Characters of Princess Pearl

Main article: Princess Pearl

The main cast members were little-known before their roles on Princess Pearl, except 1980-year movie star Zhang Tielin and pop singer Alec Su. In the first season, lead actress Zhao Wei was paid for ¥ 30,000 per episode.^[1]

Main Characters

Emperor Qianlong (乾隆皇帝)

• Played by Zhang Tielin

Based on a true-life emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong, the emperor in this series is portrayed as a benevolent and caring but often short and hot-tempered father. Part of the Aisin-Gioro ruling family, Qianlong is of Manchu descent. Like the real-life Qianlong, the emperor in Huan Zhu Ge Ge is a lover of arts and literature. Besides his empress, whom he often neglects, he has many concubines, his favourite of which is Consort Ling.

Qianlong first meets Xiao Yanzi (literally "Little Swallow") on his hunting grounds, into which she broke into whilst serving as Ziwei's messenger. Ziwei is the Emperor's real daughter from a tryst the Emperor had long ago. Her attempts to contact her father have all failed and eventually meets Xiao Yanzi, a happy go lucky street wanderer, who agrees to sneak onto Imperial hunting grounds to deliver her message during the Emperor's hunting outing. After accidentally being shot by an arrow, Qianlong finds the message she is carrying and mistakes her for his daughter and quickly becomes enamoured with her happy-go-lucky charm and her free spirited ways, unfettered by the protocol and conventions of the nobility. Ironically, though, he later grew to love Ziwei for completely different reasons-her elegance and eloquence, intelligence and sophistication. At one point, Ziwei shields him from an assassination attempt. Xiao Yanzi is taken into the royal household and is dubbed "Huan Zhu Ge Ge", or Princess "Returned Pearl", claiming that she is like a pearl that is lost and then returned/refound; though she is still referred to as Xiao Yanzi by those closest to her. Xiao Yanzi eventually convinces the court to allow her to bring Ziwei into her household, still determined to help her reconnect with her father. Qianlong's feelings for Ziwei prove problematic when he asks her to be his concubine. Although he is upset when he learns that Ziwei is his true daughter, he later forgives them for their deception and serves as a very loving father to both his actual daughter and his newly adopted one as well.

Xiao Yanzi (小燕子)

Main article: Xiaoyanzi

• Played by Zhao Wei

The lovable heroine of this story, Xiao Yanzi is an orphaned adventress living in Beijing. She meets Xia Ziwei and becomes sworn sisters with her. Through a series of misunderstandings, Xiao Yanzi is mistakenly proclaimed "Princess Huanzhu".

Xia Ziwei (夏紫薇)

Main article: Xia Ziwei

• Played by Ruby Lin

The foil of Xiao Yanzi, the gentle Xia Ziwei is the result of Qianlong's short affair with her mother, Xia Yu He. ZiWei is skilled and talented in ways that few people at that time could be.

Yongqi (永琪)

Also known as Wu A Ge (五阿哥), Yongqi is the fifth prince. His mother, Yu Fei, died of illness during his childhood, thus he was raised primarily by Ling Fei. Yongqi is Qianlong's favourite son, being intelligent, considerate, strong, and skilled at martial arts- and the most-likely heir to the throne. His all-round talents also inspire the jealousy of the Empress, who hopes her son, Shi'r A Ge the twelfth prince, will succeed Qianlong instead. Yongqi is close friends with the sons of Fu Da Ren: Fu Erkang and Fu Ertai. He and Ertai are also classmates; both study with Ji Xiaolan, or Ji Shifu.

Yongqi and Xiao Yanzi meet during the same hunting trip that brought the latter into the royal circle. He was the shooter of the fateful arrow that caused Xiao Yanzi to lose consciousness, triggering the train of events and mistaken identities. Like his father, Yongqi was besotted by her fun, warm and bold nature. Because Xiao Yanzi struggles to adjust to living in the Forbidden City, Yongqi, along with Ertai, helps her through some early problems. He also learns from Erkang and Ertai that Xiao Yanzi is not the true princess; rather, Ziwei is. Yongqi's "like" for Xiao Yanzi soon turns into love, although he did not admit this for a long time. After Xiao Yanzi attempts to matchmake Yongqi with another girl, Yongqi finally told Xiao Yanzi his feelings. A confused Xiao Yanzi later realizes she is also in love with Yongqi. Throughout the series, Yongqi goes through much adversity with Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, and Erkang. Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi go through a relationship with many fights and makeups, until they wed at the end of the sequel, Huan Zhu Ge Ge 2.

