Xiahouji

Xiahoushi (夏侯氏, onyomi: Kakōshi, "Lady Xiahou") is Xiahou Yuan's niece and Zhang Fei's wife, who abducted and took her as his wife when she was twelve or thirteen years old. She requested to have her uncle's remains buried. Later, when Xiahou Ba defected to Shu, he was given preferential treatment due to his ties with her.

In Blast, she is named Xiahou Ji (夏侯姫, onyomi: Kakōki). This character incarnation is Xingcai and Zhang Bao's mother. She placed eighth with fans in Gamecity's first card promotion poll for the game.

Role in Games
Shin Sangoku Musou Blast has Xiahou Ji serve as one of the game's tutors, helping players navigate the menu interface and other features outside of battle. According to her card's flavor text, she initially met Zhang Fei while playing in the forest. He married her nearly on the spot.

Having lived at Xuchang her whole life, circumstances separate Xiahou Ji from her uncle and cousin when Sun Ce's forces invade the capital. Forced to leave and finding herself cornered by bandits, the maiden's luck turns for the better when Zhang Fei intervenes. She is taken to Liu Bei's camp as a refugee and becomes better acquainted with her savior during the latter's training drills.

However, the hospitality of her hosts causes Xiahou Ji to feel conflicted about revealing her true identity to them. She also begins to question her own loyalties to the Xiahou clan after an encounter with Xun Yu. Torn between the beliefs of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, she chooses to forego her family ties at Runan for Zhang Fei's sake, even going so far as to defy Cao Ren who had been searching for her.

Now married to Zhang Fei, the two of them help Liu Bei escape from Changban. Rumors of her husband's death dishearten Xiahou Ji, though she shakes it off to assist the peasants in their time of need. Her conviction to protect them impresses Xiahou Yuan enough to leave the group in peace. After a tearful reunion with Zhang Fei, the young wife vows to remain by his side no matter what.

She appears in Dynasty Warriors 9 as a unique NPC, but becomes playable via DLC. During Zhang Fei's story, she first escapes her home at Xuchang in order to venture out and see the outside world. Deathly shy and taken aback by all the people, she is approached and escorted by Zhang Fei. Their meeting sparks an odd connection for her, and she begins making efforts to track and follow him.

The two meet again at Xiaopei, and she finally learns of Zhang Fei's name. Surprised that the maiden had tracked him down, but, flattered nonetheless, Zhang Fei politely requests her to return home before things get too dangerous. When Cao Cao's forces turn against Zhang Fei, Xiahou Ji immediately leaves her household to rejoin Zhang Fei. Though he believes her sincere words of not being an enemy spy, he warns her a third time to leave things be and return home as he cannot guarantee her safety in the coming conflict.

Despite his attempts to chase her away, Xiahou Ji's persistence and devotion eventually wear Zhang Fei down, and he bashfully accepts her request to stay by his side. Through the coming conflicts, Liu Bei and Cao Cao wage war against each other at Hanzhong. Escaping her guards again, Xiahou Ji shares a brief reunion with Xiahou Yuan. Though delighted to see her, Xiahou Yuan promises to protect Hanzhong to the end.

After Hanzhong is taken, however, Guan Yu is killed by Wu forces. Zhang Fei, deeply hurt emotionally and unconsolable, is able to convince Liu Bei to lead a punitive expedition. Inviting his family and subordinates to a banquet just before marching out, Xiahou Ji and Xingcai sit together in the table, though they remain silent for the matter. Unbeknowst to them, Zhang Fei would be murdered by his men behind their backs, and it is only after the banquet that they are able to find his body. Xiahou Ji disappears from the story entirely when Liu Bei begins the attack on Wu.

Xiahou Ji guest stars in a Quiz Battle Toukiden collaboration event. She was mysteriously teleported to Nakatsu Kuni and surrounded by demons. Zhao Yun saved her, but they were separated by another demon swarm. The protagonist and Lady Akatsuki rescue her. Xiahou Ji can't find the courage to speak to them until their Tenko companion calms her. They agree to help the maiden reunite with the general.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xiahoushi first appeared as a secret character for the eleventh title. Her stats are geared more towards intelligence, charisma, and politics. The twelfth title lists her birth year as 186.

Development
Her design theme for Blast was to establish a shy maiden who is never seen without her stuffed rabbit. Suzuki stated that Xiahou Ji's character design was made to be a sheltered girl who often stays indoors at her mansion. Her red eye make-up and rabbit accessory links her to Xingcai. Shades of her look hint to her family relation to Xiahou Ba.

Personality
Xiahou Ji is a sheltered girl who is shy and introverted. Her innocent appearance belies her ability to adapt. She appreciates the kindness of others and goes out of her way to repay them. Xiahou Ji's devotion to Zhang Fei helps bring out a gentler side from the man, who is easily flustered by her innocent and shy nature. According to Xingcai, her mother is prone to making odd and questionable decisions, much similarly to her relative.

Character Symbolism
Xiahou Ji's design is adorned with rabbit-related items. According to Chinese folklore, rabbits are associated with the moon goddess Chang'e who drank an elixir of immortality to escape her husband Houyi's jealous follower. Her inability to return back home is an analogy to Xiahou Ji remaining in Shu far from her own family.

Voice Actors

 * Rocio Lopez - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
 * Nian Ru - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
 * Yuuko Mikutsu - Shin Sangoku Musou Blast, Dynasty Warriors 9