courtesans. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the character of Bao Yu, who is described as a stunningly beautiful young woman with a background marked by hardship. Her mother, having survived a tragedy, ends up selling her into a brothel to sustain their lives. In Shanghai, Bao Yu's beauty catches the attention of wealthy merchants, including a character named 杨四 (Yang Si), who finds himself enamored with her upon their first meeting. The opening chapters set the stage for a tale rich in flirtation, societal critique, and the notable dynamics of power and desire between men and women, all encapsulated within the vibrant, bustling context of 19th-century Shanghai. (This is an automatically generated summary.)