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A sequel to the Chinese novel Chin P'ing Mei, this book details the lives, fates and after-fates of the wealthy businessman Hsi Men and his six wives. A brilliant story coupled with the dramatic historical background of twelfth century China make this a unique work of tremendous scholarly and humanistic value. Intriguing chapter headings include : 'Frightened by a Bad Dream', Moon Lady Sacrifices her Pearls and 'A White Eyeball looks down upon the Forlorn Little Boy; No one takes Pity on Him.
List of contents
Introduction, List of the principal characters, I. After his Death, a wealthy Libertine's Wife and Child are left to atone for his Sins 2. A forsaken Widow flees from Enemy Hordes and seeks Refuge in the Country. 3. Frightened by a bad Dream, Moon Lady sacrifices her Pearls. 4. Heaven strikes with lightning Speed; one of the Robbers loses his Life even before he can enjoy the stolen Treasure 5. Driven to Despair, the Thief's infuriated Wife admits the Crime and reveals where the stolen Treasure is hidden. 6. A white Eyeball looks' down upon the forlorn little Boy; no one takes Pity on him. 7. Hsi Men has to atone as a blind Beggar Boy and loses all his Father's buried Treasures. 8. Beggar Ying takes Possession of his old Friend's little Son and sells him. 9. Hsi Men reveals present and past Secrets in a Dream. 10. The Grand Mistress of Love combines Business with Wind and Moon Play. 11. The Fool spends his Money recklessly and buys Nothing but Aversion and Loathing. 12. When the guilty Secret is discovered, Cash-and-Carry hatches a cunning Scheme to confound his Adversaries.13. The scurvy Lover breaks Faith for the sake of filthy Lucre. 14. The careless Coxcomb falls into a Trap in the Course of an Excursion in the Country 15. The Maid Cherry, ever faithful to her erstwhile Mistress, throws herself into the River. 16. Moved by righteous Wrath Councillor Pi makes a formal Charge against Lady Li. 17. Moon Lady and some of her old Friends meet, like Floating Water Plants, on Board a Junk. 18. A distinguished Gentleman treats the Widow of an old Friend with noble Generosity. 19. The learned Hermit finds a pious Patron. Master and Servant are reunited. 20. Two loving Friends are separated and reunited. 21. Three pious religious Sects set up Houses of Worship on a Site formerly occupied by a disreputable Palace of Pleasure. 22. Two fair Maidens unintentionally cause a Disturbance. 23. Thanks to an old Friend's Visit, the stern Father discovers his Offspring's Duplicity! 24. The stern Father's Death makes it possible for the infatuated young Man to seek out his Beloved.25. Consumed with Desire for his Beloved, but terrified of his formidable Spouse, the young Man is driven to secret Phoenix-Play. 26. Embittered by the Behaviour of his future Bride, the Cripple decides to take legal Action to enforce his Rights. 27. A poor Wretch overcomes seemingly insuperable Obstacles, only to be requited with the Tribulations of an unhappy Marriage. 28. Pure Lotus seizes her Opportunity and helps to save Fragrant Jewel. 29. Tsui Tsui swallows a plausible Tale and is swindled out of a nice plump Chicken. 30. Master Pu Tsing fmds the Pearls. 31. Little Jewel sells a gold Bracelet and meets her longlost Beloved. 32. In the Chancery of the Temple Moon Lady is told that her Son is still alive. 33. Hsi Men's Ghost makes its third Appearance.
About the author
Chin P'ing Mei, Vladimir Kean
