Qi Heng was born with a silver spoon in his mouth—noble lineage, striking looks, and a gentle, amiable disposition. He loved studying of his own accord without needing his father’s scolding or beatings. While he shared the charm of Baoyu, he surpassed him in diligence and steadiness. After three lunches at Longevity and Peace Hall, his cheerful laughter and refined conversation had even softened the expression of Mama Fang, who had been a widow for twenty-eight years.
About two decades ago, the Marquis of Qi Manor was riding a wave of good fortune. The two sons of the Marquis married highly sought-after noblewomen: the eldest married the eldest daughter of the Grand Marshal and Imperial Uncle, while the younger married the only daughter of the Marquis of Xiangyang. This catapulted the Qi family, once at the bottom of the aristocratic hierarchy, to dazzling prominence overnight. However, this good fortune came at a cost. Both daughters-in-law, hailing from influential families, were proud and temperamental. They charmed their mother-in-law into a daze and kept their husbands under tight control.
The elder daughter-in-law, employing her father’s iron-fisted military tactics, cleared her husband’s chambers of all flirtatious women, uprooting flowers and weeds alike. As a result, the couple had only one son, who was perpetually ill and reliant on medicine. Though her family’s influence had waned over time, the elder Qi lord was now too old to father another son. A few years later, the younger daughter-in-law entered the household and, following her sister-in-law’s example, kept Qi Heng’s father firmly under her thumb. After giving birth to Qi Heng, Princess Pingning could no longer conceive, yet she forbade Lord Qi from seeking other avenues, forcing him to live a bleak life with only her and an elderly, childless concubine.
Apart from a chronically ill cousin confined to his room, Qi Heng had no siblings. He occasionally played with his male cousins, but Princess Pingning was fiercely protective against any girl who might become her daughter-in-law, so he rarely interacted with his female cousins. After enrolling at the Sheng residence for studies, under his mother’s constant emphasis on the separation of genders, Qi Heng maintained a firm distance from the beautiful Molan and Rulan. Only Minglan was an exception, as the princess did not comment much on her.
Thus, to Qi Heng, Minglan was the first little sister he had ever encountered—adorable and well-behaved like a plump little squirrel. He took an immediate liking to her, but little Minglan often put on a stern face with her bun-like cheeks. Over several meals, Qi Heng found it increasingly hard to resist teasing her. In truth, Qi Heng was a decent person. After enjoying Minglan’s fish soup and dried fish, he brought her a box of recipes he had dug out from his family’s collection the very next day—recipes for soups, medicinal dishes, and noodles. Seeing Minglan busy with needlework, he brought her several fashionable embroidery patterns from the capital on the third day, along with a pouch filled with over a dozen colored pearl threads.
Minglan couldn’t resist the temptations, and once she accepted his gifts, she became exceptionally attentive and endearing. She would fetch stools and pour tea for Qi Heng, greeting him after school with concerned inquiries: “Brother Yuanruo, you must be tired from studying. Please rest quickly!” She bustled about like a busy little squirrel, her conversations with Qi Heng growing both witty and charming.
“Sixth Sister, you’re bullying the weak,” Qi Heng joked, watching Minglan tease the goldfish with a strand of waterweed.
Minglan replied innocently, “Not at all. I didn’t know it was weaker than me until after I challenged it.”
“Then why did you stop playing?” Qi Heng asked, noticing she had discarded the waterweed.Minglan said very earnestly, "I'll listen to Brother Yuanruo and won't bully the weak anymore." — She felt she was truly being obsequious.
Qi Heng was very pleased, rubbed her head again, and laughed heartily. His handsome features relaxed, radiant and dazzling, as beautiful as Gu Kaizhi's elegant paintings from the Wei and Jin dynasties. The young maids in the Longevity and Peace Hall were utterly charmed.
By the fourth day, he finally stopped coming for lunch. Minglan once again took out the water plants and calmly walked toward the goldfish pond.
"...Miss." Xiaotao came in from outside, holding an exquisite grass basket in her hands, looking completely confused. "Young Master Qi sent this for you, saying it's more fun to tease the fish with this grass."
Minglan froze there, feeling utterly helpless. Well, perhaps she had overthought things...
