The Emperor was born to the Former Emperor and a young lady-in-waiting who served one of the middle consorts. Because his mother was only ten years old at the time of his conception, her body was not yet developed to give birth naturally, forcing the court physicians to perform an emergency procedure to save both their lives. As the crown prince, he was raised under strict supervision and surrounded by attendants who shaped his disciplined and composed nature. Among those closest to him were Gaoshun, who served as both a loyal companion and attendant, and Ah-Duo, the daughter of his wet nurse, who became his milk sibling. Over time, his affection for Ah-Duo deepened into love, and he vowed to make her his only consort and the mother of the nation. True to his promise, Ah-Duo became his consort, and the two had a child together. Around the same time, his own mother gave birth to his younger brother. To protect her child and ensure he would receive the best treatment, Ah-Duo secretly colluded with his mother to switch the infants. As a result, the crown prince’s first son was publicly recognized as his younger brother. Tragically, the swapped child later died under Ah-Duo’s care, and the court physician responsible for the delivery was harshly punished for the incident.

In the years leading up to the Former Emperor’s death, the crown prince carefully consolidated his power, gaining the support of influential figures such as Lakan while contending with entrenched officials favored by his father and the Empress Regnant, including Shishou. Upon ascending to the throne, the Emperor appointed his younger brother as his heir, though the latter cleverly resisted the decision by winning a strategic game of Go. Using this victory, he secured permission to enter the rear palace under the guise of a eunuch, adopting the name “Jinshi.” As the new Emperor, he faced mounting pressure to produce heirs, especially since Ah-Duo could no longer bear children after the difficult birth of their son. Despite his best efforts, tragedy struck when three of his children, including a son with Consort Lihua, died shortly after birth. His fortunes finally changed with Consort Gyokuyou, whose daughter Lingli survived, marking the beginning of stability and hope within his reign by the time Maomao entered the imperial palace.

The Emperor is a man in his thirties with a slim yet well-built physique and a sharply defined face that exudes authority. He has short black hair, striking pink eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard that enhances his regal appearance. Although his expression is usually calm and unreadable, he occasionally allows a faint, composed smile to surface.

He often wears a traditional Chuijiao Putou with a gold embellishment, the two wing-like flaps extending gracefully down his back. His attire consists of a black Yuanlingpao adorned with an intricate gold dragon design at the center, symbolizing his imperial power, and a matching black belt embroidered with a dragon motif. Beneath it, he wears a white robe with long, flowing sleeves and a loose, elegant hem that moves with refined dignity, the perfect reflection of his royal status.

The Emperor’s main goal is to rule in a way completely opposite to his father and predecessor, who was widely despised for his instability and cruelty. Unlike the Former Emperor, who was turbulent and easily manipulated, the current Emperor seeks a reign defined by peace, stability, and prosperity. He values wisdom and willingly listens to the advice of capable and trustworthy individuals. Though he prefers diplomacy over violence, he does not hesitate to use force or deliver harsh punishment when necessary to maintain order and protect his rule. Publicly, he is calm, composed, and emotionally reserved, understanding that showing his true emotions can create political turmoil. In private, however, he reveals a more relaxed and humorous side, particularly around those he trusts, much to Jinshi’s quiet frustration. Deeply disgusted by his father’s perverse preferences, the Emperor favors mature, confident women who stand as the very opposite of his father’s taste.

In matters of the Imperial Harem, the Emperor takes a pragmatic approach, valuing political utility over affection, which often earns him a reputation for being cold and calculating. Yet beneath his stern exterior lies a sense of fairness and measured empathy. He has shown compassion toward consorts from troubled circumstances, such as allowing Son to remain in the palace despite her disfigurement, and protecting Lishu, who had once been forced to serve as his father’s consort. By elevating her to a high consort in name only, he shielded her from political exploitation, even if the position carried social shame. The Emperor’s deepest emotional bond lies with Ah-Duo, his childhood companion and the woman he truly loves. He once wished for her to be his only wife, but her infertility and the loss of their son made this impossible. In his fear of losing her, he unknowingly trapped her in the same gilded cage his father had created for countless others. Only later, through his son’s words, did he come to the painful realization that love without freedom is another form of imprisonment, a mistake that continues to haunt him.