Character	Gu Jian
Appearance	Goodbye My Princess
Media	Chinese Drama
Type	Obsessive
Love Interest	Qu Xiao Feng

Gu Jian is an exceptionally skilled martial artist, and also Qu Xiao Feng’s master (Shifu). He is the last surviving member of the Gu family. Although, he is in love with Xiao Feng, the weight of his bloodline and duty severely restricts him.

SPOILERS AND PERSONAL OPINION

Gu Jian had knew Xiao Feng since they were little, and they had grew to have a very close relationship. Xiao Feng liked Gu Jian, relied on him most, and trusted him above anyone else. When news came that Xiao Feng will be sent to Li Kingdom for a political marriage with the crown prince of Li, Xiao Feng was extremely upset, and refused to enter such a marriage. She implored Gu Jian to bring her away.

While Gu Jian wanted to do so in his heart, his own master Chai Mu refused to let him, reminding Gu Jian in anger that he bore the weight of his entire bloodline, and had to avenge them. He almost caved in several times, but ended up steeling his heart and promised Xiao Feng that they will run away together. They agreed to meet in the desert plains 3 days later, where they will make their escape.

However, matters stalled Gu Jian, and he ended up coming way later. Qu Xiao Feng ended up meeting Li Cheng Yin instead while waiting for Gu Jian. Their plan failed, and this failure will change their life and their relationship forever.

As their rare chance of escape was gone, Xiao Feng was brought back to her palace. Meanwhile, Gu Jian’s master berates him for his attempted act, and reminded him of the burden he bears as the last Gu family bloodline. He was pressurized by his master, who had brought him up since young to collaborate with Li Cheng Yin, help him become the crown prince, and overthrow corrupted officials whom have led to Gu family’s demise. He was also warned to not harbor any feelings for Xiao Feng, as they are to go separate ways in the future. Initially reluctant, Gu Jian eventually caved in and abided by his master’s instructions. This is something he will regret and atone for, for the rest of his life.

Gu Jian knew full well that Li Cheng Yin planned to gain the trust of Xiao Feng, then make use of her to lead them into Dan Chi (their enemies’ territory) and conquer their territory. Dan Chi was also Xiao Feng’s home, where her dearest grandpa, uncle and clan members resided. However, Gu Jian still followed through with the plan. Making use of Xiao Feng’s trust, he re-introduced Xiao Feng to Li Cheng Yin, and help him earn innocent Xiao Feng’s trust. Although he felt conflicted, he did nothing to stop the tragedy from happening to Xiao Feng.

When the invasion occurred and Xiao Feng fell into despair, Gu Jian couldn’t bear to see it further, and finally decided to risk everything to bring Xiao Feng away from Li Cheng Yin.

Gu Jian broke into the abode where Xiao Feng resided, and went against Li Cheng Yin, his army, and Chai Mu to bring Xiao Feng away. While Xiao Feng was grateful at first, she soon realized that Gu Jian was also responsible for the destruction of Dan Chi, and that Gu Jian and Li Cheng Yin had used her to achieve their motives. Xiao Feng hated Gu Jian from then on, and declared that they shall go on their separate ways thereafter.

Despite this, Gu Jian silently followed Xiao Feng and her servant Ah Du, making sure that they are fine, and collecting food for them when he notice them running out. When soldiers tried to capture Xiao Feng, or when she faces trouble, he will always appear to clear the enemies for Xiao Feng and ensure her safety.

However, what Xiao Feng had suffered was too great to be placated by Gu Jian’s current actions; she had already lost all her trust in him. As such, in front of Gu Jian, she threw the whistling arrow he gave her down the hill, which also signified her resolution in ending whatever relationship that was left between them.

Gu Jian was so hurt by this act that he thought there was no longer any meaning to his life. When Ah Du wielded a weapon at him, he did not bother to dodge even when he can very well do it. He let himself fall down the hill where they were standing, also equivalent to committing suicide. He only managed to survive out of sheer luck when someone found him in time and treated his injuries. Even so, his injuries was so severe that it would have severe implications if he did not take care of himself well. Nevertheless, Gu Jian sought out Xiao Feng again. This time, he was determined to use his life to make it up to Xiao Feng.

By the time Gu Jian managed to find Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng had already lost her memories of him as a result of jumping into the mythical Wang Chuan River. This gave Gu Jian a chance to start anew, and he began living for Xiao Feng.

He re-introduced himself to Xiao Feng, and helped her out whenever he could. He would accompany her as she sneaked out of the palace, and help her whenever she ran into trouble. This way, he slowly regained her trust, and he gifted her a whistling arrow once again, so that she can always call out to him when she needs him. Eventually, they decided to become a pair of master-disciple again, unbeknownst to Xiao Feng that this was their exact relationship since long ago.

