Xia Qingqing

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xia Qingqing (夏青青)
Alias(es)	Miss Youyou; Madam Yuan; Leader Xia 63 102 538
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Golden Snake Camp; later aligned with Song Qingshu 470 1212
Occupation/Role	Nominal leader of the Golden Snake Camp; martial artist; infiltrator and political operative 470 538
Status	Alive; eventually enters the palace as a consort 2509
First Appearance	Chapter 63

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Second-/third-rate martial artist	291	Her skill alone is considered insufficient to reach or assassinate Kangxi through the Imperial Guards.
First-class Jianghu expert	645	Dedicated training for Yuan Chengzhi’s revenge, knowledge inherited from Yuan, Song Qingshu’s guidance, and dual cultivation raise her to first-class standing.
Further improved first-class combatant	1499	Her martial arts are stated to have improved significantly under Song Qingshu’s guidance.

Background / History

Xia Qingqing was Yuan Chengzhi’s wife and was known publicly as Madam Yuan. In her earlier years, she traveled the martial world with a tomboyish image and considerable skill as a thief; after marriage, she became notably more graceful and alluring. She also used the identity Miss Youyou. 63 65

Believing Yuan Chengzhi to have been killed through the Qing Court’s actions, Xia Qingqing devoted herself to revenge. She infiltrated the heavily guarded Forbidden City alone to assassinate Kangxi, but was wounded and rescued by Song Qingshu. She subsequently sought support from Mount Hua figures, including Mu Renqing and Feng Qingyang, in hopes of opposing Dongfang Bubai and the Qing Court. 88 92 98 118

After concluding that her martial arts were insufficient to kill Kangxi directly, Xia Qingqing adopted more indirect methods. She entered Hongli’s household as a concubine while concealing a longer plan to use court access to approach Kangxi. Her resolve ultimately led her to join Zhou Zhiruo and Dongfang Muxue in an attempted assassination of Kangxi. 206 290 291 297

Her hostility toward Dongfang Muxue intensified when she learned that Dongfang was Dongfang Bubai, the person believed to have killed Yuan Chengzhi. The discovery that Yuan might have survived changed this conflict: Xia Qingqing later learned his grave was empty and eventually found him alive with Xiao Zhonghui. Rather than disrupt their life together, she chose to leave them behind. 1205 1208 1509 1510

Appearance

Xia Qingqing is portrayed as a delicate and radiant beauty whose demeanor combines feminine softness with an aloof, lonely quality. As Hongli’s concubine, her dance captivates an entire hall of officials and soldiers. 63 206

• Delicate eyebrows, phoenix-like eyes, and cherry-red lips. 1498
• Fair, rosy complexion; even while dressed as a married woman, she appears youthful. 1498
• Possesses an ethereal temperament likened to a white orchid in a secluded valley. 206
• Previously presented herself with a more tomboyish appearance while roaming the Jianghu. 63

Personality

Xia Qingqing is fiercely loyal and uncompromising in matters of love and vengeance. Her determination to avenge Yuan Chengzhi leads her to infiltrate the Forbidden City, pursue dangerous political schemes, and face assassination attempts without fear of death. 88 118 297

She is also cunning, forceful, and adaptable. She can use charm, status, disguise, and manipulation as effectively as martial arts, whether bypassing Golden Snake Camp guards or tricking Yelü Suiye into entering her prison cell. 538 1501

Despite her jealousy and possessiveness toward Song Qingshu, she is deeply protective of those she accepts as her own. She is willing to risk herself for Song Qingshu, forms a sisterly bond with Bing Xue'er, and eventually reconciles with Dongfang Muxue after learning the truth about Yuan Chengzhi. 1207 1502 1503

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Xia Qingqing’s primary fighting style centers on the Golden Snake Sword, which accounts for much of her combat capability.

• Uses the Golden Snake Sword to force back multiple spear-wielding attackers. 1200
• Saves Bing Xue'er from an armed assailant with the sword. 1498
• Is significantly weakened without it; she states that without the Golden Snake Sword, half of her martial arts cannot be displayed. 1504

Golden Snake Cones

Xia Qingqing carries concealed Golden Snake Cones as a ranged backup weapon.

• Uses them intermittently to drive back Yelü Nanxian after being deprived of her sword. 1504
• Provides her with a means of pressure and disruption when forced into close combat without her main weapon. 1504

Qinggong and Acrobatics

Her lightness skill is one of her earliest demonstrated strengths.

