An Yuzhi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	An Yuzhi (安于芝)
Alias(es)	Third Young Miss; Miss
Gender	Female
Affiliation	An Family (formerly recognized as its legitimate Third Young Miss)
Status	Fled her arranged marriage to Fu Wutian; subsequently disowned by An Ziran 32 34 48
First Appearance	Chapter 3 (mentioned); Chapter 6 (first direct appearance)

Background / History

An Yuzhi was born to An Changfu and his principal wife, Liu Meixiang, after the birth of her elder brother An Ziran. Although An Changfu favored sons, he loved Liu Meixiang and consequently favored Yuzhi above his concubines’ daughters. 3

Old Master An selected Yuzhi for a concealed marriage pact with his sworn brother’s family. He considered her gentle, obedient, well-mannered, literate, and suitable to be presented in society; Steward Su was entrusted with the jade token and knowledge of the agreement. 19

After her parents’ deaths, Yuzhi fulfilled Anyuan County custom by keeping vigil as the eldest daughter of the principal wife. She was initially timid and distant around An Ziran, but recognized that he and infant An Ziming were now her closest relatives. 6

Appearance

At fifteen, Yuzhi was described as a classical beauty and had already received multiple marriage proposals. 6

• Willow-leaf brows.
• Phoenix eyes.
• Cherry-red mouth. 6
• Delicate, frail outward appearance. 25
• Her resemblance to her mother’s beauty is noted indirectly through An Changfu’s affection for her. 3

Personality

Yuzhi was raised in the inner chambers under Liu Meixiang’s instruction. She was initially shy, sheltered, gentle, and obedient, with limited knowledge of the An Family’s external troubles because she had been taught that men handled outside affairs. 19 20

She admired heroic figures from opera stories and became excited after learning that Fu Wutian was Da Ya’s undefeated war god. She initially entrusted the decision over the marriage to An Ziran and later insisted that she wanted to marry Fu Wutian even if she could only enter his household as a concubine. 23 27

As the wedding approached, fear over rumors depicting Fu Wutian as disfigured and cruel overwhelmed her earlier enthusiasm. She hid her distress, deceived An Ziran and her attendants, and ultimately chose to flee in pursuit of what she called her own happiness. 30 33

Relationships

• An Ziran — Elder brother and head of the An Family after their parents’ deaths. He treats her with concern, investigates her betrothed, and insists on protecting her status; after her flight endangers the family, he severs ties with her. 6 20 26 34
• An Changfu — Father. He favored Yuzhi over his concubines’ daughters because she was Liu Meixiang’s child. 3
• Liu Meixiang — Mother and principal wife of An Changfu. She raised Yuzhi to be gentle, obedient, and socially presentable. 19
• An Ziming — Infant younger brother. Following their parents’ deaths, Yuzhi regards him and An Ziran as her closest remaining family. 6
• Fu Wutian — Arranged fiancé. Yuzhi initially wishes to marry him after hearing of his military reputation, but later flees before the wedding because she fears the rumors surrounding him. 23 27 32 33
• Old Master An — Grandfather who chose her as the An family member for the marriage pact with Prince Fu’s family. 19
• Qiao’er — Personal maid who helps Yuzhi conceal her intentions and eventually accompanies her escape. 31 32
• Xing’er — Personal maid who worries about deceiving An Ziran and warns Yuzhi that refusing an imperial marriage could endanger the An Family. 31 32

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mourning and family upheaval

Following An Changfu and Liu Meixiang’s deaths, Yuzhi keeps vigil for three days under local funeral custom. An Ziran’s unexpected concern unsettles her at first, but begins to close the distance between the siblings. 6

Discovery of the marriage pact

When the An Family faces threats from An Changde and corrupt officials, An Ziran brings Yuzhi to Gentlemen City to invoke Old Master An’s old marriage agreement. She learns that the supposed merchant family is actually the imperial Fu clan and that her intended match is Prince Jun. 20 22

Yuzhi becomes enthusiastic upon hearing that Fu Wutian is an undefeated military commander. Though she is shaken when told she may only become a concubine, she still says she wants to marry him. 23 27

Securing the principal-wife position

An Ziran refuses to accept a secondary-wife arrangement and presses Prince Fu’s Manor to honor the original agreement. Fu Wutian agrees to marry Yuzhi as his principal consort, and preparations begin for a wedding within the month. 29 30

Fear, flight, and disownment

After overhearing rumors that Fu Wutian is ugly, bloodthirsty, and cruel, Yuzhi becomes frightened. She conceals her anxiety behind a false illness, even as the imperial decree formalizes the marriage. 30 32

Four days before the wedding, Yuzhi leaves Gentlemen City with Qiao’er through the back door. Her letter states that she does not wish to marry a man she has never met and wants to pursue her own happiness. 32 33

An Ziran concludes that public searches would expose the scandal and place the An Family in greater danger. He later declares that Yuzhi is no longer the An Family’s Third Young Miss and may not return without his permission. 33 34 48

Trivia

• Yuzhi’s marriage pact was symbolized by the female half of a pair of Mandarin Duck Jade Pendants. 25
• She could read, write, and compose a few lines of poetry, though her literary foundation was not considered strong. 19
• Her decision to flee was influenced by a play about a woman pursuing her own happiness. 32