Since Mulan moved into the Weirui Pavilion, Madam Wang had been extremely troubled. Although the girls received the same monthly allowance on the surface, Madam Wang naturally gave her own daughter more in private. Even if all the girls got three new outfits each season, her own daughter would inevitably receive a couple extra. Even Old Madam didn't comment, so Madam Wang was happy to maintain this ambiguity. Who would have thought that Mulan, despite appearing delicate, had sharp eyes? If Rulan got one new hairpin more, she would cry for half the day until her eyes were swollen and red, looking utterly miserable. Then she would make sure everyone from top to bottom saw her condition as she moved about. Madam Wang gritted her teeth in frustration, wishing she could slap her.
Liu Kun's wife advised, "Madam, don't take it to heart. What if she goes to complain to the Master? The Master knows that each of the three young ladies has her own backing. Our young lady has you, the fourth young lady has Concubine Lin, and the sixth young lady has Old Madam. Each follows their own path. If she has the capability, let her take back Concubine Lin's properties and move the sixth young lady from Longevity and Peace Hall to Weirui Pavilion, so you can truly oversee the upbringing of all the young ladies. Only then, if you show any favoritism, would the Master have grounds to criticize."
Madam Wang said irritably, "I know all that underlying reasoning. I'm not afraid to speak with the Master about it either. But that wretched girl goes around all day with that mournful face, and who knows what rumors are spreading about me outside."
Liu Kun's wife smiled and said, "She's just a child with no real cunning, thinking she can control you this way. Why not go to the Master first? Tell him that you haven't hit or scolded her, you've provided good food and drink, yet the fourth young lady still cries all day. Say you're afraid you can't take proper care of her, so it might be better to let her return. Since you haven't laid a finger on the fourth young lady, what can she possibly say? If she dares to accuse you of favoritism, then you'll have grounds to argue back."
Madam Wang hesitated, "...But what if she says nothing and just keeps crying?"
Liu Kun's wife shook her head, "You can say that despite your diligent care, not only are you unappreciated, but her constant crying and half-dead demeanor make you look like a wicked stepmother who bullies her stepdaughter. That's a reputation you can't afford. Ask the Master what should be done."
Though it felt somewhat abrupt, Madam Wang thought it was indeed within proper etiquette, so she followed Liu Kun's wife's advice. When Sheng Hong heard this, he was displeased. He went to speak with Mulan, and as soon as he entered, he ordered her to kneel and began scolding her. The maids outside only heard Mulan crying incessantly, along with Sheng Hong's angry shouts—'...learning the vulgar tricks of crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide,' '...learn the manners of a proper young lady from a respectable family,' '...take back...properties,' and so on—before he stormed off in a rage.Molan, having been scolded by her father for the first time in her life, wept all night long. The next day, she obediently went to pay respects to Madam Wang, serving tea and water with the perfect demeanor of a dutiful daughter. She listened attentively to whatever Madam Wang said, even accepting reprimands with bowed head. Seeing her so aggrieved, Madam Wang couldn’t maintain her haughty attitude for long and began playing the role of the legitimate mother.
In ancient patriarchal societies, gender roles were clearly defined: men worked to earn money while women managed households. Children were raised jointly, with Sheng Hong overseeing his sons’ education and official careers, while Madam Wang was responsible for disciplining the children’s conduct, distributing monthly allowances, managing household affairs, regulating servants, and periodically having clothes and jewelry made for the daughters. When socializing with the womenfolk of official families in Dengzhou, she would bring out the three Lan girls to meet guests. However, Old Mrs. Sheng was peculiar—she prevented Minglan from attending two out of every three such occasions.
After playing the legitimate mother for a few days, Madam Wang suddenly had an epiphany and sighed deeply, “The master’s calculations are indeed shrewd—what genuine paternal affection!”
