The current Empress Dowager, known by the unspoken nickname Witch Queen among officials and commoners. Much younger than the current Emperor (who is in his thirties), with exceptionally keen hearing. Ten years prior, she refused the late emperor's decree to make her empress, yet later entered the palace as a concubine after he reinstated the deposed queen. Five years ago, she stormed into court and publicly beheaded a censor who had impeached her. She holds an edict from the late emperor that shields her from the laws of Daxing and prevents the current emperor from elevating his biological mother. Despite countless assassination attempts over the years, she has always survived. She found Yao Xi amusing and gave him a choice between suicide or serving in Ning'an Palace.
