Friday, September 19, 2008

Wang Yuyan

Wang Yuyan is a fictional character in Jinyong's novel, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. Her mother is Madam Wang, her father is Duan Zhengchun and she is the cousin of Murong Fu, who is the descendant of a dethroned emperor and overthrown dynasty.

Wang Yuyan is an ethereal-looking beauty of about sixteen years old. She is truly sweet and innocent, and detests the violence associated with martial arts. However, she is infatuated with her cousin, Murong Fu, who is an avid martial arts learner, so in order to please him, she reads and memorises the martial arts manuals hidden in her house.

Wang Yuyan first meets Duan Yu when he blunders into the garden of her house accidentally. Duan Yu is captivated by her beauty, so similar to that of the jade statue he found in a cave. Duan Yu is subsequently captured and made to be a servant by Madam Wang. Duan Yu then learns of Wang Yuyan's infatuation for her cousin, who is currently heading to fight Beggars' Sect because of misunderstandings. On witnessing her worry for Murong Fu, Duan Yu took it upon himself to solve her problems. He escapes with Wang Yuyan and becomes more and more mesmerized by her beauty.

Her past was largely unknown until the end, where it was revealed that she was the granddaughter of the Tian Shan Tong Lao's younger apprentice sister and Wu Ya Zi, the Xiaoyao Sect Grandmaster.

In the end, Murong Fu becomes so obsessed with regaining his empire that he decides to give up Wang Yuyan to try to woo the Princess of Xi Xia. Wang Yuyan then realises that only Duan Yu, who is willing to sacrifice his life for her, will treasure her and give her happiness. The book ends with her and Duan Yu together, with Murong Fu becoming mad in the end.

In the third edition of the book, Wang Yuyan returns to Murong Fu, and Duan Yu weds Mu Nanqing.

No comments: