Yuri's mother was , a celebrated beauty in the imperial capital and the paternal great-aunt of Shōka, Reishin, and Kurō. Unknown to most, Yuri is the younger half-sister of the previous Emperor, Senka Shi, thus she is given the title ". As a result, she bears a strong resemblance to both Senka and Ryūki, which confused Seiran when he first met her a long time ago in the Hong residence. Gyokukan eventually took Yuri-hime away to Hong province to avoid the traditional fate of the princesses of the Shi family, who were traditionally sent away to the Hyō clan, and to strengthen the Hong family in the event that Yuri would be able to take the throne. To protect her daughter, Yuri was disguised for many years as a servant boy named . Gyokukan was later assassinated by Shōka on his first mission as the Black Wolf, as Emperor Senka had recognized Gyokukan was a serious political threat to the Shi clan. While Yuri had been intended as Shōka's bride, Shōka broke off the engagement after assassinating Gyokukan, believing that Yuri had no interest in him anyway.