Madam Xie

Biodata

Background / History

Life in the Xu Family

Madam Xie married Xu Yongyi, the younger brother of the scholar Xu Yongzeng. The brothers’ households were close, and she got along well with her sister-in-law, Lady Lin. She loved Xu Xi as family long before learning that the girl had been switched at birth with Lady Lin’s biological daughter, Zhao Ruyu 3 4.

The family supported itself through Xu Yongyi’s peddling and farmland. Madam Xie tended vegetables, poultry, household chores, and the fields’ water supply. Their income covered daily needs and Xu Chongwen’s schooling but left little spare money. She kept the monthly rent from the first branch’s town house reserved for Xu Xi’s education, dowry, or future needs rather than spending it on her own household 10 36.

Resisting Xu Xi’s Forced Return

When the Marquis of Suiping’s Residence first came to retrieve Xu Xi, Madam Xie asked what would happen to her biological niece, Zhao Ruyu. She was relieved to hear that Ruyu would remain a young lady of the residence and receive a proper dowry 3.

Initially, Madam Xie questioned why Xu Xi would refuse to join her birth parents. After hearing the girl’s concerns about neglect and mistreatment, she promised that neither she nor Xu Yongyi would force her to leave. She also assured Xu Xi that the Xu family remained her home and that she could continue using the town house 3 4.

Pressure from the clan elders and the residence’s servants left Madam Xie worried about accusations of extortion and damage to her children’s prospects. When Xu Xi staged a hanging attempt, Madam Xie rushed to embrace and stop her. The incident forced the visitors to withdraw temporarily 5.

Supporting the Girls’ Education

Madam Xie wanted Xu Xue to attend Beining Women’s Academy but initially abandoned the idea because of tuition costs. She agreed after Xu Xi offered her savings and Xu Yongyi proposed treating the money as a loan. Xu Xi’s promise to regard Xu Xue as her sister regardless of her future status deeply moved her 10 11.

Following Xu Xi’s instructions, Madam Xie helped delay another attempt to take her away while the girls attended their entrance examination. She pretended to be calmly stitching a shoe sole when the visitors arrived, then accompanied Matron Ruan to the county town to look for Xu Xi 16 17 19 20. When she later learned that both girls had passed, she embraced Xu Xue and immediately planned a celebratory meal 31.

Defending Xu Xue’s Identity

Lady Wei’s contemptuous treatment of Madam Xie—and her harsh rejection of Xu Xi—convinced Madam Xie that Xu Xi had correctly judged the dangers of returning. Although she recognized that the residence might offer better marriage prospects, she refused to help force the girl back 18 19.

While Madam Xie was away, Lady Wei mistakenly claimed Xu Xue as her daughter. On returning, Madam Xie was furious. A neighbor pointed out that Xu Xue was the image of Madam Xie in her youth; their resemblance subsequently helped discredit Lady Wei’s claim 25 26.

When Matron Li came to inspect them, Madam Xie confidently stood beside Xu Xue. She then warned that any attempt to seize her daughter would drive her to the capital to beat the grievance drum and demand justice 27 28.

Preparing for Xu Xi’s Departure

After official evidence and the red mole behind Xu Xi’s ear confirmed her identity, Madam Xie reluctantly accepted that she would leave. Before departing, Xu Xi taught her to prepare spicy cold dishes as a possible family business. Madam Xie and Xu Yongyi discussed preparing their town home and finding somewhere to sell the food 33 34 37.

Remembering Lady Wei and Zhao Ruyu’s disdain for their home, Madam Xie repeatedly cleaned the courtyard and house before Lady Zhu’s visit. Lady Zhu treated her warmly and promised that Xu Xi could maintain contact with the Xu family. Madam Xie gratefully accepted that assurance but declined an invitation to accompany them to the residence 38 39. She held back tears while saying goodbye to Xu Xi 41.

Appearance

• Build and complexion: A middle-aged village woman with a plump, short, sturdy appearance and dark, rough skin from regular work 25.
• Facial features: A round face and round eyes, with lips, nose, and facial proportions closely resembling Xu Xue’s 25.
• Younger appearance: A neighbor remembers her as looking almost exactly like Xu Xue when she first married; Xu Yongyi recalls his young wife as sweet and pretty 25.
• Clothing: Wears shabby farm clothing when receiving Lady Wei 18.

Personality

Madam Xie is forthright, spirited, and fiercely protective of her children. Her early hesitation before the marquis’s representatives comes from her belief that the Xu family bears responsibility for the switched children, rather than from a naturally submissive disposition. Once reassured, she regains her confidence and openly challenges attempts to take Xu Xue 4 28.

Her affection for Xu Xi survives the revelation that they are not blood relatives. She refuses to force an unwanted marriage or departure, protects money intended for Xu Xi, and continues worrying about how the girl will be treated after returning to her birth family 3 4 10 25.

Although she warns Xu Xi that bluntness may cause trouble in the marquis’s household, Madam Xie privately approves of both girls’ strong wills. She believes women who are too soft are easily bullied and feels reassured that the sisters can stand up for themselves 29.

Abilities & Skills

Cooking

Madam Xie is a good cook whom Xu Xi trusts to develop recipes from suggested methods 35.

• Learns to make chili oil and spicy cold dishes using kelp, tofu skin, and cucumbers 34.
• Is entrusted with experimenting with a powdered seasoning made from dried shrimp and shiitake mushrooms 35.
• Plans a cold-dish business with Xu Yongyi after Xu Xi’s departure 37.

Household and Farm Work

Madam Xie manages domestic work alongside routine agricultural responsibilities 36.

• Monitors water in the fields, grows vegetables, and raises chickens and ducks 36.
• Stitches shoe soles by hand 17.
• Keeps custody of the town house’s rental income for Xu Xi’s benefit 10.

Relationships

• Xu Yongyi — Husband. They jointly support the children’s education and discuss moving to town to start a cold-dish business 10 37.
• Xu Xi — Niece by upbringing and a beloved member of her household. Madam Xie insists that the identity revelation does not deprive Xu Xi of her place in the family 3 4.
• Xu Xue — Biological daughter. Their striking resemblance counters Lady Wei’s claim, and Madam Xie threatens legal action to protect her 25 28.
• Xu Chongwen — Biological son, whose schooling is supported by the household’s income. Madam Xie also worries that damage to the family’s reputation could affect his official career 1 5 10.
• Zhao Ruyu — Biological niece, raised at the marquis’s residence. Madam Xie initially wants to meet her but becomes wary that Ruyu may resent her poor relations 3 17 18.
• Lady Wei — Xu Xi’s birth mother. Her hostility toward Xu Xi and mistaken claim over Xu Xue turn Madam Xie’s initial deference into anger and resistance 18 25 28.
• Lady Zhu — Marchioness of Suiping. Her courteous reception and assurances about continued family contact leave Madam Xie with a favorable impression 38 39.

Notable Quotes

“This is your home. You can stay as long as you like, and the house in the city is yours too. Auntie won't think anything of it.” 3

“Miss Xue is my own flesh and blood, the child I carried for ten months. No one's going to snatch her away from me.” 28