Xiao Jinyi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Jinyi (萧瑾翌)
Alias(es)	Prince Jing; young god of war; cold-faced god of war; “little ice cube” (childhood nickname) 9 33 95
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Qian imperial family; Prince Jing’s Residence 6 90
Occupation/Role	Imperial prince; military leader; assists with criminal investigations 9 90 167
Family Position	Emperor Wu’an and Empress Lin’s son; addressed by his siblings as Fifth Brother 43 58 165
Spouse	Shen Shixu 163
Status	Alive; married 163 178
First Appearance	Qionglin Banquet 5

Background

Xiao Jinyi was reserved even as a child: Xiao Yuanqi and Xiao Lie teased him by calling him a “little ice cube.” He once joined them in disturbing Prince Kang’s prized koi, earning a punishment of copying the Three Character Classic ten times 95 139.

He personally petitioned Emperor Wu’an for permission to go to war. Military service kept him away from the capital for years and left him intensely vigilant, to the point that unexpected physical contact normally prompted him to seize the other person’s wrist 20 89 101.

His victories earned him widespread renown as Great Qian’s god of war. He recalled facing three thousand enemy cavalrymen alone without fear, and even Northern Rong—whose forces he had defeated—admired his abilities 9 16 90 95.

Appearance

Shen Shixu finds Xiao Jinyi exceptionally handsome, with a physique that appears evenly proportioned in clothing but is notably muscular at close quarters 57 88.

• Build: Broad-chested and large enough to envelop the slender Shen Shixu in his embrace 57 169.
• Face: A sharply defined profile, particularly striking to Shen when Xiao is angry on his behalf 121.
• Expression: Usually cold and intimidating; his early, unrecognized attraction produces a gaze compared to a wolf watching its chosen prey 11 16.
• Coordinated clothing: Arranges matching blue-and-red brocade robes for himself and Shen at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet 94.

Personality

Xiao Jinyi’s stern manner can silence resistance without a word. Jiang Bin initially shrinks from his cold expression, while a steward abandons his schemes after receiving an icy glance. Xiao himself admits that his reserve extends to family as well as outsiders 11 33 105.

His apparent coldness conceals considerable concern for those close to him. He stays with Xiao Yuanqi through the night after the discovery of Yang Wenhui’s betrayal, shelters rescued girls at his country estate, and carefully comforts Princess Shou Jia because he fears she might despair or act recklessly 6 10 32 33.

Romantic feelings initially bewilder him: he mistakes his preoccupation with Shen Shixu for an illness and asks his brother for help. Courtship brings out nervousness, jealousy, and calculated attempts to gain sympathy, including following collected advice to show vulnerability 19 20 25 28.

Once certain of his feelings, he is unwavering. He offers to sacrifice rank and reputation for Shen, then gives up his military merit to secure their marriage. He also arranges for public criticism to fall on himself rather than his future spouse 89 90 91.

His protectiveness sometimes becomes possessiveness. He removes Shen from admirers to preserve their private outing; later, during an intimate encounter in the woods, he restrains Shen’s hands despite Shen resisting the removal of his belt 169.

Despite his military reputation, Xiao values peace. He prefers not to deploy the army unnecessarily and argues that court politics can be left to Xiao Yuanqi and Shen while he concentrates on military affairs 130 167.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Close Combat

Xiao Jinyi fights with simple, direct sword strokes rather than ornamental flourishes 10.

• Silently incapacitates guards using pebbles before entering the underground palace 9.
• Holds off numerous armed attackers while Shen protects the rescued captives; the attackers’ numbers and his need to protect others prevent him from containing every opponent 10.
• Uses fierce, vital-point attacks with the Crimson Blood Sword against the thief at Shen’s residence 72.
• Defeats Mo Yu and Bai He even when they spar against him together 152.
• Exposes Ji’an’s concealed martial ability by attacking him, then decisively incapacitates him with punches and kicks 165.

Cold Ice Palm

A martial technique that releases freezing energy 85 138.

• Leaves frost on Liu Ying’s clothes even when Liu Ying narrowly avoids a strike 138.
• Can strike people behind the intended target when that target dodges 138.
• Allows Xiao to change tactics after Liu Ying’s flexible sword entangles his own blade 138.

Lightness Skill

Xiao can carry another person while traversing walls and rooftops 8 168.

• Leaps over a residence wall with Shen held by the shoulder, using a second push against the wall midway up 8.
• Carries Shen across the capital’s rooftops to an estate outside the city 168.
• Skims across water to pick a lotus and returns with it for Shen 178.

Internal Cultivation

Xiao cultivates by circulating internal energy; transparent streams of true qi become visible around him during meditation. No named cultivation realm or breakthrough is documented in the supplied chapters 70.

