Kou Shuurei is an optimistic and idealistic young woman who dreams of becoming a government official to help transform Saiunkoku into a better place for all its citizens. Despite living in a society where women are not allowed to hold public office, she remains determined and resourceful, finding other ways to contribute to her country, such as teaching young children and supporting her father’s work.

Shuurei possesses a practical mind and a strong sense of resourcefulness, adapting to challenges with intelligence and resilience. She is incredibly modest and humble, often underestimating her own abilities and considering herself plain and unremarkable. However, she firmly believes that hard work and dedication can help her achieve her dreams and protect the people she cherishes. While kind and compassionate, Shuurei is also assertive and unafraid to voice her opinions, yet she demonstrates keen situational awareness, understanding when to speak and when to hold back.

Unbeknownst to her, Shuurei has a mystical lineage, she is the daughter of the Red Immortal and Kou Shouka, a legendary assassin known as the Black Wolf. Her birth is considered miraculous, as children born between humans and Immortals are said to be impossible. Due to her mother’s immortal essence, Shuurei was born sickly, as her body was incompatible with the world outside the Hyou clan’s lands. To preserve her daughter’s life, the Red Immortal sealed her spirit within Shuurei’s body, granting her an extended lifespan. As a result, Shuurei unknowingly serves as a vessel for the Red Immortal, and upon her death, her body will be overtaken by the Immortal’s spirit.

Additionally, Hyou Ruka remarks that it is Shuurei’s unavoidable fate to attract men, though whether this statement is meant as a serious prophecy or as sarcasm remains unclear. Regardless, her determination, intelligence, and kindness make her an influential figure in Saiunkoku, admired by both allies and rivals alike.

Kou Shuurei is a beautiful young woman with a delicate yet refined appearance, bearing a striking resemblance to Hyou Shoukun. She has long, flowing black hair, which she typically styles into two loops at the back of her head, secured with a pink cloth. Additionally, she wears two ponytails, created by doubling up her hair and tying them with a red string, giving her a distinctive and elegant look. Her walnut-brown eyes convey both warmth and determination, reflecting her strong spirit despite her petite stature standing at only 151 cm (4’11”).

As a noble of the Crimson Clan, Shuurei is often seen wearing a red hanfu, a traditional Chinese-style robe, symbolizing her heritage and status. She typically pairs this with a yellow sash tied around her waist, completing her graceful and dignified appearance, which contrasts with her humble and hardworking nature.

Despite being born into the prestigious Kou family, Shuurei grew up in relative poverty due to her father’s low income as an Imperial Archivist. Much of the family’s wealth was given away to aid the needy, particularly during the violent succession struggle for the imperial throne eight years prior. This background shaped Shuurei into a selfless and determined young woman, committed to making positive changes in Saiunkoku despite the restrictions placed on women in society.

Since women were not allowed to take the Imperial Examinations to become government officials, Shuurei dedicated herself to education, teaching young children in hopes that they could achieve the dream she was denied bringing reform to the nation. However, an unexpected opportunity arose when Grand Official Sho offered 500 gold pieces for Shuurei to become the emperor’s temporary concubine for six months, with the goal of inspiring the young and irresponsible Emperor Shi Ryuuki to take his duties seriously. Accepting this proposal, Shuurei entered the Inner Palace, where her honest and determined nature deeply influenced Ryuuki, motivating him to become a competent and dedicated ruler. Over time, Ryuuki fell deeply in love with her, though she constantly rejected his romantic advances, focusing instead on her own ambitions.

Recognizing Shuurei’s intellect and strong will, Ryuuki abolished the ban on women taking the Imperial Examinations, allowing her the chance to pursue her lifelong dream. She became the first woman in Saiunkoku’s history to take the Imperial Exams, achieving the third-highest score, which granted her the title of “Tanka”.

Her first official assignment was as Governor of Sa Province, a position she shared with To Eigetsu. Upon arrival, Shuurei faced numerous challenges, including Sa Chuushou, the acting head of the powerful Sa Clan, who attempted to force her into marriage with his grandson, Sa Sakujun, in an effort to make her resign. However, Sakujun ultimately chose to end his own life, freeing Shuurei to continue her path as a government official. With Eigetsu’s help, she successfully ended the unrest in Sa Province and solidified her authority as a leader.

