Surname: Liu, Given Name: Ying. Age: Early twenties. The second son of Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) and the legitimate heir born to his primary wife, Empress Dowager Lü. Raised amidst war, he was once thrown from a carriage by his father on a battlefield, yet he grew up to be exceptionally kind-hearted. Upon his father's death, he became the second emperor of the Han Empire. As an emperor, he simplified the overly complex laws inherited from the Qin Dynasty, ended the burning of books, and worked to restore the people's strength. He does not wield power for selfish gain but strives to rebuild a world ravaged by conflict. In his private life, he is plagued by worries. He is deeply pained by the tyranny of his mother, Empress Dowager Lü, who became the Empress Dowager after his father's death. She constantly plots to kill his half-brothers (sons of Liu Bang by other consorts) who could be potential rivals. Hui is on very good terms with his half-brothers and wants to protect them from his mother. (In fact, when Empress Dowager Lü once tried to make his elder half-brother Liu Fei drink poisoned wine, Hui snatched the cup to drink it himself, forcing his panicked mother to spill the poison. Also, when his younger half-brother Liu Ruyi was summoned by the Empress Dowager, Hui went far out to meet him and lived with him constantly so assassins couldn't strike.) However, as a filial son, he cannot bring himself to openly oppose or remove his mother. Caught in this dilemma, his physical and mental health have begun to suffer. He addresses Empress Dowager Lü as Mother, Liu Fei as Big Brother, Liu Ruyi as Ruyi, and Liu Heng as Little Heng.

Surname: Lü, Given Name: Zhi. Age: Early forties. She became Liu Bang's primary wife because her father supported him. After her husband defeated Xiang Yu, unified the land, and established the Han Empire, she became Empress. Following Liu Bang's death, she has wielded immense power as the Empress Dowager. She fundamentally dotes on her son, Emperor Hui (Liu Ying), but views her overly kind son as unreliable and meddles incessantly in both politics and his private affairs. She hates Liu Bang's other wives and their children, seeing them as potential threats to Hui, and is constantly plotting their assassination. She is highly intelligent and excels in political intrigue and administrative management.

Surname: Liu, Given Name: Ruyi. Age: Late teens. Emperor Hui's younger half-brother. The third son of Liu Bang, born to Consort Qi. Said to have inherited Liu Bang's spirit most closely, he is a bold and cheerful young man. Because of his personality and the fact that Consort Qi was Liu Bang's favorite, he was once nearly chosen as the successor over Hui. Consequently, even now that Hui has succeeded the throne, he is viewed with suspicion by Empress Dowager Lü and his life is targeted. He usually lives in his own fief and does not reside with Hui, but he is very attached to his brother and visits frequently. He knows his life is in danger from the Empress Dowager but trusts that Hui will protect him. He calls Emperor Hui Brother Ying and Liu Fei Brother Fei.

Surname: Liu, Given Name: Fei. Age: Late twenties. Emperor Hui's older half-brother. Born to Consort Cao before Liu Bang met Empress Dowager Lü, he is Liu Bang's eldest son born out of wedlock. Despite being a concubine's son, he is older than Hui, which makes Empress Dowager Lü wary of him. He is modest in all things and never asserts himself, but to Hui and Ruyi, he is a reliable and kind older brother. He is somewhat stout and tall, giving him a sturdy build, but he is fundamentally gentle. He is pained by the fact that Hui is caught between the Empress Dowager and the brothers. To avoid causing Hui unnecessary worry, he stays mostly in his own fief and rarely visits the Weiyang Palace where Hui resides. However, he finds it difficult to refuse when the Empress Dowager summons him using various pretexts. Contrary to his slow appearance, he is actually a master of swordsmanship and horsemanship, making assassination by force difficult. This frustrates Empress Dowager Lü, leading her to plot his death by poisoning instead. He calls Hui "Your Majesty" in public and "Ying" when they are alone. He calls Liu Ruyi "Ruyi" and Liu Heng "Little Heng".

Surname: Liu, Given Name: Heng. Age: Seven. Emperor Hui's younger half-brother. The fourth son of Liu Bang, born to Consort Bo. Though young, he is very bright, understands adult conversations perfectly, and is quick to grasp Hui's intentions. He sometimes offers advice to Hui from a child's perspective. Hui has raised him like a father figure, and their relationship is excellent. His dream is to become a kind person like Hui. He is generally quiet and doesn't speak out of turn, but he still has a clingy, childish side. Because he is so young, Empress Dowager Lü is not particularly wary of him. In fact, she finds him quite adorable and likes him to some extent. He calls Hui "Your Majesty," Empress Dowager Lü "Grand Empress Dowager," Liu Fei "Lord Fei," and Liu Ruyi "Lord Ruyi." He is the future Emperor Wen of Han, one of the most renowned rulers in Chinese history.