Xiao Chiye

Prince of Qianjun

*“Libei, Libei! It was as if only this word was the destiny he had no way of hiding. He already had a taste of being in someone else’s control because of desire. So how could he court trouble for himself again?”*

**Xiao Chiye** (萧驰野) is the youngest son of the Prince of Libei, Xiao Fangxu, and the Imperial Army’s Viceroy. He is one of the protagonists of *Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu*.

## Appearance

Xiao Chiye is tall, handsome, and has a striking presence. He has a prominent nose and is described as having fierce eyes. His hair is usually held up in a ponytail with a crown and has little braids in his hair. His height is most often the first thing people notice about him and is described as having a great physique granted by heaven. He is also particularly known for his arm strength, being one of the few people who could wield the Conqueror Bow which has a draw weight of 120 catty (about 60kg).

## Personality

*"Whoever is able to break my arms and legs, I will not only award him a hundred taels of gold, but also call him Master. But if he can’t break them, then his life is forfeited."*

Xiao Chiye is known to be ambitious and does everything to get what he wants no matter what. As a child, he was fond of taming wild eagles and horses to satisfy the desire to conquer anything. He is often compared to his more calm and mild-mannered older brother, Xiao Jiming, and is branded as a haughty young master. However, this is only a facade to conceal his actual abilities.

In truth, Xiao Chiye is sharp and attentive. He is intelligent, even being called a “natural-born talent”, especially when it comes to analyzing someone’s moves. He tends to act against the norm and does things in unpredictable ways. He’s hardworking and doesn’t dare to slack off on anything he sets his mind to.

In Qudu, Xiao Chiye has a reputation for being promiscuous due to him frequenting Donglong Street with Li Jianheng. However, he has always practiced self-restraint due to Zuo Qianqiu’s teachings, who told him that desiring is the “prelude to joy and misery”. He also scorns men such as Qi Shiyu who are easily seduced by beautiful women. Xiao Chiye states at one point that he only admires men who are not tempted by lust.

Xiao Chiye is unyielding and tends to completely control the atmosphere around him. Unlike Shen Zechuan, he doesn’t feign civility and instead immediately utilizes his domineering aura to pressure people when he’s provoked. He is fierce and headstrong, taking on challenges with his pure strength and will.

Despite being intimidating, Xiao Chiye is thoughtful and loyal to those around him. He’s generous and isn’t stingy with genuine praise and rewards for his subordinates, which is one of the reasons for the Imperial Army’s admiration for him. He once took money out of his own pockets to support Tantai Hu’s family when he rescinded his Imperial Army token.

As a lover, he is both physically and verbally affectionate. He doesn’t hold back when expressing his feelings for Shen Zechuan. He can be possessive, at one point not even letting the moonlight cast its gaze on him. He is supportive and understanding towards Shen Zechuan when it comes to his goals and ambitions.

## Background

Xiao Chiye is the youngest son of the Prince of Libei, Xiao Fangxu. He was born and raised in Libei, often riding across the grasslands on horseback. He has been around the Libei Armored Cavalry ever since he was young and he strives to be as strong and admirable as his father and older brother. At fourteen years old, he successfully infiltrated a Biansha camp and burned their grains, helping the Libei Armored Cavalry led by Xiao Jiming to counter-attack during an ambush.

He was then taken to the capital at seventeen years old to keep the Libei Armored Cavalry in check. He was initially assigned as the Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Regalia, but that was quickly rescinded. Emperor Xiande then assigned him as the Viceroy of the Imperial Army, a post that is held in much lower regard than the Imperial Regalia.

With his leadership, Xiao Chiye subverted expectations and regained respect for the Imperial Army. This was revealed during the Autumn Hunt, when they successfully fought against the Eight Great Training Divisions and Imperial Bodyguards.

## Trivia

* Xiao Chiye used to dislike eating fish because he was too impatient to debone it. He now likes to eat it when Shen Zechuan debones it for him and feeds him.
* He makes most of Shen Zechuan’s fans and earrings by hand.
* His weapon, Langli Blade, is a heavy executioner’s blade that was given to him by Qi Zhuyin as thanks for raising battle steeds for Qidong.
* He braids Lang Tao Xue Jin’s hair by himself.
* Xiao Chiye goes horseback riding when he's unhappy and needs to let off steam.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 127
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 31
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 22
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 20
5. ↑ Chapter 36
6. ↑ Chapter 202
7. ↑ Chapter 117
8. ↑ Chapter 84
9. ↑ Chapter 11
10. ↑ Chapter 89
11. ↑ Chapter 10