Biodata
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Parasol Tree |
| Alias(es) | Wutong (梧桐) 325 |
| Gender | Female |
| Affiliation | Xie Guan's small courtyard within Xie Manor; later travels with Xie Guan 247 670 |
| Occupation/Role | Xie Guan's personal and bedchamber maid; household companion 293 410 |
| Status | Active; reunited with Xie Guan at the North Pole and joins his journey toward Kun Void alongside Xie Yuan and the woman in white. 670 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 246 246 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primordial Spirit formed | 459 | After more than a month of meridian regulation, she takes a Jade-Nourishing Pill under Xie Guan's protection and successfully forms her Primordial Spirit. He warns her not to let it leave her body carelessly. 459 |
| Later supernatural power demonstrated; realm unspecified | 490 | Five years after Xie Guan's ascension, she can casually steady a Xuanse ship amid a tsunami during her journey to the North Pole. No precise cultivation realm is given. 490 |
Background
Parasol Tree was sold into Xie Manor at seven because her impoverished family could not feed all of its children. Xie Guan's mother treated her as kin, and, before her death, entrusted the young Guan to her care. 246 247 321
When Xie Guan's mother died, Parasol Tree was eleven. She remained beside the grieving and newly blind Xie Guan, worrying over his treatment and quietly watching over him when he shut himself away. 247
Before her mistress's death, Parasol Tree experienced the neglect directed at their household. Steward Wu delayed her autumn clothing, leaving her in a thin garment after frost had begun to cover the courtyard, while other maidservants mocked her apparent tolerance of the cold. The withheld clothing and allowance were delivered after her mistress died. 247
Xie Renfeng attempted to recruit her as his personal maid through Shilan, offering materially better prospects in the Second Courtyard. Parasol Tree refused, citing her late mistress's kindness and refusing to abandon Xie Guan while he was vulnerable. 247 248
She received little news of her birth family after entering the manor. When her eldest brother married, she sent away her only savings; afterward, she heard nothing more from them. 321
Her position beside the unfavored Xie Guan also limited her friendships within the manor. Dew Bud was for many years the only servant willing to be close to her. After Xie Guan offended Madam Zhao and Madam Yuan, other servants avoided the small courtyard entirely, making Madam Ruan's arrival especially welcome to Parasol Tree. 462
Appearance
Parasol Tree grows from a girl whose skin had once been scorched dark into a slender, graceful young woman noted as exceptionally beautiful even among Xie Manor's carefully chosen maidservants. 247
- Usually favors simple dress and little adornment despite her natural beauty. 413
- Has lively eyes that stand out among the manor's servants. 271
- Is described as especially striking when dressed for the Gathering of Beauties Banquet. 325
- Her beauty is considered comparable to that of Xie Manor's young ladies, and attracts the attention of numerous guards, gardeners, and stable hands, none of whom she takes to heart. 323 413
- Later travels in green clothing and is regarded by a Ross merchant as a “Fairy.” 490
Personality
Parasol Tree is defined by gratitude and steadfast loyalty. Though leaving for the Second Courtyard would have offered security and status, she chooses to remain with Xie Guan because of the kindness shown to her by his late mother. 247
She is practical in household matters, eagerly safeguarding silver, considering food costs, and urging Xie Guan to stockpile grain amid rising prices. 288 289 As Xie Guan's standing improves, she increasingly relies on his judgment for the small courtyard's affairs. 325 She is indignant at the way servants slight their unfavored household while courting the powerful. 256
Her resentment of opportunistic servants is grounded in experience. When Manager Liu restores withheld allowances and pays several months in advance, she remains distrustful and reminds Xie Guan of his previous mistreatment of her and his mother. Conversely, valuable gifts and property deeds openly delight her, prompting Xie Guan to affectionately recognize her enthusiasm for household wealth. 308 410
