Xiao Muzhi

Biodata

Background

Xiao Muzhi grew up in Ru'an Commandery with his elder sister, Xiao Yiliu. Their parents died early, and Elder Xiao—his maternal grandmother’s elder sister—raised him herself. Although she never married, Elder Xiao regarded him as the closest of her younger sister’s grandchildren, and he addressed her as “Grandmother” 39 43 47.

He came from a household where those around him were gentle and refined. Shortly after arriving in the Capital, he sought treatment at Jihe Hall; an encounter on the way introduced him to Bai Mo 6 29.

Appearance

Xiao Muzhi is exceptionally handsome, with refined features and a serene, scholarly bearing 6 29.

• Eyes and complexion: Ink-dark eyes and a somewhat sickly pale complexion at his first appearance 6.
• Build and manner: Tall and upright, with graceful movements and a noble air 6 50.
• Voice: Clear, steady, and pleasant to hear 49.
• Clothing: Wears black robes at the poetry gathering. For the formal betrothal visit, he wears dark red brocade embroidered with gold and a jade crown holding up half his hair—more flamboyant attire than his usual style 29 50.

Personality

Xiao Muzhi is courteous, gentle, and normally reserved around unfamiliar women. Xiao Yiliu is surprised when he approaches Bai Mo at the poetry gathering, since she does not consider him rash. He is easily embarrassed by attention to his feelings, often blushing or lowering his eyes 30 33.

His restraint does not prevent him from acting decisively. He risks his reputation to give Bai Mo an alibi and later openly declares his wish to marry her. He understands that she loves Shen Qing, but fears that passing up this opportunity would mean losing his only chance with her 32 43 45.

According to Xiao Yiliu, he values love and loyalty above wealth or prestige and prefers books and learning. His parents’ early deaths leave him longing for familial affection; he hopes to treat Bai Mo’s mother and uncle as his own family after marriage 48 50.

Abilities & Skills

Poetry and Literary Learning

Xiao Muzhi is an accomplished poet whose work receives public recognition 29.

• His “Ode to the Peony” places second in the young gentlemen’s competition at Princess Ping'an’s poetry gathering, behind Shen Qing’s “Lotus Hues” 29.
• He is surprised to finish behind another entrant, having underestimated Shen Qing’s literary ability 29.

Situational Judgment

Xiao Muzhi recognizes the complications of asking his grandmother to intervene in Bai Mo’s public scandal 31.

• He stops Xiao Yiliu from summoning Great Master Xiao, explaining that her recent acceptance of Bai Mo as a disciple would put her in a difficult position before the crowd 31.
• He instead finds Bai Mo and supplies an alibi that undermines the accusation against her 32.

Cooking

• He makes mille-layer pastries for Bai Mo after hearing that she likes peach blossom cake, substituting osmanthus because peach blossoms are unavailable in the Capital at that time of year 48.

Story Role / Major Arcs

First Meeting with Bai Mo

• While Xiao Muzhi is ill and traveling to see a physician, Bai Yuanshuang delays his carriage and presses him for an introduction. He responds distantly and asks to leave 6.
• Bai Mo intervenes, orders Bai Yuanshuang’s servant to release his attendant, and urges him to continue to the physician 6.
• Accustomed to refined company, Xiao Muzhi initially finds Bai Mo vulgar but also unexpectedly endearing. He thanks her with a softened gaze 6.

