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''Startling by Each Step'', also known as ''Bubu Jingxin'' (), was Tong Hua's
debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...
. Originally published online in 2005 on Jinjiang Original Network (), it was later published by Ocean Press (), National Press (), Huashan Arts Press (), Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House (), and Yeren Culture Publishing (). Tong Hua revised the novel in 2009 and 2011. The latest edition contained an additional 30,000 word epilogue. The story features a twenty-first century woman who gets transported back in time to the court dramas of the late Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. The novel was most prominently adapted as the television series ''
Scarlet Heart ''Scarlet Heart'' (, lit. ''Startling by Each Step'') is a 2011 Chinese television series based on the novel '' Bu Bu Jing Xin'' by Tong Hua. It premiered in China on Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS) on 10 September 2011. The series tells the s ...
'', and was later also adapted into a radio drama, feature, film, stage play and a Korean drama.


Synopsis

Twenty-first century woman, Zhang Xiao, encountered
traffic collision A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Tr ...
after work that sent her back in time to the
Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...
during the
Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 165420 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, personal name Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign of 61 ...
's reign (in the year 1704). She found herself trapped in the body of a young daughter of a
Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic peoples, Tungusic East Asian people, East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized Ethnic minorities in China, ethnic minority in China and the people from wh ...
aristocrat, Ma'ertai Ruoxi, younger sister of Ma'ertai Ruolan, who was a
concubine Concubinage is an interpersonal relationship, interpersonal and Intimate relationship, sexual relationship between two people in which the couple does not want to, or cannot, enter into a full marriage. Concubinage and marriage are often regarde ...
of the emperor's eighth son, Yinsi. Stranded in the past, Ruoxi became acquainted with Kangxi's other sons, including the fourth prince Yinzhen and his full brother, the fourteenth prince Yinti. She forged a close friendship with the thirteenth prince, Yinxiang. Using charm and wit, Ruoxi won the emperor's favor and became his
lady-in-waiting A lady-in-waiting (alternatively written lady in waiting) or court lady is a female personal assistant at a Royal court, court, attending on a royal woman or a high-ranking nobility, noblewoman. Historically, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was o ...
, attending to the monarch and his family. During Ruoxi's stay in the
Forbidden City The Forbidden City () is the Chinese Empire, imperial Chinese palace, palace complex in the center of the Imperial City, Beijing, Imperial City in Beijing, China. It was the residence of 24 Ming dynasty, Ming and Qing dynasty, Qing dynasty L ...
, she and Yinsi developed a mutual attraction. She initially rejected him but later agreed to marry him if he gave up his ambition for the throne. Ruoxi knew that Yinsi's path will ultimately lead to his lifelong imprisonment after Yinzhen became emperor. Yinsi refused and Ruoxi warned him to be wary of Yinzhen, providing him a list of those who would support his ascension. After breaking up with Yinsi, Ruoxi fell in love with Yinzhen. Meanwhile, Yinsi and his supporters, acting on Ruoxi's advice, framed Yinzhen for plotting against the crown prince Yinreng. Yinxiang took the blame and was sentenced to house arrest. After this incident, Yinsi discovered that Ruoxi was romantically involved with Yinzhen. The battle for the throne became inflamed when Yinreng's other crimes later came to light. The crown prince lost both his position and freedom. Kangxi then began to show preference for Yinti and offered Ruoxi as a concubine to him. Ruoxi, however, declined. Outraged by her boldness, the emperor demoted her to the laundry department. Kangxi eventually died of illness. With military support from Longkodo and
Nian Gengyao Nian Gengyao (1679 – January 13, 1726), courtesy name Lianggong, was a Chinese military commander of the Qing dynasty. He was born a member of the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner and had extensive military experience on the western fronti ...
; Yinzhen staged a coup and seized the throne from Yinti to become the
Yongzheng Emperor The Yongzheng Emperor (13 December 1678 – 8 October 1735), also known by his temple name Emperor Shizong of Qing, personal name Yinzhen, was the fourth List of emperors of the Qing dynasty, emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the third Qing em ...
. Yinzhen then released Yinxiang from custody and began a romantic relationship with Ruoxi. In an attempt to keep the secret that Yinti was named heir before their father's death, Yinzhen placed him under house arrest. Ruoxi is often caught between the rival factions. The ninth son,
Yintang Yuntang (17 October 1683 – 22 September 1726), born Yintang, was a Manchu people, Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. He was the ninth son of the Kangxi Emperor and an ally of his eighth brother Yunsi, who was the main rival to their fourth br ...
, manipulated Yinsi's wife Gororo Minghui into telling Ruoxi that Yinsi acted against Yinzhen years earlier. Ruoxi was shocked by this revelation, and in addition, remembering Yinzhen told her once that he initially had no desire to become an emperor, she realizes her actions inadvertently shaped events (see predestination paradox). Her despair brought on a miscarriage and she descended into illness. Enraged, Yinzhen blamed Yinsi and his wife, issuing an edict forcing them to divorce, which led the latter to commit suicide. Remorseful of the consequences, Ruoxi confessed the truth to Yinzhen and Yinxiang, leading Yinzhen to treat her coldly. Ruoxi is unable to withstand the mental stress and asked Yinti to help her leave the palace. Yinsi knew that Yinzhen would not allow Ruoxi to leave and decided to intervene. He disclosed details of his past romance and an angered Yinzhen allowed Ruoxi to leave. Ruoxi's emotional anguish affected her health. She begged Yinti to send a letter to Yinzhen, requesting to see the emperor one last time before she dies. However, a misunderstanding caused the letter to be thrown aside unread. After three days, Ruoxi concluded that Yinzhen's absence confirmed that his love for her has faded, and she died (in the year 1725 at the age 35). When news of Ruoxi's death reached Yinzhen, he rushed to Yinti's house, regretting his actions after learning that Ruoxi still loved him. Blaming Yinsi and Yintang for Ruoxi's death, Yinzhen charged his half-brothers for ambiguous offenses and banished them from the imperial household. Both would eventually die in 1726, as Ruoxi predicted. History remained unchanged.


