Ye Buhui

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ye Buhui (叶不悔)
Alias(es)	Buhui; Chess Sage; Imperial Grandson's Consort
Species/Race	Human; bearer of Imperial Clan Dragon Aura
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Su Residence; formerly Ye Weihan's Book of Documents shop
Occupation/Role	Chess player; Chess Sage; wife of Su Ziji
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Spiritual Spark awakened	38	The Dragon Lord identifies Ye Buhui's thin inherited bloodline and awakens her spiritual spark after she solves the decisive move of the sealed chess game.
Meridian Cleansing and Marrow Tempering	160	Su Ziji's recitation of the Dragon Palace Chess Manual enables her breakthrough; spiritual energy enters her body and opens her blocked meridians.
First Rank in the Chess Path	161	Du Chenglin recognizes her as having reached first rank after she breaks a difficult game.
Entered the Dao	674	Her Chess Path breakthrough leaves a detectable spiritual aura, prompting concern that the Daoist Sect and Imperial City Office may investigate her.
Chess Sage	685	She defeats the two-time Chess Sage Wu Qinian in the final and receives a white jade chessboard and pieces.

Background

Ye Buhui grew up as Ye Weihan's daughter at his Book of Documents shop. Though she worries that being a daughter prevents her from saving the declining family business, Ye Weihan sees her chess talent as the means to secure her independence and future. He sends her to the prefectural chess tournament before illness and marriage can limit her opportunities. 28

Her friendship with Su Ziji begins as an outspoken, protective childhood bond. She expresses concern through practical acts—bringing him food, returning his chess manual, and arranging celebrations—while masking her feelings with scolding and threats. 23

Ye Weihan's final arrangements reveal an old marriage contract between his family and Su Ziji's father. Ye Buhui accepts the engagement in tears to ease her dying father's worries, while Su Ziji vows to protect and never betray her. 69

After Ye Weihan's death, Su Ziji discovers that Ye Buhui carries Imperial Clan Dragon Aura and conceals the possibility that she descends from the Crown Prince's bloodline. Ye Weihan had specifically wanted her to pursue the Chess Sage title rather than return to the imperial clan. 77 80

Appearance

Ye Buhui is initially described as petite and youthful, with bright almond-shaped eyes and a beauty that becomes more apparent as she matures. Her bearing changes markedly from that of a bookshop owner's daughter to that of a composed noble consort. 63 687 1122

• Often presents herself with hands on her hips, folded arms, or an indignant glare when annoyed. 23 60
• Has a lively, “little chili pepper” temperament beneath a later steadier exterior. 131 674
• Wore emerald clothing beneath a light-gray, flower-embroidered cloak when escorted by Princess Xinping. 370
• Her phoenix crown and ceremonial robes emphasize her status as Imperial Grandson's Consort. 1122

Personality

Ye Buhui is straightforward, proud, and intensely stubborn. Social awkwardness and condescension frustrate her; she prefers playing chess to managing formal relationships, but she remembers genuine kindness and is willing to adapt when others give sincere advice. 45

Her fierce manner conceals a soft heart. She is deeply filial toward Ye Weihan, loyal to his final wishes, and repeatedly puts Su Ziji's safety before her own. During the Dragon Palace trial, she memorizes the game manual and gives it to Su despite believing it may cost her own chance of survival. 37

Loss and repeated danger make her quieter and more composed, but do not erase her lively nature or love of amusement. As mistress of the Su Residence, she learns household management and etiquette while retaining warmth toward old friends and affection for the Little Fox. 558 674

She can be jealous and insecure about Su Ziji's relationships with other women, yet generally trusts him when he reassures her. 653 1129

Abilities & Skills

Chess Path

Ye Buhui possesses extraordinary natural talent for chess and regards becoming Chess Sage as both her personal ambition and fulfillment of Ye Weihan's final wish.

• Registered and competed independently in the prefectural chess tournament despite being underestimated for her age and gender. 30
• Memorized the Dragon Lord's game manual under immense pressure and correctly placed the opening move in the sealed game. 37
• Solved the decisive endgame after Su Ziji recited the Coiling Dragon Secret Art's chess manual. 38
• Earned Du Chenglin's recognition as a chess genius capable of entering the Dao through chess. 160
• Defeated Wu Qinian, ending his pursuit of a third consecutive Chess Sage title. 685

Chess-Based Cultivation

Her chess insight directly manifests as spiritual advancement rather than remaining a purely intellectual skill.

