Pursuit of Jade

逐玉 ‧ Drama ‧ 2026

Qi Min's Character Missives

Mar 25, 2026 02:41 pm

Deng Kai has provided some great notes on (and from) Qi Min that help explain the character's background and motivation.

Note: They may contain plot spoilers, so I have included the relevant episode number.

edited

Tai Chi Lemur Author

Mar 25, 2026 02:56 pm

From Deng Kai's Weibo page

Posting Date: 22 March 2026

Link: https://weibo.com/2874676653/Qxi18empD

Episode Reference: 32

He survived against his will, with no one around him treating him kindly because he was Qi Min. Initially, he was destitute and alone, living in constant vigilance, fear, and hatred. Long-term repression distorted his mind, pushing him to the brink of mental collapse. He could only vent his inner pain through extreme methods. Coupled with the lingering effects of the fire years ago, he was already physically and mentally exhausted.

However, Qi Min never intended to kill his "mother." When his "mother" completely shattered his last remaining illusion of "motherly love," he personally buried the child who still yearned for warmth.

Qi Min wasn't born evil; he was someone cruelly crushed by fate, yet struggling desperately within it. Like a lone tree broken by a storm, scarred yet still growing a mad and desperate heart in the abyss.

What choice could a "vessel" living only for revenge have?

(English translation by Google Translate)

Tai Chi Lemur Author

Mar 25, 2026 03:06 pm

From Deng Kai's Weibo page

Posting Date: 23 March 2026

Link: https://weibo.com/2874676653/Qxs77qiI4

Episode Reference: 33

-Qingdi, the real Sui Yuanhuai was reduced to ashes in the fire at the Eastern Palace seventeen years ago.

I am Qi Min, the orphan of the Crown Prince of Chengde, a soul that crawled out of the ashes of the Eastern Palace. From the day Sui Tuo murdered my entire family, there was only blood feud between us, never brotherly affection.

But in these seventeen years of living together day and night, I know your sincerity better than anyone else. You were the only unguarded warmth in my darkest years, the only person I ever called "brother."

But I cannot be soft-hearted, nor do I have the right to be soft-hearted. You have forgotten that a soft-hearted person is not worthy of standing in this battlefield, let alone ruling this world. What I bear is a path I cannot walk, the wronged souls of my entire family, and a destiny with no way out.

I personally severed the last bit of warmth that belonged to me in this world, and personally pushed you into the abyss. Perhaps we were destined from birth to have this ending.

(English translation by Google Translate)

Tai Chi Lemur Author

Mar 25, 2026 03:14 pm

From Deng Kai's Weibo page

Posting Date: 25 March 2026

Link: https://weibo.com/2874676653/QxKcUhoAQ

Episode Reference: 35

-Yu Bao'er, you escaped again this time.

It's just bad luck that you were born at the wrong time. I know you are my flesh and blood, but you are also my death warrant. The old woman, fearing I couldn't handle the revenge, drugged me to force me to leave a bloodline for the Crown Prince. Your existence constantly reminds me: I have no right to any personal will, not even the choice of being a father is in my own hands.

You are their bargaining chip to control the emperor, the one Qianqian values more tenderly in her eyes. I once threatened her with your life, holding a knife to your neck, and she actually protected you with her life.

The world says I'm ruthless and perverted, even willing to kill my own flesh and blood. They don't understand, you were never my hope, but the mark of being a pawn, a knife hanging over my neck.

If there is an afterlife, don't be my son again, be a free and ordinary person, grow up peacefully, healthily, and happily.

(English translation by Google Translate)

Tai Chi Lemur Author

Mar 29, 2026 04:41 pm

From Deng Kai's Weibo page

Posting Date: 29 March 2026

Link: https://weibo.com/2874676653/Qym0N2R9z

Episode Reference: 39

-Qianqian, for you, I'm willing to learn once.

The wind howls on the city wall, I hang suspended in mid-air, looking at you so close, and finally admit—I may never be able to enter your heart,

no matter how hard I try. I've lived my whole life in the mire of hatred, witnessed countless betrayals, tasted the bitterness of the world, my heart frozen solid. I thought I'd live a heartless life, walking the path of revenge until death.

Until I met you.

