Mu Yao

Biodata

Background

Mu Yao is the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion's Ninth Senior Sister and its most gifted student. Her calligraphic attainments surpass those of her peers, and even the pavilion master praises her as possessing the “style of a grandmaster.” She is known within the pavilion for caring for junior disciples. 43 64

When Qin Yuan became the Calligraphy Saint's thirty-sixth true disciple, Mu Yao was assigned to teach him for one month. She accepted the task and cautioned him that, as a commoner in the eyes of other disciples, he could face discrimination from noble students. 43

Mu Yao comes from a scholarly Viscount family. Her grandfather, Mu Zhengqing, is a respected local calligrapher, while her father, Mu Yunhai, inherited the Viscount title but is more concerned with social standing than artistic merit. 69

Appearance

Mu Yao is a beautiful young woman in her early twenties with a refined, scholarly presence. She is usually described as gentle and elegant rather than ostentatious. 64

• Wears a pale-cyan dress. 64
• Has black hair held by a jade hairpin, with loose strands framing her face. 64
• Carries herself with a soft, jade-like temperament and the refinement of a prominent family's daughter. 64

Personality

Mu Yao is gentle, kind-hearted, and patient with others. She takes her responsibility as a senior sister seriously, diligently teaching Qin Yuan despite his initial inexperience with calligraphy. 43 44

She is also principled and courageous when others are mistreated. She warns Qin Yuan about class prejudice, publicly objects when her father relegates him to the lowest-tier seating at Mu Zhengqing's birthday banquet, and refuses Liu Feng's demand that she become his concubine. 43 65 70

Although initially frightened by Liu Feng's influence, Mu Yao refuses to submit to him. Her gratitude toward Qin Yuan gradually develops into private romantic feelings, but she does not confess them because she believes their difference in status may prevent even a friendship from remaining unchanged. 65 68 72

Abilities & Skills

Calligraphy

Mu Yao is the foremost calligraphy student of the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion, with talent recognized by both her peers and the pavilion master. 64

• Her work is said to greatly exceed that of her fellow students. 64
• The pavilion master praises her as having the bearing of a calligraphy grandmaster. 64
• Served as Qin Yuan's assigned instructor and later continued practicing calligraphy with him. 43 68 69
• Quickly recognizes Qin Yuan's exceptional progress and openly praises his work. 64 69

Relationships

• Qin Yuan — Her thirty-sixth junior brother at the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion. Mu Yao teaches him calligraphy, worries for his safety, defends him before her family, and develops unspoken feelings for him. 43 65 68 70 72
• Wang Zuimo — Fellow senior sister and co-instructor to Qin Yuan. Their interactions suggest a friendly rivalry, particularly regarding Qin Yuan. 43 44
• Liu Feng — An Earl's son who attempts to force Mu Yao into becoming his concubine. She rejects him outright, stating that she would rather die than accept. 65
• Mu Yunhai — Her father and the Mu family's Viscount. Mu Yao clashes with him after he demeans Qin Yuan and places him among the lowest-ranked banquet guests. 69 70 71
• Mu Zhengqing — Her grandfather, a renowned local calligrapher whose seventieth birthday brings Qin Yuan to the Mu family estate. 69 71
• Calligraphy Saint — Her master at the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion, who entrusts her with instructing Qin Yuan. 43
• Cheng Li — A senior brother who covets Mu Yao and initially warns Qin Yuan to stay away from her. He later sides with Liu Feng against Qin Yuan. 44 65

Story Role

Teaching Qin Yuan

Mu Yao first meets Qin Yuan after the Calligraphy Saint assigns her to instruct him for a month. Alongside Wang Zuimo, she teaches him the fundamentals of calligraphy and witnesses his unusually rapid improvement. 43 44 64

Liu Feng's Attempted Coercion

Liu Feng arrives at the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion intending to take Mu Yao away as his concubine under a marriage arrangement made with her father. Mu Yao refuses despite fearing his family's power, while Qin Yuan openly opposes Liu Feng. 65

When Qian Renxue arrives and treats Qin Yuan with unmistakable familiarity, the pavilion learns that he is connected to the Crown Prince. Qin Yuan promises Mu Yao that Liu Feng will not be allowed to harass her again. 66 67

Mu Zhengqing's Birthday Banquet

Mu Yao invites Qin Yuan home for her grandfather's seventieth birthday, partly so he can view an authentic calligraphy masterpiece. Her father and other guests initially dismiss him as a poor scholar because of his plain attire. 69 70

After Mu Yunhai places Qin Yuan at the lowest-tier table, Mu Yao publicly intervenes and reveals that he is the Crown Prince's cousin. She later thanks Qin Yuan for forgiving her father's conduct, and their relationship grows closer as they return to Heaven Dou City together. 71 72