sid_guardian | Focus on: Tan Xiao & Zheng Yi

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type: character discussion

Focus on: Tan Xiao & Zheng Yi

We meet them for the first time in episode 11. I like both of them a lot. Tan Xiao is one of my favorite minor characters. And I feel for Zheng Yi, that poor girl suffered so much. I’m glad that they both got their happy ending.

Tan Xiao is employed at the scientific research institute ran by Zheng Yi’s stepfather Zheng Zhongyuan. He probably studied physics at the university since he got hired by the institute doing research on sound waves.

Zheng Yi is Zheng Zhongyuan’s stepdaughter. I think we can safely assume that her mother was Dixingren and that she’s probably dead, since she’s not around and Zheng Zhongyuan is Zheng Yi’s sole guardian. Her stepfather is a horrible, abusive parent, who beats her and screams at her, and forces her to play violin, because it’s the only thing he can show-off about his stepdaughter. He consider her worthless otherwise and clearly resents having to take care for her.

Zheng Yi’s power is controlling people’s emotions and actions through her voice. We find out that she doesn’t speak and people consider her to be mute.

I admit I’m not really sure how her power works. It seems it’s just sound waves in her voice? When she kills Zheng Zhongyuan we hear the voice saying “You deserve to die. Are you ready?” But when she compels Zhu Hong she doesn’t say anything. And later at the wedding when she makes people fight, she only shouts Tan Xiao’s name.

And now I have to mention Zheng Yi’s age. I know it’s canon that she’s 15. Chu Shuzhi says in episode 12 “She’s 15 years old and mute.” And IMO Zhu Jiu’s comment to Tan Xiao, suggesting that Tan Xiao’s interest in Zheng Yi is sexual, makes more sense if she’s 15. But no, seriously no. She doesn’t look 15, and she doesn’t behave like it. Zheng Yi’s actress was born in 2005, so during the making of Guardian she was around 12. And I always thought that Zheng Yi was more or less that age.

Tan Xiao says that when he first joined the institute all he thought about was the research. But his boss only assigned him trivial chores, like cleaning up the lab. And it seems Zheng Zhongyuan also ordered Tan Xiao to do private chores for him, because that would explain why Tan Xiao was in his house and saw him beating Zheng Yi.

Tan Xiao had a little sister who died. We don’t know how and when. But he clearly sees something of her sister in Zheng Yi. And he treats Zheng Yi as his little sister that he wants to take care for. That he wants to protect at all cost. He tries to stop her when her stepfather orders her to play violin at the lab, because he knows it’s a source of misery for her. He doesn’t hesitate when it comes to taking the blame for Zheng Yi’s crime. And he falls for Zhu Jiu’s manipulative tactic and tries to steal the Hallows from the SID, because Zhu Jiu lies that he can cure Zheng Yi. Tan Xiao promised Zhu Jiu that he would do it alone, so Zhu Jiu wouldn’t use Zheng Yi and her power. Zhu Jiu does it anyway, after Tan Xiao fails.

Zheng Yi’s power manifests for the first time due to years of abuse culminating in the outburst of rage that makes her kill three people. A little bit similarly to Ye Zun, if you think about it. But definitely in a more controlled way. She doesn’t seem shocked or surprised about her power. And she seems to know what she’s doing when she kills her stepfather. Maybe she doesn’t talk because she knows what her power is (her mother told her?) and she’s afraid to use it.

And it seems to me as is she uses her power for the first time to protect Tan Xiao, and not herself. He was fired and beaten and she saw it. And then she’s left in the car in front of the institute, because her stepfather went back inside for a forgotten wallet. And she sees Tan Xiao lurking outside the institute, his face bruised. Maybe she was afraid he would try to get revenge and he would be caught and beaten again?

When Black-Cloaked Envoy comes for her in episode 14 it looks to me as if Zheng Yi is prepared to be punished for her crime. She looks at Tan Xiao as if she is saying goodbye to him. But Black-Cloaked Envoy shows leniency and he doesn’t take Zheng Yi to Dixing. He lets her stay in Haixing, and she and Tan Xiao get their happy ending.