• Uses internal energy to protect his body while receiving corporal punishment 91.
• Channels energy into the poisoned Xiao Lie when his condition worsens 128.
• Relieves Shen’s muscular soreness with internal energy 164.
• Maintains regular training, including sword practice, meditation, and extended sparring 70 152.

Investigation and Command

Xiao combines royal authority with practical investigative judgment 5 11 56.

• Recruits Shen to investigate the missing young women and appoints him acting Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review 5.
• Reconsiders the accusation against Jiang Bin after arranging a confrontation with witnesses who cannot identify him 11.
• Deduces where Xiao Jiayi is likely to be and insists on gathering evidence before reporting the conspiracy against her 56.
• Coordinates arrests, survivor searches, prisoner transfers, and safe accommodation through his subordinates 10.

Hearing Shen Shixu’s Thoughts

Like other members of the court, Xiao can hear Shen’s unspoken exchanges with Gossip System 011. Shen initially does not know that these conversations are audible 5 56.

• Learns concealed wrongdoing and threats through the system’s revelations 5 56 95.
• Helps conceal this knowledge from Shen, including warning Duke An to suppress an obvious reaction to overheard gossip 18.
• Can view the system’s later blue-screen broadcasts 170.

Riding and Precision

• His battlefield experience makes him the stronger rider in a race against Shen 169.
• Quickly masters a pitch-pot contest through precise control of his strength, placing arrows symmetrically on the pot’s handles and winning fifty taels of gold 168.
• Has a high tolerance for alcohol, developed through repeated drinking with fellow soldiers and older cousins 33.

Equipment & Possessions

• Crimson Blood Sword / Red Blood — An exceptionally sharp sword used against the thief and Liu Ying 72 138.
• Spear — Used during training at Prince Jing’s Residence 152.
• Flexible gold-thread armor — One of only two suits in Great Qian; the imperial family bestowed this suit on Xiao 24.
• Truth-Telling Gu — A gift from Xiao Lie. It forces its host to speak sincerely by inflicting unbearable pain for falsehoods; Xiao uses it on Liang Junda and offers to give it to Shen afterward 29 30 32.
• Jade Dew Pill — Carried as medicine; eases Xiao Lie’s poisoning but does not completely neutralize it 128.
• Signal flare — Used to summon Mo Yu and his men after the underground-palace rescue 10.
• Silver Möbius-strip ring — Handmade by Shen and worn on Xiao’s left ring finger as a pledge of enduring love 158.
• Country estate — Given to him by his eldest brother; provides quiet accommodation for the rescued girls 10.
• Private courtyard at the Third Prince’s estate — Reserved for Xiao among the courtyards set aside for the brothers 168.

Relationships

• Shen Shixu — Investigative partner, friend, and eventual husband. Xiao initiates their friendship and courtship; Shen later proposes with handmade rings before their wedding 8 88 158 163.
• Xiao Yuanqi — Older brother and Crown Prince. Their loyalty is mutual: Yuanqi protects Xiao’s romantic secret and helps secure the match, while Xiao supports him through betrayal and advocates a marriage based on genuine affection 5 20 21 26 90.
• Emperor Wu’an — Father. Initially refuses Xiao’s proposed relationship, then grants the marriage in exchange for military merit and corporal punishment 89 90.
• Empress Lin — Mother. Raises concerns about Shen’s independence and reputation, then persuades the emperor to postpone part of Xiao’s punishment 89 90.
• Empress Dowager — Grandmother. Reacts calmly to his confession and worries that his forceful kneeling will hurt his knees 89.
• Xiao Lie — Imperial uncle and supporter of Xiao’s relationship. Offers to prepare Emperor Wu’an for the match and assists with protecting Xiao Jiayi 56.
• Bai Lixi — Xiao Lie’s husband, whom Xiao introduces as such to Shen. Xiao treats his wounds after the Longevity Pavilion’s ambush 56 128.
• Xiao Jiayi / Princess Huimin — Younger paternal half-sister. Xiao helps organize her protection and supports her freedom to choose whether to follow the marriage described by 011 54 56 61.
• Princess Kangning — Aunt who dotes on him like her own son. Xiao deeply respects her, though he still arrests her son when the evidence appears to implicate him 11.
• Jiang Bin — Cousin. Initially frightened of Xiao; cleared of the trafficking accusation when Xiao tests the witnesses’ identification 11.
• Princess Shou Jia — Aunt. Xiao exposes Liang Junda’s deception and supports her through the collapse of her marriage 29 32.
• Mo Yu and Bai He — Subordinates entrusted with searches, protection, arrests, and reputation management. Xiao rewards difficult service with leave or additional pay 10 56 91.
• Shen Zexi — Elder brother-in-law. Xiao treats him respectfully and promises at the wedding that Zexi may punish him however he sees fit if he ever fails Shen 120 163.
• Meng Jiyao — Sister-in-law and collaborator on the Girls’ School project. She later defends his right to enjoy married life during peacetime 42 167.

