Kou Shuurei, born into the prestigious yet financially strained Kou clan, grew up in poverty due to her father Kou Shouka’s modest income as a palace librarian and his charitable acts during a civil war. Her mother, Hyou Shoukun, hailed from the Hyou clan, a lineage intertwined with supernatural forces, while her father once operated as the lethal assassin Black Wolf. Shuurei’s existence defied natural law—conceived through a union between a human and the Red Immortal, her fragile health required sealing the immortal’s spirit within her, a act that later made her a target for the Hyou clan’s ritualistic ambitions. Resourceful from childhood, Shuurei balanced household duties with odd jobs—teaching, brothel accounting, and erhu performances—to sustain her family. Her grit and idealism fueled her resolve to break gender barriers by pursuing a political career. Temporarily serving as consort to Emperor Shi Ryuuki, she channeled her influence to curb his indifference, spurring his evolution into a reformist ruler who opened imperial examinations to women. Ranking third in these exams, Shuurei earned the title *Tanka* and shattered precedent as Saiunkoku’s first female official. Appointed governor of Sa Province, she confronted sabotage, a coerced marriage proposal from Sa Sakujun, and a lethal plague, collaborating with allies like To Eigetsu and Ensei to implement life-saving measures. Her willingness to bypass protocol for public good led to suspensions but cemented her legacy as a bold reformer. Relationships shaped her journey: bonds with adoptive brother Shi Seiran waned as duties diverged, while Ro Ensei became her steadfast ally. Emperor Ryuuki’s unwavering affection eventually overcame her reluctance, rooted in career fears and unresolved grief over her mother’s death. Their marriage produced daughter Shi Chouka, though Shuurei perished at thirty during childbirth. Her daughter’s ascension as empress and enduring governance reforms perpetuated her impact. Inherited traits marked her uniquely: latent healing powers from the Red Immortal’s spirit, though their use accelerated her mortality; a prodigious alcohol tolerance and gambling luck from her mother; and masterful erhu skills honed under Shoukun’s tutelage, unmatched by her daughter. Despite her brief life, Shuurei’s tenacity, strategic insight, and empathy irrevocably transformed Saiunkoku’s political landscape.