A few questions for discussion:

What do you think happens after Black-Cloaked Envoy pardons Zheng Yi? Do they stay in Dragon City? Does Zheng Yi learns to control her power? Did Black-Cloaked Envoy help her with that? Or maybe he found someone who could help her?

Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi come back to help the SID during the final showdown with Ye Zun. Zheng Yi uses her power to fight Ye Zun’s people, so I think she did learn how to control it somehow.

Did Tan Xiao and her stepfather knew that she was Dixingren?

I think Tan Xiao knew after the incident in the institute, but probably not before. He says in episode 12: “Does she deserve such treatment just for being born different?” But her stepfather could know, if he knew that his wife was Dixingren. Or he could just resent being forced to take care for a stepdaughter he didn’t want.

There isn’t much fanworks about them. But there is some, so here are my recs.

I found a few lovely icons of Zheng Yi & Black-Cloaked Envoy made by tassosss here.

I wrote a ficlet about Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi – a missing scene from episode 14 from Tan Xiao’s POV:

Someone who holds out a hand

And I really like these two fics:

floating worlds by nnozomi

The Influence of Mountains by Branch

So, what is your opinion about them?

And if you have any recs or links for more fics, picspams, icons or fanart they are very much appreciated.

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Did Tan Xiao and her stepfather knew that she was Dixingren?

I think Tan Xiao knew after the incident in the institute, but probably not before. He says in episode 12: “Does she deserve such treatment just for being born different?” But her stepfather could know, if he knew that his wife was Dixingren. Or he could just resent being forced to take care for a stepdaughter he didn’t want.

My impression was always that the stepfather knew, and that this was why he treated her so badly. But he's generally an arse so could have been some other reason.

Interestingly, I didn't take Tan Xiao's statement in a Dixingren context at all. I thought he referred to the fact that she doesn't speak. I'm pretty sure the SID exists so that people like him never find out there's such a thing as Dixingren.

My impression was always that the stepfather knew, and that this was why he treated her so badly.

It was always my impression, too.

Interestingly, I didn't take Tan Xiao's statement in a Dixingren context at all. I thought he referred to the fact that she doesn't speak.

Yes, it could be it. But IMO he had to know, or suspect something, after the killing. Maybe not exactly that she was Dixnigren, but that she had some sort of power. I think he did find out that Dixingren exist and that Zheng Yi was one of them when Zhu Jiu approached them and forced them to steal the Hallows.

What a lovely post! ♥

What do you think happens after Black-Cloaked Envoy pardons Zheng Yi? Do they stay in Dragon City?

I think so. I imagine Tan Xiao has a small flat, which they have to fit into, and he'll have to find another job to support them. (Possibly Shen Wei helps him with that, given Tan Xiao won't have any references from his last job! And of course, Shen Wei has friends in the scientific community.) Also, do you think Zheng Yi goes to school? Maybe she finally gets a chance to make some friends her own age. (I agree with you about her age -- she doesn't act like a 15yo either, when she's passively going along with Zhu Jiu's plans and just keeps crying for Tan Xiao.) And most importantly, she never plays the violin again (unless she wants to)!

Did Tan Xiao and her stepfather knew that she was Dixingren? I think Tan Xiao knew after the incident in the institute, but probably not before.

I don't know. For some reason, I thought Zheng Zhongyuan had adopted her (perhaps because he shares her family name?), but it probably makes more sense for her to be his stepchild. (I feel so sorry for her mother! But maybe she was unpowered, and Zheng Zhongyuan never knew her origins?)

Btw, is Zhu Jiu immune to Zheng Yi's powers? I wonder if other Dixingren are, too. We know Yashou aren't.

My favourite detail about their ending is that, after they wave to Zhao Yunlan on his motorbike, we see them literally skipping off into the night, hand in hand. Awww!

Edited 2020-07-17 23:39 (UTC)

Possibly Shen Wei helps him with that, given Tan Xiao won't have any references from his last job! And of course, Shen Wei has friends in the scientific community.

