Duty versus Desire

The theme of desire versus duty is the central theme of the novel, shaping the inner lives of both Xishi and Fanli and driving the emotional tension at the heart of their story. Each character is caught between what they long for as individuals and the roles they are forced to play in a larger political scheme. Their identities are shaped by this constant push and pull, and as a couple, their relationship is defined by everything they must suppress, defer, or sacrifice in service to their shared mission.

For Xishi, the conflict between personal desire and imposed duty begins from the moment she is recruited. She leaves her home not out of ambition or loyalty to Yue’s ruling class, but because she wants to provide for her impoverished parents and avenge her sister Susu, who died during a Wu raid. Her motives...