LayarHijau – Li Huai’an is one of the important characters in the Chinese costume drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉). The role is played by actor Ren Hao and serves as one of the key supporting characters with a dramatic life journey in the story.
Please note that the explanation below refers to the version of the story in the original novel and therefore contains spoilers. The storyline in the drama adaptation of Pursuit of Jade may differ from the novel.
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Li Huai’an is not a character created specifically for the drama adaptation. He already appears in the original novel that serves as the source material, titled Hou Fu Ren Yu Sha Zhu Dao (侯夫人与杀猪刀). In the novel, Li Huai’an is portrayed as the grandson of a grand tutor from a prominent scholarly family in the capital.
Growing up in such a prestigious family, Li Huai’an received an elite education from a young age. He studied classical texts, military strategy, and various aspects of politics and governance. Because of this background, he is known as a calm and intelligent figure with sharp analytical abilities when dealing with complex situations.
Unlike the drama version of Pursuit of Jade, Li Huai’an in the novel is not portrayed as someone who knows kung fu. Instead, his strengths lie in strategy, planning, and his understanding of political maneuvering and military tactics.
In the drama adaptation, however, Li Huai’an is shown to have kung fu skills and is capable of fighting when necessary. Even so, his core character remains that of a composed and thoughtful man with a strong military education.
In the story, Li Huai’an first meets the female lead, Fan Changyu, when she is running away from bandits who are chasing her. That encounter becomes the beginning of their connection in the narrative.
As the story progresses, Li Huai’an develops feelings for Fan Changyu. However, his love is never returned in the same way. Fan Changyu respects and trusts him, but her heart belongs to the male lead, Xie Zheng.
As a result, the relationship between Li Huai’an and Xie Zheng becomes complicated. Aside from standing on different sides in political and military conflicts, both men also have feelings for the same woman. This creates emotional tension that runs throughout the story.
Despite his deep feelings, Li Huai’an is portrayed as someone who exercises great restraint. He never forces Fan Changyu to return his affection or tries to take her away from Xie Zheng. Instead, he quietly keeps his feelings to himself, making him one of the story’s most tragic examples of unrequited love.
At the same time, Li Huai’an’s life is deeply affected by political turmoil. As a member of a powerful official family, he becomes entangled in the power struggles within the imperial court. Eventually, the Li family becomes involved in a plot to overthrow the powerful prime minister Wei Yan.
The plan ultimately fails, leading to the complete downfall of the Li family. Many members of the family are arrested or punished. During his attempt to escape after the incident, Li Huai’an is eventually captured by Xie Zheng.
Following the court’s judgment, Li Huai’an is sentenced to exile in Suzhou, a harsh and remote frontier region. As a prisoner, he must travel thousands of kilometers on foot to reach the place of exile.
The journey becomes one of the darkest periods of his life. Many of the relatives who were exiled alongside him die along the way due to hunger, illness, or exhaustion. By the time he finally arrives at the frontier, Li Huai’an’s body is already severely weakened, and his health is permanently damaged.
After reaching Suzhou, Li Huai’an abandons his former identity as a nobleman from the capital. He begins living a modest life in the harsh frontier town.
Despite his deteriorating health, he spends his days helping repair the city walls, recording the names of fallen soldiers so they will not be forgotten, and caring for children orphaned by war. He also opens a small school where he teaches them how to read and write.
For decades, Li Huai’an lives quietly in the frontier without ever attempting to return to the capital or seeking a pardon. He accepts his fate and spends the rest of his life in the remote border region.
Near the end of his life, Li Huai’an receives word that Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng still remember and appreciate his past kindness. Hearing this brings him comfort, and he passes away peacefully in the frontier town where he spent the final decades of his life.
Li Huai’an’s story is often considered one of the most tragic arcs in Pursuit of Jade. From a refined nobleman in the capital to a lonely old man living in exile, his life reflects the harsh consequences of political struggles as well as the quiet endurance of a love that was never returned.
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