Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pei Yunluo (裴云罗) |
| Alias(es) | Commandery Princess Yunluo; Luo and A Luo among family and friends; “Little Luo” in Ning Sang-sang’s thoughts 20 25 33 43 |
| Gender | Female 20 |
| Affiliation | Chancellor’s Residence; Pei family 23 43 |
| Occupation/Role | Commandery princess, a title bestowed by the emperor after her birth 20 |
| Family | Daughter of Chancellor Pei and Princess Yongle; younger sister of Pei Xingjian 20 43 |
| Status | Alive; has ended her relationship with Zhang Yu and reconciled with her mother 39 43 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned by title 20; appears in person at the Flower-Viewing Banquet 22 |
Background / History
Family and upbringing
Yunluo grows up as the cherished daughter of the Chancellor’s Residence. The emperor’s affection for Princess Yongle extends to her daughter, whom he grants the title of commandery princess. Yongle describes Yunluo with affectionate exasperation as a restless girl who cannot sit quietly beside her for long 20 23.
Romance with Zhang Yu
Yunluo falls in love with Zhang Yu after he apparently rescues her from a threatening man on the mountain behind Ci’en Temple. She sees him as upright and selfless, interpreting his refusal of financial help and willingness to live in a shabby courtyard as proof of his integrity 23 39.
She conceals both the mountain incident and her relationship from her family. She fears that learning of the danger would make them surround her with guards and restrict her freedom; her maid Feicui helps cover her secret meetings with Zhang 24 38.
The Flower-Viewing Banquet
At her mother’s banquet, Yunluo begins hearing Ning Sang-sang’s unspoken thoughts. Sang-sang describes a future in which Yunluo would rather sever ties with her family than abandon Zhang Yu. More immediately, she alleges that Zhang hired the threatening man and staged his rescue to win Yunluo’s heart and exploit her rank 22 23.
Yunluo initially rejects this account but decides to ask her eldest brother to investigate. She keeps Sang-sang beside her under the pretext of carrying out her mother’s instruction to show the guests around. Although Sang-sang’s insults repeatedly anger her, Yunluo wants to hear more 24 25.
When Song Huanhuan also reacts to Sang-sang’s thoughts and finds herself unable to discuss them openly, Yunluo recognizes their shared experience. She later tracks down Sang-sang after the latter slips away and warns her to be respectful around Seventh Prince Chu Aotian, whom she knows holds grudges 25 26 33 34.
Breaking with Zhang Yu
Unable to dismiss her doubts, Yunluo leaves the banquet and orders Feicui to say she is resting if her family asks for her. At Zhang’s courtyard, she overhears him telling Peony, a brothel woman, that he prefers her and would not bother with Yunluo without her commandery-princess status 38 39.
Yunluo enters and finds Peony on Zhang’s lap. She slaps him, refuses his explanations, and ends their relationship. When he blocks her exit, she threatens to have Pei Xingjian imprison him, forcing him to stand aside. Zhang’s subsequent thoughts confirm that he intended to marry her for her family’s influence and his own advancement 39.
Advice and reconciliation
Afterward, Yunluo recognizes that Sang-sang was right about Zhang’s character. She initially takes her anger out on Sang-sang at a restaurant, then privately asks what a “friend” should do after being betrayed. Sang-sang advises her not to forgive the man and to move on; Yunluo thanks her. Contrary to Sang-sang’s assumptions, Yunluo has already decided she wants nothing more to do with Zhang 40 41.
Back home, Princess Yongle reprimands her for meeting a man secretly and risking both her safety and the household’s reputation. Pei Xingjian intercedes, and Yunluo sincerely apologizes and promises not to repeat her conduct. Yongle forgives her, then orders Xingjian to have Zhang arrested and banished; he agrees, though the punishment is not shown being carried out in the provided chapters 43.
Appearance
- Face: Oval face with willow-leaf brows, a high nose, and a cherry-small mouth 22.
- Eyes and complexion: Clear, lively eyes and fair skin 22.
- Clothing at her debut: A pink dress, worn when she jogs into the banquet hall 22.
Personality
Yunluo is lively, willful, and protective of her freedom. She enjoys going out to play and hides potentially restrictive information from her family. Her temper is direct rather than subtle: she glares, issues commands, and privately insists that she would confront someone openly rather than scheme against them 20 24 38.
Her warmth toward friends contrasts with her initial hostility toward Sang-sang. Song Huanhuan’s arrival immediately dispels her displeasure, while she speaks gently to Su Miaoling and hopes to welcome her into the family as her brother’s wife 24 25.
Although initially blinded by her admiration for Zhang Yu, Yunluo acts decisively once she witnesses his betrayal. She refuses reconciliation, seeks advice, and later acknowledges the consequences of her secrecy for her family 39 41 43.
Abilities & Skills
Hearing Ning Sang-sang’s Thoughts
Yunluo can hear Sang-sang’s inner voice without Sang-sang speaking aloud. She becomes certain of the phenomenon during their garden walk 22 23.
- Information gained: Learns Sang-sang’s allegations about Zhang Yu’s staged rescue and hears predictions concerning herself and the Song brothers 23 25.
- Concealed awareness: Uses her responsibilities as hostess to keep Sang-sang nearby without revealing her real motive 24 34.
- Disclosure restriction: An unexplained force prevents her from repeating the thoughts or directly explaining what she hears; attempting to speak about them also causes heart palpitations 23 24 26.
- Shared recognition: Confirms her experience with Song Huanhuan through the indirect statement, “I’m the same as you” 25.
Relationships
- Princess Yongle — Mother. Affectionate but strict about Yunluo’s conduct; forgives her remorse and orders punishment for Zhang Yu 20 43.
- Chancellor Pei — Father. Distressed by Yunluo’s reprimand, he signals Xingjian to plead for her rather than risk worsening Yongle’s anger himself 43.
- Pei Xingjian — Eldest brother. Yunluo intends to seek his investigative help and later invokes his authority against Zhang; he defends her before their mother 24 39 43.
- Zhang Yu — Former romantic partner, whom she called “Jade Darling.” She ends the relationship after discovering his contempt for her and his affair with Peony 23 39.
- Ning Sang-sang — Initially an irritating guest, later a source of advice. Her thoughts prompt Yunluo to question Zhang, and Yunluo eventually thanks her for her counsel 23 40 41.
- Su Miaoling — Close friend whom Yunluo hopes will marry Pei Xingjian. Yunluo asks her to dispense with formal titles in private 22 24.
- Song Huanhuan — Closest friend and the same age as Yunluo; also shares the ability to hear Sang-sang’s thoughts 25.
- Chu Aotian — Seventh cousin. Yunluo warns Sang-sang about his tendency to hold grudges 34.
- Feicui — Personal maid who covers Yunluo’s secret outings, despite suspecting Zhang’s motives and fearing the consequences of discovery 38.
Notable Quotes
“Zhang Yu, we’re completely finished. If you block my way again, I’ll have my eldest brother throw you in jail.” 39
“Thank you, Ning Sang-sang.” 41