Xu Xue

Biodata

Background

Xu Xue is the daughter of Xu Yongyi and Madam Xie and the younger sister of Xu Chongwen. She grew up in Little Banyan Village, where villagers had known her since birth. Her scholarly uncle, Xu Yongzeng, taught her to read and write alongside Xu Xi 1 26 36.

Her father worked as a small trader and limited the family's farming workload so that his wife and daughter would not have to labor excessively. Xu Xue helped with household work but also had time for reading, writing, embroidery, and other needlework. After Xu Xi came to live with the family, the girls became close companions, chatting together and reading storybooks Xu Chongwen brought home from school 36.

Appearance

Xu Xue has a sweet sort of beauty, distinct from Xu Xi's more striking appearance 21.

• Face: Round, with dimples that appear when she smiles 21.
• Eyes: Large and almond-shaped 21 41.
• Family resemblance: Her eyes, nose, lips, and face shape closely resemble Madam Xie's. Villagers describe her as the image of her mother when young 25.
• Superficial resemblance to Lady Wei: Their similar round faces and large eyes contribute to Lady Wei's mistaken claim that Xu Xue is her daughter 21.

Personality

Xu Xue is lively, innocent, and rather carefree. Before the academy examination, Xu Xi eases her nerves by suggesting that she treat the visit as an outing. Her honesty is equally instinctive: although three taels of silver astonish her, she immediately rejects the idea of keeping money that belongs to someone else 12 13.

Her trusting nature does not prevent her from noticing inconsistencies. When Xu Xi questions a woman's claim to a lost purse, Xu Xue catches on, notices the woman's unease, and refuses to surrender it without verification. She also quickly understands when Xu Xi gives her an opportunity to speak before the examiners 13 14.

She is openly affectionate and strongly attached to her family, often seeking shelter behind Xu Xi when frightened. Despite this dependence, she begins to embrace her cousin's determination to resist bullying and live independently rather than at other people's command 21 23 29.

Abilities & Skills

Reading and Writing

Xu Xue received her early education from Xu Yongzeng and is described as clever, with respectable reading and writing skills 36.

• Continued reading and writing at home before applying to the academy 36.
• Completed the academy's written entrance examination within the allotted time 15.

Storytelling

Xu Xue enjoys inventing stories and has already written short pieces for amusement. Both the original Xu Xi and the transmigrated Xu Xi consider her work good 36 37.

• Draws inspiration from storybooks brought home by Xu Chongwen 36.
• Begins planning a storybook after Xu Xi suggests writing as a means of earning money 37.
• Has not yet been shown selling or publishing her work in the supplied chapters 37.

Needlework

• Studies embroidery and other needlework during her free time at home 36.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Helping Xu Xi Delay Her Return

When representatives of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence attempt to take Xu Xi away, Xu Xue raises the alarm that her sister is hanging herself. She embraces Xu Xi alongside Madam Xie and begs her not to die. The public disturbance makes it difficult for the representatives to remove Xu Xi by force without causing a scandal, and they leave to report back 4 5.

Beining Women's Academy Entrance Examination

Xu Xue's opportunity to attend the academy comes through Xu Xi, who offers her savings to cover both girls' tuition and supplies. Xu Yongyi agrees to treat the money as a loan, deciding that skills and education are more valuable than merely saving for his daughter's dowry. Xu Xue is so excited by the prospect that she cannot sleep 10 11.

During the entrance examination, she spots a red purse containing three taels of silver. The girls decide to give it to the examiners, then encounter a woman who claims ownership but cannot identify its contents. Xu Xue refuses to hand it over without confirmation; when the woman threatens them, Xu Xi leads her away at a run. At the examination hall, Xu Xue supplies a description of the woman. Unbeknownst to her, the encounter is a staged test that both girls pass 12 13 14.

The posted admissions list names Xu Xi first and Xu Xue second among forty-six successful applicants. They exchange their examination tokens for engraved academy tokens and receive enrollment instructions 29.

Lady Wei's Mistaken Claim

Lady Wei mistakes Xu Xue for her lost daughter, seizes her arm, and accuses the Xu family of substituting another girl. Frightened and hurt, Xu Xue insists that she is Xu Yongyi and Madam Xie's daughter. She later refuses Lady Wei's offers of dresses, jewelry, and a wealthy marriage, clinging to Xu Xi rather than agreeing to leave 21 23.

The dispute weakens when a neighbor points out Xu Xue's unmistakable resemblance to Madam Xie. Village testimony also establishes that she has grown up locally and is younger than Xu Xi. Matron Li subsequently examines mother and daughter together and recognizes Lady Wei's mistake; Xu Xi's identity as the switched child is later confirmed through a red mole behind her ear 25 26 28 32.

Writing Plans and Xu Xi's Departure

Xu Xi encourages Xu Xue to pursue financial independence through storytelling rather than dismiss her existing abilities. After reading her earlier work, Xu Xi believes that practice could enable her to write marketable storybooks. Xu Xue responds enthusiastically and begins thinking up a book 36 37.

She nevertheless struggles with Xu Xi's impending departure for the marquis's residence, crying until reassured that they will soon attend the academy together or share the county-seat home. When Xu Xi finally leaves with Lady Zhu, Xu Xue bids her a tearful farewell 34 41.

Relationships

• Xu Xi / Zhao Ruxi — Her cousin through the Xu family, whom she treats as an elder sister. Xu Xi funds her educational opportunity, protects her during the identity dispute, and encourages her writing ambitions 10 23 36 45.
• Xu Yongyi — Her father. Supports her education and refuses to surrender either girl to the marquis's household without proof of identity 10 22.
• Madam Xie — Her mother. Fiercely rejects Lady Wei's claim and threatens to seek justice if anyone attempts to take Xu Xue by force 28.
• Xu Chongwen — Her elder brother. Protects both girls from childhood and brings home the storybooks that help nurture her interest in fiction 36 38.
• Xu Yongzeng — Her late paternal uncle and first teacher, who taught her alongside Xu Xi 11 36.
• Lady Wei — Mistakenly claims Xu Xue as her biological daughter; Xu Xue repeatedly refuses to accompany her to the marquis's residence 21 23.

Notable Quotes

“It belongs to someone else, so how could we keep it? Whoever lost it must be worried sick.” 13

“I think I should be like her: strong-willed and not living at other people's beck and call.” 29