Xiang Tao is Ning Nuan's loyal maidservant. She is quick to inform her mistress of the injustices committed by the Second and Third Branches, such as the taking of incense cakes and poor fabric allocation. She is indignant on Ning Nuan's behalf and adds fuel to the fire when Mother Ning confronts the cousins. She actively participates in retrieving the jewelry from Ning Qing's room. She is described as having a proud back when backed by the mistress. Her loyalty is to the First Branch, and she is not afraid to speak up.
