Dream of the Red Chamber by Tsao Hsueh-Chin

Contrary to feudal ethics, he isn’t interested in an official career. Pao-yu, however, is a rebellious character. Not surprisingly, his father, Chia Cheng, is very strict with him and often criticizes him for spending so much time with the girls instead of studying the classic works that he will be tested on during the all-important official examination. Pao-yu clearly has a preference for feminine company and spends most of his time with his girl cousins and young maid-servants, such as Hsi-jen, Chin-wen, Tzu-chuan, and Hsueh-yen. They build Grand View Garden (Ta-kuan Garden) to honor and entertain Yuan-chun when she comes back for a visit it is a vast, beautiful setting where the whole family can dine together in great happiness.

When Pao-yu’s sister Yuan-chun is chosen as an Imperial concubine (Imperial Consort), the Chia family grows even more affluent and influential. Pao-yu, in his innocent and naive fashion, loves both girls equally, although his strongest attachment is to Tai-yu. Lady Dowager dotes on both Pao-yu and Tai-yu.Īs the Chia family is a wealthy and powerful, aristocratic family and the household is a vast one, Aunt Hsueh and her daughter, Hsueh Pao-chai, come to join the household. Upon her grandmother Lady Dowager’s invitation, Tai-yu comes to live with the Chia family. Chia Pao-yu is born with a piece of precious jade in his mouth - the Jade of Spiritual Understanding.Ĭhia Min is married to Lin Ju-hai, but dies young, leaving a daughter, Lin Tai-yu, with her father, Lin Juhai. Chia Chu dies young, leaving his wife, Li Wan, and his son, Chia Lan, behind. Chia Sheh has a daughter, Ying-chun, by a concubine.Ĭhia Cheng marries Lady Wang, and they have two sons, Chia Chu and Chia Pao-yu, and a daughter, Tan-chun (by concubine Lady Chao). Chia Sheh has a son, Chia Lien, whose wife is Wang Hsi-feng, and their daughter is Chiao-chieh. They have two sons, Chia Sheh and Chia Cheng, and a daughter, Chia Min. For example, he has an illicit affair with his son’s wife, Chin Ko-ching.ĭuke Jung-kuo’s son Chia Tai-shan marries the daughter of Marquis Shih of Chinling (Duchess Chia nee Shih, Lady Dowager).

Unlike his father, Chia Chen is a libertine, indulging himself in a lecherous lifestyle. However, since his heart is set on a religious life, he relinquishes his title to his son, Chia Chen, and devotes his time and energy to religious study, hoping to become an immortal after death. Chia Fu, the elder grandson of Duke Ning-kuo, dies young, so the second grandson, Chia Ching, succeeds to the title after the death of his father, Chia Tai-hua.

There are two dukes in the family - Duke Ning-kuo and Duke Jung-kuo. The basic storyline of A Dream of Red Mansions focuses primarily on the Chia family.

Dream of the Red Chamber by Tsao Hsueh-Chin