The Rise of Phoenixes recaps are being posted so here is a quick character list for anyone who’s still figuring out who is who. You will not find this list helpful if you are looking for in-depth details.
Characters are listed in the order of their contribution to the plot (as of the beginning).
Ning Yi
An unfavored prince who spends most of his time pretending to be useless and drunk while also gathering information to clear the name of his late brother, who was framed and died an unjust death.
Theatrical on purpose and wise before his age.
Ning Yi loves to let his hair down, both literally and figuratively, even though he often pretends otherwise.
If Ning Yi’s mother was alive, he would be a mummy’s boy through and through. In a good way, of course.
Feng Zhiwei
The niece of a court official. Clueless about her hidden identity — something that anyone who has finished this drama wishes had stayed hidden.
Feng Zhiwei is innocent but quick-witted. She is also well-read and has some innate political skills.
She’s one of a few people who, once in a while, can make Ning Yi shut up for a bit.
Xin Ziyan
Ning Yi’s most trusted friend, advisor, and part-time babysitter. Ziyan makes it his mission to put Ning Yi on the throne and would be glad to remove anything he deems an obstacle to that plan.
Xin Ziyan loves to fool around, but always saves the best of himself for his wife.
Gu Yanni
Feng Zhiwei’s loyal bodyguard. But he becomes her friend later on.
An excellent fighter. Doesn’t talk a lot. Particular about random stuff. He probably thinks Ning Yi is a weasel.
Ning Cheng
Ning Yi’s very capable assistant. Reliable, smart, resourceful, but never blindly obedient.
He’s the biggest shipper of Ning Yi and Zhiwei. Although, between the two, he always put Ning Yi’s feelings first and Feng Zhiwei’s second.
The Emperor
One of the most complicated schemer is this drama. Sometimes he’s nice, sometimes he isn’t.
As you watch, you will start wondering whether Ning Yi is really his unfavored son or whether all of his children are just chess pieces on his political chessboard.
Zhao Yuan
A loyal servant of the emperor. Fair and kind.
If you want to be in the emperor’s good graces, this is the man to bribe.
The emperor’s sons and daughter owe Zhao Yuan a lot because he usually deals with their father’s frightening tantrums on their behalf after they have caused trouble.
Gu Yan
A war general. Brother-in-law of Feng Zhiwei’s mother. Originally worked for the Crown Prince. However, after some mistreatment from his boss, he transfers his alliance to Ning Yi.
He sometimes gets himself into awkward situations where he doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Willingly endures some abuse from Feng Zhiwei’s mother because he failed her in the past.
The Crown Prince
A half-brother of Ning Yi, of course.
Dead-set on becoming the next emperor. Unintentionally funny sometimes and not very honourable. His plans usually go astray in the most unexpected manner.
Qiu Mingying
Feng Zhiwei and Feng Hao’s mother. She spends most of her time reminiscing the past and not teaching her kids any survival skills.
Has no plan for the future. Couldn’t care less about her children’s future, either. But hey, she does make an effort to keep them alive.
Feng Hao
Feng Zhiwei’s much less capable brother. He loves his family and listens to his sister. But most of the time, his childish and lazy tendencies win out.
Xue Futu Gang (aka The “Bloody Pagoda” rebellion group)
A gang, obviously.
Goal: to avenge the last dynasty and hopefully overthrow the current emperor.
Plans: none.
Skills: near zero.
Intrigue: none.
Leader: I doubt they had one until the writers decided to add 10 more episodes to the drama.
Overall: an antagonist gang this drama would have been a lot better without.