• Escapes into the night with superior Qinggong after being recognized as a martial artist rather than an ordinary courtesan. 65
• Evades a barrage of spears by suspending herself with extraordinary waist strength before counterattacking. 1200
• Uses rapid movement and agility to remain effective against numerically superior foes. 1200

Disguise and Deception

Xia Qingqing has experience concealing her identity and adopting alternate personas.

• Previously disguised herself as a man while roaming the Jianghu, successfully fooling even He Tieshou. 306
• Used her role as Hongli’s concubine as cover for a revenge plot aimed at Kangxi. 206 290
• Exploited her former authority as Golden Snake Camp leader, along with charm and intimidation, to gain access to Zeng Rou’s bridal chamber. 538

Leadership and Political Judgment

Though her position in the Golden Snake Camp was initially nominal, Xia Qingqing retained significant legitimacy among its members.

• Was recognized as the widow of the former Golden Snake King and the Golden Snake Camp’s nominal leader. 470
• Nominated Song Qingshu as a candidate for Golden Snake King, publicly citing his ability to avenge Yuan Chengzhi. 471
• Later acted as one of Song Qingshu’s key representatives within the Golden Snake Camp. 1212 1519

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Golden Snake Sword — Her principal weapon and the foundation of much of her swordsmanship. 118 1498
• Golden Snake Cones — Concealed projectiles used when she is without her sword. 1504
• Disguises and alternate identities — Used for infiltration, travel, and political maneuvering. 63 206 306

Relationships

• Yuan Chengzhi — Her husband and the central reason for her long pursuit of revenge against the Qing Court. After discovering he is alive with Xiao Zhonghui, Xia Qingqing chooses not to interfere in his new life. 63 88 1509 1510
• Song Qingshu — Rescuer, ally, and eventual lover. Their relationship begins amid her revenge campaign, remains secret for a time because of her identity as Madam Yuan, and later becomes public enough for her to enter his palace as a consort. 98 301 402 1506 2509
• Dongfang Muxue — Initially an enemy once Xia Qingqing learns Dongfang’s identity as Dongfang Bubai. The hostility lessens after the possibility of Yuan Chengzhi’s survival is revealed, and Xia Qingqing later expresses admiration for Dongfang’s achievements. 1205 1208 1503
• Zhu Meichuo / Ajiu — A former love rival for Yuan Chengzhi. Their awkward reunion develops into mutual understanding and reconciliation over their respective ties to Song Qingshu. 402
• Bing Xue'er — A close, sisterly companion who shares her experience as a widow. The two fight together, support one another, and are among the few women Xia Qingqing accepts openly at Song Qingshu’s side. 1498 1502
• Luo Bing — Fellow anti-Qing figure who helps Xia Qingqing reconsider revenge as a matter of strategy rather than martial force alone. 118
• Golden Snake Camp — The organization tied to Yuan Chengzhi’s legacy and Xia Qingqing’s public authority. She remains an important leader and representative within it. 470 538 1519

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Revenge for Yuan Chengzhi — Attempts to avenge Yuan through direct assassination, seeks aid from Mount Hua, and tests Song Qingshu’s devotion during their journey. 88 98 102
• Court Infiltration — Becomes Hongli’s concubine and works toward gaining access to Kangxi, treating her beauty and position as weapons in her revenge plan. 206 290 291
• Attempt on Kangxi — Joins Zhou Zhiruo and Dongfang Muxue in a coordinated assassination attempt, showing absolute resolve despite the likelihood of death. 297
• Golden Snake Camp Affairs — Uses her standing as Madam Yuan and former leader to influence the camp’s leadership succession and later carry out covert operations. 470 471 538
• Truth of Yuan Chengzhi’s Fate — Learns that Yuan may have survived Dongfang Bubai’s attack, pursues the truth in Liao territory, and finally releases her attachment after seeing him with Xiao Zhonghui. 1208 1209 1509 1510
• Later Campaigns — Protects Bing Xue'er, helps lead forces back toward Golden Snake Camp territory, and serves as one of Song Qingshu’s principal allies. 1498 1519 1523
• Palace Consort — Although reluctant to openly abandon the identity of Madam Yuan, she eventually enters Song Qingshu’s palace as a consort. 2509

Notable Quotes

“One day, I will definitely kill Kangxi.” — Xia Qingqing 118

“It’s better to forget each other in the vast world than to be together in a desperate situation.” — Xia Qingqing 1510