Qin Sanyue

Biodata

Background / History

Life as a Beggar

Before meeting Ye Fu, she had only the surname Qin and was known as “Girl Qin.” An older beggar she called Grandpa Huang looked after her, but he disappeared after going out to beg. Without his protection, she became afraid of the adult beggars around her, recognizing their sexual intentions toward her 15.

Her experience of violence began much earlier: at eight years old, she witnessed an older beggar stomp a younger beggar to death over food 50.

Joining Ye Fu’s Household

Qin applied for Ye Fu’s housekeeping position despite having no experience with housework. When he initially refused, she offered to learn within half a day and work without wages if he would give her somewhere to stay. Her explanation of the danger she faced, and her insistence that she wanted to remain a “clean person,” persuaded him to take her in 15.

Ye Fu named her Qin Sanyue because it was the third month. He explicitly described her as an employee and resident of his home, asked her to address him as “Teacher Ye,” and provided a room, shopping money, and funds for new clothes 16.

When three beggars waited outside to reclaim her as their supposed property, Ye Fu accompanied her out and confronted them. His enchanted copper coin protected her and pinned their leader to the ground. With his encouragement, she retrieved the coin from the man she feared most; Ye Fu then placed restrictions on the three men that prevented their return to Black Stone City 17 18 19.

At the Cloth Robe Workshop, Qin remained anxious about dirtying the merchandise and being unwelcome. Ye Fu insisted that she choose attractive fabric and personally made her two outfits. After returning home, he taught her a hairstyle and had her tend the fire while he cooked dinner 19 20 23 25.

Life at Three Flavors Study

Qin helped establish Ye Fu’s school by arranging classroom furniture and posting recruitment notices at busy intersections. She subsequently collected tuition, managed purchases, kept accounts, and maintained the courtyard 26 29 30 40 41.

While handling visitors, she turned away the white-clad Qu Hongxiao on Ye Fu’s instructions. Her final request that Qu leave coincided with the collapse of Qu’s already-fragile Mind of a Clear Mirror; the incident was not presented as an intentional attack by Qin 24 25.

Qin also witnessed the radiant sage figure produced by Ye Fu’s reading. She remembered its resemblance to him despite measures that Ye Fu expected would make witnesses forget. Although he discouraged further discussion, she privately wondered whether Teacher Ye was the sage 28 29.

The Rainy-Day Incidents

Qin found an unconscious white-haired young man outside in heavy rain and brought him to the study. When he recognized Qu Hongxiao and tried to flee, she caught him as he collapsed. Ye Fu asked her to determine whether he actually wanted her assistance 48.

After the young man left, Qin expected to be scolded for helping him. Instead, Ye Fu affirmed that charity was not wrong and advised her to make sure others needed her help before intervening 49.

Later, while buying a carving knife for Ye Fu, Qin picked up an expensive umbrella blown into her path and looked for its owner. At the mouth of an alley, she discovered Zhong Suihua’s body beside a tall woman. Recognizing the shopkeeper who had recently treated her kindly, Qin cried out “Murder!” and stood overwhelmed by shock 49 50.

Appearance

Qin Sanyue is a tall, slender adolescent with delicate features and a conspicuous scar across her right eye. After bathing and changing out of her beggar’s clothing, her fresh, youthful appearance becomes much more apparent 15 25 43.

• Scar: Runs vertically across her right eyebrow and entire eye socket. She sometimes draws her hair over it or tries to cover it when feeling self-conscious 15 19 35.
• Hair: Initially shoulder-length and worn loose; previously, she simply cut it when it grew long 25.
• Hairstyle: Ye Fu leaves locks at her temples, ties the upper portion into a ponytail, and lets the remaining hair fall naturally 25.
• Clothing: Chooses jade-green fabric for the two outfits Ye Fu makes for her 20 23.
• Presence: Qu Hongxiao and the white-haired young man both notice an unusually pure quality about her 45 48.

Personality

Qin is honest, shy, and initially deeply insecure about her usefulness and appearance. She admits that she cannot do housework or cook rather than pretending otherwise, but repeatedly offers to learn. Her fear of the beggars does not disappear immediately after receiving magical protection; she gains enough courage to face them through Ye Fu’s reassurance 15 16 17 19 25.