Fu Erkang (福爾康)

The eldest son of high-ranking noble Fu Lun, the handsome Erkang is a scholar. Well-trained in kung fu, Erkang is part of the royal guard. He is not quite as absorbed about Xiao Yanzi as Yongqi and Ertai, but he does get involved in some of Xiao Yanzi's earlier struggles in the palace. After meeting Ziwei, the real Huan Zhu Ge Ge, during a parade, Erkang falls in love with her. Their relationship progresses, but it reaches a dead end. Erkang realizes that as a son of the aristocracy, he cannot marry Ziwei, then a commoner. Thus, he brings Ziwei and her maid Jinsuo into the Forbidden City as court maids through help from Xiao Yanzi. Erkang loves Ziwei dearly. With his background, talents and his air of authority, Erkang is a very attractive potential husband. At one point, Qianlong decides to pair him with Sai Ya, a princess from Tibet, but he was saved by his younger brother and narrowly escapes the dreaded marriage. Ziwei once made him promise that he would take Jinsuo as a second wife, but that was later broken off. In the sequel, he is reunited with Princess Qing'er, the Dowager Empress's favourite. He and Qing'er have an interesting history, causing angst and jealousy between him and Ziwei.

Recurring characters

Fu Ertai (福爾泰)

Erkang's younger brother, Fu Ertai, has a lesser critical role. However, he is one of the more important characters in Huan Zhu Ge Ge 1. Ertai is best friends and classmates with Prince Yongqi. Like his brother, Ertai is liked by the emperor. At first, Ertai has feelings for Xiao Yanzi, but later defers to Yongqi as he realizes Xiao Yanzi and Yongqi share a bond even before the two become a couple. When the other couples, Xiao Yanzi-Yongqi and Ziwei-Erkang, get into arguments, he often serves as the voice of reason. In the end, Ertai courts Sai Ya to help Erkang avoid a marriage with her. The two end up falling in love, so Ertai marries Sai Ya and goes to Tibet. He does not appear in future sequels.

Jinsuo (金瑣)

Jinsuo is Ziwei's loyal maid since Jinsuo was seven. Jinsuo always looks out for Ziwei's best interests, and does not show any self-concern. At first, Jinsuo does not like Xiao Yanzi very much because she affects the friendship between her and Ziwei, but later is impressed by Xiao Yanzi's courage. She joins Ziwei as a court maid when they first enter the palace, and later remains a court maid after Ziwei is crowned Ming Zhu Ge Ge. Jinsuo is greatly hurt in the sequel when she finds out Erkang does not want her as a wife. However, she later falls in love with Liu Qing, one of Xiao Yanzi's best friends.

The Empress (皇后 Huanghou)

The archnemesis of Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, Yongqi, and Erkang, the Empress seems to be a heartless, cruel, and jealous empress. However, much of these feelings arise because Qianlong, who she cares much for, often neglects her. More outspoken and strict than Qianlong's other wives, Huang Hou does not win his favour. She is extremely jealous of concubine Ling Fei, Qianlong's favourite concubine, Yongqi, who endangers her son's chances of inheriting the throne, as well as Xiao Yanzi, who, despite her lack of discipline, always wins Qianlong's support and encouragement. Her feelings become intensified when Ziwei arrives, as Ziwei's talent, beauty, and kindness win the liking of Qianlong. Thus, she shows signs of cruelty, attempting to hurt those she is jealous of. She most often takes out her anger on Ziwei, as she is unlikely to fight back. For instance, at one point, Huang Hou pierces Ziwei with needles. At the end of HZGG 1, it seems as if Huang Hou has redeemed herself. Ziwei pleads for Qianlong to forgive Huang Hou, and Ziwei and Huang Hou share a hug. However, Huang Hou returns to her menacing ways in HZGG 2, with even worse plots to make the princesses miserable. When she is rescued from execution by Ziwei, Xiao Yanzi, Yongqi, and Erkang, she finally changes her ways and becomes a better person. She even hand-sews Ziwei and Xiao Yanzi's wedding dresses. In HZGG3, she becomes a devout Buddhist, and in very good terms with Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. She is asked by Qianlong to join him on a vacation to the south of China. When she gets there, she hears about Xia Yingying, and writes a letter to Qianlong with her blood. He becomes furious with her and refuses to read her letter, so she cuts her hair and almost tries to commit suicide. The Emperor's temper worsens and he sends her back to Beijing with Rong Mo Mo to live in deserted place in the Forbidden City. He also demotes her and takes away her privileges as Empress. Back in Beijing, she shaves her head and becomes a Buddhist nun. Months after Qianlong and company return, she falls ill and eventually dies.

