 |
| Yu Zhongli Reflects on Qi Shu's Journey After Pursuit of Jade Finale and Fans Are Loving It |
Even though Pursuit of Jade has wrapped up, Yu Zhongli clearly is not ready to leave Qi Shu behind. The actress has shared an emotional farewell message reflecting on the historical drama's ending, explaining that the princess she portrayed was far more than a royal figure willing to sacrifice everything for romance. According to Yu Zhongli, Qi Shu's journey was ultimately about finding freedom, discovering her own identity and choosing the life she truly wanted, proving there was much more beneath the flowing robes and palace etiquette.
Posting shortly after the drama reached its finale, Yu Zhongli admitted that saying goodbye to the character was far from easy. She described Qi Shu as someone who transformed "from a noble princess confined within the palace to a free soul," adding that this was the emotional thread she carried throughout filming.
Rather than focusing only on the romantic storyline, the actress wanted viewers to remember the courage it took for the princess to step beyond the walls that had defined her entire life.
She wrote that many audiences might remember Qi Shu simply as "the princess who took off her royal robes for love," but she believes the meaning runs much deeper than that.
"Putting aside her royal robes was not merely choosing love," she explained. "It was choosing to break away from the identity others had written for her. It was her first step towards becoming the person she truly wanted to be."
For Yu Zhongli, Qi Shu's greatest achievement was never about who she loved, but about who she became. "She gradually learned to care for ordinary people, used her medical knowledge to heal those in need, protected the country she loved and found her own value beyond the title of princess," the actress reflected. "That is the Qi Shu I hope everyone remembers."
The actress also shared that portraying the princess changed her own perspective. She said she admired Qi Shu's resilience, kindness and quiet determination, describing her as someone who continued moving forward despite carrying countless responsibilities on her shoulders.
"She wasn't searching for someone to complete her," Yu Zhongli wrote. "She was searching for the freedom to live as herself."
One of the most touching parts of her farewell message came at the end, when Yu Zhongli imagined an alternative future for the beloved character. She hoped that somewhere beyond the story's ending, Qi Shu could finally enjoy the peaceful life that had always seemed just out of reach.
"I hope in another world," she wrote, "she can drift along the rivers of Jiangnan without worries, play chess beneath the trees, admire the changing seasons and spend peaceful days beside the person she loves. May she finally live freely, without the weight of duty pressing on her heart."
That closing wish quickly resonated with viewers, many admitting it felt like an extra ending the series never officially showed. After spending weeks watching palace politics, emotional sacrifices and endless responsibilities, fans joked that Qi Shu had certainly earned a holiday.
Some even laughed that after surviving royal drama after royal drama, the princess deserved unlimited tea, uninterrupted naps and absolutely no palace meetings ever again.
The heartfelt post also encouraged many viewers to revisit the character from a fresh perspective. While some admitted they had originally focused on the romance, others said Yu Zhongli's reflections made them appreciate Qi Shu's personal growth far more than before.
Fans praised the actress for understanding the emotional layers behind the role and said her farewell proved she had genuinely connected with the character rather than simply playing another historical heroine.
Of course, reactions varied. Some fans called the message one of the most beautiful cast farewells to come out of a Chinese drama this year, saying it added emotional depth to the finale.
Others confessed they were already missing Qi Shu and joked that Yu Zhongli somehow managed to make saying goodbye even harder. A few viewers even admitted they were tempted to rewatch the entire series just to notice all the small moments of growth the actress had highlighted.
For Yu Zhongli, Qi Shu now joins the growing list of standout performances in her career following her memorable appearance as Jiang Xuehui in Story of Kunning Palace.
Her latest farewell shows that while Pursuit of Jade may have reached its final episode, the character's journey continues to live on through both the actress and the audience who embraced her story. What do you think about Yu Zhongli's interpretation of Qi Shu? Did her heartfelt message change the way you see the princess, or was that always the story you believed she was telling?