Xin Xianying

Xin Xianying (onyomi: Shin Ken'ei) is the daughter of Xin Pi, one of Cao Cao's high-ranking ministers. Known for her austerity and foresight, she often provided her family with helpful advice in times of crisis.

Role in Games
She first appears as a recruitable character in the eleventh Romance of the Three Kingdoms installment. Available during the last three scenarios, she is more suited to tasks related to intellect, charisma, and politics.

Historical Information
A native of Longxi County, Gansu, Xin Xianying was an intelligent girl who spent most of her time studying at a young age. She married the affluent Yang Dan upon turning sixteen. The Shiyu describes her as a stern and opinionated woman with a keen sense of awareness. When Cao Pi became emperor, she criticized his lack of dignity upon ascending the throne, believing his reign would not prosper. Her words were proven true as Cao Pi's rule was marred with internal strife.

During Shu's Northern Campaign against Wei in 234, Zhuge Liang taunted Sima Yi into attacking him by sending the latter women's clothes. Xin Pi humorously shared this story with his daughter who replied, "The army determines the fate of a nation, nobody can afford to joke over that. Fighting the enemy because of anger often leads to unexpected losses, it is something we should avoid." Grateful for his daughter's wisdom, he contacted Cao Rui afterwards and convinced him to have Sima Yi defend the main camp instead. As a result, Zhuge Liang died one month later.

Like Wang Yuanji, she also viewed Zhong Hui with suspicion and confided in Yang Hu, "Zhong Hui is a person who does his actions on his own accord and will one day be someone who cannot serve under another." She then told her nephew to avoid him at all costs. Xin Xianying became worried when her son Yang Xiu was appointed as Zhong Hui's aid. She implored him to remain loyal and benevolent while on duty. Her advice kept him alive when Zhong Hui rebelled against the Sima family.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Xin Xianying appears in Chapter 107 of the novel which focuses on the Sima clan's coup d'état against Cao Shuang. Upon being consulted by her brother Xin Chang, she advised him to follow his lord outside the city for fear that defecting too soon would undermine his character. After demonstrating their loyalty, he and Cao Shuang's other officials were spared by Sima Yi.