Madam Li

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Madam Li
Alias(es)	Aunt Li
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	Homemaker; Chen Cheng's mother
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Madam Li cared for Chen Cheng in Bitter Locust Village after he was found unconscious in a dark alley by Xiao Long and Hu Niu. Fearful that he might have been abducted and sold had they not found him, she wept while pressing him to explain what had happened. 1

Madam Li accompanied Chen Cheng to the Chen Family Old Residence to seek the martial-arts opportunity previously promised to him. Old Master Chen instead gave the opportunity to Chen Hao; after the ensuing dispute, Madam Li and Chen Cheng were disowned and left with only a letter from Chen Cheng's father. She supported her son’s decision to sever ties with the family despite her own distress. 2

Afterward, she and Chen Cheng lived in poverty in Bitter Locust Village. She worried over their finances and the Black Wolf Gang’s protection money, taking odd jobs to support the household. One such job was connected to the Red Moon Nunnery, which Chen Cheng urged her to abandon due to his suspicions. 3 8

As Chen Cheng’s martial standing rose, their security improved. After Chen Cheng repelled Zhao Shan, Madam Li witnessed the respect his strength commanded. Fatty Fang later offered her protection, treating Chen Cheng as family. 16 65

During unrest caused by the Blood-Robed Cultists, Chen Cheng moved Madam Li from Peaceful Lane to a house in the Inner City. She initially felt inferior in the unfamiliar, wealthier environment, but Chen Cheng reassured her. 99 101

Following Chen Cheng’s success at the Martial Selection, the official wives who had previously treated her as a servant sought her favor and brought gifts. 128 162

She later traveled with Chen Cheng to Yong Province before his departure for the Shanhai Sect, making him clothes and shoes for the journey. She subsequently returned to Zhao City and informed him by letter that all was well. 166 183

After returning to Zhao City, Madam Li received Fatty Fang as her godson. He visited the Chen Residence nearly every day for several months and cared for her with the devotion of a biological son. 183

During the later famine and turmoil in Zhao City, Madam Li remained at the Chen Residence in Clear Water Lane, sewing clothes while awaiting Chen Cheng’s return. She sheltered the injured Fang Wenhou and was reunited with the equally battered Zhuang Zhuang, but learned that several of her relatives and associates had been arrested in the crackdown surrounding the Wu Family. 269 270

When a Ti Cavalryman harassed Madam Li and threatened Zhuang Zhuang and Fang Wenhou, Chen Cheng returned in time to save them. Overjoyed by her son's return, Madam Li resolved to trust his decisions and not become an additional burden to him. Chen Cheng later brought her to the Su Residence in Emperorfall City for safety. 271 275

Appearance

Madam Li is described as pale and visibly nervous when confronted by officials during her early life in the Outer City. After moving to the Inner City, former neighbors remarked that her complexion and bearing had come to resemble those of a wealthy Inner City lady. 65 129

During Zhao City's later famine, her face became thin, though she continued to sew clothes for Chen Cheng while awaiting his return. 269

• Her fingers clutch the hem of her clothing when frightened. 65
• Her appearance and bearing improve after her circumstances change. 129
• She is again described as thin and worn by hardship during the later crisis in Zhao City. 269

Personality

Madam Li is devoted to Chen Cheng and consistently prioritizes his safety, livelihood, and future. Even during their poverty, she worked odd jobs to keep the household afloat; later, she assists his cultivation by preparing food, medicinal ingredients, and Treasure Fish. 8 116

She is initially timid before officials and conscious of class differences, feeling uncomfortable in the Inner City and distressed after being treated as a servant by official wives. 65 101 128 However, her confidence grows alongside Chen Cheng's rise. When an unknown man attempts to force his way into the Chen residence, she blocks the doorway rather than yielding. 154

She wishes for Chen Cheng to marry and enjoy a more ordinary life, though she ultimately respects his focus on cultivation and martial advancement. 17 70 128

Madam Li remains resilient during prolonged hardship. Even amid famine and political purges in Zhao City, she supports Fang Wenhou and Zhuang Zhuang while waiting for Chen Cheng's return. Following their reunion, she becomes more determined to follow Chen Cheng's judgment rather than add to his burdens. 269 271

Skills & Household Duties

Cooking and Food Preparation

Madam Li regularly manages the household’s meals and prepares cultivation resources for Chen Cheng.

