Nan Zhen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Nan Zhen (南鸩)
Alias(es)	Madam Nan; Scorpion Beauty; Jiang Zhizi (former name) 96 106 275
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Nan Family
Occupation/Role	De facto controller of the Nan Family; formerly its Second Madam 94 273
Status	Alive 639
First Appearance	Chapter 96

Relationship Progression

Stage / Value	Chapter	Notes
12%	105	Her affection for Shen Qingling had risen following their early interactions.
30%	105	Her feelings increase further while using seduction as part of the Nan Family's plan.
80%	144	Shen Qingling's System records the unknown goddess's progress bar reaching 80 after Nan Zhen believes he died in the fire.
100	211	Her heartbeat value reaches 100 after her deception is exposed and she begs Shen Qingling for forgiveness.
100%	639	Shen Qingling's System identifies Nan Zhen as fully conquered.

Appearance

Nan Zhen is an exceptionally beautiful, refined woman whose mature charm and elegant bearing make her striking wherever she appears. She is often associated with fitted cheongsams, cigarettes, and an outwardly composed smile. 96 97

• Wears form-fitting cheongsams. 96
• Has a sharp, mature beauty contrasting with more delicate-looking women such as Jiang Yuning. 262
• Possesses a soft southern manner of speech that can sound coquettish when she teases Shen Qingling. 103
• Maintains an elegant, noble façade even while directing violence. 96 208
• Can deliberately soften her intimidating image through gentler clothing and styling when it benefits her aims. 152
• Her gentle smile and careful manner can become especially unnerving when she is threatening an enemy. 391 392

Personality

Nan Zhen is calculating, ruthless, and highly protective of the people she considers family. As the hidden power behind the Nan Family, she is capable of ordering extreme retaliation and personally punishing subordinates who compromise the family. 94 96

Her cruelty developed from a life defined by poverty, forced marriage attempts, abuse, and entrapment within the Nan Family. She became the “Scorpion Beauty” to protect Shui Xin and Nan Yan, sacrificing her own freedom and reputation in the process. 272 273 274

Shen Qingling disrupts her usual composure. She initially treats him as a means to interfere with the Gu–Sheng marriage alliance, but becomes increasingly sincere, jealous, remorseful, and desperate to regain his trust after her original motive is exposed. 105 208 262 327

Although she has become more open about her love and past, Nan Zhen remains intensely possessive of Shen Qingling. She reacts fiercely to threats against him and is unwilling to tolerate rivals whom she believes have harmed or humiliated him. 392 457 629

Nan Zhen favors punishments that break an enemy psychologically as well as physically. Her revenge plans involve false hope, humiliation, imprisonment, manipulation, and turning victims against one another, reflecting both her intelligence and the lasting influence of her past trauma. 636

Abilities & Skills

Leadership and Underworld Authority

Nan Zhen is the Nan Family's actual decision-maker, with Nan Yan serving as its nominal head. The family controls major casinos in Jiangcheng and has influence across both legal and illegal circles. 94 96 203

• Directs Nan Family enforcers and subordinates. 96
• Exercises decisive authority over retaliation, punishment, and internal discipline. 96
• Holds enough influence that prominent Jiangcheng figures attend her birthday banquet. 203
• Maintains the Nan Family's balance between legitimate business contacts and criminal interests. 203
• Deploys armed Nan Family personnel in coordinated retaliation operations. 391 457
• Possesses access to superior vessels, tracking technology, and armed manpower capable of pursuing targets at sea. 457

Scheming and Manipulation

Nan Zhen is experienced in conspiracy and social maneuvering, having risen through the Nan Family's internal struggles before becoming its controlling force. 98 273

• Participated in Nan Yi's campaign to eliminate succession rivals. 273
• Used a honey trap involving Shen Qingling to disrupt the Gu–Sheng marriage alliance and gain disputed land. 99 105 208
• Uses indirect answers and carefully selected information when dealing with threats or difficult questions. 190
• Investigates perceived romantic rivals and adjusts her strategy around them. 262
• Uses Xiao Nian's bond with Shen Qingling and Nan Yan's cooperation to create opportunities to see him. 400 573
• Designs revenge around prolonged psychological collapse rather than simple physical punishment. 636

Seduction

Nan Zhen knowingly uses her beauty, charm, and intimate teasing to unsettle Shen Qingling, though her attraction eventually exceeds her original plan. 104 105

• Teases Shen Qingling through calligraphy lessons and flirtatious conversation. 103 104 194
• Takes the initiative in pursuing him, including arranging private encounters at the Nan residence. 400 401
• Carefully stages an alluring bath behind a screen to tempt him. 402
• Her attempts at control can be overturned when Shen Qingling responds assertively. 404
• Is willing to pursue Shen Qingling openly despite the presence of his other love interests. 368 573