Gu Jian did whatever Xiao Feng wanted or required of him, as long as she is happy and safe. Once, he saved Xiao Feng from a deadly poison at the cost of his own lifespan. He also saved Ah Du from a grave injury, further shortening his life. He broke into the Li Kingdom’s palace multiple times to help Xiao Feng, including a time when Xiao Feng called him over to help her meet up with Li Cheng Yin. Gu Jian was heartbroken by her request, but ended up doing so anyway. By then, Gu Jian lifespan was already drastically shortened to a mere six months.

Eventually, Xiao Feng became more depressed as she stayed in the palace, despite her love for Li Cheng Yin. Gu Jian sensed this, and since he retains the past memories unlike Li Cheng Yin and Xiao Feng, he knew that the two would not be happy together, given the horrid events that had happened between them. Xiao Feng would be better off headed to Western Liang, her homeland.

As such, during an incident, Gu Jian saw an opportunity and took Xiao Feng away from the palace. He spent the time caring and looking after Xiao Feng. While Xiao Feng insisted that she did not want to leave the palace, she finally admitted later on that she had indeed wished to leave. However, she would not leave without Ah Du. So, taking great risk, Gu Jian went back to the palace to get Ah Du back with them.

Xiao Feng soon made another difficult demand: she wanted to take part in the upcoming festival in the city before leaving. This request was extremely risky; if they were seen, all hope to escape and return to Western Liang would be gone. However, Gu Jian once again gave in to Xiao Feng’s request, which was a big mistake. They ended up getting seen by Li Cheng Yin himself, and their escape plan failed.

Unfortunately, Gu Jian’s attempt at taking away Xiao Feng seriously enraged Li Cheng Yin. It did not helped that Li Cheng Yin misunderstood and thought that the one Xiao Feng loved had always been Gu Jian. Even worse, Gu Jian made no move to placate him, and instead do the opposite, declaring that he will take Xiao Feng away to Western Liang no matter what.

Li Cheng Yin now makes killing Gu Jian his priority. He shot Xiao Feng’s whistling arrow up into the sky, beckoning Gu Jian to enter the palace, which was now stationed with soldiers ready to ambush him. Gu Jian knew that it was a trap by Li Cheng Yin, yet he still went into the palace since he knew Xiao Feng will be on a lookout for him after the arrow was shot.

He made a last attempt at escaping with Xiao Feng and Ah Du, but was eventually cornered by the overwhelming number of soldiers as Xiao Feng got separated from the both of them. As Li Cheng Yin ordered a shower of arrows onto them, Gu Jian threw himself in front of Ah Du and took all the arrows instead. He knew that Ah Du was precious to Xiao Feng, and that she would be sad if Ah Du was gone. As such, it doesn’t matter if he had to die for Ah Du to remain by Xiao Feng’s side.

In his last moments, he took out a hairpin that he had wanted to see Xiao Feng wear, and gifted her. Xiao Feng was devastated that Gu Jian had to die this way. As she wore the hairpin, Gu Jian looked at her contented, before dying in her arms.

Each time I encounter a tragic character, I would think that no one else can top that. But currently, I think that Gu Jian is the most tragic of all tragic characters I have seen thus far.

He had indeed committed a grave mistake by introducing Xiao Feng to Li Cheng Yin, knowing what will happen afterwards. For a long time I believe that nothing he does will be able to make up to Xiao Feng, but I have since changed my opinion.

Gu Jian literally gave his all and sacrificed everything for Xiao Feng, while expecting nothing in return. He only wished for her safety and happiness. Each time he sacrifice himself, you can see his pain and heartbreak, but he only silently endured.

Let’s think from his perspective: Imagine the person who had brought you up, telling you since you are a little kid that you have the weight of your entire bloodline on you. That you have to avenge them. That by not doing so, you are letting your entire bloodline down, and letting the person who brought you up down.

Many times Gu Jian went against his master’s orders for Xiao Feng, but the one time he didn’t, it ended in grave consequences. And indeed, after watching the entire 55 episodes, I can say that he had done enough to redeem himself.

I really felt bad for Gu Jian. If only he wasn’t burdened by his master’s teachings and missions. If only the one he loved was not Xiao Feng. Things would have been so much easier and happier for him. Gu Jian was by far the better partner for Xiao Feng. Towards the end, I was really hoping with all my strength at they would have ended up leaving for Western Liang, living happily with his remaining time left. Unfortunately, that never came through, and he died a gruesome death ordered by the most despicable Li Cheng Yin. Now excuse me while I go cry in a corner again.