An Ancient Love Song

Also known as: Evil Queen, Demon Empress

Lu Yuan is the female lead, remembered by official history only as a cruel "demon empress" who supposedly harmed a virtuous prime minister. In truth she is a woman caught between political survival, loyalty to her brother, and a love that unfolds for her across an unusual timeline in which she meets Shen Bu Yan repeatedly at different ages. Her core conflict is the gap between the historical record and her real choices, many of which are acts of protection and sacrifice rather than villainy. She carries grief and resolve as she tries to hold her family and position together against a scheming premier and hostile factions.

Also known as: Zhi Shi Qu (pen name)

Shen Bu Yan is a modern-day historical fiction author and blogger, writing under the pen name Zhi Shi Qu, who becomes obsessed with the true story of the "demon empress" Lu Yuan after being pressured to write a rushed sequel about her. A chance accident with a broken jade pendant sends him repeatedly into the past, where he meets Lu Yuan at different points in her life, moving backward through her history as she experiences it moving forward. His central motivation shifts from research curiosity to a determined effort to change her fate and clear her name, even as his interference creates new complications each time he returns.

Also known as: God of Killing

Lu Shi is Lu Yuan's brother, a feared military commander known as the "God of Killing," and the adopted son of Premier Li Yong. Fiercely protective of his sister and devoted to the imperial cause, he leads campaigns against the enemy state of Beiyuan. His arc turns on the slow, painful discovery that his adoptive father has been secretly complicit in treachery, forcing him to choose between filial loyalty and the truth.

Also known as: Premier Li, Prime Minister Li

Li Yong is the imperial premier and the adoptive father of Lu Shi, publicly regarded as a virtuous statesman. Behind this reputation he secretly colludes with the enemy state and is responsible for the assassination of the King of Bei'an, working to consolidate control over the army and the throne. His deception drives much of the political conflict, and unraveling his true loyalties is a central thread of both Shen Bu Yan's and Lu Shi's arcs.

Also known as: Emperor of Nansheng

Chu Mu, reigning as Emperor Yuan Qi, is the sitting emperor of Nansheng. He is portrayed as fond of Shen Bu Yan and, for part of the story, appears mentally diminished or withdrawn from court affairs, which Li Yong exploits. His later reassertion of authority in court becomes a turning point against Li Yong's schemes.

Also known as: Commander Zhao

Zhao Qi Long is a leader from the rival state of Beiyuan operating as a spy within Nansheng. He works against Lu Yuan's court from within, including attempting to capture Shen Bu Yan at Jing Hua House under orders to bring him back to Xi Rong.

Yi Hua is Lu Yuan's personal maid and closest confidante, fiercely loyal and protective of her mistress. She forms the drama's second romantic pairing with Lu Shi. Her devotion places her at the center of several key moments where she guards secrets, defends Lu Yuan, and reacts strongly to threats against the family.

Also known as: Fan Lao Bie

Fan Song, nicknamed "Fan Lao Bie," serves as the right general of the Hubao (Tiger and Leopard) military camp under Lu Shi's command. Limited detail is available on his individual arc beyond his military role.

Also known as: Vice General Yang

Yang Cong is the deputy general of the Hubao military camp, serving under Lu Shi and later coordinating with Lu Yuan on military and refugee matters, including summoning her back to Hua Feng Bao to resolve a refugee settlement issue.

Editor-in-Chief Lin is Shen Bu Yan's senior editor in the present-day storyline, pressuring him to quickly finish the sequel to "Southern Sheng Chronicles" and later informing him of a film company's interest in adapting the book. He represents the modern-world pressures Shen Bu Yan is escaping into the past to avoid.