Shortly after, a deadly plague spread across Sa Province, devastating village after village. Recognizing it as the same disease that had destroyed his own hometown, Eigetsu left to confront the crisis, only to be captured by Hyou Ren, who was inhabiting the body of Ka Shin. Determined to save the province, Shuurei sought out Dr. You Shikou, discovered a remedy for the plague, and gathered a team of doctors to contain the outbreak. During this time, she also confronted the Jyasenkyou occult, led by the enigmatic ‘Senya’, leading to their eventual capture by Ensei. However, for overstepping her authority, she was relieved of her position as governor.

After spending a month as a supernumerary officer, Shuurei was reluctantly allowed to join the Censorate by Ki Kouki, marking another milestone as one of the few women to achieve a high-ranking government position. She remained a Censorate Official for the rest of her career, continuing to work toward the betterment of Saiunkoku.

In the epilogue of the series, it is revealed that Shuurei eventually marries Ryuuki. However, tragedy strikes when, in the following year, she dies in childbirth at the age of 30. Despite her short life, Shuurei’s dedication, intelligence, and groundbreaking achievements cemented her as one of the most revered women in Saiunkoku’s history, leaving behind a lasting legacy during Ryuuki’s reign.

Domestic Chores
Despite her noble upbringing, Shuurei grew up without domestic servants, which forced her to become self-sufficient in household tasks. She is skilled in needlework, cooking, and cleaning, abilities that are unusual for a lady of her social status. Her ability to manage a household efficiently reflects both her practical nature and resourcefulness.

Work Experience
Due to her family’s financial struggles, Shuurei took on various odd jobs to help support her household. She has worked as A professional erhu player, showcasing her musical talent. An accountant at Kochou’s brothel in the red-light district, demonstrating her sharp mathematical skills and adaptability and A teacher for young children at a local temple, displaying her passion for education and dedication to helping others.

Erhu Mastery
Shuurei is an exceptionally talented erhu player, a skill taught to her by her mother. Even Shin Suou, who lacks musical training, immediately recognizes her exceptional talent. Ironically, her daughter struggles with playing the erhu, despite Shuurei’s mastery of the instrument.

Healing Powers
Due to housing the spirit of the Red Immortal within her, Shuurei occasionally accidentally triggers healing abilities. However, using these powers shortens her lifespan, making them a dangerous and unpredictable gift. The only recorded instance of her using this ability was when Riku Seiga was mortally wounded his wounds miraculously healed, but he remained unconscious for ten days, while Shuurei herself was left unconscious for three days due to the physical toll.

High Alcohol Tolerance
Much like her mother, Shuurei possesses an exceptionally high tolerance for alcohol. She once won a drinking competition at the gates of Kiyou, causing all the guards to pass out, while she remained unaffected. She also successfully defeated Kan Hishou and Ouyou Gyoku in a drinking match, further proving her remarkable ability to handle alcohol.

Gambling Luck
Shuurei seems to have incredible luck in gambling, much like her mother. Her unusually good fortune allows her to win games consistently, making her a formidable opponent in any wagering situation.

Since Enki had gone through similar hardships, he provided Taiki with crucial guidance, ensuring that he did not feel alone in his journey. This further established Enki as one of the most influential kirin in the series, bridging the gap between taika and the Twelve Kingdoms.

Kou Shouka and Hyou Shoukun
Shuurei deeply loves and respects her parents, though her mother, Hyou Shoukun’s premature “death”, left a profound impact on her. Her loss motivated Shuurei to become hardworking and independent, shaping her into the woman she would later become. She adores her father, Kou Shouka, and considers him her favorite person in the world, despite his lazy demeanor. However, she often criticizes his dangerous tea, joking that it could be used as a murder weapon, yet she cherishes him deeply.

Ro Ensei
Among Shuurei’s many acquaintances, Ensei is arguably the man closest to her. He understands her better than even Seiran, despite Seiran having lived with her for over a decade. Unlike Seiran, who often projects his concerns onto her, Ensei respects Shuurei’s choices and supports her independence. As Shuurei matured, her interactions with Seiran gradually lessened, and Ensei, alongside Shin Suou, became one of her greatest pillars of support. When Shuurei was taken into the Hyou clan for her safety, she entrusted Ensei with one of the keys to her awakening, symbolizing her unwavering trust in him. Ensei was also the only one able to help Shuurei overcome her fear of summer, a fear no one in her family could alleviate for years. Unlike Seiran, who tended to shield and coddle Shuurei, Ensei provided the pragmatic push she needed to grow stronger.

