Mei Fanggu (simplified: 梅芳姑, traditional: 梅芳姑, pinyin: Méi Fānggū, jyutping: mui4 fong1 gu1) was the daughter of Ding Busi and Mei Wenxin, and the leader of the Plum Blossom Fist school. She was in love with Shi Qing but was rejected in favor of Min Rou. In revenge, she kidnapped Shi Potian (who was actually Shi Zhongjian) and raised him as her son, calling him “Dog Hybrid” (狗杂种).
Biography
Early life and talents
Mei Fanggu was the illegitimate daughter of Ding Busi and Mei Wenxin. She learned martial arts from both the Ding family and Mei family, becoming a skilled fighter at a young age. She became the leader of the Plum Blossom Fist school and was also skilled in literature and cooking, making her a talented and accomplished woman.
Unrequited love for Shi Qing
Mei Fanggu fell in love with Shi Qing, a disciple of the Shangqing Monastery. However, Shi Qing chose Min Rou over her, despite the fact that Mei Fanggu was superior to Min Rou in many ways—she was more beautiful, more skilled in martial arts, more learned, and more accomplished in domestic arts.
Revenge and kidnapping
After being rejected, Mei Fanggu sought revenge. When Min Rou gave birth to their second son, Shi Zhongjian, Mei Fanggu attacked Min Rou and her children. She killed the infant (who may have been the original Shi Potian) and kidnapped Shi Zhongjian, leaving a mutilated child’s body for Shi Qing and Min Rou to find.
Raising Shi Potian
Mei Fanggu took Shi Zhongjian to Bear Ear Mountain and raised him as her own son, naming him “Dog Hybrid” out of hatred for Shi Qing and Min Rou. She treated him harshly and forbade him from asking others for help, teaching him that if people wanted to give him something, they would do so without being asked.
Despite her harsh treatment, Shi Potian remained kind and filial toward her, demonstrating his inherently good nature.
Disappearance
One day, Mei Fanggu left Bear Ear Mountain and did not return for a long time. Shi Potian went down the mountain to search for her, which led to his entry into the jianghu and the beginning of the novel’s main story.
Final confrontation
After Mei Wenxin learned of Mei Fanggu’s whereabouts from Shi Xiaocui on Heroes Island, she and Ding Busi went to Bear Ear Mountain, followed by Shi Qing, Min Rou, and members of the Snowy Mountain School.
When they arrived, Mei Fanggu was confronted by Shi Qing, who explained why he had chosen Min Rou over her. Shi Qing said that Mei Fanggu was superior to him in every way, and he felt unworthy of her. He felt that being with someone so accomplished would make him feel inadequate.
Death
After hearing Shi Qing’s explanation, Mei Fanggu was devastated. She had spent her entire life unable to understand why Shi Qing had rejected her, and now she finally understood. Unable to bear the truth, she committed suicide.
When Mei Wenxin held Mei Fanggu’s body, her sleeve was pulled up, revealing a Shougongsha (守宫砂) mark on Mei Fanggu’s arm, proving that she had remained a virgin throughout her life, despite having raised Shi Potian as her son.
Personality and characteristics
Pride and competitiveness
Mei Fanggu was extremely proud and competitive. She believed that because she was superior to Min Rou in every way, Shi Qing should have chosen her. Her inability to accept rejection led to her destructive actions.
Obsession and revenge
Mei Fanggu’s unrequited love turned into obsession and revenge. She was willing to harm innocent children and spend decades in isolation, all because she could not accept that Shi Qing did not love her.
Self-destruction
Mei Fanggu’s actions were ultimately self-destructive. She destroyed her own beauty, isolated herself from the world, and ultimately took her own life when she finally understood the truth about why Shi Qing had rejected her.
Martial arts abilities
Mei Fanggu was skilled in both the Ding family and Mei family martial arts, making her a formidable fighter. She became the leader of the Plum Blossom Fist school at a young age, demonstrating her exceptional martial arts abilities.
Behind the scenes
Mei Fanggu represents the theme of unrequited love and the destructive power of obsession in Ode to Gallantry. Her character demonstrates how pride and competitiveness can lead to self-destruction and how the inability to accept rejection can cause immense suffering.
The character’s name, “Mei Fanggu” (梅芳姑), combines the surname “Mei” (梅), meaning “plum,” with “Fanggu” (芳姑), meaning “fragrant aunt,” suggesting a character who is both beautiful and nurturing, though her actions were ultimately destructive. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the importance of accepting rejection with grace.