Gyokuyou possesses jade-green eyes and long, salmon-pink hair that is usually tied back, with a single thick strand framing the right side of her face. While she may not be as voluptuous as some of the other consorts in the Imperial Harem, her elegant beauty and foreign heritage lend her a distinct and captivating allure that sets her apart. Her serene presence and refined poise make her one of the most admired figures in the Inner Court.

In accordance with her pink hair, Gyokuyou’s elemental motif among the high consorts is fire, symbolizing her warmth and vitality. She is often seen wearing flowing red and pink dresses adorned with her signature turquoise shawl and matching jewelry. Occasionally, she chooses apricot-orange tones that complement her complexion. For formal events such as the garden party or meetings with the Empress Dowager, Gyokuyou dons gold and crimson red garments accented with touches of pink, always paired with her iconic turquoise accessories, enhancing her radiant and regal appearance.

Gyokuyou possesses the grace, wisdom, and compassion befitting a true empress. Her kind and witty demeanor quickly earned her the Emperor’s favor, and she is deeply respected within the Inner Court for her just and considerate nature. Warm and protective toward both her children and attendants, she fosters loyalty through empathy rather than fear. Her gentle strength is matched by a quiet cleverness as she often bends rigid traditions in discreet yet impactful ways. For instance, she compensated a wet nurse who accidentally poisoned her daughter instead of punishing her, offered her ladies-in-waiting protection from predatory officials, and ensured the women in her hometown received meaningful gifts. She even asked Maomao to teach her daughter herbal medicine, wanting her to grow into a capable and independent woman. Despite her refined demeanor, Gyokuyou has a playful and mischievous side, teasing those around her, especially Jinshi, and showing a fondness for gossip and humor in private moments.

Much like Maomao, Gyokuyou is pragmatic and deeply aware of her role in the political hierarchy. She understands that her position as a consort is both a privilege and a burden, a means to secure her family’s influence while navigating the perils of court life. Politically shrewd, she discreetly gathers information from within the palace to aid her clan’s commercial interests, careful never to overstep and draw suspicion. Though she embraces her marital duties with grace and even playfulness, she holds no romantic illusions about her arranged marriage, understanding that affection is secondary to survival. She finds solace in moments of freedom when other consorts capture the Emperor’s attention. Despite the competition among the consorts, Gyokuyou harbors no malice toward them, viewing them as women trapped in the same gilded cage. She can be firm and cunning when necessary, but she is also capable of great forgiveness as seen when she showed compassion toward Lihua, even after being accused and slapped. Her empathy, dignity, and quiet resilience have made her one of the most beloved and respected figures in the palace.

Gyokuyou is the daughter of a traveling dancer from Shaoh. When Gyokuen, the governor of the Western Province, met her mother already pregnant at the time, he took her in as one of his concubines, making Gyokuyou his sixth and youngest daughter in name. Despite her legal status, Gyokuyou’s foreign heritage marked her as an outsider within her family. She grew up enduring constant ridicule and torment from Gyokuen’s heir, Gyoku-ou, because of her mixed blood. At fourteen, she was sent to the Inner Court to strengthen her family’s influence, and by eighteen, she was chosen by Jinshi to become one of the Emperor’s high consorts.

Upon entering the palace, Gyokuyou faced numerous challenges. Despite her father’s political power, she arrived with no allies and only a small retinue of servants. Rival consorts viewed her as a threat and targeted her with two separate poisoning attempts early in her residence, leaving Gyokuyou and her head lady Hongniang wary of trusting new attendants. Her household was eventually reduced to a small, loyal circle consisting of Yinghua, Guiyuan, and Ailan.

Gyokuyou’s beloved daughter, Princess Lingli, was born shortly before the start of the series. Like other children of the Imperial Harem, Lingli suffered from the effects of poisonous face powders used by the consorts and attendants. However, thanks to a warning note from Maomao, Gyokuyou was able to protect her child. When Jinshi discovered Maomao’s role in this, Gyokuyou personally invited her to serve as a poison taster and pharmacist, a wise decision that soon proved life-saving. During the winter garden party, a dish meant for another consort was switched and poisoned, but Maomao identified the danger in time, preventing tragedy.

When Gyokuyou became pregnant a second time, she requested Maomao’s mentor Luomen to assist with her care. She also welcomed three more ladies-in-waiting from her hometown, Haku-u, Koku-u, and Seki-u, further strengthening her inner circle. Despite a difficult breech delivery, Gyokuyou safely gave birth to a son, the Crown Prince. As the Emperor’s favorite consort and the only one to bear him a healthy heir, she was officially appointed as Empress, solidifying her position and her family’s prestige.

After her ascension, Gyokuyou asked for Maomao to remain in her service, but the Emperor refused due to Maomao’s connection with the La Clan. Nevertheless, the two women remained close and continued to share mutual respect. When Gyoku-ou later sent his adopted daughter Yaqin to court as a potential consort for the Moon Prince, Gyokuyou took her in as a lady-in-waiting, perhaps knowing full well that Jinshi’s heart belonged to Maomao.

During Maomao’s later journey to the Western Capital to treat the victims of the locust plague, Gyokuyou foresaw her brother’s ambitions and correctly deduced that Gyoku-ou would not stop at conquering the Western Capital but would march on the Royal Capital next. Understanding the threat this posed to her family and children, she gave Rikuson of the fallen Yi clan her permission to take revenge and end Gyoku-ou’s life, an act of cold resolve that demonstrated both her wisdom and the steely will beneath her graceful exterior.