Red in the Jade Boudoir

东鲁落落平生Jul 2024

2.2

Word count: 41K words
Chapters: 15

Summary

Chinese traditional culture has a long and profound intellectual heritage, marked by a high degree of originality, inventiveness, and literary quality. Early forms of thought are highly distinctive: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and Hundred Schools thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are vast and profound. This series, "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts," preserves the appearance of the original books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate temperament and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

As a volume in the "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series, this book follows the editorial principle of preserving the original appearance of the text and offers readers the opportunity to encounter an ancient document in its original form. The title Yuguihong itself carries a distinctly classical literary flavor, and together with the attribution to Donglu Luoluo Pingsheng, it may be inferred that the content is related to ancient women's themes or boudoir writing, though the actual textual character requires readers to examine it personally. The value of this series lies in avoiding excessive modern rewriting and deletion, presenting as far as possible the original wording, format, and narrative manner of the ancient text, which is of practical significance to readers who wish to experience the original atmosphere of ancient books and understand the expressive forms of traditional thought and culture. In reading such original texts, the point is not to pursue intricate plot or plain wording but to appreciate the inherent rhythm of ancient thought and writing. It is suitable as supplementary reading for enthusiasts of traditional culture seeking to broaden their reading horizons, and also for careful section-by-section reading in a quiet setting with reference books at hand for difficult characters and words, thereby gaining a reading experience closer to the text itself.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Enthusiasts of traditional culture interested in the original appearance of ancient texts
Readers wishing to encounter original Chinese classics and broaden their reading horizons
Patient readers who enjoy close reading and are willing to consult reference books
Literary researchers concerned with ancient writing on women's themes

Not a good fit for

Ordinary readers seeking light entertainment and fast-paced plots
Beginners expecting modern vernacular rewriting or detailed annotated explanations
Readers impatient with classical wording and traditional modes of expression

Reading tips

First read the table of contents and preface to understand the book's place in the series and editorial principles.
Keep a classical Chinese dictionary at hand and consult it for difficult characters and words, making marginal notes.
Read a short passage at a time, then retell its general meaning in your own words to test comprehension.
Read alongside other original texts in the same series to appreciate differences in expression among texts.

版权信息
玉闺红
导读
玉闺红全传卷一
第一回弄奸权竖阉祸国书奏摺狂风示兆
第二回陷忠良李公成仁遭凶变小姐落难
第三回黑陋巷义婢救主前门外恶奴辜恩
第四回小白狼强狠强霸张小脚勾奸卖奸
第五回穷风月赵三定计活冤孽孤孀遭危
玉闺红全传卷二
第六回吴来子巧嫌多娇老虔婆夜拷玉女
第七回落烟花小姐投环沦成人老贵讲价
第八回通花径粪夫作乐强梳拢小姐受苦
第九回贪美色牛征豕逐采新蕊躏月蹂花
第十回试紫箫羞云怯雨比小童折玉摧兰诗曰：

FAQ

Is this book a vernacular translation or an original-text edition?

According to the materials, this series follows the principle of "preserving the original appearance of the text" and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional thought and culture, so it is closer to a presentation of the original text than a modern vernacular translation or rewriting. Reading may require reference books to understand characters and words; please refer to the actual product for specific format.

Can readers without a foundation in classical Chinese read this book?

They can try, but should be mentally prepared. Texts presented in their original form differ from modern Chinese in wording and expression. It is advisable to read alongside a classical Chinese dictionary and annotated editions, starting with short passages and gradually building language familiarity rather than trying to understand the whole text at once.

Is this book suitable as an introductory reader for Chinese classics?

As a volume in the series, it is more suitable for readers who already have some experience in reading classical Chinese and wish to encounter original texts. For complete beginners in Chinese classics, it is advisable to start with anthologies that have detailed annotations and vernacular explanations, then move on to texts that preserve the original appearance, so the reading threshold is gentler.

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About the author

东鲁落落平生 Author

Donglu Luoluo Pingsheng is an author about whom very little public information is available; no clear record exists of their real name, place of origin, dates of birth and death, or nationality. The only confirmed fact is that one work, Yu Gui Hong, is transmitted under this name. The signature itself—with "Donglu" possibly suggesting the Shandong region and "Luoluo Pingsheng" conveying a tone of personal reflection on life—may hint at a regional self-designation and a reflective stance, but such inferences lack documentary support and should not be treated as settled conclusions. As currently classified, Yu Gui Hong is often placed under Eastern philosophy, suggesting that its content may concern views on life, conduct, ethics, or traditional thought rather than pure literary narrative. Since only this one work exists in the collection and background materials such as prefaces, editions, and the author's circle are lacking, it is difficult to sketch the full range of their writing style or intellectual sources. Readers interested in the ideas presented in Yu Gui Hong may take it as an entry point for understanding traditional Eastern ways of thinking, while remaining cautious about the author's biography.