Violet is an American girl growing up in the courtesan culture of Shanghai. She observes her surroundings closely and learns business practices early in life. She struggles with a persistent fear that her mother does not love her. Believing herself entirely Western, she becomes anxious upon recognizing her mixed-race features.

Lucretia is the charismatic owner of a top-tier courtesan house and social club in Shanghai. Originally from San Francisco, she rejected her conventional upbringing to pursue a life of independence. She is highly practical and fiercely protective of her business. She frequently makes impulsive decisions based on her desire for ideal love.

Magic Gourd is a seasoned courtesan who survives severe early abuse to become a practical survivor. She serves as an instructor in the art of seduction. She teaches the psychological and financial strategies required to succeed in the sex trade. She prioritizes financial independence over romantic attachments.

Lu Shing is a handsome Chinese artist whose painting captivates Lucretia. Despite his aesthetic appeal and romantic promises, he is submissive to his traditional family's demands. He relies heavily on copying other artists' work rather than producing original pieces.

Loyalty is a clever and wealthy businessman. He is driven by a deep sense of nostalgia for the romance he witnessed in his youth at Lucretia's courtesan house. He is magnetic and successful but struggles with complacency. He actively seeks sparks of yearning to restore his drive in life.

Edward is an affluent American from a merchant family. He seeks genuine companionship over transactional romance and approaches relationships with earnestness. He introduces literature into his romantic pursuits. He carries lingering guilt over a childhood accident.

Perpetual presents himself as a painter-poet from a distinguished literary family in Moon Pond. He uses emotional poetry and charming repartee to attract women. His grand claims about his background and artistic talent mask a harsher reality concerning his finances and temperament.

Flora is the daughter of Violet and Edward. Raised primarily in America, she grows up surrounded by conflicting stories about her parentage. She demonstrates a sharp and realistic perspective on art and relationships. She refuses to be fooled by romantic illusions.

Fairweather is a well-connected American with a shadowy background in forged documents and political favors. He maintains a turbulent affair with Lucretia and struggles with gambling debts. He exploits those around him to secure his own financial survival.

Golden Dove is a former courtesan who transitions into a shrewd business manager. Her practical approach to the sex trade complements Lucretia's ambitions. She helps build and run the Hidden Jade Path courtesan house.

Mother Ma is the proprietor of a second-rate courtesan house in Shanghai. She runs her establishment with strict discipline and physical force. She prioritizes obedience and profit over the well-being of her workers. She suffers from severe circulatory problems related to diabetes.

Madame Li is a courtesan house madam who purchases Mother Ma's business. She clears out the existing workers but retains a select few. She focuses her efforts on organizing high-profile debuts and auctions to increase the establishment's reputation.

Pomelo is a former courtesan who was lured away from her profession by poetic promises. She possesses a handsome face but suffers from the physical limitations of bound feet. She endures the harsh conditions of rural isolation alongside the other wives.

Danner is an American expatriate and gallery owner living in Shanghai. He provides shelter and stability for foreigners in need. He possesses a collection of obscure European art that he bought cheaply in Berlin.

Minerva is an American woman from a wealthy family who maintains a marriage of convenience. She is legally shrewd and utilizes technicalities in the law to secure inheritances. She strictly controls her dependents to maintain her status.

Carlotta is a fiercely independent cat. She serves as the primary companion for a young and lonely girl surrounded by adults. Her presence offers a rare source of uncomplicated affection in the courtesan house.

Azure is the first wife of Perpetual. She resides in the dilapidated ancestral home in Moon Pond. She maintains authority over the newer wives and handles the practical matters of the rural courtyard.

Charm is a former concubine of Perpetual who manages to escape his abusive household. She decodes his hidden messages and establishes a safe haven in Mountain View, where she promises to harbor others who escape.

Magic Cloud is a courtesan working for Lucretia. She shows kindness to a young Violet before being dismissed for lying about her age. Her sudden departure deeply upsets the young girl.