Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Jiang Zixuan (姜子萱) |
| Alias(es) | Princess Fu'an 75 |
| Gender | Female 75 |
| Age | Thirteen at her introduction 75 |
| Affiliation | Great Xia imperial family; Prince Gong's household 75 |
| Occupation/Role | Princess; investor in Jiang Nuan's fragrance-shop venture 75 76 |
| Father | Prince Gong 75 |
| Betrothed | Zhou Youjia 93 |
| Status | Engaged; preparing her wedding dress, with the wedding scheduled for the beginning of spring the following year 93 101 |
| First Appearance | Stillness Temple visit 75 |
Background / History
Friendship with Jiang Nuan
Jiang Zixuan and her younger cousin Jiang Nuan ordinarily have little contact. At Stillness Temple, Zixuan hears Nuan's thoughts for the first time and follows her to investigate the promised gossip, outwardly claiming concern for her safety. She links arms with Nuan and accompanies her into the plum grove 75.
The girls secretly watch Jiang Yan ask Jin Yueyi for forgiveness. Zixuan expects Yueyi to relent because she has usually been the first to make peace after their arguments. Once discovered, Zixuan introduces Nuan to Yueyi, and both girls help gather plum blossoms. Yueyi promises to send them sachets made with her fragrance 75.
When Nuan says she lacks sufficient money for the shop venture, Zixuan offers her private savings and asks to join. Nuan accepts the banknotes, confident that she can turn the investment into greater earnings 76.
Assessing Marriage Prospects
Having completed her coming-of-age ceremony, Zixuan is asked by her father to consider five prospective matches. Unsure whom to choose, she privately consults Jiang Nuan and Jiang Mengqing, excluding Jiang Linxi from their discussion 78.
| Candidate | Assessment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Shao Wenrui | Initially praised as handsome, gentle, and accomplished in literary arts. Seeing his dependence on his controlling mother raises concerns about married life 78 79 80. | Zixuan rules him out at the Lantern Festival 80. |
| Zhou Youjia | Capable and respectable, with no unsavory habits, concubines, or bedchamber maids reported by Guagua. Nuan warns that his devotion to work could leave a wife neglected 79. | Despite the initial caution, he becomes Zixuan's fiancé 93. |
| Shen Haoyu | Handsome and talented, but surrounded by female admirers and romantic entanglements 79. | Rejected as unsuitable 79. |
| Mao Zhonglin | Already in love with the female healer who saved him 79. | Excluded because Zixuan will not interfere with an existing romance 79. |
| Zhangsun Yi | Exceptionally handsome and quietly talented, but uninterested in official advancement 79 80. | His lack of political ambition appeals to Zixuan, making him a remaining possibility before her relationship with Zhou develops 80 81. |
The three girls arrange to observe the candidates firsthand at the Lantern Festival, wearing masks supplied by Mengqing. Their outing is interrupted when remnants of the former dynasty surround them with weapons. Although frightened, Zixuan remains comparatively composed while Zhou Youjia, Chunhua, and Qiuyue protect the group 79 80.
Courtship and Engagement
After soldiers capture the attackers, Zixuan volunteers to accompany Nuan to the Court of Judicial Review. Zhou notices her beauty when she removes her mask, while Mengqing notices Zixuan watching him leave—suggesting that her preference has shifted toward him 81.
For the visit the following day, Zixuan dresses more elaborately than usual. Zhou blushes and stammers when he sees her; her soft laughter only makes him more embarrassed. She accompanies Nuan through the cells as Zhou presents unresolved cases for investigation 82 83.
Zixuan later speaks to her father about Zhou. Their families meet and settle the marriage, scheduling the wedding for the beginning of spring the next year. By the time Nuan plans a teahouse outing, Zixuan is occupied sewing her wedding dress 93 101.
Social Outings
Zixuan accepts Zhou's invitation to a group excursion at a farmstead outside the capital. During the outing, she is delighted by the palm-sized fox he brings back from hunting 94 95.
She also joins the group's visit to the General's Residence to witness Mao Zhonglin and Ji Anxian's reception. To justify coming along, she claims that her mother has been craving Madam Mao's chestnut pastries and that she wants to ask for baking advice 99 100.
Appearance
- Beautiful face: Zhou Youjia visibly admires her after she removes her festival mask 81.
- Usually understated: She normally keeps a low profile and does not wear makeup 82.
- Court-visit attire: Pale pink robes with lifelike butterflies embroidered along the skirt, accompanied by lip rouge—an unusual effort that nearly prevents Nuan from recognizing her 82.
Personality
Zixuan is curious and increasingly enthusiastic about gossip. Her first attempt at secretly watching someone else's family drama proves immensely entertaining, and she later invents a respectable excuse to accompany the group to the Mao household's elaborate welcome 75 99.
She approaches marriage practically rather than treating rank or career success as essential. Having seen people pursue official advancement at any cost, she finds an unambitious husband appealing; her own circumstances would allow a comfortable life even if he held no office. She also refuses to disrupt Mao Zhonglin's romance and takes her companions' warnings about unsuitable candidates seriously 79 80.
Her support for Nuan is tangible: she contributes her private savings when funding is short. In danger, she remains relatively composed despite her fear, and in casual company she tells Zhou that formal courtesies are unnecessary during their festival outing 76 80.
Abilities & Skills
Hearing Jiang Nuan's Thoughts
Zixuan can hear Jiang Nuan's inner voice, first experiencing it at Stillness Temple 75.
- Follows Nuan after hearing her intention to watch Jiang Yan and Jin Yueyi's private drama 75.
- Hears the information Guagua relays through Nuan's thoughts and waits expectantly for its assessment of Shao Wenrui 78.
- Gains additional insight into prospective husbands beyond their public reputations 78 79 80.
Sewing
- Sews her own wedding dress during preparations for her marriage to Zhou Youjia 101.
Relationships
- Prince Gong — Father. Selects five marriage candidates for her consideration and later meets Zhou's family to arrange the match 75 78 93.
- Jiang Nuan — Younger cousin, confidante, and business partner. Their previously distant relationship becomes close through shared gossip, investment, and marriage discussions 75 76 78.
- Zhou Youjia — Fiancé. Their mutual attraction becomes apparent after the Lantern Festival and during the Court of Judicial Review visit 81 82 93.
- Jiang Mengqing — Trusted companion who helps assess suitors and proposes observing them at the festival. Mengqing is Jiang Linxi's twin sister, not Zixuan's 78 79.
- Jin Yueyi — Imperial aunt. Welcomes Zixuan and Nuan in the plum grove and promises both girls handmade fragrance sachets 75.
- An Yan and Yun Shining — Friends within Nuan's social circle. They share relaxed meals and group outings 84 94.
Notable Quotes
“Nuannuan, I want in. This is my contribution!” 76
“I've long heard that Madam Mao makes unrivaled chestnut pastries, and my mother happens to have been craving them lately. I'd like to visit the General's Residence and ask Madam Mao for some pointers.” 99