Rong Mo Mo/Nanny Rong (容嬤嬤)

The empress's loyal nanny/wetnurse, Rong Mo Mo, serves as her sort of "sidekick" throughout the series. Like the empress, she greatly dislikes Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. She is a very ruthless person, not the least bit unwilling to inflict great pain on others. At the beginning of HZGG 2, when the empress no longer wants to hurt Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei, Rong Mo Mo instigate her to continue for the well-being of her son. However, she is extremely loyal and always puts the empress before herself. This is perhaps her single positive trait. Like the empress, she redeems herself in the end and is forgiven. In HZGG 3, she stays loyal to Huang Hou. She also becomes and devout Buddhist and is at good terms with Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. She goes back to Beijing early with the empress and remains a faithful servant. Xiao Yanzi once referred to Rong Mo Mo as a motherly figure, which reconfirms their peace. When the empress dies, Rong Mo Mo commits suicide by stabbing herself, so that she can serve her mistress in the afterlife.

Ling Fei/Consort Ling (令妃)

Ling Fei is Qianlong's favourite concubine. She is the sister of lady Fu, the mother of Erkang and Ertai. Althgouh she has children of her own, she treats Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei like her own daughters. She always makes an effort to help Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei during difficult times. Qianlong spends the most time with her, but neglects her in HZGG 2 while she is pregnant. Instead, Qianlong spends time with his newest concubine, Hanxiang (Xiang Fei). Nevertheless, Ling Fei forgives him. In HZGG3, she is yet again pregnant and remains Qianlong's favourite. She helps Xiao Yanzi in her times of need with Zhi Hua and Yongqi.

Liu Qing (柳青)

One of Xiao Yanzi's two most trusted friends outside the Forbidden City, Liu Qing is a typical commoner from Beijing. He is not nearly as educated as Yongqi or Erkang, but is a kind, helpful, and loyal. Liu Qing sometimes has a rash temper, but his intentions are good. However, he is extremely skilled in kung fu, which helps him make a living. Although he grew up with Xiao Yanzi, the two are only friends. When Liu Qing first met Ziwei, he had feelings for her, but he knew he could not compete with Erkang. Thus, he decided to give up his feelings. Later, he owns a restaurant, Hui Bing Lou, with his sister Liu Hong. He is always willing to help Xiao Yanzi and her friends with anything they need. In the end, Liu Qing falls in love with Ziwei's maid Jinsuo. The two are married.

Liu Hong (柳紅)

The other of Xiao Yanzi's most trusted friends, Liu Hong is Liu Qing's sister. She is also very skilled in kung fu and often performs with her brother. Sometimes, when Liu Qing loses his temper, Liu Hong acts more reasonably. Like her brother, she is willing to go to any lengths to help Xiao Yanzi, Ziwei, Yongqi, and Erkang.

Saiya (塞雅)

A princess from Tibet, Saiya and her father arrive in Beijing in hopes of a marriage with the Aisin-Gioro royal family. Saiya is somewhat spoiled and gets very competitive with Xiao Yanzi. The two actually share many characteristics, including a lack of interest in literacy, a feisty temper, and an enjoyment for physical activities like kung fu. Saiya first develops an interest in Erkang after fighting with him during a kung fu match, but after chasing Ertai, she realizes she loves him, not Erkang.

