Zhao Ming

Biodata

Background / History

Lady Xiao Lin was married to Zhao Ming after gossip arose that she admired the Marquis of Jinyang. At the time, Zhao Ming was a second-rank jinshi scholar. 5

He cultivated the image of an attentive husband. He supported his pregnant wife, spoke gently to her, and was known to have no concubines or flirtations in public. He also praised Xue Mingtang's ambition and prospects to Lady Xiao Lin. 9 13

By the time of Lady Xiao Lin's death, Zhao Ming was the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. He remained composed while his household was questioned by the Mingjing Division, though his anger became apparent when his son Zhao Wensheng confessed to obtaining the strange fish that harmed his mother. 12 14

Zhao Ming pressed for a thorough investigation and demanded that no one be falsely accused. He also hired Daoist Master Jingyun to address Lady Xiao Lin's resentful spirit after her death. 15 18

Lady Xiao Lin later recovered her memories and revealed that Zhao Ming had arranged her death so that the child he favored with another woman could return to the Zhao family legitimately. She further remembered that he had her soul sealed within her coffin to torment her after death. 20

Appearance

Zhao Ming had ordinary features but carried a scholarly, refined bearing. His son and daughter resembled him. During the Zhao Manor investigation, he appeared calmer than his frightened children. 12

• Scholarly and refined in demeanor. 12
• Usually controlled his expression, though his tightened jaw betrayed suppressed anger. 14
• Shared a family resemblance with Zhao Wensheng and Zhao Wenyue. 12

Personality

Zhao Ming presented himself as gentle, considerate, and restrained. He cared for Lady Xiao Lin during her pregnancy and was publicly regarded as unusually devoted because he kept no visible concubines. 9 13

He was also described as ambitious despite his relatively modest official rank. His outwardly careful conduct concealed a calculated private life: he maintained a relationship with Su Yao and orchestrated Lady Xiao Lin's death to secure the standing of his favored child. 13 17 20

Relationships

• Lady Xiao Lin — Wife. Zhao Ming publicly treated her as a devoted husband, but secretly planned her death and had her soul sealed after she died. 9 13 20
• Su Yao — Secret lover and concubine. She was found sleeping in Zhao Ming's study after Lady Xiao Lin's spirit returned; Su Yao intended to replace Lady Xiao Lin as the Zhao family's matriarch. 20 21
• Zhao Wensheng — Son. Zhao Ming was enraged by Wensheng's role in procuring the fish connected to Lady Xiao Lin's death. 14
• Zhao Wenyue — Daughter. She was brought to the Mingjing Division for questioning alongside her brother. 15
• Ji Chan — Niece. Ji Chan refers to Zhao Ming as her uncle and initially knew him chiefly through Lady Xiao Lin's praise. 12 13
• Bai Xiuming — Mingjing Division investigator handling Lady Xiao Lin's death. Zhao Ming demanded that Bai investigate the case thoroughly and avoid wrongful accusations. 15
• Daoist Master Jingyun — Daoist hired by Zhao Ming to deal with Lady Xiao Lin's resentful spirit. 18

Story Role / Major Arcs

Zhao Manor Investigation

Zhao Ming becomes central to the investigation into Lady Xiao Lin's death when Zhao Wensheng confesses to buying the fish connected to her fatal condition. Zhao Ming's controlled demeanor and demands for procedural fairness initially position him as a grieving husband and household head. 14 15

Exposure and Death

Lady Xiao Lin's restored memories expose Zhao Ming as the architect of her death. She finds him in his study with Su Yao and turns her resentment against the Zhao family. By the following morning, Zhao Ming and Su Yao are dead, with their bodies reduced to bones below the neck. 20 21 22

Trivia

• A later account depicts a Zhao Ming flying down from something called Cangming and nearly losing control when an aerial mansion vanishes without warning; the text does not explain how this relates to his reported death. 208