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| Why Fans Are Talking About Fan Changyu’s Parents in Pursuit of Jade. (Credits: Tencent Video) |
The historical romance drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉) has launched to strong viewership and immediate discussion, with audiences quickly drawn not only to its central romance but also to the unusual background of its heroine Fan Changyu. Early episodes have already hinted that her parents may have been far more significant than the simple life they appeared to live, a detail that has become one of the most talked-about elements of the story.
The series stars Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei, Kong Xue’er, Deng Kai, Li Qing, Yu Zhong, Ren Hao, Liu Lin, Yan Kuan, Yue Yang, Du Chun, Tan Kai, Mao Linlin, Ye Zuxin, Yu Yang, and Li Jianyi. Even before its premiere, the costume drama had already built considerable anticipation, surpassing 10 million reservations from viewers.
Within hours of its debut, it climbed to the top of popularity rankings on both iQIYI and Tencent Video, quickly positioning itself among the most closely watched historical romance dramas of the year.
It is worth noting that much of the discussion around character backgrounds currently comes from the original novel that inspired the drama. The television adaptation may adjust certain storylines, relationships, or revelations as the plot develops.
At the centre of the story is Fan Changyu, a young woman raised in a butcher’s household. After the deaths of her parents, she is forced to run the family business on her own while defending her home from opportunistic relatives.
On the surface, her background appears ordinary. But readers of the original novel know that the truth about Fan Changyu’s parents is far more complex than it first seems. Their identities and past connections hint that the seemingly humble butcher family may have been tied to deeper political or social circles.
The drama has only lightly touched on these details so far, leaving viewers speculating about what the adaptation will eventually reveal.
Fan Changyu’s life changes during a snowstorm when she finds an injured stranger collapsed outside her home. The man is Xie Zheng, portrayed by Zhang Linghe.
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| Pursuit of Jade Premieres Strongly as Fans Question the Truth Behind Fan Changyu’s Family |
Unknown to her, he is a marquis living under a false identity while quietly preparing to settle a decades-old score linked to the destruction of his family seventeen years earlier.
Fan Changyu saves him despite having little money of her own. She even pawns her silver hairpin to cover his medical treatment, a gesture that forms the emotional starting point of their relationship.
In return for her kindness and to help protect her property from her greedy uncle Fan Da, Xie Zheng agrees to marry her and become a live-in son-in-law. The arrangement begins as a practical solution but soon grows into something far more meaningful.
Despite the domestic calm, Xie Zheng continues to communicate with trusted allies through a messenger falcon. Through them he learns that after Chongzhou fell, the army in Yanzhou has been left without leadership.
Unable to abandon his soldiers, he quietly prepares to leave once he recovers from his injuries. To Fan Changyu, he maintains the story that he is merely a caravan guard, and she accepts his explanation without suspicion.
Their fragile peace shatters when soldiers begin rounding up outsiders living in Xi Gu Lane and forcing them into military service. Although his true identity remains hidden, Xie Zheng joins the army voluntarily.
What follows becomes one of the drama’s most striking moments. Refusing to remain behind, Fan Changyu takes up her butcher knife and heads toward the battlefield, determined to find her husband and demand justice.
Online reactions have been mixed but lively. Some viewers praise the drama for its strong start and emotional storytelling, particularly the chemistry between Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. Others are more focused on the mysteries surrounding Fan Changyu’s family background.
A number of fans believe the adaptation may expand on the novel’s revelations about her parents, while others suspect the television version could introduce entirely new twists.
There is also discussion about the pacing of the early episodes. Some viewers say the romance develops quickly but effectively, while others argue that the political storyline surrounding Xie Zheng’s revenge will likely dominate later chapters.
With high reservation numbers and strong early rankings, Pursuit of Jade has clearly secured attention from drama fans across major streaming platforms. Yet the real test will come as the story begins unveiling its deeper layers, including the truth behind Fan Changyu’s parents and the wider conflict surrounding Xie Zheng’s past.
For now, viewers are watching closely to see whether the adaptation follows the novel’s path or takes the story in a different direction. As the episodes continue, fans are already sharing theories, debating character motives, and comparing scenes with the original story. What do you think about the early twists in Pursuit of Jade so far — and do you believe Fan Changyu’s family history will become the drama’s biggest reveal?