Liu Kun’s wife was sitting on the kang table going over accounts with Madam Wang and promptly asked why. Madam Wang smiled bitterly and explained, “The master has long intended to register those two girls under my name. Minglan is one thing—Old Madam has taken her under her wing, and when she grows up and it’s time to arrange a marriage, I likely won’t have to worry much. Judging by how she behaved when the young master from the Qi family visited, she’s a sensible girl who knows her place and didn’t shamelessly flatter like some. She won’t compete with her legitimate sisters. Registering her under my name wouldn’t be an issue—at most, I’ll add to her dowry later. But the fourth girl... hmph! The master knows full well about my long-standing grudge against Consort Lin, and how we’ve kept our children separate. He couldn’t force me to accept the fourth girl outright, so he came up with this scheme of presenting a fait accompli—having her come over first, letting me teach, raise, and introduce her to guests. By the time Molan grows up and her marriage is discussed, I won’t be able to refuse registering her under my name.”
Hearing this, Liu Kun’s wife thought to herself that her mistress had grown more perceptive and said with a smile, “You’re absolutely right, madam; that’s exactly what I think too. But there’s no need to worry—registering a concubine’s daughter under the legitimate mother’s name is common among noble families. Such entries in the clan genealogy are merely to deceive ancestors and descendants alike. Everyone alive knows the truth! Do you think matchmakers from outside would truly believe Molan was born to you? It’s just for the sake of appearances to secure a better marriage. But no matter how dignified she appears, can she ever compare to your own legitimate daughter?!”
Madam Wang sighed, “I know all that, but it still bothers me.” Remembering how Consort Lin had once enjoyed favor, she felt waves of resentment, constantly thinking of ways to make that wretched woman’s daughter marry miserably. Yet she couldn’t act recklessly—if she weren’t careful, it might implicate her own daughter, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
Seeing Madam Wang’s expression, Liu Kun’s wife knew she was stuck in a narrow mindset and advised, “Madam, try to ease your heart. When the young ladies marry, they’ll still rely on their family's prestige. As long as Brother Bai achieves great success in the future, she’ll have to defer to you. In my opinion, instead of quarreling with concubines and their daughters, you should focus on supervising Brother Bai’s studies. The Autumn Examination is approaching soon—let’s hope our young master passes in one go. That would secure your dignity for the rest of your life!”Thinking of her eldest son, Madam Wang immediately perked up. Slapping the embroidered stool, she said, "Exactly! That wretched woman kept boasting about Feng Ge'er's great scholarship. It took him two attempts just to pass the prefectural exam, yet the master doted on him as if he were something special. How ridiculous that he failed the academy exam this time - let's see her boast anymore! You reminded me well. Thankfully mother sent you here!"
After a year of such studies, the provincial examination gradually approached. Zhuang Xiansheng intensified his lectures on classics and commentaries, eventually reducing Changdong - who was still memorizing the Analects - to half-day classes, focusing only on the three older boys for intensive advanced studies. Although Changfeng wasn't yet a government student, he counted as half a candidate and was pulled into the pre-exam tutoring class. Madam Wang supplied daily nourishing soups of fish, chicken, and pig brains. Sheng Hong felt so anxious he wanted to ask about their progress, yet pretended to be calm while holding a copy of the Tao Te Ching as cover.
Minglan was a junior clerk with little political awareness. She and her grandmother nestled by the window on the heated kang bed, eating freshly steamed red bean and yam rice cakes - a southern snack Minglan had newly invented. As grandmother and granddaughter enjoyed the delicious treat, Minglan mumbled with her mouth full: "...Mmm, so tasty... There's another batch for grandmother to eat as midnight snack, it'll warm your stomach."
Old Mrs. Sheng wiped her hands with a damp cloth. "Send some to Brother Bai. He's having a hard time - this is for the Sheng family's glory, and you'll benefit from it too eventually." After a moment's thought, she added: "That book bag you made for Brother Dong last time was quite good. Now that your brother is taking the exams, put aside your other tasks and make him some useful items too. Your brother will remember your kindness."
Minglan nodded. Originally, seeing that little Changdong's servant was incompetent and the boy had to carry many things himself to school, she had made him a three-layer backpack with patterned shoulder straps featuring white clouds, blue sky, and green grass designs. She used discarded sandalwood prayer beads from Old Mrs. Sheng to create an elastic closure at the bag's opening - both lightweight and attractive. Little Changdong had been utterly delighted.
Encouraged by this validation of her craftsmanship, after Changbai sent her a pair of goldfish last time, Minglan made him a dark blue fan case decorated with pine, bamboo, and plum patterns. Changbai was so pleased he reciprocated with a woven bamboo brush holder from Tongcheng.
