(Shi Yi)

Author: Quan Yingsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features:
- Breaks away from the old-style face of traditional (serial illustrations) – (adopts a visually impactful multi-panel action comic format).
- Establishes a new classic image for the Dream of the Red Chamber comic – (fully tailored to the reading needs of a new generation of readers).
- Preserves the original essence – 80 (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 – 40 (appropriatelys the shortcomings of the subsequent 40 chapters by Gao E).
- Took two years and invested a million – (created a premium domestic comic book).
- Epic in scale, meticulously crafted – 12120 (12 volumes encompass the 120 chapters of the standard edition).
- Simplifies the complex, reveals the hidden – 《》“” (the once-intractable "Realm of Utmost Illusory" in Dream of the Red Chamber is vividly depicted).
- Clearly reveals the three major plotlines of the original story – (the causal illusions between heaven and humanity), the tragic love of the male and female protagonists, and the rise and fall of the Jia family (the Jia family's rise and fall).
As Daiyu's death and the sisters' successive departures leave the Grand View Garden gradually desolate, a mysterious incident occurs on a moonlit night. Fengjie enters the garden to find Li Yun, only to encounter a strange figure that leaves her utterly terrified! It is none other than Fengjie herself, who, in a state of shock, begins to believe in the karma of good and evil. Convinced by a nun's persuasion, she visits the Flower-Fragrant Temple to seek a divination and pray. The omen she receives baffles her, but everyone else interprets it as auspicious—except for Baoyu, who senses a deeper meaning.
Jia Zheng is demoted and recalled to the capital after his subordinates abuse his name for their own gain, leading to a formal accusation. Meanwhile, the Xue family faces another tragedy: Xia Jingu's sudden and mysterious death! Urged by Lady Wang, Jia Lian is sent to handle the matter, only to find the Xue family in chaos, with Xiangling and Baochan implicated. Who is the culprit? The case becomes shrouded in mystery.
Jia Yucun is assigned to a case when he encounters a mystical hermit in a dilapidated temple, triggering a nostalgic recollection. This leads to an emotional tale and unravels the mystery of Xiangling's origins.
Upon his return to the capital after being demoted, Jia Zheng hosts a banquet for his relatives and friends to welcome him back. However, just then, soldiers from the Embroidered Uniform Bureau arrive on imperial orders to confiscate the Jia family's property, arresting Jia She and others! Faced with this sudden calamity, the entire Jia family is thrown into panic. Fortunately, the Prince of Beijing, a close ally of the Jia family, intervenes to ease the situation, offering some solace. But with the family's downfall, fear grips everyone, and shadows loom over their hearts. Little do they know, this is just the beginning of their misfortunes.