• Her spiritual spark awakens through the Dragon Lord's bloodline connection. 38
• A chess breakthrough triggers Meridian Cleansing and Marrow Tempering, opening her meridians through drawn-in spiritual energy. 160
• Her Entry into the Dao produces a spiritual radiance that draws official and Daoist scrutiny. 674
• Her aura can be concealed by the Blackwood Bracelet and later fully hidden by Su Ziji's refined pill. 674 985

Household Management and Handicraft

Ye Buhui learns domestic and social skills after entering the capital, becoming a capable mistress despite lacking formal maternal instruction.

• Makes Su Ziji's robes, shoes, and socks by hand; her stitching is fine and the garments are comfortable. 131
• Receives instruction from a matron arranged by Su Ziji in household management and social etiquette. 558
• Personally receives high-ranking female guests and impresses them with her composure and orderly household. 558

Equipment / Items

• Blackwood Bracelet — A protective bracelet personally placed on her wrist by Su Ziji; it suppresses the aura of her Entry into the Dao and must be worn continuously. 652 653 674
• White jade chessboard and chess pieces — Awarded with the Chess Sage title after her victory over Wu Qinian. 685
• Dragon jade pendant — An inherited Ye family object entrusted to Su Ziji by Ye Weihan; its dragon design helps expose the danger surrounding her lineage. 69

Relationships

• Su Ziji — Childhood companion, husband, and principal supporter of her Chess Path. Their engagement fulfills Ye Weihan's final wish, and their relationship develops into a protective, affectionate partnership. 69 160 687
• Ye Weihan — Adoptive father and proprietor of the Book of Documents shop. He urges her to seek the Chess Sage title as protection for her future and leaves instructions shaping her life after his death. 28 77 248
• Du Chenglin — Revered Chess Sage and mentor-like figure. He offers to take her as a formal disciple, but she declines out of loyalty to Ye Weihan's final letter. 160 161 249
• Little Fox / Little White — Her cherished fox companion. The fox's intervention clears Ye Buhui's mind during a key chess breakthrough and reacts uniquely to her spiritual transformation. 161
• The Empress — Treats Ye Buhui with maternal warmth and offers her protection within the palace; their closeness is compared to that of grandmother and granddaughter. 1123 1342
• Zhou Yao — A longstanding female friend whom Ye Buhui welcomes more warmly than politically motivated visitors. 558
• Princess Xinping — Initially meets Ye Buhui with jealousy and curiosity over Su Ziji, but becomes unexpectedly sympathetic and escorts her under Su's request. 370

Story Role / Major Arcs

Prefectural Chess Tournament and Dragon Palace

Ye Buhui enters the prefectural chess tournament with Su Ziji as her companion. When competitors dismiss her as a young girl, she turns the insult into determination to prove herself on the board. 30 31

The tournament leads to the Dragon Palace's sealed chess trial. She studies the Coiling Dragon Secret Art, risks herself for Su Ziji, and eventually places the move that breaks the deadlock and awakens her spiritual spark. 37 38

Ye Weihan's Death and Hidden Lineage

She returns too late to find Ye Weihan recovering and accepts her engagement to Su Ziji as her father approaches death. 69

Following his death, Su Ziji learns that she—not he—bears the Imperial Clan Dragon Aura sought by the court. He conceals this knowledge, fearing the consequences of exposing a female descendant of the Crown Prince's line. 77 80

Pursuit of the Chess Sage Title

Under Du Chenglin's guidance and Su Ziji's support, Ye Buhui advances rapidly along the Chess Path. Her breakthrough brings her beyond ordinary chess mastery and into cultivation. 160 161

She later enters the Chess Sage Tournament, defeats Wu Qinian, and formally becomes Chess Sage. The victory releases the burden of fulfilling Ye Weihan's lifelong hope for her. 684 685 687

Noble and Imperial Consort

As Su Ziji's status rises, Ye Buhui becomes mistress of increasingly prominent residences, adapting to household duties, noble etiquette, and political scrutiny. 558 763

She becomes Imperial Grandson's Consort and is drawn into palace politics, where the Empress offers her protection against the Emperor's broader designs. 1122 1123 1342

Notable Quotes

“Master, I've broken this game.” 161

“At last, I've fulfilled Father's wish.” 687

“No matter what happens, I will not take it off.” 653

Trivia

• Ye Buhui refuses Du Chenglin's formal discipleship despite being tempted, because Ye Weihan's final letter forbids her from taking a master. 161
• A mysterious voice identifies a trace of Phoenix Aura around her after her rise in status. 558
• Su Ziji suspects that her exceptional destiny may be connected to a rare Seven-Orificed Exquisite Heart, though this remains unconfirmed. 622