Lily's close friend, admired for her buoyancy and grace, whose life circumstances are more challenging than they first appear.

Lily’s mother, who is responsible for preparing Lily for her future, including overseeing her foot-binding process, and who becomes the head woman of the house after Lily's grandmother dies.

Lily's aunt, who, despite her low status due to not having a son, influences the girls’ upbringing through her education and teaches them nu shu, a secret women's writing.

The matchmaker responsible for arranging Lily and Snow Flower’s marriages, who is also Snow Flower’s aunt and works to look after her niece's interests.