Xianzu Tang

牡丹亭

"牡丹亭" by Xianzu Tang is a romantic tragicomedy play written in 1598. Set in the final days of the Southern Song dynasty, it tells the story of sixteen-year-old Du Liniang, who dreams of a passionate encounter with scholar Liu Mengmei in her family's garden. Unable to forget this dream lover, Liniang dies of lovesickness—but death proves not to be the end. When the underworld declares their marriage predestined, an extraordinary reunion becomes possible, leading to resurrection, disbelief, imprisonment, and an unexpected imperial intervention.