Oh, that's a good idea. I only thought that Shen Wei would maybe help Zheng Yi with her power because he's BCE. But yes, he could probably also help Tan Xiao finding a job, using his Haixing connections.

For some reason, I thought Zheng Zhongyuan had adopted her (perhaps because he shares her family name?), but it probably makes more sense for her to be his stepchild. (I feel so sorry for her mother! But maybe she was unpowered, and Zheng Zhongyuan never knew her origins?)

Chu Shuzhi says to Zhao Yulan in episode 11 that Zheng Yi is the victim's stepdaughter. He also says: "Her mother brought her into the family when she married the victim.” Maybe he gave Zheng Yi his name when he married her mother.

Btw, is Zhu Jiu immune to Zheng Yi's powers? I wonder if other Dixingren are, too. We know Yashou aren't.

I always thought that her power also worked on Dixingren, but she never used it against Zhu Jiu, because he convinced her first that he could cure her. And later that only he can help her find Tan Xiao.

Chu Shuzhi says to Zhao Yulan in episode 11 that Zheng Yi is the victim's stepdaughter. He also says: "Her mother brought her into the family when she married the victim.”

Oops, I'd forgotten that. Thanks! I'll keep that in mind next time I'm watching. So... not only is Zheng Yi abused, but she's lost her mother, possibly quite recently, too? D: D: D: That might explain her complete fixation on finding the one person she's connected with who's nice to her.

Maybe he gave Zheng Yi his name when he married her mother.

Could be! Though you'd think if he were taking her into his family to that extent, he could treat her better! >:-(

but she never used it against Zhu Jiu, because he convinced her first that he could cure her. And later that only he can help her find Tan Xiao.

Ah, so she has enough control over it that she can direct who it affects, rather than just anyone who happens to hear it? That makes sense. So do you think in the lab scene where they kidnap Zhao Yunlan that she's deliberately not affecting Shen Wei, or that he's powerful enough to be immune?

Ah, so she has enough control over it that she can direct who it affects, rather than just anyone who happens to hear it?

I think so? I don't think the drama is very consistent with showing how Zheng Yi's power works, so really it's all just speculation. :) But yes, what I get from it is that she does have some sort of control. When she uses her power on Zhu Hong, Tan Xiao is with her and he's not affected at all.

As for that scene in the lab - hmmm, she doesn't know Shen Wei is not just a regular human, right? I think that her focus is only on Zhao Yunlan. But I also really like the idea that Black-Cloaked Envoy is too powerful and he is immune.

When she uses her power on Zhu Hong, Tan Xiao is with her and he's not affected at all.

Yes! Excellent point! So at the wedding, she's deliberately affecting everyone. :-/ (This confirms that I want her to be younger; if she was 15, I'd want her to be trying to subtly undermine Zhu Jiu's plan, you know?)

(I started to write "At 12, and with a history of abuse and her absolute fixation on one person, she's like a baby Ye Zun" in the paragraph above and then took it out again, because I'm not convinced the analogy holds, but the parallels that are there are interesting, maybe? Zheng Yi isn't driven to destroy the world/hurt people -- she's just a weapon Zhu Jiu is using -- but otoh, she doesn't baulk at it either.)

I started to write "At 12, and with a history of abuse and her absolute fixation on one person, she's like a baby Ye Zun" in the paragraph above and then took it out again, because I'm not convinced the analogy holds, but the parallels that are there are interesting, maybe?

Oh absolutely. I think there are parallels. It's not exactly the same, of course, but it is a bit similar. And it does make me think, that if Ye Zun had someone like Tan Xiao in his life, who cared about him and who tried to protect him, his path would be very different.

I can see the parallels too, now that you and china_shop point them out. They sort of reflect Ye Zun's view of himself (which I don't think is exactly true), that he would've been fine if only his brother had loved him and had been there for him. So now I'm wondering what Shen Wei is projecting all over the case.

It's not exactly the same, of course, but it is a bit similar.

