Cao Xueqin: English, Chinese Translation: Ancient Chinese Love Story

Author: Wang Shifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-03-01
Features: Tang Dynasty scholar Zhang Junru travels to the capital for the imperial examination, passes through Hezhong Prefecture, visits Putuo Temple, and coincidentally meets Cui Yingying, the prime minister's daughter who is resting in the temple after her funeral procession. He is instantly captivated by her and falls in love. To get closer to Yingying, Zhang Junru cleverly uses the West Pavilion and attaches himself to the temple's meditation hall, but he has no chance to be near her. Just then, the former Heqiao commander Sun Feihu leads a rebel army to besiege Putuo Temple, intending to snatch Yingying as his concubine. Zhang Junru is betrothed to Yingying by the temple's elder lady in the Buddha hall and writes a letter to his sworn brother, General Baima Duque, to lift the siege. The letter reaches the army, and the rebel troops retreat. However, the elder lady reneges on the marriage promise before the banquet. Out of frustration, Hongniang writes letters and passes notes between Cui and Zhang, helping them get together. When the affair is exposed, the elder lady tortures Hongniang, but Hongniang argues logically, and the elder lady is forced to betroth Yingying to Zhang Junru. However, she pressures Zhang Junru to go to the capital for the imperial examination and win first place, ostensibly to betroth him to her but secretly to reneg on the promise. Zhang Junru and Yingying part tearfully at the Long Pavilion. Eventually, Zhang Junru passes the imperial examination and returns as the top scholar, but he is tricked by Zheng Heng, the elder lady's nephew, who spreads lies to sow discord. The elder lady believes the lies and betroths Yingying to Zheng Heng again. Fortunately, General Baima intervenes and exposes Zheng Heng's lies in front of the elder lady. After enduring countless hardships and twists of fate, the couple finally gets married.