Dream of the Red Chamber (Volume 10)

Author: Cao Xueqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Breaks away from the old-style picture book appearance—adopts a visually striking multi-panel action comic format to establish a new classic image of Dream of the Red Chamber comics—completely tailored to the reading needs of the new generation. Preserves the original essence—strictly follows the plot depiction of the first 80 chapters of Cao Xueqin’s original work. Incorporates the achievements of modern and contemporary Red Studies—appropriately fills in the gaps left by Gao E’s subsequent 40 chapters. Took two years and invested millions—to create a premium domestic comic book. Epic in scale, meticulously crafted—12 volumes encompass the 120 chapters of the standard edition. Turns complexity into simplicity, obscurity into clarity—Dream of the Red Chamber’s long-standing enigmatic "Realm of Utmost Illusory" vividly brought to life. Clearly reveals the three major plotlines of the original story—causal illusions between heaven and earth, the tragic love story of the male and female protagonists, and the rise and fall of the Jia family. Baoyu gradually becomes dull-witted after losing the jade, and Grandmother Jia, upon learning of this, becomes frantic and orders a reward notice for the Spirit Jade. Soon after, a person indeed comes forward holding the jade, and the entire Jia household is overjoyed. But the jade is recognized by Baoyu, sparking a small commotion. Since learning that Grandmother Jia has chosen someone from Baoyu’s childhood as his future wife, Daiyu believes it must be herself, and her heart fills with joy, improving her health. She takes a stroll in the garden to pass the time and, by chance, overhears the truth from Grandmother Jia’s maidservant, E Daji. Baoyu is actually to marry Baochai, not Daiyu! Daiyu is struck as if by lightning, her long-held worries finally coming true, and she becomes momentarily lost in delusion. In a trance, she seeks out Baoyu, who has also become dull-witted after losing the jade. The two gaze at each other silently with smiles. Returning to her thatched cottage, Daiyu’s condition worsens. Grandmother Jia comes to visit her, fully aware of Daiyu’s feelings, but more concerned about Baoyu. After discussion, the family decides to arrange Baoyu’s marriage to Baochai as soon as possible before Jia Zheng leaves for his posting abroad. On the night of the "Golden Jade Match," one side is the lively wedding banquet, while the other is the desolate bamboo grove of Xianghuang. Daiyu burns the gifts from Baoyu and the poems she once wrote, cutting off all worldly ties before her soul returns to the realm of unending sorrow! Meanwhile, Baoyu, unaware of Fengjie’s switch-and-substitute scheme, mistakenly believes the bride is Daiyu and welcomes the new couple with a clear mind and joyful heart. Upon realizing that the "Second Madam Baoyu" is actually Baochai, he is overcome with anger and faints. At this time, misfortunes pile up in the Jia household: Yingchun, married into the Sun family a year earlier, dies young from unbearable suffering; and the court selects the beautiful and astute Tanchun for a foreign mission, who will soon be married to a distant and unfamiliar foreigner.