Xiao Wan'er

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Wan'er (萧婉儿)
Alias(es)	Eldest Miss
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Xiao Family / Marquis Dingyuan's estate
Occupation/Role	Head steward of the Xiao Family estate; oversees household affairs, shops, farmland, and pharmacy businesses 2 8
Status	Alive 402
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Following the decline of the Xiao Family, Xiao Wan'er assumes responsibility for the estate's major and minor affairs. She manages the household alongside support from branch-family members, while Elder Master Xiao's old injuries and age limit his ability to do so himself 2.

She is the elder sister of Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wuge. After their parents died on the battlefield, Jinghong entered military service while Wan'er remained in Shu Prefecture to maintain the family estate and care for its internal affairs 215.

Wan'er permits Xiao Wuge to stay in Chunhe Garden with Chen Yi, hoping he can learn how to handle people and affairs from his brother-in-law before eventually going to Jinling 13. She later comes to rely on Chen Yi's judgment in both family crises and commercial decisions 87 102.

Appearance

Xiao Wan'er is widely regarded as exceptionally beautiful, with a refined yet fragile bearing. Her chronic cold condition often leaves her complexion pale, and she commonly wears a heavy cloak even in mild weather 83 141.

• Delicate, fair features and a gentle gaze; Chen Yi compares her temperament to a pure lotus 44.
• Usually wears cloaks with soft fur collars, emphasizing her frailty and reserved demeanor 141.
• Her complexion improves noticeably after receiving medicinal treatment, allowing her to wear lighter clothing without feeling cold 128 129.
• When playing the zither, she is described with dark hair, distant-mountain brows, jade nose, ruby lips, and a slender figure in red dress 215.

Personality

Wan'er is gentle, dignified, and considerate toward both relatives and servants. She respects elders, treats people without obvious bias, and handles the estate's financial and administrative burdens with patience 207.

Despite her soft-spoken nature and poor health, she is resilient under pressure. After the family's herb convoy is robbed, she immediately investigates the matter rather than collapsing under the responsibility 87. When finances grow strained, she is prepared to pawn her own jewelry to cover household expenses 96.

She is cautious in personal matters and easily embarrassed around Chen Yi, particularly as their relationship becomes closer. However, she gradually grows more open with him, sharing family memories, business plans, and her hopes for the Medical Academy 197 238.

Abilities & Skills

Estate Administration

Wan'er manages the Xiao Family's internal and external affairs while the family is in decline.

• Oversees food, expenses, courtyards, shops, and farmland belonging to the Xiao Family 8.
• Coordinates pharmacy heads and reviews the estate's commercial operations 53.
• Handles visiting relatives and matchmaking pressure with composure 186 381.
• Entrusts trusted associates with responsibilities while maintaining oversight of Hundred Herbs Hall 266.

Business Management

Wan'er is an able businesswoman who actively seeks ways to stabilize and expand the family's medicine trade.

• Finalizes a partnership with Hundred Herbs Hall to sell five tea beverages on commission 102.
• Recognizes the significance of the Hundred Herbs Hall Expansion Charter and supports its proposed expansion beyond Shu Prefecture 175 176.
• Develops a separate pharmacy development charter for the Xiao Family 190.
• Remains alert to commercial threats from the Liu Family and Linglan Pavilion 128.

Medical Academy Planning

Wan'er pursues the establishment of a Medical Academy to benefit ordinary people through medical education.

• Chooses to establish a medical academy after Chen Yi advises that it could help more people than pharmacy expansion alone 191.
• Works overnight on the academy's charter and continues refining its plans 211.
• Personally scouts locations in her fief for the academy's construction 226.
• Pushes to accelerate construction and consults Chen Yi and Ma Liangcai on its implementation 238.

Health

Wan'er has an extreme-cold constitution, described as congenital deficiency of vital fire and cold energy invading her marrow. The condition makes cold weather, exhaustion, and illness especially dangerous for her 83 141 238.

• Her condition improves after medicinal soup prepared through Chen Yi's medical knowledge; she experiences warmth and regains color in her face 128 129.
• The treatment suppresses symptoms but does not remove the underlying condition 238.
• Chen Yi later uses acupuncture and True Essence to draw out some of her internal cold energy 380.
• Her treatment improves enough that she is permitted to forgo her annual recuperation trip to Wumeng Mountain 257.

Relationships

• Chen Yi — Her brother-in-law and increasingly trusted confidant. She seeks his advice on family business, the Medical Academy, and personal concerns; he repeatedly treats and protects her 102 191 300.
• Chen Yu — Chen Yi's Hundred Herbs Hall identity. Wan'er initially finds him oddly familiar, admires his expansion plans, and later learns that he is Chen Yi 175 311.
• Xiao Jinghong — Her younger sister and the Xiao Family's military commander. Wan'er worries deeply for Jinghong's safety at Mengshui Pass 48 402.
• Xiao Wuge — Her younger brother. She entrusts him to Chen Yi's care and guides him in matters concerning the Medical Academy 13 191.
• Elder Master Xiao — Her grandfather. She reports major family issues to him and receives his support in business and marriage matters 176 301.
• Shen Huatang — Her close attendant and bodyguard. Huatang accompanies Wan'er in household, commercial, and personal matters 13 87.
• Cui'er and Juan'er — Her maids, who assist with her work and care for her during illness 128 191.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Stewardship of the Xiao Estate

Wan'er is introduced as the effective administrator of the declining Xiao Family estate. She monitors Chen Yi after his arrival, but quickly recognizes his abilities and allows Xiao Wuge to remain under his influence 2 8 13.

Medicine Hall Crisis

When the Xiao Family's medicinal-herb convoy is attacked, Wan'er attempts to bear the responsibility herself before Chen Yi urges her to inform Elder Master Xiao. The incident exposes the family's financial vulnerability and contributes to her decision to seek new commercial solutions 87 96.

Hundred Herbs Hall Expansion

Wan'er forms a business partnership with Hundred Herbs Hall, studies Chen Yu's expansion charter, and earns Elder Master Xiao's permission to explore the proposal further 102 175 176.

Medical Academy Project

Inspired by Chen Yi's suggestion, Wan'er shifts her ambitions from merely enlarging pharmacy operations to founding a Medical Academy. She dedicates herself to the charter, construction planning, recruitment, and management of the project 191 211 226 257.

Kidnapping by Du Cang

Du Cang kidnaps Wan'er and uses her to restrict Chen Yi during their battle. Chen Yi protects her throughout the fight, kills Du Cang, and reveals his true identity and strength to her 300 301.

Wan'er chooses to believe Chen Yi and keeps his secret from her grandfather after returning safely to the estate 301.

Trivia

• Wan'er plays the zither and performs “Carefree Wandering” in Chunhe Garden 215.
• She initially suspects similarities between Chen Yi and the disguised Chen Yu, but repeatedly dismisses the possibility 161 178.
• She considers Chen Yi's sincere praise more comforting than empty reassurance, though it often leaves her embarrassed 207.