Xiao Hanye

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Hanye (萧寒烨)
Alias(es)	Crown Prince; His Highness
Gender	Male
Affiliation	East Palace; imperial court; Black Tiger Guard; shadow guards
Occupation/Role	Crown Prince; commander and political leader
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background

Xiao Hanye lost his mother, Empress Zhaoyuan, at age six when she died in childbirth. The Eldest Princess pitied him and frequently cared for him afterward; he continues to treat her with great respect. 3

Half a year before the palace reunion, he successfully suppressed the Jingzhou unrest. On his return to the capital, assassins attacked him; Lin Zhao, leader of his shadow guards, took an arrow for him and fell from a cliff. Xiao searched for him for two months without proof that he had survived, leaving him sleepless, irritable, and deeply distressed. 1

Lin Zhao eventually reappeared as Shen Tingjue, an amnesiac young man adopted into the Chancellor’s family. Xiao immediately recognized him but concealed his former shadow-guard identity, both to protect the secret and to prevent Shen’s confused memories from becoming public. 2

Appearance

Xiao Hanye is frequently described through his cold, intimidating presence and sharp gaze. He wears armor during military drills and favors dark, formal robes in courtly settings. 5 37

• Narrow, sharp eyes. 28
• A cold, aloof bearing that makes officials and subordinates fear provoking him. 1 5
• Black robes embroidered with gold-thread mountain patterns. 37
• Uses armor while training troops. 5

Personality

Xiao Hanye is controlled, sarcastic, and severe in public. He speaks little when displeased, uses intimidation readily, and reacts harshly to incompetence, political obstruction, and disrespect toward those under his protection. His attendants and officials often interpret even his smiles as warnings. 5 19 36 42

Beneath this exterior, he is intensely loyal and protective. Lin Zhao’s disappearance affects him profoundly, while his later attempts to remove Shen Tingjue from dangerous court affairs stem from fear of losing him again rather than rejection. 1 22 30 He generally expresses concern through practical acts—sending food, giving clothing and warm jade, arranging protection, or quietly tending injuries—rather than direct reassurance. 22 25 37

He also has a mischievous side. As a child, he and Wen Jingkong committed numerous pranks; as an adult, he still plants dead spiders, enjoys watching his enemies suffer embarrassment, and allows his guards to humiliate Yuchi Sheng for amusement. 8 36

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Qinggong

Xiao Hanye is an exceptional martial artist whose physical power and movement skills command immediate respect.

• His punch can send tremors through the ground, alarming the Black Tiger Guard. 11
• He carries Shen Tingjue across rooftops and trees with “exquisite beyond compare” qinggong. 39
• He fought through the campaign at Twilight Cloud Pass despite a severe wound and inadequate medicine. 30
• He personally trains troops at Mount Li and commands the Black Tiger Guard. 5 11

Military Command

Xiao Hanye combines battlefield experience with a firm command style.

• He led forces during the Northern Frontier campaign at Twilight Cloud Pass while wounded. 30
• He disciplines the Black Tiger Guard personally, including ordering additional mountain laps when angered. 11
• He identifies the Dashing Cavalry Battalion’s weakness in mountain warfare and understands why the Southern Four Commanderies campaign has stalled. 36
• He plans to use unrest around Boundary Marker Pass and the Twelve Trade Routes to justify later intervention. 36

Political Strategy

As he begins assisting with state affairs, Xiao Hanye becomes increasingly decisive in confronting entrenched factions and corruption.

• He orders a civil investigation alongside the military suppression of the Southern Four Commanderies’ bandit crisis. 19
• He appoints Xue Luanjin to investigate despite Grand Secretary Xie’s objections, drafting and sealing the transfer order himself. 19
• He uses the Zhan Lingxiang case and Baochang Bureau investigation to pressure Minister Wang Zhonggui while distinguishing Wang’s proven crimes from the forged murder allegation. 32 37
• While the Emperor is ill, he temporarily takes charge of state affairs from the East Palace. 32

Equipment, Animals, and Personal Items

• Shadowchaser Sword — Xiao Hanye’s sword; Shen Tingjue takes it from the East Palace while retaliating against Xiao’s departure for Mount Li. 9
• Warm Jade — A treasured jade pendant inherited from Xiao’s aunt, later given to Shen Tingjue. 25 27
• White Dragon and White Tiger — His two snow wolves, later renamed by Shen Tingjue after being taken from the East Palace. 9
• Gyrfalcon — A trained bird that accompanies him to the Imperial Guard camp and during official duties. 19
• Dayuan horse — Used to ride rapidly from Mount Li back to the capital. 11

Relationships

• Lin Zhao / Shen Tingjue — His former shadow-guard chief and later romantic partner. Xiao believed Lin Zhao dead after the assassination attack, recognizes him after his amnesiac return, and gradually admits that he wants to protect and remain with him. 1 2 30 35
• Wu Dequan — East Palace chief steward and long-serving attendant. Wu fears Xiao’s temper but understands his hidden concern for Shen and occasionally gives him blunt advice. 1 8 24
• Wen Jingkong — His cousin and childhood companion, now commander of the Imperial Guard. Their relationship is marked by mutual teasing, old pranks, and clear trust. 8 19 29
• Eldest Princess — An elder who cared for Xiao after his mother’s death. Xiao respects her deeply, even when she teases him about Shen. 3 33
• Chenghuan Emperor — His father and emperor. Xiao increasingly handles major state affairs and issues orders with authority, at times beyond what the Emperor can easily restrain. 19 32
• Empress Dowager — His grandmother, who repeatedly urges him to marry but ultimately supports his relationship with Shen Tingjue. 32 33
• Yuchi Sheng — A straightforward Black Tiger Camp commander. Xiao values his military ability but regularly teases and punishes his impulsiveness. 11 36
• Yao Yinqing — An official connected to the Chancellor’s household who participates in discussions of court affairs and infrastructure policy. 20 29

Story Role

Reunion with Lin Zhao

Xiao Hanye’s search for his missing shadow-guard chief drives his early actions. His encounter with the amnesiac Shen Tingjue reveals that Shen is Lin Zhao, forcing Xiao to balance immense relief with the danger of exposing their past connection. 1 2

Court Authority and Anti-Corruption Efforts

He investigates illegal copper sales through the Baochang Bureau, challenges Grand Secretary Xie over the Southern Four Commanderies, and begins confronting the aristocratic networks influencing military and financial institutions. 5 19 32

His approach is pragmatic rather than purely idealistic: he recognizes that Wang Zhonggui may be framed for one crime while remaining guilty of several others, and he intends to use the available opening to prevent Wang’s return to power. 37

Relationship with Shen Tingjue

Xiao initially responds to Shen’s open affection with denial, irritation, and avoidance. Even so, he repeatedly seeks Shen out, indulges his behavior, and protects him from political danger. 2 5 22

Their relationship becomes increasingly public through Shen’s declarations and the Empress Dowager’s approval. Xiao finally gives Shen a direct confession after being pressed for reassurance. 33 35

Defense of Reputation and Reform

Xiao is targeted by hostile public narratives portraying him as violent and bloodthirsty. When scholars insult him on Danyang Mountain, he permits official punishment rather than allowing Shen to carry out further violence. 39 40

He ultimately states his intention to reform and cleanse the corrupt court, while acknowledging that entrenched injustice cannot be removed recklessly or all at once. 37

Notable Quotes

“If you’ve got the skill, pinch me back.” 8

“What? Can I not even decide to dispatch someone now?” 19

“I like you.” 35

“The greater the chaos, the more justified I will be when the time comes.” 36