Mu Jianping (simplified: 沐剑屏, traditional: 沐劍屏, pinyin: Mù Jiànpíng, jyutping: muk6 gim3 ping4), also known as “Little Princess” (小郡主 — Xiǎo Jùnzhǔ), is one of Wei Xiaobao’s seven wives in The Deer and the Cauldron. She is a princess from the House of Prince Mu (沐王府 — Mù Wángfǔ), descended from Mu Ying (沐英), a famous general of the Ming dynasty.
Biography
Early life
Mu Jianping is the youngest daughter of Mu Tianbo (沐天波) and a descendant of the illustrious Mu family, which served the Ming dynasty for generations. Her elder brother is Mu Jiansheng (沐剑声).
Having grown up in a protected environment, Mu Jianping is extremely naive and innocent, lacking worldly experience. This sheltered upbringing makes her one of the most innocent characters in the novel.
Meeting Wei Xiaobao
Mu Jianping first encounters Wei Xiaobao when members of the Heaven and Earth Society (天地会) capture her and bring her to the imperial palace as a gift for Wei Xiaobao. At this time, she is still a young girl, completely unprepared for the complex world she is about to enter.
Wei Xiaobao takes a protective, almost paternal interest in her, calling her “little wife” (小小老婆 — xiǎoxiǎo lǎopó) or “good little sister” (好妹妹 — hǎo mèimèi), and asking her to call him “good big brother” (好哥哥 — hǎo gēge).
Involvement with the Mystic Dragon Order
Like Fang Yi, Mu Jianping becomes involved with the Mystic Dragon Order (神龙教) and is forced to take the “Leopard Fetus Easy Tendon Pill” (豹胎昉筋丸), which requires regular antidotes to prevent death. This places her under the Order’s control, though her innocent nature means she is less aware of the implications than Fang Yi.
Marriage to Wei Xiaobao
Despite her youth and innocence, Mu Jianping eventually becomes one of Wei Xiaobao’s wives. Her relationship with him is characterized by trust and dependency, as she relies on him for protection and guidance in the complex world she finds herself in.
Personality
Mu Jianping is characterized by her extreme naivety, innocence, and lack of worldly experience. Having been overprotected throughout her childhood, she is completely unprepared for the harsh realities of the jianghu and court politics.
Her innocence makes her vulnerable but also endearing. She trusts easily and lacks the cunning or suspicion that characterizes many other characters in the novel. This makes her one of the most sympathetic characters, as she is essentially a child thrust into adult situations.
Martial arts
Mu Jianping practices the Mu Family Fist (沐家拳 — Mùjiā Quán), a martial arts style passed down through her family. However, her sheltered upbringing means she has limited practical experience, and her martial arts skills are not particularly advanced.
Significance
Mu Jianping represents innocence and naivety in a world filled with deception and complexity. Her character highlights the contrast between the protected life of a noble family and the harsh realities of the jianghu and political intrigue.
Her relationship with Wei Xiaobao demonstrates his protective side, as he takes on a guardian role for her. Despite his many moral ambiguities, Wei Xiaobao shows genuine care for Mu Jianping, treating her with more tenderness than he does some of his other wives.
Mu Jianping’s character also serves as a reminder of the human cost of political conflicts, as she is essentially a pawn caught between different factions despite her innocence and lack of involvement in their struggles.