Minglan felt her initial decision about learning direction had been brilliant indeed. While girls could choose their study paths, boys had only one goal - the imperial examinations.
The imperial examinations offered numerous benefits: those who excelled could become officials, average performers could serve as clerks, and even those who performed poorly could become village tutors. Importantly, obtaining an examination degree meant tax exemption, and even a mere xiucai didn't need to kneel before the county magistrate. The imperial examinations not only held transformative significance for common men, but were equally crucial for official descendants like Sheng Changbai. Official positions weren't hereditary in ancient times - though Old Master Sheng was an official, his sons still had to rely on their own abilities to pass the examinations for official appointments. Otherwise, the Sheng family's prosperity would last only one or two generations.All these words were spoken by Old Mrs. Sheng with a natural tone of solemnity. Minglan secretly glanced at her a few times. For a long time, Minglan had noticed that her grandmother was quite unique. Although born into a noble marquis household, she held great disdain for those young masters who relied solely on hereditary privileges, while showing an inexplicable fondness for scholars who earned their positions through imperial examinations. Minglan suspected this was precisely how her grandmother had taken a liking to Sheng Hong's father—the dashing Tanhua (third-ranked scholar) known for his literary talents.
While piecing together this backstory, Minglan unconsciously reached for another pastry, only to find empty space. She realized Old Mrs. Sheng had already instructed Mama Fang to pack the remaining snacks into a warming box and remove them. Noticing Minglan's chubby little hand suspended mid-air, Old Mrs. Sheng frowned and advised earnestly: "Little Mingya, listen to your grandmother. You're growing older day by day—you can't keep eating like you did as a child. If you become too plump, your clothes won't hang properly anymore."
Minglan sheepishly withdrew her chubby paw. Wasn't she just disguising her beauty to maintain a low profile?!
※※※
※※※
[Author's Notes]
Throughout the entire Dream of the Red Chamber, aside from Sister Daiyu, I only truly like three and a half female characters: Ping'er, Yuanyang, Xiaohong, with Zijuan counting as half. The ranking reflects my personal preference.
While Dream of the Red Chamber depicts "a thousand reds weep in one grotto, ten thousand beauties share one grief," even at their most tragic, the young mistresses at least experienced periods of being well-serviced. Only the maids never truly enjoyed such luxuries—yet when households were raided and servants sold, they couldn't escape fate.
Let me reverse the order: I hold Zijuan in high esteem, but essentially she lived comfortably in Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Her mistress Daiyu treated her like a true sister, and as head maid she commanded considerable authority and respect. Cao Xueqin characterized her as 'wise'—her concern for Daiyu came genuinely from the heart, her counsel always positive and sunlit, like an elder sister's heartfelt care. Especially when Daiyu eventually died, she demonstrated unwavering loyalty (all endings portray this). Such genuine affection between mistress and maid was exceptionally rare throughout Grand View Garden.
Some may ask: why then does she rank last? Because fundamentally, her loyalty and sincerity were deserved—Daiyu's genuine treatment warranted such reciprocation. More practically speaking, her fate was tied to Daiyu's: if Daiyu married well, she'd prosper; otherwise she'd suffer. Thus her virtue largely followed natural course.
Now regarding Xiaohong: many might dislike her, and while I don't particularly like her either, I deeply appreciate her.
In such great families, born-servant girls generally faced two destinies: becoming concubines or being matched in marriage. Without Lu Chunying's enlightenment, she naturally sought better marital prospects—which was completely normal in ancient times.Initially, she set her sights on Bao Yu. Unfortunately, after merely seizing an opportunity to serve him a cup of tea, she was met with a torrent of harsh scolding. Once her tears dried, she soberly recognized the fierce competition ahead—Bao Yu was too far beyond her reach, and even breaking her neck might not secure his favor. Just as she wiped away her tears, she overheard an old maid mention Jia Yun, "Fifth Sister-in-Law's son," and recalling their earlier encounter, her heart stirred. Soon after, she orchestrated the incident of dropping and returning a handkerchief.
