A person of old once said: "Those who do not shed tears while reading the 'Memorial on the Expedition' original: "出師表"; a famous prose piece by Zhuge Liang are surely not loyal; those who do not shed tears while reading the 'Memorial on Declaring Feelings' original: "陳情表"; a famous prose piece by Li Mi are surely not filial." I say: those who do not shed tears while reading this record are surely not people of integrity and righteousness. —Praised by Li Zhuolao Li Zhi, a prominent Ming dynasty thinker and critic.

Newly Engraved: The Tale of Jiao and Hong, A Tomb for Mandarin Ducks of Integrity and Righteousness, Part One

A woodblock print features a large red publisher's seal below the title, indicating an authoritative edition.

Written by Meng Chengshun of Guyue

Commentary by Chen Hongshou

Corrected by Zhu Zenglai

Two red seals are visible below the names, likely belonging to the editor, Zhu Zenglai.

Act 1: Establishing the Names

Drunkenly watching the marvelous dance before the flowers,
Idly listening to the new songs in the hall.
Prosperity and cold isolation are both wiped away,
Suddenly becoming the past and the present.

A span of hidden resentment stretches far away,
Two lines of red tears fall sparsely.
Such a chaste husband and virtuous woman are rare in this world,
All because too much emotion is hard to celebrate.

(Xiao, Wang, Female, Jiaoniang, Houqing, Shenzi)

Heaven-sent talent and beauty, without equal. The heart's promise is verified, binding the inner feelings of both parties.

Laughing, holding pear blossoms near the neighbor's home, embracing the stove and pondering. Born to be so, deep feelings remain. A good marriage. Dividing the lamp and severing the sleeve a classical euphemism for homosexual love, here used to denote profound, singular attachment, wind and moon are brought together.

○ Because the request for marriage met with obstacles, heaven is sorrowful and earth is hateful, with no way to become a pair. Furthermore...

Three Visits

Where is the beautiful Hong?

End of the Table of Contents for the Newly Engraved Tale of Jiao and Hong, A Tomb for Mandarin Ducks of Integrity and Righteousness, Part One