Hyou Riou (Younger)
Initially detached, Riou became attached to Shuurei after she treated him with kindness. As a member of the Hyou clan, he was aware of the secrets surrounding Shuurei and her mother. Whenever the Hyou clan endangered Shuurei’s life, Riou would step forward to protect her, such as when Hyou Ren attempted to abduct her.

During Shuurei’s final mission as an official to Kou Province, Riou and Ensei accompanied her. However, Shuurei’s declining health forced Riou into a dilemma—letting her die or defying his father’s orders. Choosing the latter, Riou took her to the Hyou clan, risking his life in hopes of saving her. When confronted by his father, who demanded Shuurei’s death, Riou defied him for the first time, vowing to protect her. Throughout her stay with the Hyou clan, he stood by her side until she was finally accepted.

During Shuurei’s final years, Riou was often seen by her side, later becoming a brother figure to her daughter, Shi Chouka. He also admired Shuurei’s erhu playing, expressing disappointment that her daughter did not inherit her musical skills.

Kochou
After Shuurei’s mother passed away, she sought work as an accountant at Kochou’s establishment to help support her family. Kochou, a powerful woman in a man’s world, took Shuurei under her wing, becoming an avid supporter and close friend. She was entrusted with Shuurei’s safety by Shouka and Seiran, eventually becoming like a surrogate mother to her.

Kochou strongly believed in female empowerment, advising Shuurei not to pretend to be a man to succeed. She gifted Shuurei an elaborate makeup box, declaring that makeup is a woman’s war paint and that no man should ever make her cry.

Shi Ryuuki & Shi Seiran
Shuurei attracts the affection of both Ryuuki and Seiran, though she remains reluctant to engage in romance. Ryuuki, awkward yet sincere, displays jealousy and frustration whenever Shuurei interacts with other men. In contrast, Seiran watches from the shadows, silently worrying for her safety. However, Seiran’s feelings are more akin to protective loyalty, as he views Shuurei as a younger sister, prioritizing his gratitude for her family over any romantic emotions.

At the start of the series, Shuurei was asked to become Ryuuki’s consort and tutor at the request of Sho Taishi. During this time, Ryuuki opened up to Shuurei and decided to become a responsible ruler for her sake. She became his source of strength, helping him overcome his childhood trauma and fear of the darkness.

To Eigetsu
Shuurei met To Eigetsu when they began working at the palace. Both were seen as inferior by their peers and targeted for ridicule, but they supported each other, forming a strong friendship. Together, they became co-governors of Sa Province, working seamlessly as a team. Alongside Ran Ryuuren, they became “Soul Friend #1” and “Soul Friend #2”, forming an unlikely but close trio.

Ran Ryuuren
An eccentric and unpredictable character, Ran Ryuuren took an immediate liking to Shuurei, dubbing her his “Soul Friend #1.” Despite his bizarre behavior, Shuurei gradually learned to accept his quirks, earning his deep admiration and loyalty. He even sent her a marriage proposal and comforted her after Sa Sakujun’s death.

Ki Kouki
As Shuurei’s superior, Ki Kouki is known for being austere and strict, often called “ogre-like.” However, over time, he developed a soft spot for Shuurei, showing her unexpected kindness and support.

Riku Seiga
Seiga is Shuurei’s rival and senior in the Censorate, frequently harassing her verbally and physically. His distrust toward women stems from his belief that all women are backstabbers. However, over time, he begins to see Shuurei as different, subtly acknowledging her integrity and determination.

Shin Suou
Initially indifferent, Shin Suou proposed to Shuurei only to fulfill his father’s wishes. However, after spending time with her, he found himself unable to leave her alone. He vowed to show her the harsh realities of the world, attempting to break her idealistic view of humanity. Despite his claims that he could never marry someone like her, he remained fiercely loyal to her, promising to stand by her side throughout her time as an official.

Joukan
Among the supernumerary officers, many developed deep loyalty toward Shuurei. Initially indifferent toward the current king, they eventually supported Ryuuki for Shuurei’s sake, demonstrating her ability to inspire others through her dedication and perseverance.