Newly Carved the Fair Cousins with Commentary from the Master of Heavenly Flower
The plot of The Fair Cousins largely reflects various social images regarding the imperial examinations held by the Qing people. The male character Su Youbai, for example, is admitted into a government-sponsored school at the age of seventeen after obtaining the degree of shengyuan. After he places first on the assessment exam, numerous influential families desire to make him their son-in-law. Su, however, expresses that “unless she is a truly remarkable woman, I do not wish to wed her,” and then while laying low and seeking love, he proceeds to pass the provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams, ultimately being admitted into Imperial Hanlin Academy.
- Item No.
- 857.47 416 v.1 -2
- Period
- Qing dynasty
- Notes
- Compiled by Di’an sanren
