Her birthday falls on the auspicious double seven - seventh day of the seventh month, the lovers' festival - and for her birthday celebrations her indulgent father has arranged a performance of her favourite opera The Peony Pavilion. She has had wealth and attention lavished upon her. She knows the traditions however and honours them. Her amah and her mother and aunts have done their best to instil in her the four virtues of womanhood so that she will make a good wife - but her stitching is imperfect and her fingers skitter on the zither and her paintings of butterflies and flowers will win no contests. She has been indulged by her father and her servants. Her father is a wealthy nobleman and her mother (importantly) a still-loved first wife. Peony is approaching her 16th birthday with all the blissful self-belief of the cherished only child. The love story that follows echoes that of the classic Chinese opera The Peony Pavilion and both are used to explore the nature of women's lives during 17th century China - and in particular the lives and influence of women writers of the time. Summary: Peony approaches her 16th birthday, cherished by her family, betrothed according to custom and full of romantic dreams for a happy and prosperous future.all of that will change during her birthday celebrations.
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