Violence and Retribution

Despite her poised demeanor, Nan Zhen is personally capable of inflicting violence and directing brutal reprisals. Her methods often pair physical intimidation with calm, psychologically targeted threats. 391 392

• Threatens Lu Yunrou with a knife while interrogating her over her actions against Shen Qingling. 392
• Oversees the destruction of evidence and surveillance footage during the Lu Family confrontation. 392
• Participates in the maritime pursuit and capture of Lu Zhengrong. 457
• Stabs Lu Zhengrong in the shoulder after her capture, invoking Lu Zhengrong's earlier provocations. 457
• Prefers keeping certain enemies alive long enough for them to witness the destruction of what they value. 457 636

Background

Born Jiang Zhizi in the impoverished southern village of Guimeng, Nan Zhen faced cruelty from her family from childhood. At twelve, she resisted being sold as a concubine by stabbing the intended husband; later, she fled another attempt to force her into a ghost marriage, only to be captured and returned. 275

While pregnant, Shui Xin encountered Jiang Zhizi and brought her to the Nan Family, where she gave her a new name. Jiang Zhizi insisted on retaining the character “Zhen,” becoming Nan Zhen. Shui Xin treated her as a younger sister, and Nan Zhen repaid that kindness with lifelong loyalty. 272

After Shui Xin was falsely accused of infidelity and confined, Nan Zhen endured hard labor, beatings from Nan Qi, and repeated threats arising from her beauty. Despite opportunities to escape through marriage, she remained to support Shui Xin and raise Nan Yan. 272

Nan Zhen gradually learned intrigue under the Third Madam and became her capable assistant. She later allied with Nan Yi, believing his promise to protect Shui Xin and Nan Yan if he became patriarch. 273

Nan Yi betrayed that agreement after gaining power. He forced Shui Xin into marriage and made Nan Zhen his Second Madam, using her as both a hostage and an instrument for murder and silencing witnesses. Nan Yi never consummated his marriage with Nan Zhen, but the title trapped her in the Nan Family and subjected her to humiliation. 273

Following Shui Xin's death, Nan Zhen became Nan Yan's adoptive mother in accordance with Shui Xin's final request. She poisoned Nan Yi, after which Nan Yan became patriarch; despite his title, Nan Zhen became the family's true power. 94 273

Relationships

• Shen Qingling — Initially a target in Nan Zhen's plan to disrupt the Gu–Sheng marriage alliance; she develops genuine love for him, loses his trust when her deception is exposed, and continues seeking reconciliation. Shen Qingling eventually recognizes her sacrifices and accepts her past, while Nan Zhen remains openly devoted and possessive toward him. 105 208 262 277 327 639
• Nan Yan — Adoptive son and closest family member. Nan Zhen raised and protected him after Shui Xin's downfall; together they control the Nan Family. He actively supports her pursuit of Shen Qingling, including arranging opportunities for them to meet. 97 273 400 573
• Shui Xin — Benefactor and sister-like figure who rescued Nan Zhen from poverty and brought her into the Nan Family. Nan Zhen devoted her life to protecting Shui Xin and her son. 272 274
• Nan Yi — Former ally and later captor. He made Nan Zhen the Second Madam to bind her to the family; she ultimately poisoned him. 273
• Sheng Mo — Rival for Shen Qingling and opponent in the dispute over land and the Gu–Sheng marriage alliance. Their conflict includes Sheng Mo exposing Nan Zhen's original scheme. Though they remain combative rivals, they later cooperate against Lu Zhengrong and develop a begrudging respect rooted in their shared concern for Shen Qingling. 122 208 457 462
• Xie Huainian / Xiao Nian — A child under the Nan Family's care. Nan Zhen and Nan Yan repeatedly use his bond with Shen Qingling to bring Shen Qingling to the Nan residence. 105 190 262
• Lu Yunrou — An enemy whom Nan Zhen holds responsible for the shooting that nearly killed her and for endangering Shen Qingling. Nan Zhen participates in the Lu Family's violent retaliation and personally threatens her with a knife. 269 391 392
• Lu Zhengrong — A rival for Shen Qingling's affection and target of Nan Zhen's revenge. Nan Zhen pursues her at sea, insists that she remain alive to witness the loss of everything she sought, and wounds her after her capture. Nan Zhen later learns that Shen Qingling secretly saved her. 457 629
• Sang Yin — Initially a suspicious woman in Nan Zhen's eyes due to her closeness to Shen Qingling. They later cooperate in pursuing Lu Zhengrong, though Sang Yin is unsettled by Nan Zhen's extreme revenge plans. 192 457 636

Story Role / Major Arcs

Introduction and the Honey Trap

Nan Zhen is introduced as the feared woman behind the Nan Family, reputed to be more dangerous than Nan Yan. She and Nan Yan approach Shen Qingling under the guise of cooperation, then decide to use her attraction as a honey trap to prevent the Gu–Sheng marriage alliance and secure disputed land. 94 96 99

