Rong Yuheng

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Originally named Xiao Yuheng, he became Rong Chen’s sworn younger brother and was subsequently adopted by the late emperor. This adoption gave him the surname Rong and made him Rong Che’s imperial uncle in name, without any blood relationship 113 118.

Rong Chen feared that the late emperor would leave the throne to him. He poisoned twenty-one members of the Xiao family and personally administered poison intended to cripple Rong Yuheng’s legs. Rong Yuheng later maintained the appearance of being unable to walk, despite retaining full use of his legs 118.

As Prince Regent, Rong Yuheng held authority second only to the sovereign. His military tally underpinned his dominance at court, while his public reputation emphasized ruthlessness, bloodthirstiness, and calculation 112 115.

Appearance

Rong Yuheng is tall and slender, with an appearance admired even by those intimidated by his authority 116 118.

• Eyes: Dark, deep, narrow, and repeatedly described as foxlike 112 114.
• Hands: Long, fair fingers, with lightly calloused fingertips 112 113.
• Clothing: Wears a gold-trimmed black fox-fur cloak; his princely clothing bears python-pattern designs 112 117.
• Wheelchair: Publicly presents himself as having crippled legs, but walks freely among trusted members of his household 115 116.

Personality

Rong Yuheng combines an elegant, languid manner with deliberate intimidation. He often smiles or speaks lightly while controlling an encounter, using concealed information, pressure-point techniques, and supposed dependence on medicine to keep Rong Che close. His teasing also serves a purpose: after transferring his internal energy, he deliberately acts wounded and vulnerable to coax Rong Che into accepting him 112 113 116.

His devotion to Rong Che is both protective and coercive. He seeks treatment for him, sacrifices half his cultivated energy, and confronts the emperor on his behalf. At the same time, he disregards Rong Che’s refusals, forcibly kisses and restrains him, and eventually drugs and abducts him for their wedding 113 115 116 118 119.

Rong Yuheng refuses to make Rong Che answer for Rong Chen’s crimes. He warns Xie Rong not to involve the crown prince in their blood feud and is willing to become Rong Che’s subject rather than claim the throne himself. His political restraint also extends beyond their relationship: he declines to overthrow Rong Chen immediately because neighboring kingdoms could exploit the resulting internal conflict 116 117 118.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Internal Energy

Rong Yuheng initially possesses martial abilities substantially superior to Rong Che’s 112.

• Shatters a golden cage and its chains through internal energy 112.
• Channels energy through a folding fan to send poisoned crossbow bolts back toward their attackers 112.
• Catches and breaks Rong Chen’s sword, although the blade cuts his hand 115.
• Transfers internal energy directly through joined palms; interruption risks backlash and uncontrolled energy circulation 116.

Pressure-Point Techniques

He uses precise acupoint strikes to suppress another person’s movement, speech, or martial abilities 112 113 118.

• Seals Rong Che’s martial arts for nearly half a month; other skilled martial artists cannot undo the seal 113.
• Temporarily blocks Rong Che’s voice to compel him to acknowledge their master-disciple relationship 113.
• Immobilizes Xie Rong after discovering his use of Enchanted Incense 118.
• After giving away half his energy, acknowledges that restraining Rong Che will no longer be as easy 116.

Medicine and Gu Knowledge

Rong Yuheng recognizes Rong Che’s deteriorating condition and prepares treatments for his damaged meridians 113 115.

• Gives Rong Che nightly medicine that protects his heart meridians, initially claiming it is an antidote to poison 113.
• Personally gathers herbs for a medicinal hot spring intended to nourish and repair Rong Che’s meridians 115 116.
• Detects the Grafting Flowers to Replace Trees gu in Ning Shujin’s medicine and explains its fatal life-swapping effect 117.
• Recognizes Enchanted Incense and its effects on a person’s mind and will 118.

Political Judgment

His authority rests on military influence, trusted retainers, and an extensive household guard 112 115 117.

• Trades his half of the military tally to secure the annulment of Rong Che’s betrothal and freedom to choose his consorts 114.
• Understands that a sudden succession conflict could invite attacks from the four bordering kingdoms 118.
• Identifies Rong Che’s apparent rejection as fear rooted in his hostage years, rather than a simple absence of affection 119.