She takes her responsibilities seriously and dislikes being idle, even sweeping an already-clean courtyard to keep herself occupied. Her thrift appears in her preference for growing vegetables rather than flowers, since vegetables would provide food and save money. Although she carefully hides and checks the household funds, Ye Fu recognizes that she treasures them as proof of his trust and of the secure life she has gained, rather than simply for their monetary value 30 41 45.

Her kindness is shaped by remembering what it was like to have no one to help her. She rescues the injured young man and worries about his attempt to leave, then tries to return a stranger’s lost umbrella. She is also emotionally responsive to stories, crying at Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai and continuing to listen to A Chinese Ghost Story despite being frightened 42 48 50.

Abilities & Skills

Household Management

Qin develops practical competence after entering Ye Fu’s service, despite beginning without domestic experience 15 40 41.

• Handles shopping, tuition collection, bookkeeping, and household money 29 30 41.
• Keeps the courtyard clean and plants flowers according to Ye Fu’s written instructions 40 41.
• Assists with cooking by tending the fire; she initially cannot cook herself 25.
• Breaks two plates and a bowl during an early attempt at washing dishes 26.

Hairstyling

Qin learns the hairstyle Ye Fu demonstrates and later reproduces it for Hu Lan 25 35.

• Successfully recreates the overall style, though some details fall short of Ye Fu’s work 35.
• Completes Hu Lan’s request after Ye Fu encourages her to trust her own ability 35.

Unexplained Traits

• Retained memory: Remembers the sage manifestation when Ye Fu expects that she should have been guided into forgetting it. The reason is not explained 29.
• Pure presence: Her company puts Qu Hongxiao at ease. The injured white-haired young man finds her presence refreshing to his heart and mind, but no named technique or cultivation realm is assigned to Qin 45 48.

Equipment / Items

• Enchanted copper coin — Given to her by Ye Fu for protection. While she holds it, observers cannot harbor ill intentions toward her; the three beggars even fail to recognize her. Ye Fu later adds a Clear Heart Incantation to calm her nervousness in the crowded workshop 16 18 21.
• Two green outfits — Personally made by Ye Fu and treasured by Qin. When Qu Hongxiao borrows one, she discovers that it accelerates cultivation and the deduction of Divine Abilities, clears the mind, and protects against Qi Deviation 23 26 43 45.
• Locked wooden money box — Holds the household’s silver leaves and copper coins. Qin conceals it beneath a stone slab behind a cabinet beside her bed 41.
• Key on a red cord — Worn around her neck and kept against her chest; opens the money box 41.

Relationships

• Ye Fu — Employer, protector, and the person she calls “Teacher Ye.” He gives her a name and home, teaches her practical skills, and entrusts her with the household finances. She admires both his learning and craftsmanship 16 22 25 41.
• Grandpa Huang — Older beggar who protected her before disappearing. His absence leaves her vulnerable to the other adult beggars 15.
• Qu Hongxiao — Ye Fu’s first student, whom Qin calls “Sister Hongxiao.” Qu is fond of her pure disposition, borrows her clothes, and shares an umbrella with her during a shopping errand 30 43 45.
• Hu Lan — Younger girl who addresses her as “Sister Sanyue.” Qin styles her hair and personally escorts her home after dinner 34 35 36.
• Hu Zhifu — Hu Lan’s father. Pays Qin for his daughter’s meals and asks her not to spoil Hu Lan, suggesting that she be given chores 41.
• Zhong Suihua — Cloth Robe Workshop proprietor who welcomes Qin despite a clerk’s hostility and later offers her cloth. Qin is devastated upon discovering her murdered 20 50.
• White-haired young man — Injured stranger Qin rescues from the rain. His refusal to remain at the study prompts Ye Fu’s lesson about respecting whether someone wants assistance 48 49.

Notable Quotes

“I really don't want that. I want to be a clean person.” 15

“From now on, my name is Qin Sanyue.” 16

“From now on, I never want to eat anyone else's cooking again.” 25