Story Timeline
Track key events and character fates throughout the novel.
62 events
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Jia Yucun Departs for the Capital
On Mid-Autumn night Zhen Shiyin meets the down-and-out scholar Jia Yucun and gives him fifty taels of silver and two suits for the capital examinations. Jia Yucun leaves without farewell the next day; his failure to repay this kindness foreshadows his later climb through powerful connections.
Zhen Shiyin Dreams of the Magic Stone
Zhen Shiyin dreams of a monk and a Taoist discussing the karmic bond between the Divine Attendant and the Crimson Pearl, and the plan to take the Magic Stone to the mortal world. When he asks to see the "dull thing," they tell him the illusory realm has arrived — the causal destiny of the novel is revealed in this symbolic prologue.
Fire at Gourd Temple — Zhen Family Ruined
A young acolyte at Gourd Temple mishandles lamp oil and starts a fire that spreads to the Zhen home, destroying their property. Zhen Shiyin and his wife take refuge with her father Feng Su but are coldly used; the family's ruin foreshadows "suddenly the great hall collapses."
Yinglian Lost on Lantern Festival
At the Lantern Festival the servant Huo Qi loses three-year-old Yinglian among the lights; she is kidnapped and sold. She later becomes Xue Pan's concubine, renamed Xiangling—the seed of the verdict "fated but not favored, harming father and mother."
Zhen Shiyin Takes Monastic Vows
Broken by poverty and illness, Zhen Shiyin hears the lame Taoist sing "The Song of 'All Is Well'" in the street, grasps that wealth and rank are empty, adds his commentary, and follows the Taoist away—the emblem of "true matters hidden" that titles the novel.
Yuan Chun Enters the Imperial Palace
Jia Yuanchun enters the palace for talent and virtue as a female historian, serving at the Phoenix Palace. The Jias stake their political fortunes on her; the palace is both glory and a cage, matching the sigh "twenty years to tell right from wrong."
Jia Yucun Becomes Lin Family Tutor
After dismissal Jia Yucun travels and is recommended as tutor to Salt Commissioner Lin Ruhai in Yangzhou, teaching young Lin Daiyu. That post becomes the bridge for his later reinstatement through the Lin and Jia families.
Jia Min Passes Away — Daiyu Loses Her Mother
Jia Min, Lady Jia's daughter and Lin Ruhai's wife, dies of illness. Six-year-old Daiyu loses her mother and is frail; Lin Ruhai and Grandmother Jia agree to send her to the capital—her life as a dependent guest begins.
Leng Zixing Narrates the Rong Mansion
Leng Zixing tells Jia Yucun about the rise and fall of the four great families, sketching the Jia family's background for the reader.
Daiyu Enters the Jia Mansion
After her mother's death, Lin Daiyu comes to live with her grandmother; she meets Baoyu for the first time and they feel an instant connection.
Xue Baochai Arrives at Rongguo Mansion
The Xues come to the capital for the imperial selection; Baochai stays with Aunt Xue and Xue Pan at Pear Fragrance Court in the Jia mansion. Her poise and virtue win everyone; talk of a gold-and-jade match spreads against the wood-and-stone bond.
Xue Pan Seizes Xiangling — Feng Yuan Killed
On the way to the capital Xue Pan seizes the kidnapped Yinglian from buyer Feng Yuan and has Feng beaten to death; he takes her as concubine Xiangling. Magistrate Jia Yucun buries the case—the "guardian charm" of the four great clans opens the theme of unchecked power.
Baoyu's Dream of the Illusory Land
Baoyu dreams of the Land of Illusion; he sees the fates of the Twelve Beauties, hears the "Dream of Red Mansions" songs, and is guided by the Goddess of Disenchantment.
Granny Liu's First Visit to Rongguo Mansion
Countrywoman Granny Liu, in need, visits Rongguo Mansion, claims distant kinship, sees Wang Xifeng, and receives twenty taels. Her plain perspective contrasts with the mansion's splendor and foreshadows her later visits to the garden.
Jiao Da's Drunken Outburst
Jiao Da, drunk, curses his masters, revealing scandals about the family.
Data sources and reliability
Overall reliability：Curated
The timeline is built from editorial event records tied to chapters and roles; in-story years organize the narrative.
Limitations：Scholars disagree on chronology; this ordering is editorial, not a single authoritative timeline.
How to cite：Check the cited chapters in the novel and compare with academic chronologies for formal work.
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