Xiaoyanzi is the main protagonist of Princess Returning Pearl, a 1998 drama. Not-like-other-girls, rebellious and progressive in a restricted and male-dominated society, Xiaoyanzi was hugely popular when the drama came out. But has she survived the test of time?
I’d say: yes, she has.
A closer look at the character tells us why she has earned so much admiration from drama viewers. And trust me, it’s not her huge eyes that did all the work.
Not only is Xiaoyanzi a well-written character of her time, she is also much, much better crafted than most drama female leads nowadays who follow the same tropes.
Well, that’s what happens when you edit a book before publishing it and work with the author whose work you adapt.
So what about Xiaoyanzi that makes her so outstanding among a sea of similar characters?
*This article is based on Season 1 of Princess Pearl only.
MISCHIEVOUS, BUT NOT TROUBLESOME (or stupid)
Don’t get me wrong, Xiaoyanzi definitely does stupid and non-sensible things in the drama. But the mistakes she makes and the problems she causes fall squarely within the perimeter of her character.
Gambling in the palace; refusing to spend her time to learn how to bow and curtsy; climbing trees; hiding under desks.
The story introduces her to be a low-born commoner, she enters the palace with ignorance and innocence. But once Xiaoyanzi realizes that the emperor’s love is worth it, she tones her rebellious nature down to please him.
Xiaoyanzi does not repeatedly throw herself into trouble and demand applause for it, instead, she finds a balance between being herself and maintaining her relationships with the people she loves. Even Er’kang.
And we all know how annoying Er’kang can be.
IT’S NOT A ONE-GIRL-DOES-IT-ALL STORY
Xiaoyanzi’s appeal has a lot to do with how she relates to the other characters. While she is unique and definitely the focus of the story, the drama allows the rest of the characters to complement her, contradict her, and highlight her personality and capability.
Xiaoyanzi doesn’t save the day, but the relationships she engages in and her influence contribute to a solution that ultimately saves the day. It is a story where everyone has their important bit to play.
Although, I’ve got to say that it’s lucky for these kids they run into Emperor Qianlong. If it had been Qin Shi Huang, they wouldn’t have survived to tell the tale, what with their tendency to do crazy things and then count on fatherly love to bail them out and all that.
Anyway…
THE MESSAGE TO ORDINARY GIRLS
Xiaoyanzi isn’t born or prophesized to be special. She doesn’t have hidden power or secret wealth, but Xiaoyanzi embodies “dreams come true” and is proof that choices matter more than destiny. One doesn’t have to be an emperor’s biological daughter to be treated as such.
A SENSE OF SATISFACTION
Courage + loyalty + kindness = happy ending.
No need to make a tragedy where it isn’t necessary.
CONSISTENT FLAWS
Watching Princess Pearl for the first time, I could swear that I didn’t understand what the problem was.
Xiaoyanzi is entrusted by Ziwei to present her stuff to the emperor so that Ziwei can be acknowledged as a princess. But when Xiaoyanzi gets injured then wakes up in the palace, she finds the emperor at her bedside taking care of her like a daughter.
Ziwei’s things are right there. So is the emperor. Just tell him the truth, what are you coughing and hesitating for??
Here’s what, air-headed me:
Growing up in an orphanage, Xiaoyanzi craves family love. And she wants it so desperately that she is willing to lie to the friggin’ Emperor of China to make the experience of belonging somewhere last longer.
We can’t blame her completely, though, because Qianlong really goes all out with his doting.
A day passes, a few more days pass, weeks pass. Xiaoyanzi sinks deeper and deeper into her lies, to a point where it’s impossible to tell the truth without facing the criminal court.
Is it frustrating? Yes. Stupid? Yes. But it’s also awesome. This desire of Xiaoyanzi to have a family is a central theme thoroughly explored by the drama as we move on. A character-weakness well woven in.
THE ACTING — IT’S JUST… GOOD
Considering how innocent and clueless characters get massive hate in dramaland nowadays, it is surprising – almost shocking — that Xiaoyanzi is enjoyable to watch, even though the drama was made in the 90s.
She does not have a whiny voice; she does not put on a fake cute face. She doesn’t try to pout or open her eyes wide to prove a point. Xiaoyanzi is mischievous and inspiring, but she’s also a normal human being who would react to her surroundings in a way viewers can relate to. And Vicky Zhao’s portrayal is all of that.
SHE HAS NO IDEA WHEN THE 5TH PRINCE POURS HIS HEART OUT
OK, this is not exactly a contributing factor. But let’s be honest, it’s funny as h**l when Xiaoyanzi responds to Yongqi’s love confession with her clueless eyes and wonders whether he is in love with Ziwei.
Really? ZIWEI?
Use your brain, Xiaoyanzi.
(As for the Xiaoyanzi in the 2011 remake: like I said before, she should have done herself and everyone a favor and married the Benjamin guy already.)