Although she knows Shen Qingling is aware of her seduction, his kindness and moral restraint affect her deeply. She recognizes that he belongs to “the light” while she walks in darkness, yet continues the plan. 105 109 110

Fire at the Sheng Residence

Nan Zhen's scheme to eliminate Sheng Mo results in a fire at the Sheng Family residence. When Sheng Mo survives but Shen Qingling goes missing, Nan Zhen panics, blames Nan Yan's planning, and is driven nearly mad by the belief that she caused Shen Qingling's death. 141

Sheng Mo exploits this grief by convincing Nan Zhen that Shen Qingling is dead. Nan Zhen collapses in the rain from emotional exhaustion, revealing that her feelings have surpassed her original ambitions. 143 144

Exposure and Separation

At Nan Zhen's birthday banquet, Shen Qingling arrives injured after kneeling in the rain for hours to attend. His devotion moves Nan Zhen and convinces Nan Yan that Shen Qingling truly loves her. 204 205

Sheng Mo later plays a recording revealing Nan Zhen's initial motive: using Shen Qingling to disrupt the marriage alliance for land. Shen Qingling is devastated, while Nan Zhen loses her composure and begs him for another chance. 208

Redemption Attempts

Nan Zhen tries to reconnect with Shen Qingling at an orphanage, but he treats her coldly and openly criticizes the Nan Family's past manipulation. Jealous of Jiang Yuning, Nan Zhen nevertheless resolves to keep fighting for Shen Qingling rather than give up. 262

She later takes a bullet intended for Shen Qingling, leaving her severely injured. Shen Qingling spends nearly all of his System points on medicine to save her, recognizing the depth of her feelings. 269

Revealing Her Past

While recovering, Nan Zhen allows her history to be revealed to Shen Qingling. Nan Yan recounts her sacrifices for Shui Xin and himself, while Nan Zhen shares her earlier life as Jiang Zhizi. Shen Qingling reassures her that her acts of survival do not make her disgraceful. 271 275 277

Renewed Pursuit

Nan Zhen remains direct and possessive in her pursuit of Shen Qingling. She demands that he fulfill a promise to her amid the attention of several other women, then brings him to the Nan residence under the pretext of comforting him and Xiao Nian's longing. 368 400

At the residence, she openly teases and seduces him in her study while Nan Yan prevents others from interrupting. Her seduction ultimately develops into a mutually passionate encounter after Shen Qingling takes the initiative. 401 402 404

Retaliation Against the Lu Family

After learning that Shen Qingling and his mother have been harmed, Nan Zhen joins Nan Yan, Gu Yutang, and Gu Yijin in invading the Lu residence. She restrains Nan Yan's impulsiveness while asserting her own authority, then personally intimidates Lu Yunrou with a knife and threatens to destroy the beauty on which Lu Yunrou built her ambitions. 390 391 392

Nan Zhen's anger is driven less by her own gunshot wound than by Lu Yunrou's actions against Shen Qingling. She makes clear that endangering him is the offense she cannot forgive. 392

Pursuit of Lu Zhengrong

When Lu Zhengrong flees by ship, Nan Zhen joins Sheng Mo in a heavily armed maritime pursuit. She rejects a quick execution in favor of forcing Lu Zhengrong to remain alive and witness the destruction of everything she has obtained. 457

After Lu Zhengrong is captured, Nan Zhen stabs her in the shoulder and taunts her over her past provocations. The operation demonstrates both Nan Zhen's possessive jealousy over Shen Qingling and her capacity for coordinated, ruthless revenge. 457

Later Family Gatherings and Revenge Plans

Nan Yan later uses a dating-show reward to arrange a “date” with Shen Qingling at the Nan Family home, transparently intending to create another opportunity for Shen Qingling and Nan Zhen to meet. Nan Zhen initially wants the occasion to remain private but agrees to host Shen Qingling's wider circle as well. 573

In later events, Nan Zhen outlines an elaborate plan to punish those who harmed her family through psychological torment, manipulation, humiliation, and betrayal. Sheng Mo and Sang Yin are disturbed by the severity of her ideas, underscoring that the Scorpion Beauty's restraint in earlier conflicts had been relative rather than absolute. 636

Trivia

• Nan Zhen's original name, Jiang Zhizi, was inspired by the season of gardenia blossoms in which she was born. 275
• She rejected the name Shui Xin initially chose for her and specifically insisted on using the character “Zhen.” 272
• Her reputation as the “Scorpion Beauty” originates from the ruthless methods she adopted to survive and protect Shui Xin and Nan Yan. 106 273
• Despite being publicly known as Nan Yan's mother, Nan Zhen is his adoptive mother rather than his biological parent. 97 273
• The character “Zhen” in her chosen name refers to the poison of the roc, reflecting the lethal image she intentionally embraced. 103