Phoenix

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Phoenix (凤凰)
Alias(es)	Miss Phoenix
Gender	Female
Age	23 360
Affiliation	Jade Sound Pavilion; Azure Luan Society of Qi State; Li Manor 91 392
Occupation/Role	Pavilion Master of Jade Sound Pavilion; musician and artist; business manager; Qi State spy
Status	Alive; Li Nuo's wife 360 419
First Appearance	Chapter 91

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Cultivation improved (realm unspecified)	228	Her mentor notes that her cultivation has advanced substantially after Phoenix evades and counters her attack. Phoenix's special technique can conceal her cultivation so long as she does not circulate her energy 228 288.

Appearance

Phoenix is a tall, exceptionally beautiful woman with a regal, gentle, and elegant bearing. Her appearance is often compared favorably to Song Jiaren's, while her curvaceous figure is noted as one of her most striking features 91 126.

• Over 1.7 meters tall 126.
• Graceful, full-figured build 91 126.
• Carries herself with polished refinement befitting Jade Sound Pavilion's mistress 110.
• Uses carefully chosen clothing and makeup as part of her public image 107.
• Often presents herself as alluring and composed, though her fear of blood exposes a more timid side 126.

Personality

Phoenix is perceptive, adaptable, and highly skilled at reading people. She can be playful and provocative with Li Nuo, but also acts as a trusted confidante to him and a mediator among the women of Li Manor 289 359.

Her early pursuit of Li Nuo is calculating: she spreads damaging rumors surrounding Phoenix Seeks Phoenix, then seeks forgiveness after recognizing that her tactics alienated him 139 145. Once accepted by the Li family, she proves persistent and sincere in repairing that damage, repeatedly teaching Song Jiaren flower arrangement and other arts despite Li Nuo's initial coldness 145 148.

Beneath her confident public persona, Phoenix is vulnerable. She fears blood, worries deeply for her younger sister Nightingale, and is torn between her attachment to Li Nuo's family and the coercive demands of the Azure Luan Society 126 391 416.

Abilities & Skills

Artistic Accomplishments

Phoenix is proficient in numerous refined arts and is regarded by Song Jiaren as exceptionally capable 145.

• Plays the zither and understands the emotional meaning behind musical compositions 110.
• Paints, practices calligraphy, dances, and arranges flowers 110 145.
• Teaches Song Jiaren flower arrangement, painting, zither, embroidery, and other domestic arts 145 228 248.
• Authenticates artworks and identifies the stolen Mountain Dwelling Diagram as Gu Youzhi's genuine work 125.
• Designs popular women's clothing and lingerie through her businesses, drawing on her talent in painting 392.

Cultivation and Concealment

Phoenix initially appears unable to defend herself against martial artists, but later demonstrates concealed cultivation and reacts effectively to an attack from her mentor 91 228.

• Practices a martial arts technique created by a Martial Saint that conceals her cultivation when she does not circulate her energy 288.
• Her cultivation improves during her time in Chang'an, though her exact realm is not stated 228.
• Her public image as a woman unable to fight conceals her actual capabilities 91 228.

Business Management

As Jade Sound Pavilion's head, Phoenix turns it into one of Chang'an's leading music houses and uses art, exclusivity, and promotion to expand its reputation 137 228.

• Commissions poetry and lyrics from Li Nuo, including Phoenix Seeks Phoenix 134 135.
• Monetizes her own performances by charging guests to see her or hear her play 137.
• Expands the Li family's businesses after moving into Li Manor, creating work and aid for common people 372.
• Manages multiple enterprises, including Jade Sound Pavilion, Yue Lai Yue Lou, Tian Yin Yuan, and clothing shops 391 392.

Espionage

Phoenix is a Qi State agent operating under the Azure Luan Society. Her original mission involved infiltrating Li Manor and gaining Li Nuo's trust to access Great Xia's core intelligence 288 392.

• Builds contacts and places operatives within other Chang'an music houses 228.
• Oversees female agents who marry into officials' households 359.
• Receives orders to activate Qi State spies, obtain military intelligence, and destabilize Chang'an, but cannot bring herself to carry them out 416.
• Confesses her identity and provides Li Nuo with a directory of Azure Luan Society members in Great Xia 392.

Background / History

Phoenix is the mistress of Jade Sound Pavilion, a renowned Chang'an music house. When Li Yuan harasses the pavilion's women, Li Nuo intervenes; Phoenix later prepares noodles for him, beginning their complicated association 91.

She becomes interested in Li Nuo after he understands the story conveyed by her music and performs her piece in a way that moves her to tears 110. Phoenix subsequently hires him to write poems and lyrics for Jade Sound Pavilion. Her promotion of Phoenix Seeks Phoenix creates public rumors that Li Nuo is pursuing her and divorcing Song Jiaren, straining their relationship 134 135 137 139.

After admitting her role in the rumors, Phoenix spends half a month visiting Song Manor to teach Song Jiaren flower arrangement and zither. Her persistence, apology, and willingness to humble herself gradually earn Li Nuo's forgiveness and make her one of Song Jiaren's few friends 145 146 196.

Phoenix moves into Li Manor after becoming close with Song Jiaren, Li Anning, and Song Yiren. She manages household affairs, helps maintain harmony among the women, and eventually agrees to become Li Nuo's wife after they and Li Nuo acknowledge their mutual feelings 230 359 360.

Her marriage is shadowed by her secret past as a Qi State spy. She confesses this identity to Li Nuo, who chooses to protect her and conceal the matter from the household. When the Azure Luan Society threatens Nightingale to force Phoenix's compliance, Li Nuo travels to Qi State and rescues her sister 392 416 419.

Relationships

• Li Nuo — Initially a target of Phoenix's interest and schemes; later her confidante, husband, and protector. He forgives her espionage past and rescues Nightingale for her 145 289 360 392 419.
• Song Jiaren — Li Nuo's first wife and Phoenix's student and friend. Phoenix teaches her refined arts and helps alleviate her loneliness 145 196 228.
• Li Anning — Phoenix's close friend and fellow member of Li Manor. Li Anning first meets Phoenix while assisting in the Huang residence case and later accepts her as family 125 230.
• Song Yiren — Phoenix's confidante and friend. Phoenix advises Yiren to examine whether her feelings for Li Nuo are love or jealousy 289.
• Nightingale (Jiang Zhi'er) — Phoenix's younger sister. The Azure Luan Society uses Nightingale as leverage against Phoenix until Li Nuo rescues her from Qi State 388 416 419.
• The Old Woman / Bai Hui — Phoenix's mentor and handler within Qi State's intelligence network. She pressures Phoenix to infiltrate Li Manor and threatens Nightingale when Phoenix resists further missions 288 359 418.