Major Story Arcs

Missing Young Women Investigation

• At the Qionglin Banquet, Xiao recognizes Shen’s investigative promise and recruits him for a difficult case 5.
• Their search of an apparently abandoned residence leads through a concealed rockery passage to an underground palace holding captive girls 8 9.
• Xiao leads the fighting during the rescue and sends the survivors to his estate 10.
• The apparent evidence against Jiang Bin proves unreliable when the prisoners admit they never actually met their supposed employer. Xiao releases his cousin rather than treating the accusation as conclusive 11.

Princess Shou Jia and Liang Junda

• Xiao refuses to excuse Liang’s theft of disaster-relief funds, explaining that the crime caused deaths, injuries, and homelessness 29.
• With Shen’s advice, he arranges a final prison visit and secretly has Bai He place the Truth-Telling Gu in Liang 29 32.
• Liang’s admissions reveal both his corruption and his contempt for Shou Jia. Xiao comforts his aunt and encourages her to end the marriage 32.

Girls’ School

• Xiao joins Xiao Yuanqi and Meng Jiyao in planning a school for girls, then asks Shen how to overcome conservative officials’ opposition 42.
• He carries Shen’s gradual curriculum proposal back to Yuanqi and insists that Shen receive a fine brush as a reward for his advice 43.
• Support from the royal women allows the school to open to noble and common women 43 44.

Protecting Princess Huimin

• After overhearing Shen’s warning, Xiao locates Jiayi and helps plan an evidence-gathering response to the Li family’s attempt to force her into marriage 56.
• During the outing, his attention to Shen distracts him from the operation; Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi handle the immediate danger. Xiao acknowledges the lapse and treats the group to lunch 59 60.
• He ensures Empress Lin and Consort Shu hear Jiayi’s account, then reads the decree stripping the Li family of its positions and titles, confiscating its property, and exiling it to Coldwater City 61 62.

Courtship and Imperial Marriage

Milestone	Chapter	Details
Friendship begins	8	Xiao sincerely asks Shen to treat him as a friend rather than remain formally distant.
Recognizes his feelings	19 20	Learns that his apparent “illness” is love and obtains Yuanqi’s confidential support.
Private intimacy grows	70 71	Shares Shen’s bed while secretly stationed at his residence, then helps dress and groom him.
Direct confession	88	Confirms his love; Shen agrees to a relationship if the emperor and empress approve.
Confronts his family	89	Accepts responsibility for pursuing Shen and offers to surrender his status and reputation.
Marriage decree granted	90 91	Exchanges all his military merit for the decree. The proposed split punishment would total 120 strokes; he instead takes the original 100 in one session.
Mutual proposal	158	Accepts Shen’s handmade ring and pledge of lifelong partnership; his public display popularizes the custom among nobles.
Wedding	163	Signs and fingerprints a written pledge without hesitation before entering the Shen residence to fetch his spouse.
Newlywed life	164 167 178	Attends the palace tea ceremony with Shen, enjoys private outings, and continues expressing affection through practical care.

Later Investigations

• Prince Changping’s household: Supports Shen’s inquiry into the late princess consort’s poisoning, compels the steward’s cooperation, and orders thirty slaps for Xiao Jiping after he insults and threatens Shen 105 106.
• Wu Qiaoyun case: Prevents Wu Liang from attacking Shen and accompanies the investigation to Liu’an Temple 121 122.
• Longevity Pavilion: Defeats attackers alongside Mo Yu, treats his relatives, and fights Left Protector Liu Ying. Xiao wounds Liu Ying, but another man delivers the fatal sword thrust 128 138.
• Flower-Picking Thief: Exposes Ji’an’s concealed martial skill, defeats him at the Third Prince’s residence, and delivers the prisoner 165 166.

Notable Quotes

“I think you're a good person, and very capable. I'd like to be your friend. Would that be all right?” 8

“You don't need to worry about anything. My feelings for you are my own business. Whether you accept them is up to you, but I won't give up.” 88

“Reputation and status are nothing but fleeting clouds compared to him. I won't let others mock him. I'll make sure everyone knows that I, Xiao Jinyi, was the one who relentlessly pursued Shen Shixu!” 89

“No matter what happens, I'll never leave you or abandon you. You'll always be the one in charge, and I'll always listen to you. I'll love you with everything I have, including my life.” 158

Trivia

• He and Shen share a dislike of sour food and a preference for spicy dishes 16.
• Shen paints him as a battlefield warrior in silver armor, with a bloodstained sword amid corpses and broken banners. The armor is Shen’s imaginative addition, not something he witnessed Xiao wearing in that scene 79.
• His impressive alcohol tolerance was acquired gradually through army drinking sessions rather than being presented as an innate trait 33.