
In a bustling town of the former Southern Song, a modest scholar named Chang Quan raises his remarkably gifted son, Chang Gu, after the loss of his wife. From an early age the boy devours the classics, reciting entire passages without hesitation, and his quick wit shines at a lively street fair where scholars and performers gather. Amid the colorful displays, Chang Gu’s spontaneous couplets draw the admiration of the learned Zhu Tianjue, who instantly recognizes the boy’s rare talent.
The celebration soon turns personal when a young girl from a neighboring family, equally sharp with words, steps forward. Their families, seeing a perfect match of intellect and character, arrange a betrothal sealed with a finely carved jade double‑fish—an heirloom meant to symbolize harmonious union. As the two children exchange vows under the watchful eyes of friends and relatives, whispers of unrest on the empire’s borders begin to stir, hinting at challenges that will test the newly forged alliance.
Language
zh
Duration
~1 hours (90K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-05-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known by a pen name whose real identity remains uncertain, this early Qing novelist and publisher is linked with some of the best-known Chinese "scholar-and-beauty" romances. The mystery around the person behind the name only adds to the appeal of the work.
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