Xie Qi 谢起

Loyal Guard

Played by Ren Hao

Background 角色背景

Xie Qi has served at Xie Zheng's side since they were both children. Orphaned and taken in by the Xie household, he grew up as the young marquis's shadow — training partner, confidant, and eventually his most trusted guard. Their bond transcends the master-servant relationship; they are sworn brothers in every meaningful sense, and Xie Qi is one of the few people alive who has seen the marquis laugh.

As a fighter, Xie Qi is formidable. He lacks Xie Zheng's strategic genius but compensates with raw combat skill, unshakeable loyalty, and an instinct for danger that has saved the marquis's life more than once. He takes his role as protector with deadly seriousness, which makes his comedic side all the more endearing — he can go from cracking a joke to drawing his sword in the space of a heartbeat.

When Fan Changyu enters the marquis household, Xie Qi is immediately suspicious. A commoner bride forced upon his sworn brother? It reeks of conspiracy. He assigns himself the task of watching her every move, only to discover that the butcher's daughter is genuinely, annoyingly, irresistibly likeable. His gradual shift from suspicion to grudging respect to fierce protectiveness mirrors the audience's own journey with Changyu.

Personality & Traits 性格特征

Xie Qi is the heart of the marquis household — warm, boisterous, and emotionally transparent in a world of masks. He wears his feelings on his face, which makes him a terrible spy but an excellent friend. He is brave to the point of recklessness, loyal to the point of self-sacrifice, and funny without trying to be. His emotional honesty serves as a foil to Xie Zheng's repression; where the marquis bottles everything up, Xie Qi lets everything out. Despite his comic tendencies, he possesses genuine emotional intelligence and often serves as a bridge between Xie Zheng and the people the marquis struggles to connect with.

Key Relationships 人物关系

Xie Zheng — His sworn brother and the person he is most devoted to in the world. Xie Qi would die for the marquis without hesitation, and this loyalty is fully reciprocated.
Fan Changyu — Initially suspicious of her motives, he becomes one of her most devoted protectors. He is the first member of the household to genuinely laugh at her jokes.
Yu Qianqian — Their bickering masks a developing romantic interest. He finds her baffling, infuriating, and completely fascinating.
Gongsun Yin — A fellow sworn brother of Xie Zheng. Xie Qi respects Gongsun Yin's intellect while frequently complaining that the scholar uses too many big words.

Notable Scenes 经典场景

The Taste Test

Assigned to monitor Fan Changyu, Xie Qi insists on tasting all her cooking for "poison." His expressions of involuntary delight while trying to maintain a suspicious glare have become iconic memes.

Sworn Brother's Plea

In a serious turn, Xie Qi confronts Xie Zheng about pushing Changyu away, delivering an impassioned speech about not letting fear of loss prevent him from living.

The Fight at Qianqian's Restaurant

When thugs threaten Yu Qianqian's restaurant, Xie Qi single-handedly defeats them. His attempt to look casual afterward, while clearly hoping she noticed, is peak comedy.

The Sacrifice

In a climactic battle, Xie Qi takes a blow meant for Xie Zheng, leading to one of the drama's most emotionally devastating sequences as the marquis confronts the possibility of losing his closest companion.

Memorable Quotes 经典台词

侯爷，我谢起这条命，是你给的。你要用，随时拿去。

My lord, this life of mine was given by you. If you need it, take it anytime.

我不是说她做的菜好吃！我是说……毒药的味道挺特别的。

I'm not saying her cooking is delicious! I'm saying... the poison has a distinctive flavor.

有些人值得你为他挡刀。你嫂子，就是那种人。

Some people are worth taking a blade for. Your sister-in-law is that kind of person.

Character Arc 角色发展

Xie Qi's character arc moves from loyal shadow to his own man. In the early episodes, he exists almost entirely in relation to Xie Zheng — his role is defined by service and protection. The arrival of Fan Changyu and his encounters with Yu Qianqian begin to give him a life beyond duty. The middle act challenges his loyalty when circumstances force him to choose between following Xie Zheng's orders and doing what he believes is right — a crisis that ultimately strengthens their brotherhood because Xie Zheng respects him more, not less, for his independence. By the final episodes, Xie Qi has found his own reasons to fight, his own person to protect, and his own identity beyond being the marquis's guard. His arc demonstrates that true loyalty is not blind obedience but the courage to stand beside someone as an equal.

FAQ

Who is Xie Qi in Pursuit of Jade?

Xie Zheng's most trusted guard and sworn brother who provides lighter moments in tense situations.

Who plays Xie Qi?

Ren Hao plays Xie Qi in Pursuit of Jade.

Where can I learn more about Xie Qi's story?

Use the relationships section on this page, then continue to the episode guide and relationship map for broader story context.