• Prepared meals for Chen Cheng upon his return home. 108 145
• Helped prepare a Green-Silver Dragon for consumption despite the unpleasant task. 116
• Prepared Treasure Fish medicinal soup. 128
• Her cooking improves substantially after her return to Zhao City, drawing praise from Chen An and Madam Bai. 183

Household Management and Sewing

She keeps the Chen residence orderly and personally makes clothing for Chen Cheng.

• Washes dishes, cleans, sweeps, and feeds the Treasure Fish. 154
• Sewed a spring tunic for Chen Cheng. 154
• Made clothes and shoes for Chen Cheng before he left for the Shanhai Sect. 166
• Continues sewing new clothes for Chen Cheng while awaiting his return during Zhao City's later crisis. 269

Relationships

• Chen Cheng — Her son. They remain mutually protective and trusting from their disownment onward; Chen Cheng works to secure her safety and livelihood, while Madam Li supports his martial path and worries over his future. 2 33 101 166 271
• Chen Shi — Her husband and Chen Cheng’s father, whose letter reveals that he joined the Death Squad Camp. 3
• Old Master Chen — Her former father-in-law. He disowns her and Chen Cheng after refusing Chen Cheng the martial-arts opportunity. 2
• Chen An — Chen Cheng’s Third Uncle. His family showed Madam Li and Chen Cheng kindness during their hardship. 17
• Madam Bai — Chen Cheng’s Third Aunt. Madam Li remains in contact with her and later brings her gifts of thanks for Chen Cheng home. 138
• Fatty Fang / Fang Wenhou — Chen Cheng’s fellow disciple and benefactor. He offers Madam Li protection and tells her to seek him out for any trouble; after her return to Zhao City, he becomes her godson and looks after her faithfully. 65 183 269
• Zhuang Zhuang — A close companion of Chen Cheng whom Madam Li treats like a daughter; they eat together and develop a close bond. Zhuang Zhuang later reunites with Madam Li in Zhao City after enduring severe hardship. 137 154 269
• Madam Sun — A social acquaintance whose invitations expose Madam Li to the disdain and later flattery of officials’ wives. 128 138 162
• Shen Mi — Meets Madam Li at the Martial Selection and is among those who welcome her into the viewing area. 158
• Fang Wenhou — An injured member of Madam Li's household during the Zhao City crisis. She supports him alongside Zhuang Zhuang until Chen Cheng returns. 270 271

Story Role / Major Arcs

Disownment and Poverty

Madam Li loses the Chen family’s protection alongside Chen Cheng, then faces poverty, gang extortion, and precarious work in Bitter Locust Village. 2 3 8

Chen Cheng’s Rise

As Chen Cheng becomes a martial artist, Madam Li gains safety and social standing. Fatty Fang’s protection and Chen Cheng’s growing reputation reduce the vulnerability that defined her earlier life. 16 65

Move to the Inner City

The Blood-Robed Cultist crisis prompts Chen Cheng to relocate her to the Inner City. The move gives her a safer home but also confronts her with feelings of social inferiority. 99 101

Recognition After the Martial Selection

Madam Li attends the Martial Selection, where Zhuang Huixian, Yu Feng, and Shen Mi include her among their company. After Chen Cheng earns a Silver List ranking, nobles and officials’ wives court her favor. 158 161 162

Departure for Yong Province

She accompanies Chen Cheng to Yong Province as he prepares to leave Zhao City for the Shanhai Sect, expressing her care through practical support and handmade clothing. 166

Zhao City Crisis and Reunion

After returning to Zhao City, Madam Li endures famine, purges, and renewed danger at the Chen Residence. She reunites with Zhuang Zhuang, helps shelter Fang Wenhou, and is ultimately saved when Chen Cheng returns and confronts the forces threatening them. 183 269 270 271

Relocation to Emperorfall City

Following Chen Cheng's return, he brings Madam Li and his companions to the Su Residence in Emperorfall City to protect them from the continuing danger in Zhao City. 275

Trivia

• Madam Li commonly addresses Chen Cheng as “Xiao Cheng.” 8
• Her desire to see Chen Cheng married recurs even as he remains focused on cultivation. 17 70
• Former Outer City neighbors attribute her improved life and appearance to her having “raised such a good son.” 129
• Fatty Fang later formally becomes her godson. 183