Mistress and Maid (Traditional Chinese: 嬌紅記; Simplified Chinese: 娇红记; Pinyin: Jiāo Hóng Jì) is a tragedy written by the Chinese playwright Meng Chengshun. It follows the relationship of Star-Crossed Lovers Bella and Shen. When Shen visits her family, the two begin a secret relationship that is eventually doomed by the machinations of jealous rivals- most importantly the boorish Master Shuai, who forces Bella's family to betroth her to him.
All quotations in this trope page are taken from Cyril Birch's translation.
Examples:
- Animal Motifs: Shen and Bella's fidelity is compared to that of mandarin ducks, a common metaphor in that era.
- Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?: In response to Shen's despair when Bella and Shuai's engagement is announced, Bella snaps that if he were 'a real man' he would break the law to keep her. Shen doesn't want to do that, but nor does he want to live without Bella, so...
- Filler: The 'ghost imposter' subplot, though pretty, has no relation to the actual main story except in the sense that they share a cast.
- Geeky Turn-On: The couple love each other's poetic ability, and many of their conversations are had through verse.
- Kissing Cousins: Shen and Bella are maternal cousins, which is the main reason why they're not allowed to marry.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: Shen's fellow scholars see that he's sad, and comfort him- of course he'll do well at the upcoming examinations! He's actually sad about his love life.
- Together in Death: The couple's ghosts leave a message reassuring Bella's parents that they'll meet again, at her grave.