Yeah, I think the main difference, for me, is that Ye Zun was not only unpowered but physically ill too, whereas Zheng Yi's power is really powerful.

Btw, is Zhu Jiu immune to Zheng Yi's powers? I wonder if other Dixingren are, too. We know Yashou aren't.

I'll come back to this post later with actual thoughts, but there's a scene in episode 13 (18 minutes in - the scene in my icon!) where Zheng Yi tries to use her power against Zhu Jiu and Ya Qing, and we see them both shielding themselves against it with black energy. But Da Qing, also Yashou, is susceptible.

My theory is that Dixingren and Yashou with sufficient raw power can use it directly for all kinds of things, including protecting themselves, without using a specific power.

but there's a scene in episode 13 (18 minutes in - the scene in my icon!) where Zheng Yi tries to use her power against Zhu Jiu and Ya Qing, and we see them both shielding themselves against it with black energy. But Da Qing, also Yashou, is susceptible.

Aha, great data points! Thanks! :-)

(You'd think I'd remember that, having made made that icon, but no...)

ETA: My theory is that Dixingren and Yashou with sufficient raw power can use it directly for all kinds of things, including protecting themselves, without using a specific power.

*nodnod* That would explain Zhu Jiu's various skills. (I'm never sure how his mind controlling Zhao Yunlan in the lab is supposed to work. ZYL's hypnotised by Zheng Yi's power, and then Zhu Jiu's ball of energy adds specific instructions? Which presumably ZYL's aware enough of that he knows what to do, even if he's not compelled?)

Edited 2020-07-18 10:56 (UTC)

In the lab later, when he tells ZYL to shoot Shen Wei, there is no additional black energy involved but he clearly expects ZYL to obey. I don't think he's supposed to be mind-controlling ZYL - I think the implication is that Zheng Yi's power has (supposedly) hypnotised ZYL into obeying him. The energy ball in the earlier scene is just a threat for Shen Wei's benefit.

The energy ball in the earlier scene is just a threat for Shen Wei's benefit.

You're probably right, but the way he wields it and the timing of it make it look like it's the energy ball that's making Zhao Yunlan choke himself. Eh.

(Btw, presumably that means many/most powered Dixingren can make energy balls, on top of their specific powers. The mirror girl can make them, too, but I'd always assumed her ability was, you know, being the mirror girl.)

We do see several Dixingren make/use those black energy balls, so that definitely seems to be independent of whatever someone's power is. I mean, Zhu Jiu does, and he's a teleporter.

I watched that episode and that scene when she blasts them with her power twice while preparing my post, and still forgot about it. Well, old age... ;)

And I like your theory. And I think the drama even supports that reading.

Possibly Shen Wei helps him with that, given Tan Xiao won't have any references from his last job! And of course, Shen Wei has friends in the scientific community.

I like this a lot!

For some reason, I thought Zheng Zhongyuan had adopted her (perhaps because he shares her family name?), but it probably makes more sense for her to be his stepchild.

She's canonically his stepdaughter, but he could still have adopted her legally?

This is a great post! I find Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi very moving, and you've picked up on a lot of the ways and moments that make them so. Some random thoughts:
She could simply have been adopted by Zheng Zhongyuan, no mother involved (in which case, how did she get from him to her birth parents? Is there an underground Dixingren illicit adoption thing going on, with Zheng Yi and Zu Ma too?); or maybe Zheng Zhongyuan married her mother, who was Dixingren, or maybe her mother was Haixingren and her birth father Dixingren. So many possibilities and all sad.
I refuse to believe that she's 15--I think maybe that's a slip from a pre-revision version or something, that's the only thing that makes sense to me. Ten or eleven at most by me. Given that, the thing that gets to me about Zheng Yi is her air of fatalism right from the start--she's already resigned to bad things happening, and not having any good options. Tan Xiao is an unlooked-for blessing for her.
Given that they step in to fight for the SID at the end, I figure she does learn to control her power--maybe Tan Xiao's technical knowledge helps?
It's kind of an ongoing theme, that it's not the power itself that is bad but the way you use it (early vs late Zheng Yi, Wang Yike, Zhu Jiu vs Wu Tian'en and their teleporting, Shen Wei vs Ye Zun, in terms of temporal power Zhao Xinci vs Zhao Yunlan even).
(And thank you for the fic rec! ♡)

