Lihaku

Lihaku is a talented, up-and-coming officer serving in the military guard of the imperial palace.

He is recognized as a promising candidate for promotion due to his abilities and diligence.

Despite his competence, Lihaku has a very simple, muscle-headed way of thinking.

He often acts impulsively and is easily swayed by emotions or requests from others.

Lihaku is a classic “brawn over brains” type.

He relies on physical strength and straightforward action more than subtle thought or caution.

He is fundamentally kind-hearted and generous.

At a garden party, he hands out hairpins to almost every young woman he meets, including Maomao, without thinking too deeply about the implications.

Because he is so good-natured, he finds it difficult to refuse favors.

When Maomao asks him for help, he almost never turns her down.

Maomao privately refers to him as a “useless dog,” implying a loyal but easily manipulated companion.

This nickname reflects how she sees him as dependable yet somewhat naïve and overly eager to please.

Lihaku has a thoroughly trained, muscular body and takes his role as a soldier seriously.

His physical strength and combat skills contribute to his status as a rising star in the military.

He joins significant campaigns such as the suppression of the rebel Loulan.

During these operations, he proves his reliability in real combat, not just in palace security.

However, he struggles to understand Maomao’s more subtle warnings about “danger.”

While he can recognize obvious physical threats, he often fails to grasp more indirect or hidden risks and sometimes gets injured as a result.

Even after learning about Jinshi’s true identity and Maomao’s background during the Loulan suppression, Lihaku’s attitude toward them does not change.

His consistent, unaffected behavior makes him one of the few people Jinshi can genuinely relax around.

Relationship with Maomao

Lihaku and Maomao frequently interact because he often becomes involved in her schemes or requests.

Although she sometimes exploits his good nature, Maomao also trusts him in her own way.

He respects Maomao’s knowledge and relies on her judgment, even if he does not always understand her thinking.

Their dynamic is a mix of comedic manipulation and genuine camaraderie.

Maomao quietly supports some of Lihaku’s personal aspirations, particularly in his romantic life.

She occasionally helps set situations in motion, even if she teases him behind his back.

Relationship with Pairin

Lihaku becomes deeply infatuated with Pairin, a high-class courtesan whom Maomao introduces to him.

What begins as a crush gradually turns into a serious and earnest desire to be with her.

Their relationship is not bad; they grow closer and more familiar over time.

Although Pairin’s true feelings are not clearly defined, she seems to get along with him reasonably well.

Lihaku eventually wants to redeem Pairin from the brothel and take her away as his wife.

The redemption fee is estimated at the equivalent of ten years of his current salary, pushing him to seriously plan for promotion and long-term advancement.

This goal becomes a major motivation in his life and career.

It shows that beneath his simple-minded exterior, he can be remarkably determined and devoted when it comes to someone he cares about.

Relationship with Jinshi

Lihaku comes to know Jinshi’s true status, which is normally kept secret from most people.

He also learns more about the hidden connections and politics surrounding Jinshi and Maomao.

Despite this knowledge, Lihaku continues to treat Jinshi in the same straightforward manner as before.

He does not become more distant or excessively formal, which Jinshi greatly appreciates.

Because of this unchanging attitude, Lihaku is one of the few individuals Jinshi feels comfortable around.

Their relationship includes both professional respect and a casual, human familiarity that Jinshi rarely enjoys with others.

Lihaku’s charm lies in the contrast between his strong physique and his simple, almost puppy-like personality.

He is brave and capable in battle but easily outmaneuvered in matters of subtlety and intrigue.

His generosity and inability to refuse people often land him in troublesome situations.

At the same time, this softness makes him a surprisingly endearing and trustworthy figure.

He is the type of character who gets hurt rushing into danger without fully understanding it, yet he keeps standing back up.

This resilience, combined with his steadfast loyalty, makes him a quietly important presence around Maomao and Jinshi.

Lihaku’s story arc, especially his earnest determination to save up ten years’ worth of salary to free Pairin, illustrates his growth.

He shifts from a somewhat carefree officer to a man with a clear, long-term goal driven by sincere affection.