Equipment & Resources

• White folding fan — Has white-jade ribs and can channel internal energy for combat 112.
• Wheelchair — Maintains his public appearance of disability; unnecessary for his actual mobility 115 118.
• Military tally — The foundation of his military authority before he surrenders his half to Rong Chen 114 115.
• Treading Clouds — His horse, summoned when he searches for the escaped Rong Che 119.
• Medicinal hot spring — An underground pool connected to his bedroom, surrounded by white jade and prepared with hundreds of medicinal herbs 115.
• Regent’s Palace wealth — Presented to Rong Che as betrothal gifts after their marriage 120.

Relationships

• Rong Che — Nominal nephew, disciple, and eventual husband. Rong Yuheng rescues him from captivity, treats his failing health, and marries him as Princess Consort before supporting his accession 112 116 119 121.
• Rong Chen — Sworn elder brother and political enemy. Rong Chen poisoned the Xiao family, attempted to cripple Rong Yuheng, and later sought to have Rong Che assassinate him 115 118.
• Ning Shujin — Rong Che’s mother and eventual mother-in-law. Initially confronts him over his treatment of her son, then accepts their relationship after learning what he sacrificed to save Rong Che 117.
• Xie Rong — Foremost retainer and friend of more than a decade. Their loyalty fractures over Xie Rong’s attempts to separate him from Rong Che, culminating in Rong Yuheng punishing him with his own Enchanted Incense 116 118.
• The late emperor — Adoptive father, whose adoption brought Rong Yuheng into the imperial family 118.
• Lin Fei — Rong Che’s intended bride, whom Rong Yuheng initially regards with jealousy. Her death later drives Rong Che into the killing frenzy that Rong Yuheng helps end 114 121.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rescue and Treatment

• Travels to the Enemy Kingdom after its surrender and rescues Rong Che from a cage. He already knows the hostage’s identity but initially conceals that knowledge 112.
• Secures Rong Che’s agreement to become his disciple while keeping his dangerous internal energy sealed 112 113.
• Learns that Rong Che exchanged fifty years of his life for revenge-enabling martial arts. After striking him during their argument, he stops when Rong Che coughs blood and apologizes 113.
• Exchanges his military tally for the cancellation of Rong Che’s arranged marriage, then rescues him from Rong Chen’s violent attempt to compel obedience 114 115.
• Treats Rong Che with medicinal baths and transfers ten years of internal energy to him. Rong Che accepts his marriage proposal, and Ning Shujin subsequently approves their relationship 116 117.

Enchanted Incense and Marriage

• Discovers Xie Rong manipulating Rong Che with Enchanted Incense, destroys the burner, and subjects Xie Rong to the same incense as punishment 118.
• Confronts Rong Chen over the Xiao family massacre and reveals that his legs are not crippled. He leaves the emperor alive rather than risk destabilizing the kingdom 118.
• After Rong Che escapes and asks to part, gives him a month to confront his feelings while announcing an upcoming marriage without identifying the bride 119.
• Drugs Rong Che, dresses him in bridal clothes, and brings him to the Regent’s Palace. They complete their wedding bows before Ning Shujin 119.

Palace Bloodshed and Succession

• Leaves to address trouble at Dongfeng Tower after the wedding; during his absence, Rong Che is framed for murder and imprisoned 120.
• Reaches the Heavenly Prison after Lin Fei’s death and follows Rong Che to the palace, where Rong Che has already killed Rong Chen 121.
• Brings Rong Che out of his killing frenzy by identifying himself as his husband, takes away his sword, and comforts him 121.
• After Rong Che spends several days mourning at Lin Fei’s grave, brings him back to claim the throne 121.

Notable Quotes

“A-Che, that day you said your life was a tool to help you reach the pinnacle of power. But I’m different. My life... is you.” 116

“My life is yours, my realm is yours, my body is yours, my heart is yours.” 121

Trivia

• Jiang Chiyan portrays Rong Yuheng opposite Xiao Cheng’s Rong Che in the Chapter 89 audition. Jiang Chiyan improvises dialogue for the bridal-sedan scene 89.
• The historical side story initially introduces Rong Yuheng as corresponding to Jiang Chiyan. The final author’s note explicitly treats Rong Yuheng and Rong Che’s story as Jiang Chiyan and Xiao Cheng’s past lives 112 121.