Five Blessings at the Door: A Family Reunion

During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song, Madam Li moves her entire family from Luoyang to Bianjing for the sake of her five daughters. There, she builds a business and finds them suitable husbands. Her eldest daughter marries a handsome and brilliant top graduate, becoming the wife of a palace graduate. Her second daughter secures her place in the family, trains her husband well, and gives birth to a daughter. Her third daughter marries a wealthy merchant of Bianjing with a keen business sense. They enjoy a harmonious and happy married life. Her fourth daughter marries a judge in the Kaifeng Prefecture from a family of officials. He may be cold-faced, but he treats his wife wonderfully. Only the fifth daughter has yet to find her happy ending: the Yang family has been confiscated, and her husband, Yang Xian, has gone away on business. Still, Madam Li remains worried about her missing son and youngest daughter. Three years later, Yang Xian returns to the capital and the Zhe family arrives in the city. At last, the Li family is reunited. Note: The story opens with events three years later and focuses mainly on the Li family’s daily life. Author’s note: The heroine is Madam Li’s youngest daughter and Le Shan’s twin. She and her brother were swept away by a flood and rescued by Madam Zhe.