The Chinese title of the drama, 逐玉 (zhú yù), is deceptively simple — just two characters — yet it encapsulates the entire thematic architecture of the story. Understanding these two characters unlocks layers of meaning that enrich the viewing experience. 逐 (zhú) means to chase, to pursue, or to drive forward; 玉 (yù) means jade. But as with so much in Chinese literature, the surface meaning is merely the beginning.
The first and most literal layer refers to the physical pursuit of jade artifacts that threads through the plot. The Jinzhou case involves the disappearance of a valuable jade seal — an imperial artifact whose recovery drives much of the political intrigue. In ancient China, jade seals (玉玺) were symbols of legitimate authority; possessing the imperial jade seal was tantamount to holding a claim to the throne. This plotline transforms "pursuit of jade" into a pursuit of power itself, a dangerous game played by the various political factions in the Dayin court.
The second layer is deeply personal. The female lead's birth name, Fan Changyu (范长玉), contains the character 玉 (jade). When Xie Zheng pursues jade, he is, on a character level, pursuing her — pursuing her trust, her affection, and ultimately her love. This wordplay is intentional and becomes particularly poignant in the middle episodes when Xie Zheng begins to realize his feelings. The drama subtly reinforces this connection in its dialogue: when characters speak of jade, they are often speaking metaphorically about Changyu herself. The double meaning creates moments of exquisite dramatic irony that reward attentive viewers.
The third and deepest layer draws on jade's profound symbolism in Chinese philosophy. Confucius famously compared jade to virtue, identifying eleven qualities that jade and the ideal person share: benevolence, wisdom, righteousness, propriety, loyalty, trustworthiness, heaven, earth, morality, music, and integrity. The saying "君子比德于玉" (a gentleman compares his virtue to jade) has been a cornerstone of Chinese ethics for over two millennia. In this context, the "pursuit of jade" becomes a pursuit of moral excellence — the characters' journeys toward becoming better versions of themselves.
This triple symbolism gives the title a remarkable versatility. It applies equally to the political thriller aspects of the plot (pursuing the jade seal), the romance (pursuing Changyu), and the character development arcs (pursuing virtue). Few drama titles manage to function on so many levels simultaneously. The original novel title, 侯夫人与杀猪刀 (The Marquis's Wife and the Butcher's Knife), is charming in its own right, but the adapted title 逐玉 achieves an elegance and depth that perfectly suits the drama's ambitions.