Through the life and struggles of a lower-class intellectual family in the mid-Ming Dynasty, a vivid and lively urban Ukiyo-e is painted with humorous brushwork. On the surface, the novel is written about ancient times, but in fact it reflects contemporary times everywhere, exploring the eternal propositions of opportunity, human nature, desire and perseverance.
Deeply influenced by the worldly romance novels of the Ming Dynasty, the language style blends the market atmosphere of "San Yan Er Pai" and the satirical spirit of "The Scholars", blending solemnity with humor. In the story of laughter and tears, there are hidden sharp metaphors for phenomena such as "involution", "relationship" and "hidden rules" of reality.