Her attachment to Xie Guan grows beyond ordinary master-servant devotion. She is shy about her feelings, fears danger to him, and declares that she would rather die for his safety than live without him. 293 425 Xie Guan later answers her concern for his potential marriage prospects directly: “I like Parasol Tree.” 418
She also feels guilty when his efforts to protect her threaten his own position. Following the Grand View Garden incident, she suspects that his risky appearance in Xie Hong Courtyard was connected to her and blames herself for the punishment and disruption to his studies that he might have suffered. His presence nevertheless makes her feel safe enough to enjoy surroundings she had previously been too intimidated to examine. 287
After Xie Guan's mother's death, she becomes unusually cautious and loses much of her youthful liveliness. As Xie Guan matures into the household's dependable support, her disposition gradually brightens again. 413
After Xie Guan's departure, she travels widely but finds little joy in the world's wonders without him. Though distant toward most people she meets, she shows warmth to the young gill-girl accompanying her. 490
Abilities & Skills
Primordial Spirit Cultivation
Parasol Tree forms a Primordial Spirit after Xie Guan regulates her meridians and supervises her use of the Jade-Nourishing Pill. 459
- Requires Xie Guan's protection during her breakthrough. 459
- Is cautioned not to project her Primordial Spirit carelessly, as a newly formed spirit is vulnerable. 459
Later Supernatural Feats
By the time of her journey beyond Bianjing, Parasol Tree can steady a Xuanse ship amid a tsunami. 490
- Travels with two Azure-Feather Divine Birds. 490
- Is accompanied by a young gill-girl riding a narwhal, toward whom she shows unusual warmth. 490
- Her exact cultivation realm at this point is not specified. 490
Household Management and Learning
Parasol Tree manages the small courtyard's everyday needs, including cooking, brewing tea, cleaning, shopping, and keeping its silver and gifts. She adjusts Xie Guan's meals to support his martial training and pays attention to the effect of rising market prices on their supplies. 248 256 269 289 304 308 311 410
She learns from listening to Xie Guan read and discuss the principles behind his dealings with others. By the eve of the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, she has also read portions of the Confucian school's Holy Sayings and can quote a saying about the friendships of gentlemen and petty men. Xie Guan supplements this learning with practical advice about accepting gifts without becoming dependent on opportunistic acquaintances. 252 303 325
Relationships
- Xie Guan — Her young master, childhood companion, and the person she refuses to abandon after his mother's death. Their mutual dependence develops into open affection. He tends to her when she is exhausted or endangered and eventually seeks her out after his ascension. 246 247 410 413 418 490 Their bond is recognized as familial despite their formal master-servant positions. He teaches her household judgment, guides her first cultivation breakthrough, and brings her with him toward Kun Void after their North Pole reunion. 325 445 459 670
- Xie Guan's mother — Her late mistress and benefactor, who treated Parasol Tree like family and entrusted Guan to her before dying. 246 247 The jade hairpin she gave Parasol Tree is a cherished possession normally kept safely in a cabinet and worn only on special occasions. 353
- Xie Renfeng — Sought to take Parasol Tree as a personal maid, then later recommended her to Zhao Yang, placing her in danger. 247 275 280
- Dew Bud — A close maidservant friend who accompanies her to the Gathering of Beauties Banquet and remains emotionally concerned for her and Guan's household. 325 425 They entered Xie Manor at nearly the same time and share a sister-like bond. Parasol Tree helps her prepare for Xie Ying's marriage into the Sima Clan, and both treasure their remaining time together before the resulting separation. 256 418
- Madam Ruan — Initially frightens Parasol Tree, but becomes her companion; Parasol Tree leads her through Bianjing and helps her adapt to life in the courtyard. Madam Ruan holds Parasol Tree during a frightening dream. 457 462 483 Xie Guan also assigns Madam Ruan to accompany and protect her outside the courtyard, relying on Madam Ruan's water arts and Water Escape to take her to safety if necessary. 459
- The Radiant Luans — A pair of divine birds associated with the small courtyard; they land on Parasol Tree during her despair and later accompany her travels. 436 490
