Jiu'er

Biodata

Background / History

Jiu'er fled famine with her parents but ultimately survived alone. Her life changed when Li Dao found her and brought her to the Earl of Anyuan's Residence. She remembered her time there as a happy period of adequate food, warm clothing, and her young master's teasing affection 36.

When he first took her home, Li Dao touched her head, tapped her between the brows, and asked whether she wanted to become his “little tagalong.” This private memory later allowed her to recognize him despite his changed appearance 35.

At the residence, Jiu'er shared responsibility for household affairs with Steward Li Cheng. After the other servants departed, the two were the household's only remaining occupants 34 45.

Appearance

• Petite build: Described as a small figure while digging Li Cheng's grave in the rain 35.
• Pretty, delicate face: Both Li Cheng and the narration remark on her looks 34 35.
• Noticeably thin at Li Dao's return: She admitted that she had been unable to eat properly during his absence 35.

Personality

Jiu'er is fiercely loyal to Li Dao. Believing him dead, she refused to leave his household and declared that she would belong to him even in death. Her grief became so severe that she contemplated putting on bridal robes and dying to join him. His return restored her sense of security, allowing her to sleep soundly for the first time in over three months 34 35.

Her concern for him can override her own fear. Although initially frightened by Northern Barbarian cavalry, she later ignored their corpses to check him thoroughly for injuries. She is also compassionate toward others: she asked to remain in Peach Spring Village longer so its bereaved women would have company 38 40 42.

Jiu'er takes pleasure in serving Li Dao but becomes protective of that role. She immediately objected when he suggested hiring additional maids, then tried to explain her reaction as caution about their unfamiliar surroundings. Despite his affectionate treatment, she continued observing the distinction between master and servant until he insisted that she eat at his table 45 48.

Abilities & Skills

Household Management

Jiu'er had already handled part of the Earl of Anyuan household's affairs before moving to Cloudrise City 45.

• Put their new two-courtyard house in order within three days.
• Arranged furniture, decorations, ornaments, and flowers herself.
• Left Li Dao needing only to run errands for the household 45.

Cooking and Personal Service

• Prepared meals for herself and Li Cheng after the other servants left 34.
• Served tea during Li Dao's storytelling in Peach Spring Village 43.
• Wanted to help Li Dao wash and dress, telling him that serving him made her happy 45.

Social Skills

• Quickly befriended the women living in their Cloudrise City neighborhood.
• Her habit of treating people like old friends helped overcome the neighbors' initial wariness toward the newcomers 45.

Relationships

• Li Dao — Her young master, benefactor, and romantic interest. He brought her home after her famine-stricken childhood; she hoped to become his concubine but is not established as one. His need to provide her with a safe home influenced his decision to settle in Cloudrise City rather than immediately seek out Wei Yun 34 35 36 44.
• Li Cheng / Steward Li — A grandfather figure whom she called “Grandpa Li.” He supported her during the household's collapse, taught her rules of servant etiquette, and entrusted his final letter and burial wish to her 34 35 48.
• Yuanbao — The female mouse adopted by Li Dao. Jiu'er initially feared it, then apologized, accepted it, and named it Yuanbao because “everyone loves gold ingots.” When she briefly grew jealous of the affection Li Dao showed it, the mouse offered her its meat, making her laugh and reconcile with it 41 42 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Collapse of the Earl of Anyuan's Residence

Jiu'er tried to stop departing servants from taking the household's belongings. Li Cheng allowed them to leave and explained that the family's title had been revoked and the Chancellor's Residence intended to seize their home. She refused his advice to leave and marry elsewhere 34.

After finding Li Cheng dead in the ancestral hall, she read his final letter and began fulfilling his request for burial in the rear courtyard. Working through a storm, she dug his grave, injured her hands, and collapsed with a fever. Li Dao caught her, carried her to her room, and finished filling the grave 34 35.

Following his footprints to the ancestral hall, she initially mistook him for a dangerous stranger. His familiar touch, voice, and reenactment of their first meeting convinced her of his identity. She then warned him about the impending seizure and suggested fleeing to keep his survival secret 35.

The two left with her already-packed bundle and watched the Chancellor's men destroy the estate. Although worried about Li Dao's safety, Jiu'er affirmed that she wanted to return someday; he promised to take her somewhere that would make an open return possible 36.

Peach Spring Village

During their journey, Jiu'er and Li Dao encountered Northern Barbarian cavalry occupying a massacred village. At his instruction, she sheltered inside their carriage while he fought, silently cheering him on. Once the fighting ended, she checked him for injuries rather than recoiling from the dead 38 39 40.

She welcomed Yuanbao into their household and asked Li Dao to stay longer for the surviving women's sake. Their visit lasted ten days before they resumed traveling 41 42 43.

A New Home in Cloudrise City

Jiu'er worried that Li Dao's enlistment would mean abandoning her. Instead, he bought a house in a neighborhood inhabited by soldiers' families, prioritizing her safety during his expected absences. She welcomed the smaller home because it would let her remain closer to him 44 45.

After organizing the house and befriending their neighbors, she continued managing their domestic life while Li Dao pursued enlistment. She later received and handed him the official letter ordering him to report to Yellow Sand Town Camp 45 48 50.

Notable Quotes

“In life, I belong to the young master. In death, I'll be his ghost. I'm not leaving.” 34

“I'm not scared of them. I'm much more scared of you getting hurt, young master.” 40

“I'm not tired. Serving you makes me happy.” 45