Ning Zhongze (simplified: 宁中则, traditional: 寧中則, pinyin: Níng Zhōngzé, jyutping: ning4 zung1 zak1), also known as “Jade Maiden of Huashan” (华山玉女) before her marriage and “Ning the Heroine” (宁女侠) afterwards, was the wife of Yue Buqun and mother of Yue Lingshan. She was one of the ten strongest masters among the so-called orthodox schools and was renowned for her righteousness, courage, and exceptional martial arts abilities. She was also the martial mother of Linghu Chong, treating him like her own son.
Biography
Early life and marriage
Before her marriage, Ning Zhongze was known as the “Jade Maiden of Huashan,” demonstrating her exceptional beauty and martial arts skill. She married Yue Buqun, her fellow disciple in the Huashan School, and together they led the school.
Relationship with Linghu Chong
Linghu Chong had been orphaned at a young age and was adopted by Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze when he was ten years old. Ning Zhongze treated him with particular affection, regarding him as her own son. When Linghu Chong was expelled from the school, Ning Zhongze was deeply reluctant to see him go and constantly defended him before her husband.
She said that although Linghu Chong was mischievous, frivolous, and fond of wine, and his association with “demonic sect” members was inappropriate, he had always acted with integrity and possessed an indomitable spirit. He was definitely not the one who had stolen the Evil-Warding Sword Manual. After Chongxu Taoist confirmed that Linghu Chong’s Nine Swords of Dugu had been taught by Feng Qingyang, Ning Zhongze became even more certain of this belief.
Discovering Yue Buqun’s true nature
Ning Zhongze was the first to suspect that the theft of the sword manual and other events were related to her husband Yue Buqun. She observed changes in Yue Buqun’s daily behaviour and personality, and through their conversations, she confirmed the truth. This also allowed Lin Pingzhi, who was eavesdropping on the cliff, to understand what had happened.
When she discovered that Yue Buqun had framed Linghu Chong and had castrated himself to practice the sword manual, she strongly urged him to clear Linghu Chong’s name and stop practicing the manual. However, Yue Buqun had already memorised the manual and, to pretend in front of his wife that he would no longer practice it, threw it out the window, where it was picked up by Lin Pingzhi, who was hiding outside.
Final tragedy and death
Ning Zhongze witnessed Yue Buqun ambushing Linghu Chong and attempting to kill him, which filled her with despair. When she learned that her daughter had been killed by Lin Pingzhi, she was overcome with grief and regret. After treating Linghu Chong’s injuries, she took her own life with a dagger.
Personality & traits
Ning Zhongze was portrayed as righteous, courageous, and possessing exceptional martial arts skills. She was a rare heroine in the martial arts world, and even Ren Woxing believed that her courage surpassed that of most men. Both Fangzheng Master of Shaolin and Ren Woxing of the Sun Moon Order addressed her as “Ning the Heroine” rather than “Madame Yue,” demonstrating her high status in the martial arts world and the respect her noble character commanded.
She was able to distinguish right from wrong and understood the greater picture. When Linghu Chong was at his lowest point, misunderstood by the entire jianghu, Ning Zhongze always believed that Linghu Chong was not the true culprit and constantly provided comfort. She was the person in the entire novel who most understood and trusted Linghu Chong.
Linghu Chong once thought: “Although Master suspects me, Master’s wife still treats me extremely well.” Ning Zhongze was the first among everyone to suspect that the theft of the sword manual and other events were related to her husband Yue Buqun.
Ren Woxing once expressed sympathy for her, saying that her marriage to Yue Buqun was like “a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.” Additionally, although Lin Pingzhi hated Yue Buqun and treated Yue Lingshan poorly, he still showed respect to Ning Zhongze, addressing her as “Master’s Wife” and not extending his revenge to her.
Martial arts abilities
Jade Maiden Sword Nineteen Forms
The Jade Maiden Sword Nineteen Forms (玉女剑十九式) was a sword technique that, although consisting of only nineteen forms, each form was complex and varied. The nineteen forms focused on marvellous transformations, differing from the Huashan School’s emphasis on using qi to control the sword. Female disciples, with weaker arm strength, could use this sword technique to overcome strength with skill when facing powerful enemies, though male disciples did not need to learn it.
Peerless, Ning’s Single Sword
The “Peerless, Ning’s Single Sword” (无双无对，宁氏一剑) was a technique that Ning Zhongze created herself to deal with Tian Boguang. It incorporated the essence of Huashan School’s internal energy and swordplay, combined with her own clever thinking. The sword tip flickered uncertainly, surrounding the opponent’s body with rapid thrusts, creating a silver light dance. Suddenly, she would thrust straight at the opponent’s heart, swift as lightning and powerful as thunder.
Relationships
Ning Zhongze’s relationship with Linghu Chong was like that of mother and son. She treated him with particular affection and was the person who most understood and trusted him throughout the novel.
Her relationship with Yue Buqun was one of increasing disillusionment. As she discovered his true nature as a false gentleman, their relationship deteriorated until she could no longer bear to live with the knowledge of his crimes.
Her relationship with Yue Lingshan was that of a loving mother. Ning Zhongze was devastated when she learned that her daughter had been killed by Lin Pingzhi.
Behind the scenes
Ning Zhongze represents the ideal of the true heroine—righteous, courageous, and principled. Her character stands in stark contrast to her husband Yue Buqun, demonstrating that true virtue comes from character, not reputation.
Literary significance
Ning Zhongze serves as a tragic figure whose integrity and loyalty to her principles ultimately lead to her destruction. Her character demonstrates the cost of maintaining one’s principles in a world filled with deception and corruption. Her suicide represents the ultimate rejection of the false values that had corrupted her husband and the martial arts world.
Portrayals
Ning Zhongze has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
- 1978 film – Liu Huiling
- 1984 series – Bai Yin
- 1985 series – Yin Baolian
- 1996 series – Li Lili
- 2000 series – Liu Lili
- 2000 series – Hong Huifang
- 2001 series – Liu Dong
- 2013 series – Yang Mingna
- 2018 series – Cao Yan
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Yue Buqun – Ning Zhongze’s husband
- Linghu Chong – Ning Zhongze’s martial son
- Huashan School – Ning Zhongze’s faction
External links
- Ning Zhongze (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia