The Romance of the West Chamber (Xixiang Ji)

"The Romance of the West Chamber" (Xixiang Ji) is a classic Chinese play written during the Yuan Dynasty by Wang Shifu. The story centers on the romantic adventures of a scholar named Zhang Sheng and a beautiful young woman named Cui Yingying. Set against the backdrop of societal norms and family pressures, their love faces challenges from various characters, including Cui’s mother and a powerful suitor. The play explores themes of love, honor, and the tension between personal desire and social expectations, and is celebrated for its lyrical poetry and sophisticated portrayal of romance and emotion in ancient China.