She could simply have been adopted by Zheng Zhongyuan, no mother involved

Like I wrote in the comment to china_shop above: " Chu Shuzhi says to Zhao Yulan in episode 11 that Zheng Yi is the victim's stepdaughter. He also says: "Her mother brought her into the family when she married the victim.” Maybe he gave Zheng Yi his name when he married her mother." I re-watched this episode twice lately, so it's still fresh in my mind. :)

I thought that Zheng Yi's both parents were Dixingren. But I really like the idea that her mother was Haixingren, and Zheng Yi has her power from her father.

I refuse to believe that she's 15--I think maybe that's a slip from a pre-revision version or something, that's the only thing that makes sense to me. Ten or eleven at most by me.

Yep, I think that she was 15 in the script, and then they hired 12 years old actress and didn't think of changing that line, or forgot to change it.

Given that, the thing that gets to me about Zheng Yi is her air of fatalism right from the start--she's already resigned to bad things happening, and not having any good options. Tan Xiao is an unlooked-for blessing for her.

That's very well said and I agree. That's why I like them bot so much.

Thank you for this great post! Yeah, I'm also glad they get a happy ending.

I'm ok with her being 15 and with this being canon evidence that Dixingians age differently. But yeah, the idea that his interest in her could be sexual/romantic is a little disturbing, given how young she looks, and I'll take this as Zhu Jiu not understanding how humans work.

I feel like her mother must have had a very sad life, a Dixingian refugee single parent married to an abuser. She probably married him knowing he was terrible in the hope that he would help them stay on Haixing and give her daughter a better life. I wouldn't be surprised if she died from his abuse, although I'd love if the truth was that she was captured and sent back to Dixing and everyone just thought she was dead, and eventually Tan Xiao and her mother are able to reconcile.

I'm ok with her being 15 and with this being canon evidence that Dixingians age differently.

Oh, that's a cool idea. I never thought about it like that.

I wouldn't be surprised if she died from his abuse, although I'd love if the truth was that she was captured and sent back to Dixing and everyone just thought she was dead

That is a great plot bunny and I would love to read a fic about it. Maybe one day someone will write it. :)

I'm glad they got their happy ending too! And I love the way Zheng Yi's story is integrated into the main arc, so that the Black-Cloaked Envoy letting her go so she can have that happy ending is actually an important point. Happy endings matter!

She doesn’t look 15, and she doesn’t behave like it. Zheng Yi’s actress was born in 2005, so during the making of Guardian she was around 12. And I always thought that Zheng Yi was more or less that age.

Yeah, I used to think that was something that had to be handwaved - she's just so obviously not 15, both in looks and in behaviour! But now I'm more on the side of her having come into her powers too early, so she's aging weirdly, like Zu Ma. That's my headcanon, anyway.

Zheng Yi’s power manifests for the first time due to years of abuse culminating in the outburst of rage that makes her kill three people.

Is that the first time her power manifests? If so, I totally missed that! I thought she'd had it for a while but couldn't control it, which is why she didn't speak. I definitely thought the not-talking was connected. We later hear her talk normally a little (mainly calling for Tan Xiao) without using her power, so maybe she's just now learning how to use her voice without her power going out of control.

And it seems to me as is she uses her power for the first time to protect Tan Xiao, and not herself. He was fired and beaten and she saw it.

Yeah, I definitely thought it was more for Tan Xiao than herself.

When Black-Cloaked Envoy comes for her in episode 14 it looks to me as if Zheng Yi is prepared to be punished for her crime. She looks at Tan Xiao as if she is saying goodbye to him.

Agreed. And I think that's part of why Shen Wei can let her go - she knows what she did, and she's not likely to go on a crime spree if set free. That understanding and willingness to accept consequences matters.

