Ran Shuuei belongs to the prestigious Ran clan, known as the Indigo Clan, the most powerful noble family in Saiunkoku after the imperial Shi clan. As the fourth son of the direct lineage, he achieved the second-highest honor (Bōugen) in the Imperial Civil Exams at age 18 and initially served as a civil official. Dissatisfied with Emperor Shi Ryuuki's early disinterest in governance, he transitioned to the military, rising to General of the Left Habayashi Army. His legendary swordsmanship, honed through training with the Shiba clan retainers, placed him among the empire's elite fighters; only Grand Generals Koku Yousei and Haku Raien could defeat him at full strength. Sent to Kiyou in childhood to assist Prince Shi Seien, Shuuei faced humiliation when the prince dismissed him as weak after a failed assassination attempt. This motivated rigorous training in Ran Province alongside childhood friend Jin Shiba. His return to the capital coincided with Prince Seien's banishment, where he failed to locate the prince as ordered by his elder brothers. He later formed a contentious friendship with Li Kouyuu, frequently teasing Kouyuu about his aversion to women, though Kouyuu consistently denied their bond. Shuuei cultivated a reputation as a womanizer to forget his first unrequited love for his sister-in-law, Ran Gyokuka. In youth, Gyokuka often invited him outdoors, and his admiration for her carefree nature evolved into romantic feelings before she married his eldest brother, Setsuna. Shuuei's loyalty defined his path. He and Kouyuu received purple irises from Emperor Ryuuki as symbols of trust, which Shuuei engraved on his sword. Torn between allegiance to the emperor and his clan, he returned the sword and retreated to Ran Province. Banished by his clan, he rejoined Ryuuki's court, accepting demotion to subordinate status under Seiran. Recognizing Kou Shuurei's pivotal role in protecting Ryuuki during political turmoil, he regretted advising her appointment as consort. This led him to infiltrate Hyou clan territory, where he saved Hyou Shusui—a woman he had loved unrequitedly since their first encounter—and aided Shuurei. He later married Shusui, and they had three sons: Ran Shijaku and two unnamed younger boys. His devotion to Ryuuki culminated during the Ran Province crisis. He abandoned his clan name, declaring he would "die with" the emperor if necessary. At the Hyou shrine, he shielded Ryuuki from the possessed Shusui, breaking her trance by invoking Shouka's name—a tactic others deemed "pathetic" but effective. A prior visit to Ran Province allowed reconciliation; conversations with Gyokuka helped him finally relinquish his childhood feelings, storing them away "like a box on a shelf." He affirmed only Gyokuka could be Setsuna's wife, symbolizing closure. Shuuei served Ryuuki for decades, eventually dying while protecting him. His legacy continued through his eldest son, Shijaku, who later proposed to the imperial princess Shi Chouka.