i play from both, and my default is to treat this as a fictional chinese-inspired environment, leaning on mid-imperial china. if you google, there are some (speculative!) maps of roughly where in china the mdzs clans are each based.

personally, i think you can inject as many nods to chinese customs, literature and cultural references as you want - but make them a feature, with the understanding that if you're assuming something major ('what would our characters' children's 100th day celebrations look like?') you may wish to doublecheck with your thread partner that they're embracing the same headcanon. this is ultimately fantasy china, so you absolutely have leeway. i hope you enjoy!