Li Yuan
The Mad Scholar's Invincible Sword
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Li Yuan (李缘) 2 |
| Alias(es) | Yuanyuan, Yuan'er, Yuan, Yuan-Yuan 2 3 11 13 |
| Gender | Female 2 |
| Age | Approximately fifteen or sixteen at her introduction 2 |
| Residence | Old Li's courtyard home in western Little River Town 2 |
| Affiliation | Old Li's household 2 |
| Occupation/Role | Earns money through needlework and helps maintain the household 3 5 |
| Status | Alive; remains in Little River Town after Chen Xun's departure 13 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2; Old Li mentions his granddaughter in Chapter 1 1 2 |
Background / History
Childhood and Family Loss
Li Yuan lost her father, mother, and grandmother to starvation during a severe drought more than ten years before Chen Xun's departure. Her grandfather nearly died as well, but survived after newly appointed town lord Ji Bochang brought famine-relief grain. From then on, Li Yuan and Old Li had only each other 11.
Their household had enough food and clothing, but its finances were below average for Little River Town. Li Yuan left school after two years because they could not afford to continue her education, staying home to help her grandfather earn a living 5.
Taking in Chen Xun
Li Yuan initially knew Chen Xun as the town's mad scholar, having seen him from a distance. When he followed Old Li home, his laughter frightened her, but she lowered her grandfather's raised hoe and persuaded him to leave Chen Xun alone. Later that cold night, she overcame her fear and wrapped a quilt around the unresponsive scholar. She heard his faint thanks but dismissed it as the wind 2.
The next morning, she asked Old Li to take Chen Xun in. When her grandfather objected to his enormous appetite, she offered to take on more needlework and suggested limiting his portions. Old Li eventually agreed to house him temporarily 3.
Winter and Recovery
Over the following months, Li Yuan grew accustomed to Chen Xun's behavior and addressed him as “Brother Chen.” She noticed his increasing quietness and was surprised when he calmly handed over his wooden sword for her to inspect. Through winter, she took on additional sewing work while he remained largely idle, and the three celebrated the New Year together 3 5.
When Chen Xun answered her habitual morning greeting normally in spring, she immediately called Old Li to announce his recovery. She then took him into town for a haircut and offered to buy him new clothes. His groomed appearance astonished her, though he declined the outfit 5 6.
Trial and Farewell
Li Yuan and Old Li anxiously followed Chen Xun to the yamen after three hunters accused him of stealing a black tiger. They watched the hearing and were relieved when the accusation was disproved 9 10.
Afterward, Li Yuan encouraged Old Li to accept Chen Xun's tiger-sale proceeds as money held for safekeeping, unaware that the pouch contained a hundred gold coins. Sensing that Chen Xun intended to leave, she asked whether he would return and made him promise to say goodbye rather than disappear without a word 11.
Before his departure, she bought clothes fitted especially for him and insisted that he take them. She and Old Li accompanied him beyond town, where she tearfully wished him safe travels. Only after returning home did they discover the size of his gift 13.
Appearance
Li Yuan is introduced as a slender teenage girl with delicate, pleasing features 2.
Personality
Li Yuan's compassion outweighs her initial fear of Chen Xun. She approaches him while trembling to protect him from the cold, then volunteers more work to make sheltering him affordable. Old Li recognizes that she is especially kindhearted and easily moved by another person's suffering 2 3.
She is curious and playful: she asks about Chen Xun's wooden sword, teases her grandfather about his changing attitude toward their guest, and sometimes laughs at Chen Xun's antics so hard that she pricks herself while sewing 3 5.
She does not covet Chen Xun's earnings or pry into the tiger's sale price. Her admiration for his recovered appearance develops alongside a strong reluctance to part, but she accepts his decision to leave and asks only to see him off 6 11 13.
Abilities & Skills
Needlework
Li Yuan earns money through sewing 3 5.
- Offers to increase her workload to help cover Chen Xun's upkeep, then takes on more sewing during winter 3 5.
Household Work
She helps care for the shared home 4 5.
- Cooks lunch while Old Li and Chen Xun gather firewood 5.
- Sweeps snow from the courtyard and helps clear meals 4 6.
Relationships
- Old Li — Her grandfather and surviving family companion. They support their household together after the drought claims the rest of their immediate family 5 11.
- Chen Xun — A household guest she calls “Brother Chen.” She helps secure his shelter, cares for him through his madness, and becomes deeply attached to him during their roughly six months together 2 3 5 11 13.
- Ji Bochang — The town lord whose famine relief saved her grandfather. Before leaving town, Chen Xun obtains his agreement to look after Old Li's family 10 11.
Notable Quotes
“Grandpa, I can take on more needlework from now on. As for his appetite... how about we limit how much he eats at each meal?” 3
“Brother Chen, when you leave, you have to say goodbye to Grandpa and me! Let us see you off! Don't just leave without a word, all right?” 11
“Brother Chen, safe travels!” 13