Adaptations

*In 2011, Chinese Entertainment Shanghai Ltd. adapted the novel into the television series ''
Scarlet Heart ''Scarlet Heart'' (, lit. ''Startling by Each Step'') is a 2011 Chinese television series based on the novel '' Bu Bu Jing Xin'' by Tong Hua. It premiered in China on Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS) on 10 September 2011. The series tells the s ...
'', starring Cecilia Liu, Nicky Wu, Kevin Cheng, Lin Gengxin and Yuan Hong. A
sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...
began filming in March 2013. Multimedia produced this drama complete with English subtitles. *In 2011, following the success of the television series, Feiran Zhuosheng Radio Drama Associations () adapted the novel into the
radio drama Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, dramatised, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the liste ...
''Bubu Jingxin,'' starring Tang Tang as Ma'ertai Ruoxi. *In 2012, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Beijing All Entertainment Co., Ltd. and Culture of China Media Group adapted the novel for the stage ''Bubu Jingxin,'' starring Michelle Gong as Ma'ertai Ruoxi/Zhang Xiao. * In 2015, the novel was adapted into the feature film '' Time to Love'' starring
Ivy Chen Ivy Chen Yi-han (; born 12 November 1982) is a Taiwanese actress. In 2002, she appeared in the Taiwanese variety show ''Guess (variety show), Guess'' and was a contestant in the "Do Not Judge a Book by Its Cover" (人不可貌相) segment. She ...
, Tony Yang and Shawn Dou. * In 2016, South Korea produced its own version of the story, '' Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'', set in
Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korea, Korean Peninsula until the establishment of Joseon in 1392. Goryeo achieved what has b ...
and starring IU, Lee Joon-gi and
Kang Ha-neul Kim Ha-neul (; February 21, 1990), known professionally as Kang Ha-neul (), is a South Korean actor. He gained early recognition through television dramas such as ''The Heirs'' (2013), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)'', and '' Moon Lovers: S ...
. * In 2024, the novel was adapted into a Thai drama titled ''
Scarlet Heart Thailand ''Scarlet Heart Thailand'' is an upcoming historical fantasy television drama series starring Tontawan Tantivejakul and Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, based on the 2005 Chinese novel '' Startling by Each Step'' ( zh, 步步驚心) by Tong Hua. The s ...
'' by
GMMTV GMMTV () is a television production and talent agent subsidiary to the Thai entertainment conglomerate GMM Grammy, under The One Enterprise, which produces television shows, songs, and music videos. It was founded on August 3, 1995. Sataporn Pan ...
, starring Tu Tontawan and
Metawin Opas-iamkajorn Metawin Opas-iamkajorn (; born 21 February 1999), widely known as Win Metawin (), is a Thai actor and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2020 with his acting debut in '' 2gether: The Series'' and gained further recognition with his role in ...
.


References


External links


Bu Bu Jing Xin Reviews- spcnet.tv

Bu Bu Jing Xin Forums- spcnet.tv
{{Feminist science fiction Scarlet Heart Novels first published in serial form Novels set in the Qing dynasty Feminist science fiction novels Novels about time travel Romantic fantasy novels Historical romance novels Novels by Tong Hua (writer) 2005 debut novels Chinese alternate history novels Chinese fantasy novels Novels set in the 18th century Chinese novels adapted into television series Novels set in Beijing Shenzhen in fiction Novels about spirit possession