Empress

Biodata

Appearance

Wu Qingcheng is a strikingly beautiful woman who can present herself as a handsome young noble in brocade robes. During her encounter with Jun Moxiao, her face is flushed and she is drenched in sweat. 105 119

• Often travels in a luxurious imperial carriage. 105
• Keeps a brocade box containing a Forget Sorrow Flower. 105

Personality

Wu Qingcheng is assertive, dominant, and politically calculating. She considers the Jun Family’s influence a potential threat and appoints Jun Moxiao to the Imperial Guard in part to keep him under her control. 105 117

Despite her ruthless impulses, she recognizes the Jun Family’s generations of loyalty and feels some guilt over having neglected them. She is also weary of the ministers’ habitual factional attacks during court sessions. 108 112

Her feelings toward Jun Moxiao are conflicted: she is angered by their compromising encounter and contemplates killing him, yet hesitates because the Jun Family may have produced another bearer of the rare Undying Bloodline. 105 107

Abilities & Skills

Martial God Bloodline

Wu Qingcheng possesses the Martial God Bloodline, one of the setting’s powerful martial bloodlines, though she has not fully awakened it. 105 117

• Has reached the Profound Realm, leaving her with few rivals in Great Zhou. 105 112
• Considers a full awakening of her bloodline important enough to keep a Forget Sorrow Flower, which is said to awaken martial bloodlines. 105 110
• The flower’s efficacy is uncertain, while its side effects are known to be significant. 105 112

Imperial Authority

As Empress, Wu Qingcheng controls court appointments and can enforce her will through imperial decree. 105 117

• Refuses Jun Wentian’s initial request to retire, praising his service before his continued insistence. 108
• Appoints Jun Moxiao as a Fourth Rank Imperial Guard after Jun Wentian seeks retirement. 105 117
• Uses Jun Moxiao’s appointment to monitor and restrain the influential Jun Family. 111 117

Items

• Forget Sorrow Flower — A vibrant red flower kept in a brocade box; legend claims it can awaken martial bloodlines, but it has notable side effects. 105 110
• Imperial carriage — The carriage that strikes Jun Moxiao and brings him to the palace. 105

Relationships

• Jun Moxiao — A member of the Jun Family whom she encounters after her carriage strikes him; their subsequent intimate incident leaves their relationship tense. She later makes him a Fourth Rank Imperial Guard, effectively using him as leverage over his family. 105 117
• Jun Wentian — Great Zhou’s Grand Tutor and Jun Moxiao’s father. Wu Qingcheng recognizes his long service but remains wary of the Jun Family’s political influence. 105 108
• Shangguan Yi — Her Chief Eunuch, who also drives the imperial carriage. Shangguan Yi questions Jun Moxiao’s suitability as an Imperial Guard, but Wu Qingcheng dismisses the need for protection. 105 107
• Imperial Physician — Reports Jun Moxiao’s unexpected recovery and suggests that he may have awakened the Jun Family’s Undying Bloodline. 105 112

Story Role / Major Arcs

Encounter with Jun Moxiao

Wu Qingcheng’s carriage strikes the newly transmigrated Jun Moxiao. He is brought into her carriage, where their encounter becomes compromising and creates a secret source of tension between them. 105 107

After learning that Jun Moxiao has recovered unusually quickly, she considers the possibility that he has awakened the Jun Family’s Undying Bloodline. This potential makes her reluctant to immediately act on her anger toward him. 105 117

Jun Family Political Maneuvering

When Jun Wentian petitions to retire, Wu Qingcheng initially refuses and acknowledges his service. She nonetheless appoints Jun Moxiao as a Fourth Rank Imperial Guard, allowing her to retain influence over the Jun Family as it withdraws from court politics. 105 108 117

Notable Quotes

“Why would I need others to protect me?” 105 107

Trivia

• Wu Qingcheng is referred to as the sole “Majesty” of Great Zhou. 105 119
• Shangguan Yi’s work includes both serving as Chief Eunuch and driving the Empress’s carriage. 105 112