- The gill-girl — A young traveling companion who rides a narwhal. Parasol Tree treats her with unusual, almost maternal tenderness. 490
- Hua An — The manor physician, whose treatment of Xie Guan's eyes she anxiously follows. He regards her as a good girl and rushes to warn Xie Guan when he learns of Zhao Yang's intentions toward her. 247 269
- Xie Yuan — His intervention helps avert the attempt to hand her over to Zhao Yang. He later recognizes her importance to Xie Guan, offers to accompany him into the Misty Wave Lake trap, and worries about her condition after the rescue. He joins her among the companions Xie Guan gathers for the journey toward Kun Void. 270 275 280 445 457 670
- Xie Ying — Dew Bud's mistress, who sends financial help to Xie Guan's household during his blindness. Xie Guan arranges for Parasol Tree to attend the Gathering of Beauties Banquet with her and Dew Bud in the hope that the Xie Clan's protection and Sima Ting's presence will keep her safe. 256 325 353
Story Role / Major Arcs
- Refusal of the Second Courtyard — Rejects Xie Renfeng's offer and remains with the isolated, grieving Xie Guan. 247 248
- Threatened household separation — Is distressed by Dew Bud's impending departure with Xie Ying and by news that Xie Guan might be made to marry into the Zhao Clan, which would cut off his route through the imperial examinations. Xie Guan reassures her that the arrangement has not yet been settled. 256
- Grand View Garden plot — Is summoned away during Xie Manor's banquet under the pretext of serving guests. Xie Guan uses Xie Yuan's supposed request, tea leaves, and a chess “general” as a coded attempt to protect her. She delivers the items despite not understanding the danger. 269 270 This is her first visit to Grand View Garden. Xie Yuan reacts to the chess piece and keeps her with him, frustrating Zhao Yang's demand; Dew Bud later confirms that she is safe. 270 275 280
- Gathering of Beauties Banquet crisis — The jade hairpin Xie Guan's mother gave her appears in the possession of the corpse-controlled Sima Pan, warning Xie Guan that she has fallen into danger; she is later found safe and asleep after Long Yi's defeat. On waking, she recalls little of the night beyond Xie Guan carrying her home. 353 408 410
- Cultivation and protection — Xie Guan uses true qi to relieve the cold qi she has accumulated through overwork. Later, after more than a month of meridian regulation, she forms her Primordial Spirit under his guidance as Bianjing descends toward chaos. 413 459
- Xie Renfeng's attack and clan summons — Fears for Xie Guan after Xie Renfeng's nighttime assault and declares that she would rather die than lose him. When clan enforcers later take Xie Guan away for punishment, she collapses in despair; the two Radiant Luans land on her shoulders, and she sees a dazzling brilliance. 425 436
- Misty Wave Lake abduction — Is kidnapped from Xie Guan's courtyard, leaving behind a hairpin and a demand that he come alone. Xie Guan accepts the trap and later returns carrying her safely. 445 457 He reveals that he killed Crown Prince Liu Yuan and his group to rescue her. Xie Yuan, who pursued him out of concern, finds Parasol Tree asleep in his arms and asks whether she is all right. 457
- Life in a changing Bianjing — Befriends Madam Ruan and helps her grow comfortable in the city's marketplaces. As unrest spreads, Xie Guan instructs Parasol Tree to remain indoors when possible and to take Madam Ruan with her when she goes out. She prepares a gift for his fourteenth birthday. 459 462 463
- Journey beyond the mortal realm — Travels across the East Sea Boundary Stele, Western Regions Sacred Mountain, and Far North Glacier, but finds none of them meaningful without Xie Guan. He ultimately reaches her at the North Pole. 490 670 Her voyage is shown five years after his ascension, when she travels aboard a Xuanse ship with the divine birds and the gill-girl. At their reunion, she admits that she had feared he no longer wanted her. 490
- Journey toward Kun Void — After gathering Parasol Tree at the North Pole and rescuing Xie Yuan from his destitute life in Bianjing, Xie Guan takes them and the woman in white toward Kun Void for a battle spanning the ages. 670
Notable Quotes
“Parasol Tree has seen all the world has to offer, yet none of it compares to being by Young Master's side.” 490
“Parasol Tree would willingly die in exchange for Young Master's safety.” 425
“Parasol Tree thought Young Master did not want me anymore.” 490