The ongoing Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade is nearing its conclusion. On March 25, 2026, the series has released episode 35. While episode 36 has been initially scheduled for March 26, the production team has now confirmed a revised rollout. Episodes 36 to 40 will all drop together on March 26, bringing the story to its finale in one go.
Based on the web novel Zhu Yu by Tuan Zi Lai Xi, the drama weaves romance with political intrigue. Led by Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, the drama has drawn attention for its engaging narrative.
Pursuit of Jade centers on Fan Changyu, a butcher’s daughter, and Xie Zheng, a marquis hiding his true identity. What begins as a strategic marriage slowly turns into a genuine emotional bond. Together, they navigate war, conspiracies, and personal tragedies.
Pursuit of Jade story so far what to expect from the final 4 episodes
The narrative of Pursuit of Jade begins with Fan Changyu, a butcher’s daughter known for her strength and knife skills. To safeguard her family amid political instability and loosing her home from getting usurped by the relatives, she enters into a strategic marriage with Xie Zheng, an attacked and heavily injured marquis living under a false identity.
Their alliance is initially transactional, designed to help them survive a volatile court and looming threats. Over time, their relationship deepens into genuine affection. However, their bond is disrupted as conflict escalates across the Great Yin kingdom. A rebellion led by Prince Changxin, along with the involvement of his sons the Sui brothers, triggers widespread war in the northern regions.
This forces Xie Zheng to leave hiding and return to military command. At the same time, Fan Changyu is alos drawn into the conflict after witnessing the devastation of her community and the kidnapping of her younger sister by Sui Yuanging.
Fan Changyu joins the army searching for her husband and sister and distinguishes herself on the battlefield. She ultimately defeats and kills key powerful figures involved in the rebellion, including Prince Changxin and rises through the military ranks to become a general. During this period, she also learns Xie Zheng’s true identity, leading to emotional conflict before the two reconcile and acknowledge their feelings.
However, further complications arise when Fan Changyu discovers her own past. She is revealed to be the daughter of a wrongly accused powerful general, later branded as a traitor. This revelation creates tension in her relationship with Xie Zheng, as she fears her identity could harm his status as a Marquis and she distances herself. However he later reveals that her father has been falsely accused, bringing them closer again.
Following the war, the imperial court summons Fan Changyu with General Li Huai’an. The emperor promotes her to a fourth-rank military official. In an attempt to consolidate power, the emperor proposes marriage to her, but she reveals her existing marriage to Xie Zheng. Meanwhile, Gongsun Yin confesses his feelings to Princess Royal Qi Shu, and she accepts his proposal.
Parallel to their story, political intrigue intensifies as Sui Yuanging discovers that his elder brother, believed to be Sui Yuanhuai, is actually Qi Min, the son of the original crown prince presumed dead 17 years earlier. Qi Min has been impersonating Sui Yuanhuai after the latter’s death and manipulating the rebellion to reclaim power.
After Sui Yuanging’s mother’s is killed by Qi Min, Sui Yuanging confronts him and gets fatally stabbed. Before dying, he entrusts his severed head to the surviving bandit woman, asking her to deliver it to the marquis to secure her future. Qi Min continues his actions by kidnapping Yu Qianqian, who has previously escaped him.
Further political intrigue emerges as Xie Zheng uncovers that Grand Tutor Li is supporting Qi Min by supplying resources and intelligence, effectively betraying the crown. Li Huai’an, his grandson, is following his orders reluctantly, showing internal conflict over his involvement.
As Pursuit of Jade approaches its final episodes, several key developments are expected. The conclusion will likely address the fate of Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng’s relationship, exploring whether their relationship can withstand political pressure, her family history and their respective responsibilities. The resolution of her father’s name and legacy can also be anticipated to play a key role.
At the same time, Qi Min remains the central threat to the kingdom and the rightful heir of the throne Yu Baoer. The storyline is expected to resolve his arc, including potential retribution for his actions and the fate of Yu Qianqian, who has suffered greatly due to him.
The drama is also likely to address the consequences of political manipulation carried out by figures such as Grand Tutor Li and Wei Yan. Their roles in triggering earlier conflicts, including the Jinzhou battle and the death of the crown prince, are expected to come to light. Finally, the concluding episodes can also determine whether justice is delivered to those affected by war, including civilians who endured loss and violence.
All the released episodes of Pursuit of Jade can be streamed globally on Netflix.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
