Lin Daiyu

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Family and childhood

Daiyu descends from a Lin family whose hereditary marquisate lasted through her grandfather's generation. Her father, Lin Ruhai, could no longer inherit the title and instead advanced through the Imperial Examinations, eventually becoming Salt Commissioner of Jiangzhe Prefecture 44 45.

Her mother died when she was young. With her father away serving as an official, Daiyu grew up in the Jia Mansion under her maternal grandmother, Jia Mu. Despite its luxury, she resented living under another family's roof and repeatedly sought permission to visit her father 22 35.

Stay with the Song family

Daiyu visits the Song household after Song Linshi renews contact with her branch of the family. Song Linshi and Song Yuanshan hope to arrange a marriage between her and Song Xuan, but he rejects the prospect because she is too young 22.

Song Xuan recommends body-strengthening martial arts for her frail constitution, and Song Qian agrees to teach her. Daiyu eagerly embraces the possibility of roaming the jianghu without needing anyone else's approval 25 28.

During a spring outing with Song Qian and Lu Qingshuang, she helps discover a woman hanging in a grove. The ensuing investigation changes her impression of Song Xuan: she recognizes that his intelligence and resourcefulness extend beyond his fighting ability 26 28.

Departure from the Jia Mansion

When the Song siblings receive assignments in Jiangzhe Prefecture, Daiyu asks to accompany them because she has not seen her father in years. Song Xuan agrees after apologizing for mistakenly assuming Lin Ruhai was dead 33.

Jia Mu initially refuses permission, citing the dangers of the journey, while Jia She turns away Daiyu's cousins at the gate. Song Xuan and Song Qian summon the Black Robe Guards, forcing the household to reconsider. Daiyu affirms her wish to leave, kowtows to her grandmother three times, and departs with her cousins under the guards' escort 34 35 36.

Southbound journey and the bride's revenge

Daiyu suffers seasickness during the voyage south. At a harbor stop, she and her cousins attend a village wedding. That night, Song Qian's telling of the Legend of the White Snake captivates her so completely that she stays awake until dawn 37 38 39.

The following day, the newlywed bride reports that her husband's family has been murdered. After the bride dies by poisoning herself, Daiyu insists on accompanying her cousins to witness punishment of the culprit 39 40.

At the manor, Daiyu asks to kill the wounded prefect's son herself. Trembling and visibly frightened, she drives a saber into his chest. She explains that sharing responsibility for the killing demonstrates her loyalty and removes any concern that she might expose her cousins 41.

Reunion in Yangzhou

Upon reaching Yangzhou, Daiyu learns that her father is bedridden and gravely ill. She uses a jade pendant to gain entry to the guarded Salt Commission Office and rushes to his bedside 44 45.

Song Xuan discovers poison in Lin Ruhai's incense and saves him with a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, although the damage leaves him with approximately ten years to live. Father and daughter reunite tearfully: Lin Ruhai regrets sending her away, while Daiyu asks never to be left alone again 46.

Afterward, Daiyu receives her cousins warmly, offering osmanthus cake and arranging a meal. Their departure for official business leaves her visibly disappointed 47.

Appearance

Daiyu is a delicate, beautiful girl whose frailty is compared to the ailing Xi Shi. Song Xuan later observes that, despite her youth, she already shows signs of exceptional beauty 22 36.

• Build: Thin arms and legs, with a constitution Song Xuan considers too weak 25 38.
• Voice: Soft and delicate, likened to golden pearls falling onto a jade plate 22.
• First-seen clothing: A pale blue-green, cloud-patterned gown with a front opening 22.
• Eyes: Described as radiant as stars during her conversation with Song Xuan aboard the ship 43.

Personality

Daiyu is sensitive and easily moved to tears, but she is not passive. Song Qian initially mistakes her gentleness for a calculated innocent act, then revises that judgment after learning about her childhood. Daiyu herself explains that her sharp tongue at the Jia Mansion was a means of preserving dignity, not a preference for quarrels or manipulation 22 38.

She values freedom and family more than aristocratic comfort. Her refusal to abandon the journey to her father remains firm even while she cries before Jia Mu. She also envies Song Qian's lightness skills and delights in the prospect of an independent life in the jianghu 28 29 35.

Her wit becomes more apparent around her cousins: she sarcastically praises Song Qian's faulty arithmetic and questions whether anyone—even an emperor—can truly act without restraint. Her killing of the prefect's son shows that fear does not prevent her from acting on her sense of obligation 33 41 42.

Abilities & Skills

Literary aptitude

Daiyu is described as naturally bright and gifted in poetry 22.

• Takes a sustained interest in Song Xuan's poetic wedding blessing and its source 38.
• Questions him about poetry, verse, rhapsodies, and Imperial Examination essays 43.
• Recognizes the literary quality of his quoted verses and suspects he composed them because she has never encountered them in poetry collections 43.

Foundational martial arts

Daiyu begins training to strengthen her body rather than as an established combatant 25 33.

• Practices horse stance under Song Qian's supervision 33.
• Requires Song Xuan to carry her when the group travels rapidly using lightness skills 39.
• Kills an already wounded opponent with a two-handed saber thrust; the scene does not establish mastery of saber techniques 41.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Jade pendant — Presented to the Salt Soldiers to verify her identity and obtain entry to her father's office 45.
• Long saber, briefly used — Picked up from the ground to kill the wounded prefect's son; not identified as a permanent weapon 41.

Relationships

• Lin Ruhai — Father and Salt Commissioner of Jiangzhe Prefecture. Daiyu longs to return to him and is willing to share hardship rather than remain separated 33 45 46.
• Jia Mu — Maternal grandmother and childhood guardian. Daiyu acknowledges her affection but insists on leaving despite her opposition 33 35.
• Song Xuan — Distant older cousin through his mother's Lin-family connections. A proposed marriage is rejected by him because of her age; he protects her departure, escorts her south, and saves her father 22 34 35 46 47.
• Song Qian — Older cousin, martial arts teacher, and close companion. Their initial friction develops into affectionate teasing and a shared dream of roaming the jianghu 22 28 33.
• Song Linshi — Distant aunt who welcomes Daiyu into the Song household and hopes she will marry Song Xuan 22 34.
• Jia She — Obstructs her departure and insults her cousins. Daiyu pointedly ignores him when leaving the mansion 34 36.
• Nanny Wu — Welcomes Daiyu back to the Salt Commission Office and guides her to Lin Ruhai's room 45.

Notable Quotes

“If I could enjoy peaceful days, why would I want to trade barbs and play mind games with them?” 38

“You trust me because you're generous-hearted, Cousin. But I must know how to conduct myself too. What needs to be done still has to be done.” 41

“I'm not afraid of sharing hardships with you. I only ask that you never leave me alone again...” 46