You were an accident, a hope, the only light in my darkest hour. You saved me from the brink of death, didn't despise my hideous appearance, and your words, "Live well," made me cling to life like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood. I envied you, envied the freedom you possessed, something I'd longed for. So I desperately tried to keep you by my side, even if it meant despicable means, even if it was obsessive and insane. I linked us together with shackles, thinking that this would lock you into my world, that I could forever hold onto this light.

You said you wouldn't let go. I also thought I would never let go of you in this lifetime. But when you were suspended in mid-air with me, on the verge of being shattered to pieces, I suddenly understood: light never belongs to darkness, and you never belonged to me.

The closer I got, the more pain I caused you. I wanted to give you stability, but I pushed you into danger time and time again; I wanted to give you warmth, but I only hurt you in the clumsiest and cruelest ways. With me, you only ever experienced fear and suffering, never a moment of peace.

My life has never been my own choice, except for my obsession with you, which was my own decision. That love was real, and my desire to protect you was real too. Even though from beginning to end, it was all just wishful thinking on my part.

Qianqian, I'm sorry, this time, I'm setting you free.

(English translation by Google Translate)

Tai Chi Lemur Author

Mar 30, 2026 04:17 pm

From Deng Kai's Weibo page

Posting Date: 30 March 2026

Link: https://weibo.com/2874676653/Qyvzl6Jsk

Episode Reference: 40

From the first moment I met Qi Min, I knew this was destined to be a heavy journey. I remember the first time I saw the script, I kept thinking, your life has been so tragic.

The Jinzhou massacre dragged you from the heights of life to hell, forcing you to eke out a living beside your enemies, walking a tightrope every step of the way, and being consumed by hatred and fear every night. How did you endure those more than ten years of hidden suffering?

I've seen your strategic maneuvering in the game of power, and I've seen your ruthless decisiveness when facing your enemies, but I know even more clearly the loneliness and sorrow that you couldn't hide in your eyes. Those untold sufferings, those scars ingrained in your blood, can never be summed up with a simple "madman."

You poured your whole life into hating and scheming, all you wanted was to avenge your parents and reclaim what was rightfully yours; all you longed for was someone who wouldn't be afraid of your face and could truly treat you well.

But fate was too cruel to you, turning your hair white in your youth, leaving you with a body full of illness, enduring endless suffering, and wasting your remaining years in hatred. Even in the end, you never possessed what you had longed for—freedom.

I'm so fortunate to have encountered such a three-dimensional, complex, and vivid character in "Pursuit of Jade." I thank the director and the entire creative team for their trust and understanding, giving me the opportunity to bring Qi Min to the forefront; I thank every member of the crew for their companionship, making this filming experience exceptionally warm.

Finally, thank you, Qi Min. Thank you for letting me into your broken yet passionate life, thank you for letting me be seen by more people, and especially thank you to every viewer who stayed for Qi Min and empathized with him. It is your gaze that made this person, tormented by hatred, no longer alone.

Qi Min, goodbye. You suffered so much in this life, living in hatred, trapped in love, buried in regret, never truly being yourself. I so wish that the kindness of this world could transcend time and space and gently fall upon you.

I also wish that in your next life you can live freely, whether as an ordinary person or an emperor. I only wish you good health, that your family is safe and well, that you can laugh freely, love openly, and stand upright in the sunlight.

(English translation by Google Translate)

Kiie

Mar 31, 2026 03:11 am

I see so much resemblance in QiMin and Tan Tai Jin (Till The End of The Moon), both pure evil and unredeemable character to begin with and how one is doomed because of poor choice and lack of love/guidance, and the other able to choose to be good. Both great complex characters.

For Qimin, love came too late, or perhaps it never cometo him, at most it was one sided. What if QQ was with him from the very beginning? Would she be able to change him like how Li Su Su changed Tan Tai Jin?

Mimi Luong

Mar 31, 2026 07:29 am

Xie Wei from Kunning Palace was also like this but bc he was main character he ended up with a happy ending 🤣. Like Xie WEI did very bad stuff to FL too but bc she taught him how she wanted to be loved he changed & had happy ending. Even when he had a boy & giirl he liked his daughtef more 🤣