Zhang Ning is a young woman desperate to save her poisoned sister. Trained informally by her late mother in the magical tea-making arts of the shennong-shi, she travels to the capital city of Jia to enter a royal competition. She feels like an outsider among the wealthy elite but refuses to back down when faced with injustice. Her natural magical abilities are strong, though she lacks formal education in court etiquette.

Li Kang is a charming 19-year-old who initially introduces himself to Ning under the false name Bo. He is the adopted son of a banished royal figure, carrying the heavy burden of his family's controversial history. He possesses adept combat skills and operates with a quiet intensity, seeking mercy for the people of his exiled homeland while drawing Ning's attention.

Li Ying-Zhen is the Princess Regent of Daxi, ruling in place of her ailing father. She projects an elegant, perfectly controlled image to the court while managing the heavy responsibilities of the kingdom. She organized the shennong-shi competition to find a talented magic user and quietly investigate suspected corruption within the palace walls.

Luo Lian is a fellow shennong-tu competing for the royal title. Though she initially appears to be a simple girl from the rural province of Hallah, she is actually the daughter of a high-ranking diplomat. She possesses a cheerful disposition and a playful streak that often leads her to socialize with the palace servants, defying the expectations of her class.

Guo Ruyi serves as the handmaiden and personal bodyguard to the princess. Coming from a family with a long history of royal service, she is trained in secret martial arts. She maintains a stoic exterior and executes the princess's orders without hesitation, dedicating her life to royal protection.

Steward Yang manages the palace servants with strict efficiency. She commands respect and fear from her staff but hides a softer, honorable side. She harbors deep anxiety regarding her daughter's safety in the sealed royal wing and selectively uses her influence to assist those she favors.

Shu is Ning's younger sister. She suffers from a severe illness caused by contaminated tea, the same affliction that killed their mother. She spends her days resting at home in the rural Su province, relying on her father's medical treatments to survive while Ning seeks a cure.

Wu Yiting is Ning's deceased mother. She was a gifted shennong-shi who passed down her magical tea-making knowledge to her daughter. Her accidental death from poisoned tea heavily influences Ning's actions and sense of responsibility.

Marquis Kuang is an aristocratic judge for the competition. He holds strict, traditional views on class and openly fraternizes with the wealthy elite contestants. He is quick to anger and frequently expresses disdain for participants from rural provinces.

Chancellor Zhou is a high-ranking political official in the Daxi court. He projects a calm, reasonable demeanor and appears to offer constructive guidance to the competitors. He acts as a trusted advisor to the princess on matters of state security and court procedures.

Chen Shao is a wealthy, arrogant shennong-tu from a prominent family. He relies on elaborate, flashy illusions during his tea ceremonies to impress the judges. He uses his financial resources to gain advantages and secure favors within the palace.

Wenyi is a monk competing in the royal trials. He comes from a region near the Luzhou border, giving him a grim perspective on the political unrest occurring outside the capital. He takes the competition seriously and harbors deep resentment toward anyone associated with the exiled royal factions.

Li Yuan is the emperor's brother, exiled to the Emerald Isles of Luzhou a decade ago after a failed coup. He is known as the General of Kailang and commands deep loyalty from his heavily taxed and isolated people. His past actions heavily influence the current political climate in the capital.

Elder Guo represents the Hanxia Academy in the competition. Dressed in the gray robes of her order, she maintains a strict adherence to the traditional rules of the magical arts and takes an impartial, scholarly approach to evaluating the contestants.

Minister Song serves as the Minister of Rites and acts as the primary announcer for the competition. He explains the rules and parameters for each challenge, maintaining order during the public events.

Esteemed Qian is a former court shennong-shi who served the princess's grandmother. He sits on the judges' panel, representing the historical prestige of the royal position the competitors are fighting to secure.

Mingwen is a servant working in the palace. She frequently interacts with the competitors and holds strong, bitter opinions about the wealthy elite who visit the capital.

Qing'er is a young palace servant and Steward Yang's grandson. He moves freely about the castle gathering gossip and running errands, occasionally using his grandmother's status to bypass minor rules.