mercy does not prevent stern leadership. She personally confronted Qin Sang over his unauthorized use of royal authority, then reassigned him according to his preferred path after stripping him of his former position 39 40.

Abilities & Skills

Political Judgment and Leadership

Princess Dongyang directs her faction's strategy during the conflict against the puppet emperor and the succession struggle within her father's household.

• Identified the danger of traveling to Three Witches City after her identity was exposed and approved a split-convoy deception 24.
• Chose an unexpected return to Three Witches City to negotiate with King Zhenshui, securing his support and safe passage home 27.
• Proposed the creation of Blood-Clad Tower to oppose Jiangshan Tower and gather military intelligence 29.
• Commands sufficient authority to reassign Qin Sang, allocate troops, and influence military affairs 39 40.

Personnel Assessment

She recognizes and cultivates capable subordinates.

• Ordered Bai Jianglan to test Qin Sang after learning he had advanced from no True Qi to killing a Jiangshan Tower assassin in less than a year 24.
• Valued Qin Sang after he saved her, later using Bai Jianglan to probe his ambitions and recruit him into her faction's service 26 28 29.
• Protected Qin Sang from the Heir Apparent's attempt to inspect the treasure he received from an immortal cultivator 46.

Relationships

• King Dongyang — Her father; he dotes on her, trusts her judgment, and credits her discernment in supporting Qin Sang 33 46.
• Qin Sang — Beneficiary of her tacit approval when Bai Jianglan rescued him; he later warns her of Jiangshan Tower's plot and saves her from a poisoned needle. She becomes his political patron while also disciplining his excesses 23 26 39 40.
• Bai Jianglan — Commander of King Dongyang's personal guards and her trusted protector. He acts as her messenger, tests Qin Sang at her order, and remains by her side 23 24 28.
• Granny Li — Senior attendant and security adviser. Granny Li advocates ruthless measures for the Princess's safety, while Princess Dongyang displays greater mercy toward Qin Sang 24.
• Elder Yue — Loyal guard and Blood-Clad Tower protector who takes orders directly from her. He escorts her through the assassins' pursuit and later relinquishes control of the Military Affairs Hall on her behalf 25 33 40.
• Chun Tao — Attendant who serves as her decoy during the escape. Princess Dongyang arranges medical care and employment for Chun Tao's younger brother 24 25.
• King Zhenshui — Her uncle and a crucial political ally. She risks returning to Three Witches City to win his support for King Dongyang's cause 27.
• Heir Apparent — Her principal rival within King Dongyang's household; his faction competes with hers for influence and succession 33 41.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jiangshan Tower Assassination Plot

• Targeted by Jiangshan Tower while secretly traveling through Zhenshui Commandery 22.
• Receives Qin Sang's warning, tests his reliability, and divides her convoy using Chun Tao as a decoy 23 24.
• Survives repeated assassination attempts with the aid of Qin Sang, Bai Jianglan, Elder Yue, Water Monkey, and her guards 25 26.
• Returns to Three Witches City and gains King Zhenshui's support for her father's rebellion 27.

Blood-Clad Tower and Faction Politics

• Advocates forming Blood-Clad Tower as a counterweight to Jiangshan Tower 29.
• Maintains a faction supported by the late Consort Feng's family and rivaling the Heir Apparent's influence 33.
• Uses Qin Sang as a strategist and military asset, but disciplines him after his unauthorized assault on Xuanji Temple provokes court backlash 36 39 40.

Enthronement of Emperor Wude

• Supports King Dongyang during the enthronement ceremony on Pilgrimage Mountain 47.
• Becomes Grand Princess after her father takes the throne and establishes the Wude reign 48.
• Attempts to persuade Qin Sang to remain in the mortal court rather than pursue the cultivation world 50.

Notable Quotes

“To achieve great things, how can one be afraid of personal sacrifice?”
— Princess Dongyang, on returning to Three Witches City despite the assassination threat 27

“This concerns my life, and Anning had to act cautiously. I am grateful for your life-saving grace, and once we are out of danger, Anning will surely repay you handsomely.”
— Princess Dongyang to Qin Sang 24