Empress Dowager (太后)

The mother of Qianlong, Tai Hou is a very traditional woman. She does not always like new ideas and prefers prim, proper ladies. Many call her by her title, "Lao Fo Ye", (老佛爺, lit. Old Buddha). Thus, she does not take a liking to Ziwei because she was born out of wedlock. She dislikes Xiao Yanzi even more for her feisty, unladylike attitude. However, she dotes on Qing'er, whom she raised, and cares deeply about Qianlong's best interests. Additionally, she wants to break up the betrothal between Ziwei and Erkang, as Qing'er liked Erkang. She also wants Yongqi to marry a more proper lady than Xiao Yanzi. Tai Hou likes and trusts Huang Hou as she does not know how wicked Huang Hou is. Huang Hou takes advantage of this, making sure Tai Hou sees Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei at their worst moments. Tai Hou often punishes Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei, as she has only seen them in trouble. However, when Huang Hou's evil ways are discovered and the two princesses plead for forgiveness on Huang Hou's behalf, Tai Hou realizes how special and kind-hearted they are. In the end, she treats them as her granddaughters.

Hanxiang (含香)

A new character in Huan Zhu Ge Ge 2, Hanxiang is a princess from Xinjiang. Her father, Ali He Zhuo, the leader of the Uyghur tribe, came to Beijing in hopes of making peace with China. Hanxiang was unique because her body carried a beautiful scent that attracts butterflies. Hanxiang was offered as a gift to Qianlong. As Qianlong was quite taken with Hanxiang's beauty and fragrance, he gladly accepted Hanxiang as his concubine. Although Hanxiang was given the title Xiang Fei and constantly doted on by the emperor, Hanxiang's heart was with a childhood lover named Mengdan. Her insecurities in the Forbidden City and rejection of Qianlong's love result in trouble, thus leading to the climax of Huan Zhu Ge Ge.

Mengdan (蒙丹)

Hanxiang's lover, Mengdan, is part of the Uyghur tribe. He loved Hanxiang from his childhood, and although the two eloped seven times, they were unsuccessful because of Hanxiang's fragrance. With help from Xiao Yanzi and her friends, however, Mengdan is finally able to unite with Hanxiang.

Qing'er (晴兒)

The daughter of Qianlong's brother, Qing'er's parents died when she was young, so Tai Hou took her in as her foster daughter. Qing'er is proper, pretty, and intelligent, as well as a smooth talker, thus gaining Tai Hou's liking. Qing'er falls in love with Erkang, but when she returns to the Forbidden City from Tai Hou's religious pilgrimage, she finds that Erkang is already betrothed to Ziwei.

Xiao Jian (簫劍)

Xiao Yanzi first meets Xiao Jian, a lover of poetry and drinking, at Hui Bing Lou, a restaurant owned by Liu Qing and Liu Hong. He carries around two possessions: a bamboo flute ('xiao') and a sword ('jian'), hence his name. At first, he pretends he does not know any kung fu to avoid fighting with Xiao Yanzi, but later reveals his kung fu skills when he rescues Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei from beheading.

Xia Yingying (夏盈盈)

A relatively insignificant character in Huan Zhu Ge Ge 3, Xia Yingying is a prostitute Qianlong meets on his trip to Jiangnan. The author, Chiung Yao, created this character exclusively for actress Jiang Qinqin. Qianlong is very taken by Xia Yingying, as she is charming and talented. However, because she came from a brothel, Tai Hou did not approve. Xia Yingying then decided to leave Qianlong, never reappearing in the story.

Musha (慕莎)

A princess from Burma, Musha and Erkang first meet on the battlefield, when Myanmar and China are at war. Disguised as a man, Musha falls in love with Erkang. After Erkang is hurt, she takes him to Burma for medical treatment. However, she gets Erkang addicted to cocaine. She later uses cocaine as a way to keep Erkang from leaving her for Ziwei. In the end, however, Musha lets Erkang and Ziwei reunite after discovering the deep love between them.

Zhihua (知畫)

Known for her talent in painting ('hua'), Zhihua is accurately named. She is a daughter of the Chen family, a family that has close ties with Tai Hou. Hoping to find Yongqi a more proper wife who can bear a child, Tai Hou proposes a match between Zhi Hua and Yongqi. Although Yongqi first does not want a second wife, he reluctantly gives in when Xiao Jian's life is at risk. Zhi Hua later has Yongqi's child, Mien Yi, but in the end, Yongqi leaves the Forbidden City with Xiao Yanzi, abandoning Zhihua and her son.

Additional characters include Xiao Yanzi's and Ziwei's faithful eunuchs Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Zhuozi and their maids, Mingyue and Caxia. Unlike many other royals of the time, Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei treat their servants like family. Thus, their servants like them very much.

Reference

1. ^ 《还珠格格》片酬三级跳　赵薇身家已近一亿 京华时报 April 14, 2008