Xiao Hua

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Hua (萧婳)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Northern Barbarians / Great Qin
Occupation/Role	Crown Princess of the Northern Barbarians; oversees Raw Barbarian affairs
Status	Active
First Appearance	6

Background / History

Xiao Hua first lived in Ice Plain City with her mother, Madam Xiao, concealing their Northern Barbarian identities. Despite their strained circumstances and her mother’s illness, she maintained grace and propriety, and formed a neighborly bond with Lu Yuan after asking him to repair their sabotaged stove 6.

She supported her household through embroidery and cooking, while mending Lu Yuan’s clothes and sharing meals with him. Lu Yuan’s continued assistance—particularly medical funds for her mother—deepened their mutual trust 7 29 35.

Xiao Hua and Madam Xiao fled Ice Plain Fortress before dawn when their hidden position became untenable. Pursued by Great Yong’s Embroidered Uniform Guards, they were aided by Lu Yuan, who chose to protect them despite learning they were Northern Barbarians 57 59.

After returning to the Northern Barbarian Royal City, Xiao Hua became Crown Princess following her mother’s accession as Empress. She was instructed to shoulder responsibility for the Raw Barbarian front and the broader pressures facing their state 96.

When Lu Yuan later faced danger from Great Yong, Xiao Hua moved decisively to secure his release, even agreeing to trade Marquis Wushuang for him. She reunited with Lu Yuan and brought him to the Northern Barbarian Imperial Capital, where she revealed the full extent of her and Madam Xiao’s identities 131 133 134.

Appearance

Xiao Hua matures from a poorly nourished young woman in Ice Plain City into a striking and noble Crown Princess of the Northern Barbarians 131.

• Wears black robes embroidered with coiled dragons as Crown Princess 96 131.
• Has rosy skin, a fuller figure, and an aristocratic bearing after returning to the Northern Barbarian court 131.
• Described as tall, delicate, and charming, with an impeccable appearance 148.
• Her beauty and nobility are described as exceptional 96.

Personality

Xiao Hua is kind, cheerful, and attentive toward those close to her. During her early life in Ice Plain City, she cared for her ill mother while showing gratitude for Lu Yuan’s help rather than treating it as an entitlement 7 35.

As Crown Princess, she becomes more mature and capable of discussing military and political affairs. She understands the Northern Barbarians’ military disadvantages against the Raw Barbarians and the destabilizing influence of separatist nobles 135.

Her composure weakens where Lu Yuan is concerned. She is repeatedly anxious for his safety, attempts to aid him during crises, and openly insists on accompanying or remaining close to him 131 134 157. In contrast to her cold and arrogant public reputation, she is affectionate and dependent around Lu Yuan 134 151.

Abilities & Skills

Embroidery and Household Skills

Xiao Hua is an accomplished embroiderer and handles practical household responsibilities.

• Prepares simple but carefully made meals 7.
• Mends Lu Yuan’s clothing 7.
• Possesses excellent embroidery skills 7.

Political and Military Administration

As Crown Princess, Xiao Hua participates in the governance and defense of the Northern Barbarians.

• Oversees affairs concerning the Raw Barbarians 135.
• Evaluates the balance of forces at Guhe Pass and the limitations of Northern Barbarian commanders 135.
• Understands the danger posed by internal separatist forces, external enemies, and shrinking revenues 134 137.
• Takes responsibility for the front-line Raw Barbarian army during a critical conflict 131.

Cultivation Potential

Xiao Hua demonstrates notable cultivation potential by reaching eight thousand steps on the Heaven-Ascending Ladder 152.

• Keeps Lu Yuan’s achievement on the ladder secret alongside him 152.
• Is recognized as possessing immense talent by palace attendants and the Northern Barbarian court 134.

Relationships

• Lu Yuan — Former neighbor and trusted companion. Their relationship begins with mutual aid in Ice Plain City and develops into profound affection, loyalty, and political partnership 6 35 59 134 151.
• Madam Xiao — Her mother, later the Empress of the Northern Barbarians. Xiao Hua supports her mother’s rule and shares the burden of defending their state 59 96 135.
• Lady Lu — Lu Yuan’s mother. Xiao Hua formally addresses her as “Auntie” and develops a cordial relationship with her after Lady Lu arrives in the Imperial Capital 148.
• Wu Han — An associate of Lu Yuan whom Xiao Hua recognizes from her earlier rescue beyond the frontier; she later praises his loyalty after Heavenly King Stronghold joins Great Qin 134 169.
• Xiao Gu — Travels with Xiao Hua and Lu Yuan to the Heavenly Ladder talent test and discusses strategy with them 151 152.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ice Plain City Neighbor

Xiao Hua meets Lu Yuan as his neighbor when she requests help repairing her stove. Their families grow close through shared meals, mended clothes, and Lu Yuan’s care for her ill mother 6 7 16.

Flight from Ice Plain Fortress

She leaves Ice Plain Fortress with Madam Xiao, is pursued by Great Yong forces, and is forced to confront Lu Yuan with the truth of her Northern Barbarian identity. Lu Yuan nevertheless protects their escape 57 58 59.

Crown Princess of the Northern Barbarians

In the Royal City, Xiao Hua becomes Crown Princess and takes on responsibility for Raw Barbarian affairs under Empress Madam Xiao’s rule 96 135.

Lu Yuan’s Rescue and Return North

Upon learning that Lu Yuan is threatened by Great Yong, Xiao Hua seeks to intervene despite the political risks. Her actions help secure his exchange and bring him to the Northern Barbarian Imperial Capital 131 133 134.

Great Qin’s Rise

Xiao Hua supports Lu Yuan’s campaigns against the Raw and Ancient Barbarians, worries over his dangerous operations, and accompanies him through major political and military developments after the unification of the Three Barbarian Tribes 137 157 159.

Heaven-Ascending Ladder

She joins Lu Yuan at the Heavenly Ladder talent test, reaches eight thousand steps, and safeguards the secret of his ascent to the summit 151 152.

Trivia

• Xiao Hua once promised Lu Yuan that she would protect him in the future 134.
• Palace attendants describe her public temperament as cold and arrogant; her open warmth toward Lu Yuan surprises them 134.
• She sold jewelry worth roughly tens of millions of taels to aid Northern Barbarian snow-disaster relief, having originally reserved the money for Lu Yuan’s debts 145.