Pursuit of Jade Novel Ending Explained: How the Main Leads Uncover the Truth Behind Their Parents' Deaths
LayarHijau.com – The C-drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉), starring Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei, Kong Xueer, Deng Kai, Li Qing, Yu Zhongli, Ren Hao, Liu Lin, Yan Kuan, Yue Yang, Du Chun, Tan Kai, Mao Linlin, and Ye Zuxin, has just premiered. The series stays faithful to the original novel, weaving together political intrigue, family vendettas, warfare, and a long-running investigation led by Xie Zheng and Fan Changyu.
Disclaimer: The explanation below covers the novel’s ending and contains spoilers. The drama version may differ from the novel.
Fan Changyu is an orphan living with her younger sister, making a living as a pig butcher. She rescues Xie Zheng, who is on the run due to political conflict. To repay her, Xie Zheng enters the Fan household by pretending to marry her. Over time, their relationship turns into genuine love.
As the story unfolds, Fan Changyu’s true background is revealed to be far more complex. Her grandfather is General Meng Zhuyuan, who once served under Xie Linshan—Xie Zheng’s father. Meanwhile, her father, Wei Qilin, was not born into nobility. He was purchased by the Wei family as a child and trained as an assassin. Due to his exceptional strength and martial skills, he became part of the Wei family’s core forces.
After Wei Yan married his younger sister to Xie Linshan, the relationship between the Xie and Wei families grew closer. Wei Qilin later came under Xie Linshan’s command and earned Meng Zhuyuan’s recognition. Eventually, Meng Zhuyuan married his daughter, Meng Lihua, to Wei Qilin. From this marriage, Fan Changyu and her younger sister were born.
The tragedy began when Jinzhou, a border city of the Da Yin Kingdom, was invaded by the Northern Yue forces. Xie Linshan and Crown Prince Chengde led the defense, but the situation quickly deteriorated. Supplies ran low, and their troops were insufficient to withstand the enemy.
Seeing the crisis, the late Emperor ordered Meng Zhuyuan to transport food supplies to Jinzhou. Accompanying him was the Sixteenth Prince, the Emperor’s favored son born to Consort Jia. The Emperor had once considered making the Sixteenth Prince the Crown Prince, but abandoned the idea due to Crown Prince Chengde’s strong reputation.
During the journey, the Sixteenth Prince learned that Luocheng had been attacked and its citizens taken hostage by Northern Yue forces. Driven by ambition, he insisted on rescuing the city. However, he failed and was captured instead. The enemy then threatened to execute him unless the food supplies were handed over.
Caught in a dilemma, Meng Zhuyuan sent a letter to the Emperor asking for instructions. The reply came in the form of a letter from Wei Yan, along with the Tiger Tally, granting military authority. In the letter, Wei Yan stated that the Emperor had ordered Meng Zhuyuan to proceed to Luocheng to rescue the Sixteenth Prince, while food supplies to Jinzhou would instead be delivered from Chongzhou.
The Tiger Tally was carried by Wei Qilin, who was tasked with meeting Sui Tuo, the ruler of Chongzhou—later known as Prince Changxin. Wei Qilin was supposed to request Sui Tuo to dispatch troops to deliver supplies to Jinzhou.
However, the plan never materialized. Sui Tuo refused to send reinforcements. As a result, both Luocheng and Jinzhou fell to the Northern Yue forces. Xie Linshan, Crown Prince Chengde, and the Sixteenth Prince all died in the disaster.
In the aftermath, Wei Yan shifted the blame onto Meng Zhuyuan, accusing him of failing to deliver supplies and causing the deaths of key figures. The truth about the Emperor’s orders, Wei Yan’s letter, the Sixteenth Prince’s involvement, and the Tiger Tally was deliberately concealed from the public.
Meng Zhuyuan was branded a traitor who failed his mission because he prioritized rescuing Luocheng. In the eyes of the public, he became an incompetent general who could not distinguish priorities. Meanwhile, Wei Qilin disappeared without a trace, and his failure to secure aid from Chongzhou was never investigated. All evidence related to his role was erased.
As a result, the Meng family—and by extension Fan Changyu’s family—bore the stigma of causing the fall of Jinzhou and the deaths of Xie Linshan and Crown Prince Chengde. Xie Zheng grew up believing this version of events, seeing the Meng family as the enemy. This is why, upon discovering Fan Changyu’s true identity, he is torn between love and hatred.
As Xie Zheng and Fan Changyu continue their investigation, a far deeper conspiracy comes to light. Wei Yan and Sui Tuo were in fact working together. Sui Tuo deliberately withheld reinforcements, while Wei Yan pursued his own political ambitions.
At the same time, the late Emperor was not innocent. Through a spy planted in the Crown Prince’s residence, he learned that Wei Yan—while drunk—had suggested overthrowing the Emperor. Using this as justification, the Emperor sought to eliminate both Crown Prince Chengde and Xie Linshan by sending them to defend Jinzhou under impossible conditions.
He even used Consort Su’s pregnancy as a pretext to summon Wei Yan back to the capital, intending to make him the scapegoat for Jinzhou’s fall. However, the plan backfired. Wei Yan did not remain passive. Instead, he forced the Emperor to abdicate and installed Prince Qi Sheng as the new ruler.
By uncovering secret archives left behind by Fan Changyu’s father, Xie Zheng and Fan Changyu finally piece together the full truth behind the Jinzhou tragedy. They realize that its fall was not caused by a single individual, but by overlapping schemes involving Wei Yan, Sui Tuo, and even the Emperor himself.
In the end, they return to the center of power as political conflict reaches its peak. Xie Zheng eliminates those involved in the long-standing conspiracy and restores justice to their families. Fan Changyu also proves herself on the battlefield, earning recognition as a formidable general.
Even so, the novel leaves some questions unanswered—particularly how Wei Yan and Sui Tuo first formed their alliance, and why their ultimate goals aligned with the Emperor’s intent to eliminate Crown Prince Chengde and Xie Linshan.