Yu Zhang is assistant professor of Chinese at Loyola University of Maryland.

• List of FiguresList of TablesAcknowledgmentsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. A Case of Interfamily Tanci Reading and Writing: Zheng Zhenhua, Zhou Yingfang, and Judaoren2. An Alternative Discourse of qing: Zheng Zhenhua and the Legacy of Mudan ting3. The Daughter’s Devotions and Virtues4. Women and Family: A New Narrative of the Yue Fei Legend in Jing zhong zhuan5. Nationalist Readings of Jing zhong zhuan in Shifting Historical Contexts6. Yu xuan cao: Anxiety under Camouflage of EntertainmentEpilogue: The Hopeful AgeBibliographyAbout the Author

. . . .Zhang’s book has brought new dimensions to the study of tanci, connecting what has generally been held as a particular corner of traditional Chinese culture, to the larger world of nineteenth century China. It is a worthwhile reading not only for tanci experts, but also for students of Chinese literature and history in the nineteenth century in general. More importantly, it calls for further exploration of the fertile soil of the literary culture centered on tanci.