In all of Jin Yong’s works, Xiaolongnü (literally “Little Dragon Maiden”) is not only the most beautiful female protagonist to many, but also the most popular and beloved. In The Return of the Condor Heroes, Xiaolongnü is beautiful and flawless like a fairy in white. Xiaolongnü in the television drama broadcast on TVB in 1995 was played by Carman Lee Yeuk-tung, who has defined facial features and graceful eyes.
Xiaolongnü had been living in an ancient tomb since childhood and was the third leader of the Ancient Tomb School. She was taught to have a pure heart and few desires, and to practice the health tips of “twelve dos and don’ts”, so as to achieve a state of being peaceful and carefree. She placed herself above the common populace and was completely ignorant of secular customs and laws.
Xiaolongnü and Yang Guo encountered several tribulations after leaving the tomb, which were difficult for her to adapt. She was kind and innocent and ignorant of worldly affairs, and was thus quite confused why so many people opposed to her marrying her apprentice Yang Guo. The obstruction of all moralists caused the young couple to experience multiple separations. In the end, Xiaolongnü jumped into the Passionless Valley as she had been poisoned with love flowers and she did not want to be a burden to Yang Guo.
Bonus: There were only two antidotes for the love flowers that separated Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü for sixteen years, i.e. Passionless Pills and Heartbroken Grass. The two medicines are actually the mirrors of love – only by being passionless or having a broken heart can one escape from the trap of love. Xiaolongnü once said that she was cured from love flower poison by consuming bejewelled nectar and white fish in the pond while she was in the valley. However, it was also the effect of her practice of a healthy and passionless lifestyle by following the “twelve dos and don’ts”.
