A twenty-two-year-old male scholar from Hengqú Town (not Hengzhou as he claimed). He placed third (Tanhua) in the palace examination, impressing the Emperor with his policy discourse. His courtesy name is Zi'an. He lost both parents at a young age and was raised by his maternal aunt after his birth mother died in a dilapidated temple from difficult labor. He is diligent in his studies and also trained under a master in investigating cases. He is polite and humble, unaware that Eighteenth Lady is impersonating his deceased mother for ritual solicitation.
