De'an

Biodata

Background / History

De'an served Qi Xiao before his accession and followed him from his princely residence to Xuanzheng Hall. He witnessed Qi Yu's upbringing from infancy, including the emperor's indulgence toward the toddler and his sleepless vigil when the prince contracted smallpox at five 1.

His long service gave him firsthand knowledge of the imperial family's earlier relationships. He remembered Xiao Luo embroidering beneath the osmanthus tree with Yang Ning while the late empress was still alive, but did not join palace discussions about those memories 23.

Appearance

• Fly whisk: Usually rests in the crook of his arm; he frequently shifts it between arms while waiting or attending the emperor 1 9 29.
• Quiet movements: Introduced walking so softly that his footsteps cannot be heard 1.
• Facial features: Has wrinkles at the corners of his mouth 19.
• Habitual posture: Often waits beneath covered walkways with his hands tucked into his sleeves 17 19 42.

Personality

De'an is observant and deliberately discreet. He counts Qi Yu's visits, notices changes in Qi Xiao's writing and tea-drinking, and often understands an incomplete question without explanation. He nevertheless waits for the emperor to ask before reporting sensitive matters, following the principle that a servant should see only what he ought to see 1 8 19 27.

His care for Qi Yu extends beyond explicit orders. After the three-year-old prince smeared an annotated memorial, De'an began placing finished documents higher out of reach. He also collects extra goji berries because Qi Yu is prone to internal heat in autumn and remembers to request half-sugar almond cream after the prince reconciles with his father 6 10 19.

He distinguishes punishment from collective blame. Although he personally oversees A Rong's execution, he protects her uninvolved relatives, provides them with money and permission to return home, and arranges for her burial away from those registered as criminals 36.

His restrained manner occasionally gives way to humor. He tells Qi Yu that officials steady their breathing before entering because they fear the emperor, hides his reaction when the prince jokes about embarrassing his father's teaching, and privately smiles at Qi Xiao's elaborate arrangements for his son's recovery 9 14 48.

Abilities & Skills

Imperial Attendance and Administration

De'an handles both the emperor's personal routine and the practical work surrounding court business.

• Prepares tea, grinds ink, collects memorials, and tidies the imperial desk 5 17.
• Coordinates washing, court robes, and the fastening of Qi Xiao's crown 9 10 28.
• Confirms preparations for morning court and reminds the emperor when it is time to attend 9 20 26.
• Relays instructions to the Imperial Kitchen, Imperial Medical Bureau, and Wardrobe Bureau 6 48.

Observation and Reporting

De'an gathers information through subordinate eunuchs and the attendants around Qi Yu.

• Reports the prince's quarrel with Qi Ming using information supplied by A Ping 8.
• Investigates Qi Yu's unusual absence by sending a junior eunuch to ask whether he is unwell 17.
• Receives a purchasing eunuch's report about the Xiao Family's inquiries into the Fourth Prince 29.
• Recognizes Qi Xiao's decisions from small gestures, including his refusal to select a consort's tablet 18.

Access Control and Protection

De'an controls entry to imperial spaces and coordinates precautions around Qi Yu.

• Dismisses an official who has been kneeling outside the imperial study when the emperor will not receive him 1.
• Politely turns away Concubine Li during Qi Yu's illness, then restricts admission to physicians and the empress's people 21.
• Decides to increase checks on deliveries to Yuning Hall after learning of the Xiao Family's interest in the prince 29.
• Removes a frightened junior eunuch from the room after the overtired Qi Yu snaps at him 43.

Relationships

• Qi Xiao — Long-serving master. De'an understands many of the emperor's unspoken wishes and manages the arrangements through which he cares for Qi Yu 1 18 28 48.
• Qi Yu — The Fourth Prince, whom De'an has watched grow up. He accommodates the prince's habits, monitors his health, and personally tucks him back beneath his quilt 1 10 19 27.
• A Ping — Addresses De'an as “godfather.” They exchange information about Qi Yu; De'an prevents him from witnessing A Rong's execution and reassures him during the prince's recovery 8 36.
• Chun He — Coordinates with De'an in caring for Qi Yu. They handle visitors and gifts during his illness, and she alerts him when the prince cannot be awakened in the bathing pool 21 39.
• Jiang Baolin — De'an escorts her out after Qi Xiao ends their dinner and personally delivers the customary rewards the next morning 33.
• A Rong — De'an oversees her execution while arranging protection and travel assistance for her uninvolved brother and sister-in-law 36.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hunting Arrangements

When Qi Xiao permits Qi Yu to hunt with Xie Ning, De'an receives orders to increase the escort and keep the prince out of the western woods. He is also tasked with sending word to the Jinghai Marquis Residence for the additional accompaniment the emperor requests 1.

Qi Yu's Withdrawal and Illness

De'an tracks Qi Yu's seven-day absence from Xuanzheng Hall and immediately understands what Qi Xiao means when he asks, “How many days?” He accompanies the emperor to Yuning Hall and, after their reconciliation, reminds a junior eunuch that the next morning's almond cream must contain half the usual sugar 19.

When Qi Yu develops a high fever, De'an rushes to summon every physician on duty, losing a shoe in his haste. He later delivers the decree canceling morning court and manages access to the recovering prince 20 21.

The Xiao Family Scheme

A subordinate's report first alerts De'an that the Xiao Family is asking about Qi Yu. He initially withholds the news from Qi Xiao because the plan has not yet produced any action, choosing instead to monitor developments and tighten precautions around Yuning Hall 29.

After the scheme ends with Qi Yu fainting from fright, De'an accompanies the emperor as he orders the family removed from the capital. He subsequently reports their departure, receives instructions for local officials to watch them without taking their lives, and oversees A Rong's punishment 34 36.

Continued Care at Xuanzheng Hall

De'an alerts Qi Xiao when Qi Yu falls asleep in the bathing pool and cannot be awakened, then checks the cooling water while the emperor attends him 39. Later, he carries out detailed orders for four sets of black silk nightclothes with dark gold trim and qilin embroidery, reheated chestnuts, half-sugar osmanthus cake, and ginseng soup containing two red dates 48.