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This is the most famous Chinese novel about aristocracy and human relationships. Its title has previously been translated by others as A Dream of Red Mansions and Red Chamber Dream. It is the story of Crystal Steward, a being residing in the sky, who has the desire to be reincarnated into the human world. Although he behaves like a carefree tourist on Earth, his bookish father wants him to study diligently enough to become a good student in school, which will probably lead him to a future job in a promising career. That causes a major conflict between him and his father. Meanwhile, a celestial rock transforms itself into a piece of jade and manages to descend upon Earth with Crystal Steward by hiding in his mouth during his birth. Twelve beautiful fairies also descend upon Earth, forming the “Twelve Barrettes of Capital South” who are sisters, cousins, and sisters-in-law of the boy. As the boy grows up, the jade pendant around his neck functions as a camera that captures everything that happens inside the mansion of a wealthy family, transmitting back to the readers very detailed and emotional snapshots of ancient China during the last dynasty..
