Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Hongyu (红榆) |
| Gender | Female |
| Affiliation | Heaven Dou Crown Prince’s Residence 2 |
| Occupation/Role | Maid assigned to care for Meng Chen’s daily needs alongside Qingdai 2 |
| Status | Alive; temporarily bedridden after receiving corporal punishment 5 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 2 |
Background / History
Assignment to Meng Chen
After Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, takes Meng Chen into her household, she instructs the steward to assign two maids to him. Hongyu and Qingdai begin serving him in his small courtyard at the Crown Prince’s Residence 2.
Body-Tempering Preparations
Hongyu accompanies Meng Chen and Qingdai by carriage to the Benevolent Heart Apothecary. At Meng Chen’s request, both maids initially wait outside rather than enter with him 3.
When Meng Chen needs fresh soul beast blood, Hongyu suggests hiring a Soul Master to hunt a beast and collect it. He entrusts her with obtaining exactly ten fresh drops from a beast with draconic blood, emphasizing that its vitality must be preserved. She subsequently delivers ten drops of heart’s blood from a Hundred-Year Golden Earth Dragon 3 4.
Accident and Punishment
Meng Chen dismisses both maids before beginning his body-tempering treatment. They hesitate but comply, standing guard outside his bedroom. When his screams become increasingly desperate, Qingdai tries to force the door open while Hongyu runs for help 4.
Hongyu encounters the returning Qian Renxue and explains what happened. Qian Renxue grips her shoulder painfully, then slaps her to the ground and blames her for allowing a child to misuse medicine. She immediately rushes inside to reach Meng Chen 4.
Following the incident, Hongyu and Qingdai each receive ten strokes of the rod, leaving them temporarily bedridden, and lose three months’ wages. Qian Renxue also intends to reassign them, but Meng Chen persuades her to let them remain in their positions 5.
Appearance
- Refined features: Hongyu and Qingdai are both described as having refined features when introduced 2.
Personality
Hongyu is courteous and affectionate toward Meng Chen. His appearance charms both maids, but their awareness of the difference in social standing restrains their desire to hold and pet him 2.
Although frightened when confronted by Qian Renxue during the accident, Hongyu does not conceal Meng Chen’s use of medicine and explains the situation despite the pain of Qian Renxue’s grip 4.
Abilities & Skills
Personal Care
- Helps Meng Chen wash up in the morning alongside Qingdai 2.
- Braids his slightly long hair into a short, thin scorpion-tail braid 2.
Errand Coordination
- Identifies hiring a Soul Master as a practical alternative to buying fresh soul beast blood 3.
- Fulfills Meng Chen’s specialized request for fresh draconic soul beast blood 3 4.
Relationships
- Meng Chen — Her young master. He addresses her as “Sister Hongyu” or “Big Sister Hongyu,” entrusts her with errands, and intervenes to prevent her reassignment after the accident 3 4 5.
- Qingdai — Fellow maid assigned to Meng Chen. They share his daily care and divide their emergency response between forcing entry and seeking help 2 4.
- Qian Renxue / Xue Qinghe — Her employer and Meng Chen’s guardian. Qian Renxue holds her responsible for failing to protect him and orders corporal and financial punishment 2 4 5.