Also, I think the scene where the Envoy holds out a hand, and she takes it, foreshadows the scene where Ye Zun takes Shen Wei's hand at the end. (Same black-and-white colour scheme, too!)

What do you think happens after Black-Cloaked Envoy pardons Zheng Yi? Do they stay in Dragon City? Does Zheng Yi learns to control her power? Did Black-Cloaked Envoy help her with that? Or maybe he found someone who could help her?

I think they stay in Dragon City. Zheng Yi seemed pretty in control of her powers even during her time with Zhu Jiu, so I don't know if she needed help on that front, but I like the idea of the Envoy making sure she knew how.

Did Tan Xiao and her stepfather knew that she was Dixingren?

I don't think so - I never got that impression, at least. I think the stepfather would have felt more threatened if he had any idea she might have or develop powers, but he mainly seemed to want a daughter he could show off like a trophy, and resented her for not being that.

But now I'm more on the side of her having come into her powers too early, so she's aging weirdly, like Zu Ma.

Ohhh, I can't believe I never thought about comparison to Zu Ma when it comes to Zheng Yi's age. Ok, I can accept her being 15 now. Thanks. :)

Is that the first time her power manifests?

I always thought so, but you're right she could have had it for a while. That could be a reason for her not speaking. I did wonder for a bit if her killing her stepfather wasn't the first time she used her power. Because IMO she seems to know what she's doing. It's not an uncontrollable outburst of power like in Ye Zun's case for instance.

Also, I think the scene where the Envoy holds out a hand, and she takes it, foreshadows the scene where Ye Zun takes Shen Wei's hand at the end. (Same black-and-white colour scheme, too!)

A good catch, I never made a connection, but I like it a lot.

There's a classic trope where a mutant accidentally kills a family member when their powers first activate. That would be an awful thing for Zheng Yi and her mother ...

Oh, that is dark. I wouldn't want it to be canon for sure. But in a right mood I would enjoy a fic like that. Probably. :)

And I love the way Zheng Yi's story is integrated into the main arc, so that the Black-Cloaked Envoy letting her go so she can have that happy ending is actually an important point. Happy endings matter!

Yes, that moment of revealing the Envoy/Shen Wei's true character to Zhao Yunlan! *so many hearts*

But now I'm more on the side of her having come into her powers too early, so she's aging weirdly, like Zu Ma. That's my headcanon, anyway.

Ohhhh... Do you think all Dixingren age that slowly, or just those with powers? (Did Zu Ma have a power, beyond what he was given with the Merit Brush?) (Now I'm wondering how old Shen Wei and Ye Zun really were when they were parted.)

And I think that's part of why Shen Wei can let her go - she knows what she did, and she's not likely to go on a crime spree if set free. That understanding and willingness to accept consequences matters.

Yes! ITA.

Also, I think the scene where the Envoy holds out a hand, and she takes it, foreshadows the scene where Ye Zun takes Shen Wei's hand at the end. (Same black-and-white colour scheme, too!)

Ahhhh, excellent point! Plus that Zheng Yi and Ye Zun both have, hm, mouth-based powers?

Do you think all Dixingren age that slowly, or just those with powers? (Did Zu Ma have a power, beyond what he was given with the Merit Brush?)

Zhou Weiwei looks as old as we should be, given we know when her mother was pregnant. I think Dixingren age the same as humans for the most part, but sometimes their black energy goes out of whack when they're too young, and overwhelms their system so weirdness happens.

I thought Zu Ma was implied to have had his power already (just not as powerful as after the Merit Brush), but I may be misremembering.

mouth-based powers?

Haha, yes, true! That fits as well!

I think Dixingren age the same as humans for the most part, but sometimes their black energy goes out of whack when they're too young, and overwhelms their system so weirdness happens.

Lao Chu is over 100, right? Hmm.

I thought Zu Ma was implied to have had his power already (just not as powerful as after the Merit Brush), but I may be misremembering.

I can't remember. *waits for someone to do a discussion post on him* ;-)

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