Poetry Gathering and False Accusation

• Xiao Muzhi recognizes Bai Mo at Princess Ping'an’s gathering and admires her poetry. His friends tease him about marrying her, while he repeatedly looks in her direction 29.
• Xiao Yiliu formally introduces them. He hopes to speak with Bai Mo further but withdraws when she becomes absorbed in conversation with his sister 30.
• When the Third Princess accuses Bai Mo of an affair with her attendant lord, Xiao Muzhi leaves to seek another way to help rather than involve his grandmother 31.
• Finding Bai Mo back in the garden, he proposes that they claim to have been admiring lotuses together. Bai Mo carries him to the lakeside pavilion before the search party arrives, startling him with her martial ability 32.
• He publicly testifies that Bai Mo never left the pavilion. His willingness to stake his reputation on her defense makes the crowd question the accusation 32.
• Princess Ping'an then encourages speculation that they are romantically involved. Xiao Yiliu objects to the damage this could do to her brother’s reputation 33.
• Outside the residence, Bai Yuanshuang blocks his carriage again. He demands that she behave properly and stop insulting Bai Mo; Bai Mo intervenes once more 34 35.

Drunken Kiss and Marriage Agreement

• After Shen Qing rejects Bai Mo’s marriage proposal, Xiao Muzhi and Xiao Yiliu keep her company while she drinks and escort her home 42.
• In the carriage, Bai Mo mistakes him for Shen Qing, embraces him, and kisses him. Xiao Muzhi initially prevents his sister from interrupting, but hearing Bai Mo repeatedly call Shen Qing’s name leaves him hurt 42 43.
• Their families discover the intimacy when the carriage arrives. Asked how he wishes to proceed, Xiao Muzhi declares that he will marry Bai Mo if she agrees 43.
• Once sober, Bai Mo initially refuses, explaining that she has no romantic feelings for him and will not force him into marriage. Xiao Muzhi returns, confesses his love, and asks her to cherish him; she agrees to take responsibility and marry him 44 45.
• He later tells Xiao Yiliu that he fell in love when Bai Mo carried him during the pavilion escape. Knowing she still loves Shen Qing, he nevertheless hopes that affection will grow after marriage 45.

Betrothal Preparations

• Bai Mo leaves the choice of their future residence to Xiao Muzhi. He selects the property beside the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State because it has a large lake and a main house surrounded by water on three sides 46 49.
• Their families arrange to exchange birth records, consult the temple for an auspicious date, and hold the wedding in the ninth month 49.
• During a private garden conversation, he shares his longing for parental affection and promises to care for Bai Mo’s family. Her reassurance that they will also be his family brings them closer 50.
• On the twentieth day of the seventh month, Bai Mo’s household brings fifty loads of betrothal gifts to the Xiao Residence. Xiao Muzhi receives his friends’ teasing without embarrassment and affirms that he was right to seize his chance 50.

Relationships

• Bai Mo — His fiancée and first romantic attachment. He admires her wit, loyalty, and respect for men’s feelings, while recognizing that her love for Shen Qing remains an obstacle 45 48.
• Xiao Yiliu — His protective elder sister. She defends his reputation and asks Bai Mo to love, respect, and protect him rather than marry him solely out of obligation 33 47 48.
• Xiao He / Great Master Xiao — His maternal grandmother and head academician of Xiaoshan Academy. He is described as her most beloved grandchild; she readily approves his match with her disciple Bai Mo 28 32 45.
• Elder Xiao — His grandmother’s elder sister and the woman who raised him. She is fiercely protective of him and had already suggested him as a suitable match for Bai Mo 39 43.
• Shen Qing / Young Master Qingya — The man Bai Mo loves and his romantic rival. Xiao Muzhi also places behind him at the poetry gathering 29 43 45.
• Li Ce and Qi Mengzhou — Close friends who tease him about pursuing Bai Mo and celebrate his successful betrothal 29 50.
• Bai Yuanshuang — An unwanted pursuer who twice obstructs his carriage. He rebuffs her familiarity and objects to her disparaging Bai Mo 6 34.

Notable Quotes

“I don't consider myself any worse than young master Shen. If eldest miss Bai is willing, I'm willing to marry her.” 43

“I don't mind. As long as there's a place for me in her heart, I'll be content.” 45

“When something needs snatching, you have to snatch it.” 50

Trivia

• He prefers lighter-flavored pastries 49.
• His fondness for water directly influences his choice of marital residence 49.