Shi Xiangyun
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Shi Xiangyun (Chinese: 史湘雲; Pinyin: Shǐ Xiāngyún) is a major character in Dream of the Red Chamber. She is Baoyu's younger paternal second cousin by the Dowager. Xiangyun is the favorite grandniece of the Dowager, Baoyu's grandmother.
Orphaned since infancy, she grew up under the watchful eyes of her wealthy maternal aunt and uncle. They use her unkindly to do embroidery and needlework for the family late into the night. Despite her misfortune, she is always cheerful and ready to play a small joke. Her cheer and open-heartedness make her pranks forgiven by most. Xiangyun is very learned. She is as good a poet as Daiyu or Baochai. She is also excellent in embroidery and is forthright without tact. Xiangyun is portrayed as a tomboy-ish girl. She looks fine in men's clothes and loves to drink and eat meat. Apparently an androgynous beauty, her cousins always beg the Dowager to send for her so she can visit them, for Xiangyun is a beautiful girl, good company and a wonderful visitor. In the end of the novel, Xiangyun marries but is soon widowed. She is one of "Jinling City's Twelve Beauties".
[edit] Trivia
Xiangyun's name translates to "River Mist". Also, Xiangyun and Baoyu's matching gold unicorns suggest that the would later have a close relationship as cousins.
