Preceptor of the court, the novel's great villain. Wields immense power with his family dominating both civil and military spheres—his elder brother is the General of the Auxiliary State commanding the army. In his early twenties, tall and lean with fair skin, long brows, dark eyes, and a tiny crimson mole on the bridge of his nose. His beauty is striking but his bearing is aloof and cold like icy jade. His father, a general, died saving the Emperor who delayed rescue out of cowardice. Cen Hejue endured years of patience at court to avenge his father, eventually seizing the throne and slaughtering the Qin royal family in the original novel. He is rumored to be devoted to Qin Xiu, though this is unconfirmed.
