Kǒng Lǜyān (孔綠煙)

Her design was originally made for an art contest, later upgraded into a vague idea of a stereotypical little-sister-with-a-brother-complex type supporting character, then into a main character in STGH campaign.

Daughter of a government official with his second wife, whom he married not long after his first wife's passing. The marriage had cause bad blood between her father and his late wife's family, inlcuding her older brother, the family's first son.

Mr. Kong was a distant and cold father, though he appeared dignified and calm, there's always a sense of grief around the man. Luyan's brother was already 7 when she was born and despite her a lot. Her mother believed the boy's existence reminds her husband of his dead wife, and so she did everything she could to make Luyan outshine him. Luyan picked up this way of teaching of her mother and ever since she could talk, she'd seen her brother as a nemesis.

Kong family late madam was a talented shamisen player, while the second wife plays the zither. Although her wedding was grand, Luyan's mother still has an inferior complex and afraid she was only a replacement for the late love of her husband. When Luyan chose the shamisen of her mother's rival at her zhuazhou (first birthday picking ceremony) despite it not being in the list of objects available but rather hanging on the wall where she can see, it pleased Mr. Kong immensely. Luyan was allowed to play with and study the shamisen since. Her mother thought this could be the path to impress the family head, and push Luyan even harder to master the arts. She became a well known prodigy in the musical scene at 6 year old.

At 8 year old, Luyan was invited to perform at a retired general's birthday banquet. She chose the song that the previous Mrs. Kong had written and did wonderfully, though missing only one note. The little prodigy was given the title Wàn Lǐ Yān Sè (万里咽塞), praising that her shamisen skill could make people from a thousand miles has to hold breath/ choke up in emotion and awe. Mr. Kong was not impressed since he know the piece his wife had written the best, and what little adoration he had for his daughter was also vanish that day when he realized his daughter was "mediocre" compared to his late wife.

Luyan's mother continue to push her on her study to gain back the favor of Mr. Kong, but what used to be a method for Luyan to achieve validation from her father, has became a stressful ordeal, to be the best or be nothing at all. Luyan's brother who always glares at her from some corner for being the "favorite child" grows some sympathy and tried to care for her more, though he hide these motives behind mischevious actions, Luyan also gradually open up to him. She enjoyed watching him practice martial art for his future royal guard career that Mr. Kong had arranged, and regularly joined in or practice in her own time. Luyan's brother occasionally snuck her out of her music class and let her play outside once in a while too.

When Luyan was 10, Mr. Kong got into trouble at the royal court and was forced to leave his job and title. Most of the family's riches and wealth were also confiscated, it was thanks to Luyan's mother that the Kong's family can still keep their old mansion. Luyan's brother career path was cut short, all he studied for was for nothing, which sent him into a depression episode and has not recovered since.

Luyan still continues with her music, but rather than with private masters at her house, she attended a specialty school for future palace's musicians. Due to her fame since young age and her family's recent scandals, including her mother's quick marriage with the family head, Luyan was the target of hateful gossiping. Her title was dismissed by her schoolmates, saying that it was only granted because of her family influences, or the foolish old general's impulsive whims.

Luyan wasn't affected much by the bullying, but rather it had fuel her competitive spirits even more. She fought with her shamisen to took down any critisism based on her skill, and with any gossip around her family, she solved it with her fists.

With her determination to be the best at school, Luyan did not back down even when she had to compete agaisnt her boyfriend at the time, therefore abolished his fragile male ego and causing their breakup. He later date Luyan's rival who always bad mouthing her despite her skill being lower than Kong family's daughter. This was the first time Luyan had asked herself if she really need to try that hard if it can not help her achieve her father's attention nor maintain her social and love life.

Luyan's brother let himself go and got addicted to gambling, alcohol then moved out with a shady woman. He usually ask Luyan to steal some money from their parent to help him support his partner's cult that would protect them when the end of days come. Luyan complied, but somewhere deep inside she saw an opportunity and snitched to her mother and father his action, claiming that her brother was insane and needed to be cure. They took him to a buddhist sanctuary and basically let the monks there look after him. Luyan believed if her brother fell, she'll turn back into father's favorite child. But she never did

Luyan was haunted by her brother's eyes, knowing that she's a traitor. The child prodigy who has always been diligent in her study, has fake being muted from the emotional turmoils so she can stop going out. One day the sanctuary sent a letter to inform that the Kong family's son has escaped and been missing ever since, Luyan decided to flee from her family to look for him and try to fix everything she'd ruined, marking the start of the campaign.