From pursuing Bao Yu to shifting her affections to Jia Yun, the entire process took Hong less than half a day. Her swift and decisive adjustment of life goals and marital prospects left me with an indescribable sense of satisfaction when I first read this part!
—Damn it, who do you think you are, Jia Bao Yu? Just a pampered favorite of the crowd! In terms of character and ability, I believe Jia Yun stands out in the entire Dream of the Red Chamber. He is ambitious, shrewd, capable, and filial to his mother. Even the chivalrous Ni Er regarded him as a sworn brother. Most importantly, Hong had good judgment—Jia Yun later proved to be a man of gratitude, repaying her support and affection.
According to Zhiyanzhai's commentaries and Cao Xueqin's narrative, Hong eventually married Jia Yun successfully, transforming from a lowly maid into a respectable wife. After the Jia family fell into ruin, she aided Wang Xifeng and Bao Yu at the Temple of the Prison God.
It can be said that among all the women in the Dream of the Red Chamber, Hong was the only one who remained clear-headed and actively sought a way out (some girls were aware but passive). Her efforts exuded a vibrant, upward-striving energy. Importantly, her ascent was benign—she harmed or schemed against no one. She wore her hopes openly, earning Wang Xifeng's appreciation, which led to her leaving Happy Red Court and avoiding Lady Wang's subsequent purge. Under Xifeng's wing, she learned many managerial skills and always held a sense of gratitude toward the stern Xifeng.
To be honest, Qingwen once mocked Hong for "flying to a higher branch," yet wasn't she herself fiercely possessive of Bao Yu, both openly and covertly? Compared to Qingwen's feigned aloofness while secretly adoring Bao Yu—her ambitions soaring sky-high but her fate as thin as paper—I admire Hong's pragmatic attitude more.
In that era, surviving and thriving without harming others was what truly mattered.
As for Yuanyang, her brave resistance against oppression is a brilliant highlight in Dream of the Red Chamber. She was well aware that the Old Madam wouldn't live much longer and that her own fate would be grim once the Old Madam passed. Yuanyang was neither foolish nor impulsive, yet in that moment, she staked her entire future and everything she had on her dignity. Many of us, myself included, must ask ourselves: Could we have done the same?
Ping'er—she is my favorite.She was Wang Xifeng's personal maid who had accompanied her mistress to the Jia household, not a servant born into the Jia family. Thus, she naturally lacked the support network that lower-ranking servants often had. While Xiaohong had parents in managerial positions who could protect and care for her, Ping'er was truly alone in the world. "To navigate between Jia Lian's vulgarity and Xifeng's majesty"—how extraordinarily difficult that must have been! Pitiable was this young girl with her flower-like beauty, not even holding the status of a Concubine but merely a bedroom servant. Every time I heard others address her as "Miss Ping'er," it pained my heart. That time when Jia Lian and his wife quarreled and couldn't vent their anger on each other, they both took it out on Ping'er instead. The poor girl, after being beaten, had to continue serving the couple as if nothing had happened.
Yet beneath all this tragic destiny, I perceived a noble and kind soul. She never wallowed in self-pity over her misfortunes, nor did she scheme against others with malicious plots. Instead, she did her utmost to show kindness to people—often concealing servants' mistakes from Xifeng, sparing Zhui'er who had stolen a bracelet, quelling the kitchen uproar. When You Erjie was bullied to the point where she could neither live nor die, it was Ping'er who risked Xifeng's punishment to secretly provide relief.
To the philandering Jia Lian, she fulfilled her duty with thoughtful assistance. To the strict and formidable Wang Xifeng, she remained utterly loyal—advising, comforting, and genuinely caring for her. When Xifeng suffered a miscarriage, it was Ping'er who provided the most heartfelt care.
If Zijuan represents sincerity in favorable circumstances, Xiaohong represents instinctive sincerity, and Yuanyang represents rebellious sincerity, then Ping'er embodies sincerity amidst thorns and hardships.
I've read many amateur novels featuring pitiful female characters who ultimately seduce the male lead through schemes and calculations, always justifying themselves with excuses like "how helpless and pitiful I am" or "forced by circumstances." I want to ask: how do they compare to Ping'er?
(Personal opinion, please don't criticize if you disagree, and let's not delve too deeply into it.)
OpenNovel